USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1923 > Part 3
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On motion by Finance Committee.
Voted : That the subject matter of Article 45 be referred to the Board of Selectmen.
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
"CURFEW"
Article 46. To see if the town will adopt in substance as an am- endment to the town By-Laws the following: Chapter 15-Section 1. No child under the age of sixteen years shall be, loiter, or remain in or upon any street, way, highway, park, or other public place in this town between the hours of 9 o'clock in the evening, and 5 o'clock in the fore- noon, unless such child is accompanied by or under the control of a par- ent, guardian, or other person having the legal custody or care of such child, or unless in the performance or returning from the performance of an errand or duty directed by such parent, guardian or other person having the legal custody or care of such child,or unless in a performance of or going to, or returning from some lawful employment or duty; and no such child while performing such errand, duty or emplayment, or while going to or returning from the performance thereof, shall loiter or remain upon any such street, way, highway, park, or other public place within said period of time.
Section 2. The Chief of Police shall keep a record of all violations of Section 1 of this by-law and shall cause to be notified thereof one of the parents, guardian or other person having the legal custody or care of such child.
Section 3. The Chief of the Fire Department shall cause two blows to be sounded on the fire-alarm system at 9 o'clock in the evening as notification of this by-law.
Section 4. Any person violating any of the provisions of this by- law shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $5.00 for the third or any subsequent offence .- Mrs. Adelaide A. Shedd and others.
On motion by Margaret H. Mann.
Voted: That the town accept and adopt as an amendment to the Town By-Laws the following:
CHAPTER 15
CURFEW
Section 1. No child under the age of sixteen years shall be, loiter, or remain in or upon any street, way, highway, park or other public place in this town between the hours of 9 o'clock in the evening, and five o'clock in the forenoon, unless such child is accompanied by or under the control of a parent, guardian or other person having the legal custody or care of such child, or unless in the performance or -returning from
36
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
the performance of an errand or duty directed by such parent, guardian or other person having the legal custody or care of such child, or unless in a performance of or going to, or returning from some lawful employ- ment or duty; and no such child while performing such errand, duty or employment, or while going to or returning from the performance there- of, shall loiter or remain upon any such street, way, highway, park, or other public place within said period of time.
Section 2. The Chief of Police shall keep a record of all violations of section 1 of this by-law and shall cause to be notified thereof one of the parents, guardian or other person having the legal custody or care of such child.
Section 3. The Chief of the Fire Department shall cause two blows to be sounded on the fire alarm system at 9 o'clock in the evening as notification of this by-law.
Section 4. Any person violating any of the provisions of this by- law shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $5.00 for the third or any subsequent offence.
Article 47. To see if the town will vote to authorize and direct its Selectmen in the name of the town to petition the General Court for, or approve a petition filed therein, for the passage of an act which will permit the town by by-law or vote to designate zones or distinct parts of the town in which the provisions of Chapter 145 of the General Laws relating to tenement houses shall not be in effect .- Curtis L. Sopher.
On motion by M. E. S. Clemons.
Voted: That the subject matter of this article be indefinitely post- poned.
Article 42.
Voted: That article 42 be taken up.
Voted : That the subject matter of this article be indefinitely post- poned.
Article 2.
Voted : That Article 2 be taken up.
The committee appointed under this article, not making any report it was Voted: That the persons nominated and elected for the year 1922 be elected into the same offices as they held last year.
Voted: That this meeting be dissolved.
Adjourned at 10:05 o'clock P. M. Attendance 400.
37
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
TOWN MEETING, JUNE 25, 1923
Meeting called to order at 7:35 o'clock P. M. by Moderator Eaton, who read the call for the meeting.
On motion by Howard A. Jones.
Voted: That the further reading of the warrant with the exception of the signers of the warrant and the Constable's return be omitted.
Article 1. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer on Bennett Street, from Herbert street to Melvin street, and raise and ap- propriate money therefor, or issue notes or bonds of the town to pay for the construction of the sewer, or what they will do about it .- Ernest E. Tyzzer and others.
On motion by Howard A. Jones.
Voted: That the town construct a sewer on Bennett street from Herbert street to Melvin street.
On motion by A. H. Boardman.
Voted : That the town appropriate the sum of $2000, for the pur- pose set forth in Article 1 of the warrant for this meeting held June 25, 1923 and authorize the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to issue bonds or notes of the town to the amount of $2,000., $1,000 payable in 1924 and $1,000, in 1925. Unanimous vote.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Board of Health to clean up and care for dumping places, and to raise and ap- propriate $750.00 for the same .- Ernest E. Tyzzer and others.
A motion by the Finance Committee to indefinitely postpone was lost.
On motion by M. E. S. Clemons.
Voted: That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $750, for the purposes set forth in the article.
Article 3. To see if the town will appropriate, in addition to the amount heretofore appropriated, a further sum of $30,000 for the in- stallation of additional conduits, transmission lines, and a sub-station with necessary electrical apparatus therein, all as an extension to the electrical works of the Municipal Light Plant and authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow and issue notes
38
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
or bonds of the town to such amount as may be appropriated under this article, to provide money for the purposes aforesaid .- Marcus Beebe, 2nd, and others.
On motion by A. H. Boardman.
Voted: That the town appropriate the sum of $30,000 for the purposes set forth in article 3 of the warrant for the meeting of June 25, 1923 and authorize the Treasurer with the approval of the Select- men to issue notes or bonds of the town in the aggregate sum of $30,000., said notes or bonds to be payable as follows: $1500, in each of the years 1924 to 1943 both inclusive, all particulars as to form, date of issue and sale of said notes or bonds to be determined by the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen.
Affirmative 69. Negative 1.
Charles F. Young introduced the following resolve.
Resolved: That it is the sense of this meeting that no auto bus license be granted in this town to the Eastern Mass. St. Ry. Co.,
Voted: That this meeting be dissolved
Adjourned at 8:30 P. M. Attendance 97.
TOWN MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 1923
Meeting called to order at 7:40 o'clock P. M. by Moderator Eaton, who read the call for the meeting.
On motion by Loring Jordan.
Voted: That further reading of the warrant with the exception of the Constable's return be omitted. Constable's return then read by the Moderator.
Article 1. To see if the town will authorize the Town Treasurer to execute and deliver such bonds from time to time, in the name of the town, and in such amounts as the United States of America may require, conditioned in substance upon the return in good order of all military equipment furnished by said United States to the School Department for military instruction .- Board of Selectmen.
On motion by M. E. S. Clemons.
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REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Voted: That the town authorize the town Treasurer to execute and deliver such bonds from time to time, in the name of the town, and in such amounts as the United States of America may require, con- ditioned in substance upon the return in good order of all Military equipment furnished by said United States to the School Department for Military instruction.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to authorize its Selectmen to petition the General Court for the passage of an act to change the time when the elected members of the Water and Sewerage Board of the Town of Wakefield, shall take office after their election .- Board of Selectmen.
On motion by M. E. . S. Clemons.
Voted: That the town authorize its Selectmen to petition the Gen- eral Court for the passage of an act to change the time when the elected members of the Water and Sewerage Board of the town of Wakefield take office, so that they shall take office immediately after their elec- tion and qualification.
Article 3. To see if the town will vote to accept sections twenty- eight to fifty-one inclusive, of Chapter 148 of the General Laws, and thereby becoming a part of and included in the Metropolitan (Fire Pre- vention) District .- Board of Selectmen.
A motion by Finance Committee to postpone was lost.
On motion by Loring P. Jordan.
Voted: That a committee of five be appointed to consist of the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and the Chief of the Fire Depart- ment and three other members, to investigate the advisability of the town accepting sections twenty-eight to fifty-one inclusive of Chapter 148 of the General Laws and report at the annual town meeting.
Article 4. To see if the town will revoke the appropriation of $7800 made to the Water Department, for re-laying water mains on Lakeside, under Article 5 of the warrant for the annual meeting of 1923. Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Finance Committee.
Voted : That the appropriation of $7800, made to the Water De- partment for re-laying water mains on Lakeside under Article 5 of the warrant for the annual meeting of 1923 be revoked.
40
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to purchase for the protection of its water supply, for park purposes or any other public purpose, the lot of land on the northeast corner of Crystal Lake, between the Boston & Maine Railroad and property of the town, and appropriate a sum of money therefor .- Board of Selectmen.
On motion by M. E. S. Clemons.
Voted : That the town appropriate from the revenue the sum of $3750, to purchase, for the protection of its water supply, for park pur- poses or any other public purpose, the lot of land on the northeast cor- ner of Crystal Lake between the Boston & Maine Railroad and pro- perty of the town.
Unanimous vote.
Article 6. To see what sum if any the town will appropriate and authorize the Selectmen, to use for permanent improvements in the Town Hall, and for additional equipment for any department therein .-- Board of Selectmen.
On motion by Finance Committee.
Voted : That the town appropriate from revenue the sum of $4050, and authorize the Selectmen to expend same for the purpose called for in the article.
Voted: That this meeting be dissolved.
Adjourned at 8.10 o'clock. Attendance 51.
41
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
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, 1923, together with the reports of the several departments under its control or supervision.
ORGANIZATION
The Board consisting of Arthur L. Gardner, Arthur L. Evans, Arthur E. Newcomb, Charles F. Young and Albert K. Comins held its first meeting March 5, 1923. Arthur L. Gardner was elected Chairman, Charles F. Young, Sceretary and H. A. Simonds was appointed clerk.
COMMITTEES
Street-Arthur L. Gardner, Arthur L. Evans, Arthur F. Newcomb, Charles F. Young, Albert K. Comins.
Military-Charles F. Young.
Fire Department-Albert K. Comins.
Police Department-Arthur L. Evans.
Town Hall-Arthur E. Newcomb.
Licenses-Arthur L. Gardner, Arthur L. Evans, Arthur E. Newcomb.
APPOINTMENTS
Town Counsel-M. E. S. Clemons.
Superintendent of Streets-William R. Tompson.
Janitor of Hall-Harvey S. Parker.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Dog Officer-James J. Pollard. Fire Inspector-Fred D. Graham.
Forest Warden-Fred D. Graham.
Registrar of Voters-James F. Curley.
Inspector of Wires-Fred D. Graham.
Inspector of Buildings-Frank J. Henkel.
Compensation Agent-Frank J. Henkel.
Inspector of Animals-Calvert H. Playton
Keeper of Lockup-Joseph L. Preston
Burial Agent-J. Warren Poland
Agent, Care of Soldiers' Graves-J. Warren Poland
Sweetser Lecture Committee-W. S. Perkins, J. Lowe McMahon, Charles J. Peterson, J. Frank White and Frederick A. Smith.
Chief of Fire Department-Fred D. Graham.
Constables-Harry A. Simonds and Louis N. Tyzzer.
POLICE OFFICERS
John A. Meloney, William G. Carley, George O. Russell, Water F. Carley, James Findlay, George F. Leach, Ernest Tyler, William H. Murray, Harvey S. Parker, Albert D. Cate, George W. Couillard, Alo- ysius P. Butler, John D. Shanahan, Arthur H. Ayscough, Charles F. Riley, William R. Thompson, Harry G. Robinson, Morrison Merrill, Edward Barker, Edward Dulong, William H. Jack, William L. Young, Melvin W. Brown, Daniel E. Fessenden, Frank LeGro, Herbert Mitchell, Clarence Forrest, Antiono Canino, Cormack Carroll, Patrick McLaughlin Gervis V. Stanley, James F. Hartnett, William T. Doucette, Edward E. Eaton, George E. Zwicker, Irving A. Wells, M. Leo Conway, D. Eugene Pease, James F. Curley, Arthur W. Cate, James E. Lannigan, W. Wallace Shedd, Eugene Lenners.
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REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
WEIGHERS OF COAL, COKE AND HAY
Patrick McLaughlin, John H. McMahon, Joseph S. Brewer, Frank H. Sweetser, William T. Curley, Leo P. Curley, Helen F. Dignan, G. Delores McTeague, F. W. Magdeburg, Mary C. Donegan,Donald E. Russ.
AUCTIONEERS
David K. Shumway, William H. Woodman, Herbert W. Smith, Harold F. Miles, Frederick S. Hartshorne.
POOL, BILLIARD AND BOWLING
Charles E. Randall, James J. Devlin, Richard Pepper, George H. Blodgett, Joseph Migliory, Salvatoro Guiliano, Joseph Minsola.
MOTOR VEHICLES LICENSES
Harry A. Knowlton, David T. Barry, Charles W. Classen, J. D. Stuart, Bates Motor Sales Co., Charles J. Martin, Indian Head Motors Inc., Crystal Motors Inc.
PEDLAR'S LICENSES
Fortunato DiVito, Libero Nasella, William H. Muise, Walter P. Whitehead, Abraham Gotfried, H. B. Quint, Pasquale Leone, Ralph W. Edmands, Claude H. Thompson, Charles N. Freeman, John Gallucci, Michael Terravecchia, John H. Whelping, George C. Driscoll.
AWNINGS, SIGNS AND BANNERS
John Moccia, Knights of Columbus, Rosario Savarino.
MISCELLANEOUS LICENSES
Bonney & Dutton, Edward G. Nagle, Lynfield Community Bus Line Inc., Woburn and Reading Bus Line Inc., Edward F. Bird, Frank A. Bartnick, Louis Gersonovitch, Francis J. Smith, Eastern Massa- chusetts Street Railway.
.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The personnel of the Board of Selectmen consisted of three members of last year's board and two new members, Messrs Albert K. Comins and Arthur L. Evans respectively.
There seems to have been an unusual number of problems before the Board this year which required most careful study and consideration before a decision was made.
The policy of having the entire Board responsible for matters per- taining to highway maintenance and improvement was continued and a careful study of this situation has been made in preparation for work for next year.
The remodelling of that part of the Town Hall vacated by the Beebe Library has been practically completed which now gives adequate quarters for all town departments.
Conferences have been held regarding inter-town or city matters with the governing boards of Reading, Stoneham and Melrose. Also conferences have been held from time to time with other boards of the town government on matters of mutual interest.
It was necessary in joint session with the board affected to fill a vacancy on the Lighting Board and one on the Park and Cemetery Commission.
On August 2nd, our late beloved President, Warren G. Harding, passed away at San Francisco. The Board called a special meeting of citizens and a committee was appointed who arranged for Memorial Exercises which were held in the auditorium of the Town Hall on the evening of the funeral, August 10th, with the following programme:
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REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
MEMORIAL EXERCISES
in honor of
WARREN G. HARDING
President of the United States held by the Citizens of Wakefield, Massachusetts
Friday Evening, August 10, 1923 TOWN HALL
Introduction Invocation
Selection. "Lead Kindly Light"
Prayer
Selection. "Nearer, My God to Thee." Address
Chairman, Charles F. Young Rev. Austin Rice, D. D. Pastor First Congregational Church Crystal Quartet Rev. Harvey J. Moore, Pastor First Baptist Church Crystal Quartet Rev. Warren S. Perkins, D. D., Pastor First Universalist Church
Selection. "My God, My Country and My Flag." Crystal Quartet Address Rev. F. J. Halloran, Rector St. Joseph's Church Reading of Resolutions Representative Maynard E. S. Clemons
Singing By Audience "America" Trooping of Colors. Taps. Benediction Rev. Theodore DeLuca. Pastor Italian Baptist Chapel
The Board wishes to express its appreciation of the assistance given by Town Accountant Harry A. Simonds and the advise of the Town Counsel Maynard E. S. Clemons during the past year, also to the heads of the several departments and to the employees under its jurisdiction for their cooperation.
ARTHUR L. GARDNER, Chairman ARTHUR E. NEWCOMB ARTHUR L. EVANS ALBERT K. COMINS CHARLES F. YOUNG, Secretary.
46
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Planning Board
FOR THE YEAR 1923
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen-
The Town Planning Board has had a very active year, having inter- ested itself in problems in every quarter of the town and with nearly all departments. It has met with a fine spirit of understanding, and co- operation on the part of private citizens, the public press, and especially individual town officials with whom it has had dealings.
There have been held twenty-five regular meetings of the Board, six special or joint meetings with other departments, and three trips about the town by auto. One member of the Board, Mr. Charles Win- ter-who now lives in Melrose-resigned in December, and as yet his successor has not been selected.
In our last annual report we outlined five of the most important problems of the town, from a planning point of view as follows-
"Better and wider main thoroughfares with proper connections and extensions of minor streets."
The Board has engaged Mr. Arthur C. Comey, "Town Planning Expert" who is now studying the street system of the town, both in its local aspect, and in its relation to surrounding towns. He will soon present to the Board a comprehensive and detailed report, which we intend to have printed for general distribution.
(2) "A more adequate supervision and control of new plats and the co-ordination with each other. and with existing street layouts."
The Board of Selectmen, sitting as a Board of Survey, has had presented to it several proposed subdivisions of land into house lots. After this matter was discussed at a joint meeting of the two Boards, these plans have been turned over to the Planning Board, which has in each case made a detailed study of the proposition, and reported its findings to the Board of Survey. The importance of this one activity in its affect upon future taxation can hardly be over emphasized.
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
(3) "A comprehensive study of the park and playground possi- bilities in Wakefield, and a real program of development along these lines."
Mr. Comey in his planning studies includes the park system and its development in the larger sense.
The Planning Board and the Park Department have outlined a program of proceedure especially in regard to the common, the park, and the lake shore. It is hoped that the town will provide the Park De- partment with means to not only maintain the parks in the condition in which a previous generation presented them to us, but also for permanent improvements and extensions, for the benefit of future gene- rations.
A system of playground has been tentatively mapped out, and at a joint meeting of the Board with the Council of Parent-Teacher Asso- ciations and the representatives of the School Department and the Park Department, turned this over to them for further study and action. The Town's people will make no mistake in being far-sighted in acquiring an adequate playground system.
(4) "A scheme for expansion and development of school grounds so that every child will have a play space other than the public street. Each year this is delayed reduces the available opportunities and in- creases the ultimate cost."
This came up for study with the playground system as mentioned under Number 3, and although a great deal of work must yet be done, still a good beginning has been made.
(5) "The establishment of a zoning ordinance, controlling and safe-guarding the use of the property within the town."
By vote of the town in March, the sum of Two Thousand dollars was placed at the disposal of the Board, largely for the preparation of a Zoning Law. The Board employed the expert services of Arthur C. Comey, who working with the Board has drawn up an ordinance and prepared a zoning map of the town. This will be submitted to the citizens in a tentative form in a series of public hearings and presented in its final form at the March Town Meeting for final vote.
In addition to the above matters, the Planning Board has studied and made recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on the following subjects :
Detailed recommendations for the revision of the parking rules.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Gasoline Filling Stations. Recommend that permits be granted only for "drive in stations."
Parking areas. The Town advised to acquire property near the business center for auto parking.
Illuminated Signs. Recommended that they be limited to a pro- jection of two feet from the face of buildings.
Public Dumping. Recommended that the town regulate dumping- that the High School play field be filled with dumping, that New Salem street dump be levelled and sidewalks cleaned and fence built-that the Board of Health control public dumping.
Mosquito nuisance. Recommended that all town departments con- trolling property see that mosquito breeding places be elimin- ated thereon.
Forrest street Connection. Recommended that the town cooperate with the County in connecting Forrest and Merriam street, Greenwood.
Building Law. Recommended that a committee of five be appoint- ed to completely revise the Building Code.
Chestnut street. Recommended that the grade of Chestnut street be thoroughly studied from Main street to North Avenue, and a permanent grade established.
In its work this year the Planning Board has prepared maps of the town as follows:
A map showing the present use of property throughout the town.
A contour map.
A map showing the unused land areas.
A Zoning map.
A general Planning map.
Survey and plans as follows :
Plan and survey for a proposed waiting platform at the Upper Station on North Avenue.
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
Plan and survey for a proposed street from Main street to Water street, east of the railroad tracks.
Plan and survey of Chestnut street.
The Planning Board has outlined as follows its work for the coming year.
The completion of several matters, which are now under consider- ation, and which are not yet in shape to be presented.
The gathering of further survey material, and the preparation of additional maps.
Additional school ground study.
Detailed study and recommendations on matters suggested in the report on General Planning.
To study the problem of set-back lines on some of the main streets, which are too narrow for the increasing traffic.
To carry out this program we will require the sum of eight hundred dollars.
The Planning Board has been alloted a room in the re-arranged first floor of the Town Hall. This is being furnished, and soon will be in use by the Board. Here the public will be able to see a permanent exhibition of town maps and project-plans as various matters come up for study and recommendation by the Board.
H. B. MANSFIELD, Chairman DR. FRANK WOODBURY PHILIP W. FOSTER EDWARD M. BRIDGE, Secretary.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Inspector of Buildings
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen ;-
Gentlemen;
I herewith respectfully submit my report for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1923.
Number of Building permits issued 303. Increase from previous
year 28. For the following purposes.
95
2 Family Dwellings
10
Garages
105
Manufacturing
3
Repairs and Alterations
19
Piazza Additions
17
Hen Houses
12
Stores and Store Houses
12
Wood Sheds
6
Bungalows
5
Greenhouses
2
Barnes, Stables and Cow-barns
4
Auto Service Stations
3
Boiler Rooms
1
Cover for Gasoline Tanks
1
Dog House and Dog Hotel (Kennels)
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