Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1937, Part 6

Author: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1937
Publisher: Town of Wakefield
Number of Pages: 276


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1937 > Part 6


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


One Pierce-Arrow Squad Car which was placed in service in 1926. Equipment consists of one 1100-gallon capacity water gun mounted, 1000 ft. of 11/2-inch hose, nozzles, adapters, extinguishers, and other minor equipment.


One White Combination put in service in 1920 and equipped with 1000 ft. of 21/2-inch hose, 250 ft. of 3/4-inch hose, 35-gallon chemical tank, four types of extinguishers, two canister-type smoke masks, salvage covers, ladders, and other necessary equipment. This piece of apparatus has been in service for eighteen years and cannot be relied upon. I again urge that this machine be replaced this year.


One Pierce-Arrow Combination put in service in 1927. Equipment con- sists of 800 ft. of 21/2-inch hose, 200 ft. of 34-inch hose for booster line; booster pump, 52-gallon water tank, extinguishers, Eastman Deluge Set, and other equipment. Due to the fact that this machine was made over from a pleasure car and is light in construction for heavy work, this machine is used as a reserve piece to replace such other pieces of its type as may be forced out of service for repairs,


One Buick Chief's Car purchased in 1929 and which has been a valuable asset to the department's equipment.


One Triple Combination of 600-gallon capacity stationed at Greenwood.


74


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Is equipped with centrifugal type pump, 1350 ft. of 21/2-inch hose, 200 ft. of 3/4-inch hose for booster line, 80-gallon water tank, cellar pipe, salvage covers, smoke mask, ladders, and other necessary equipment.


In urging the replacement of Combination No. 1, I feel that this piece of apparatus no longer can be relied upon to perform the many emergency calls to which it is put during a year.


I wish to call to your attention the condition of the heater in the Central Fire Station. This is a tubular type heater which was installed in 1900, when the station was built. In the past few years the shell has been patched three times and tubes renewed. Boiler inspectors have advised that this heater be replaced.


During the year the department has responded to 354 alarms divided as follows: 75 box alarms, and 279 still alarms.


Estimate of property endangered


$201,025.00


Loss on same


20,101.96


Insurance on same


220,300.00


Insurance paid on same


18,851.96


Transit value


14,400.00


Transit loss 85.00


CONCLUSION


In closing this report I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the Honorable Board of Selectmen for the interest and co-operation mani- fested by them in all matters pertaining to this department.


To Mr. Charles F. Young for his hearty co-operation and interest during the past year on matters pertaining to this department as Com- mittee on Fire Department.


To the various other Town Departments who have rendered valuable assistance by their hearty co-operation with this department during the past year.


To the officers and members of the Fire Department for the prompt and faithful discharge of their duties, my sincere thanks are also due.


To Dr. Curtis L. Sopher, Department Physician, my sincere thanks for the interest shown and the valuable aid given to members of this department who were injured in the line of duty.


Respectfully submitted, CHIEF FRED D. GRAHAM, Chief of Fire Department.


This year has seen the passing away of two loyal members of this department.


On March 20, Captain George Sederquest passed away following a brief illness.


Captain Sederquest was appointed a call-man in June, 1901, and assigned to the Ladder Company.


In April of 1918 he was appointed to the permanent force.


When the two-platoon system went into effect Mr. Sederquest was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.


75


REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT


December 1, 1935, Lieut. Sederquest was promoted to a Captaincy and served as such until his death.


The Fire Department has lost a loyal and efficient officer.


Death claimed another member of the department on July 19, when Henry Fay passed to his reward, following a short illness.


Mr. Fay was the oldest active member of the Fire Department with an enviable record dating back to June, 1876, when he became a member of the old Cyrus Wakefield Company.


In 1881 he was transferred to the Yale.


On June 2, 1884, he was assigned to the Chemical.


In May, 1885, he was transferred to the Carter Hose Company, where he served as Lieutenant for three years and Captain for one year in 1891.


On November 16, 1906, Mr. Fay was transferred to the Steamer Com- pany and with the abolition of the steam fire engines he was assigned to the motorized Engine Company No. 1, serving with this company until his death.


Mr. Fay also acted as "observer" at the Hart's Hill forest fire tower for several years.


GEORGE SEDERQUEST 1901 - 1937


HENRY FAY 1876 - 1937


76


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Report of Forest Warden


Wakefield, Mass., January 1, 1938. Gentlemen:


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


During the past year there was a total of 209 woods and grass fires. Respectfully submitted, CHIEF FRED D. GRAHAM, Forest Warden.


a


Report of Inspector of Wires


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Wakefield, Mass., January 1, 1938. Gentlemen:


I herewith submit my Annual Report as Inspector of Wires in com- pliance with the vote of the Town, 1922.


There was a total of 387 inspections made. All defects found were made to conform with the National Code.


Respectfully submitted,


CHIEF FRED D. GRAHAM, Wire Inspector


77


REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS


Report of Superintendent of Streets


January 20, 1938


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Wakefield, Massachusetts.


Gentlemen:


I respectfully submit the annual report of the work done and the expense incurred in the Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1937.


Appropriation-March


$ 55,000.00


Gasoline Tax Refund


383.03


$ 55,383.03


Expenditures


53,224.68


Balance


$ 2,158.35


Receipts:


N. E. Road Machinery Co .- Sale of Second- hand Snow Plows $ 75.00


Louis Levine-Sale of Junk


53.36


David Feinburg Company-Sale of Junk


46.60


Preferred Accident Insurance Co .- Settlement of Claim


36.00


W. E. Wilkinson-Sale of Second-hand Snow Plow 25.00


A. M. Storcker-Sale of Second-hand Asphalt Tank


25.00


John Orsini-Sale of Second-hand Truck


25.00


Lumbermen's Casualty Co .- Settlement of Claim


8.42


Boston & Maine Railroad-Use of Roller


6.00


Carl Ordway-Sale of Second-hand Dump Body


5.00


Jessie Harrison-Sale of Tar


1.00


Mr. O'Neill-Sale of Junk


1.00


$ 307.38


EXPENDITURES


Overhead


Salary of Superintendent


$ 2,725.00


Timekeeper and General Assistant


1,585.46


Clerk


959.25


Office


323.96


$ 5,593.67


78


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


General Maintenance


Patrol


$ 1,183.65


Patching


1,803.52


Tar and Sand


6,966.34


Street Cleaning


576.32


Repairs to Guard Rail


61.17


Repairs to Sidewalks


19.78


Repairs to Equipment


3,868.67


Resurfacing and Repairs


1,334.21


Supplies


3,135.86


New Guard Rail


45.06


Cleaning Catchbasins


1,319.73


Street Signs


913.50


Traffic Lines


466.39


New Tools


526.44


Miscellaneous


61.95


Buildings


1,551.65


WPA


1,795.33


$ 25,629.57


Saturday Afternoons


$ 1,627.34


Holidays


736.79


Vacations


827.70


Drainage


4,043.29


Snow and Ice


1,097.68


Rebuilding


6,889.39


New Equipment


3,904.75


Sidewalks


Removal of Ashes


$ 45.89


Gravel and Dust


124.78


Cement


194.69


Lawns


122.42


Curb


1,081.27


Stone Bounds


58.80


Asphalt


1,070.93


Resetting Curb


15.66


Retaining Walls


160.06


$ 2,874.50


GENERAL MAINTENANCE


Patrol-The cleaning of the business sections of the town daily by one man.


Tar and Sand-The following streets, approximately nine (9) miles, received surface treatment.


Avon Street-entire 1400'


Bancroft Avenue-500'


Brook Street-entire 2800'


$ 53,224.68


79


REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS


Byron Street-Albion Street to Gould Street-650' Cedar Street-Auburn Street to Chestnut Street-200' Church Street-entire 2000' Clarina Street-entire 300' Columbia Road-entire- 500'


Cooper Street-Grove Street to Main Street-250' Cottage Street-entire 450'


Crystal Street-entire 750'


Elm Street-Brook Street 500' east


Elm Street-Prospect Street 400' north


Emerald Street-entire 600' Evergreen Street-entire 300'


Farm Street-Woodville School to Nahant Street-1000'


Greenwood Street-Crystal Street 400' south


Grove Street-Hanson Street to Cooper Street-350'


Hawthorne Street-entire 500'


Highland Street-entire 550'


Lafayette Street-entire 1000'


Lakeside Avenue-entire 150'


Laurel Street-entire 700'


Main Street-Crescent Street to Church Street-west gutter 500'


Meriam Street-entire 1700'


Melvin Street-Richardson Street to Bennett Street-400'


Morrison Avenue-entire 400'


Morrison Road-Park Avenue to Morrison Avenue-300'


Nahant Street-entire 8300'


North Avenue-Winn Street 1400' south


Park Avenue-entire 1600'


Parker Road-Prospect Street to Elm Street-2300'


Pearl Street-entire 850'


Pitman Avenue-entire 1000'


Prospect Street-Cedar Street to Sheffield Road-2800'


Prospect Street-Morrison Road West to Hopkins Street-600'


Richardson Street-Melvin Street to Wakefield Avenue-600' Salem Street-Pleasant Street to Vernon Street-700' Salem Street-Vernon Street to New Salem Street-2950'


Sheffield Road-entire 1200'


Spring Street-Stoneham line-600' south


Spring Street-Greenwood Street-300' west


Stedman Street-Clarina Street to Dell Avenue-250'


Yale Avenue-entire 1400'


Winn Street-Railroad to North Avenue-300'


The cost: Labor $ 1,463.41


Trucks


136.00


Material


5,366.93


$ 6,966.34


-


80


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Repairs to Equipment-The following is a list of equipment, model and money spent to keep same in repair which includes both labor and material:


Plymouth Coupe, 1937


$ 87.53


Dodge Pick-up, 1937


77.11


Mack Truck, 1925


366.15


Dodge Truck, 1934


232.38


Dodge Truck, 1935


186.63


Chevrolet Truck, 1935 (Used by WPA)


63.27


Ford Truck 1 Ton 1928


109.01


Ford Truck 1 Ton (Used by WPA)


16.93


Ford Delivery Sedan, 1929


51.14


Plymouth Sedan, 1933


145.75


Dodge Truck, 1936


175.77


Derrick


36.26


Jack


10.76


Crusher (Motor, Plant)


565.37


Shovel 1/2-yard Marion


272.07


Gas Roller 6 Ton, 1929


173.52


Gas Roller 14 Ton, 1931


132.33


Spraying Machine


72.84


Water Pump


3.24


Best Tractor 5 Ton, 1927


453.83


Stone Spreader


2.27


Cement Mixer, 1932


8.71


Hone


126.52


Graders, 1921 and 1928


195.67


Cold Patch Mixer, 1928


20.52


Holt Tractor 2 Ton, 1925


12.65


Hauck Torch


44.50


Cletrac 2 Ton, 1935


2.00


Cletrac 2 Ton, 1936


6.32


Cletrac 2 Ton, 1937


2.00


Fordson


2.00


Repairs to Tools


15.06


Acetylene, Oxygen


27.64


Grindstone


9.33


Shop


161.59


$ 3,868.67


Resurfacing and Repairs-The following streets were scarified, resnaped with gravel, rolled, given two coats of tar and sanded.


Vernon Street-Cordis Street to Lowell Street


Montrose Avenue-sections where WPA eliminated a dangerous curve


Melvin Street-Water Street to Richardson Street, in conjunction with the building of concrete curb and sidewalk by WPA


REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS


81


Prospect Street-south gutter from Cedar Street for a distance of 400 lineal feet, 14 feet wide, westerly, was raised and widened with crushed stone and asphalt


Oak Avenue, Mountain Avenue, South Street, and Sylvan Street were widened and gravelled.


The cost: Labor Material


$ 940.97


393.24


$ 1,334.21


Supplies-


Gasoline


$ 2,396.15


Kerosene


157.91


Lubricating Oil


449.88


Alcohol


43.74


Grease


67.60


Miscellaneous


20.58


$ 3,135.86


Street Signs-Includes the erection of new street signs, traffic regula- tion signs, railroad warning signs, and the maintenance of existing signs. 35 New cast aluminum street signs were erected.


26 New wooden street signs were made and erected.


36 Old cast aluminum street signs were repainted and erected.


9 Railroad warning signs replaced missing or defective ones.


3 Flash warning signs erected.


3 School zone signs repainted and erected.


3 "Welcome to Wakefield" signs repainted and erected.


12 "No Parking" signs on West Water Street, Armory Street and Center Street erected.


1 "One Way" sign erected on Center Street.


1 Directional sign erected on Main Street (Lakeside).


2 Town Line signs repainted and erected.


The cost: Labor


$ 451.85


Material


461.65


$ 913.50


Buildings-


Janitor


$ 846.01


Light


53.62


Water


50.00


Fuel for heating


309.78


Repairs


292.24


$ 1,551.65


82


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


WPA-Such highway equipment as could be spared was used on Government projects and no rental charged. The operators of the equip- ment such as mechanic, shovel operator, roller operator, truck drivers, etc., were paid from the highway appropriation, and this year amounted to $1,795.33.


DRAINAGE


Surface drains laid


Size and Type


Length in Feet


Man- Catch holes basins


Location


Laurel Street at Meriam St.


12" r. c.


306


1


1


Myrtle Avenue at Gladstone St.


12" r. c.


32


1


Water Street-east of Valley St.


6" v. c.


4


1


Aborn Avenue at Pleasant St.


12" r. c.


264


1


Jordan Avenue Fox Rd. to Walter Ave. 12" r. c.


256


2


Salem Street-west of Vernon St.


12" r. c.


370


2


Forest Street


6" corr.


188


2


Prospect Street-west of High St.


10" v. c.


10


1


Main Street at Greenwood Ave.


12" r. c.


137


3


Green Street at Oak St.


1


Fitch Court


12" r. c.


16


Melvin Street-Water St. to Rich'son St. 12" r. c.


400


3


Stedman Street


12" r. c.


8


2


Madison Avenue®


24" r. c.


12


1


In addition, leaves and debris on tops of catchbasins were cleaned and culverts cleared during and after rain storms.


The cost on the above work was as follows:


Labor


$ 2,040.35


Trucks


56.42


Material


1,946.52


$ 4,043.29


REBUILDING


Pleasant Street (Vernon Street to Otis Street) 450' x 24' (Pearl Street to Salem Street) 225' x 24'


The rebuilding of these two sections of roadway accomplished this year makes a continuous stretch now from Vernon Street to Salem Street. The old surface, with rather steep gutters was scarified, reshaped with


4


Main Street-near Cooper St.


30" r. c.


60


8" corr.


16


83


REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS


gravel, rolled, and then surfaced with 3" of crushed stone and penetrated with asphalt.


The cost of the above was as follows:


Labor


Material


$ 647.81 794.48


$ 1,442.29


Crescent Street (Water Street to Main Street) 1575' x 24' to 32' wide.


This important artery has been in need of permanent construction for many years. The old surface was broken up and reshaped to a better cross section, rolled and 3" crushed stone, penetrated with asphalt. One inch bituminous concrete type "I" was laid on top for a finish course. This type of road surface is gaining favor, particularly on residential streets, as it helps to reduce noise of passing cars, is easier to keep clean, and to make surface repairs due to other public utilities. A portion (60' x 11' wide) of the cement apron in front of the Fire Station was broken out and raised with new concrete, thereby improving the entrance.


During construction, applications for curb were received, and with your approval, 274 linear feet of concrete curb were placed. In order to prevent surface water from running on private land, it was necessary to rebuild 270 linear feet of asphalt walk with 65 linear feet of granite retaining wall.


The cost of the above was as follows:


Labor


$1,961.21


Trucks


127.00


Material


3,358.89


$ 5,447.10


NEW EQUIPMENT


1 Two-ton Cletrac with Plow


$ 1,795.00


1 Two-ton Dodge Dump Truck


600.00


1 One-half ton Dodge Truck 591.75


1 Burch Stone Spreader


343.00


1 Second-hand Plymouth Sedan


300.00


1 Blade Plow 275.00


$ 3,904.75


SIDEWALKS


In this year's budget was the rebuilding of the asphalt sidewalk on the south side of Chestnut Street, between Main Street and North Avenue. Eight hundred eighty linear feet of asphalt sidewalk were built, and 526 linear feet of concrete curb were laid.


The northwest corner of Wakefield Avenue at Water Street was re- built with new granite curb and cement sidewalk in accordance with the new layout by the County Commissioners.


84


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Also included in this year's budget was the installation of 269 linear feet of granite curb for five abutters on Stedman Street.


The cost of sidewalk work for the year was: Labor


$ 1,536.27


Trucks


8.00


Material


1,330.23


$ 2,874.50


CHAPTER 90 WORK


This year we resurfaced Vernon Street from a point about 200 feet south of Cordis Street to about Foster's Lane, a distance of 2350 linear feet x 30 feet wide, type "I" construction, including the very large inter- section at Lowell Street. Surface drainage was installed to the town line. Fibre ducts were laid at the intersection of Lowell Street for electric wires to proposed islands that will be required in the future.


Appropriation by Town


$ 6,675.00


Allotment from State


8,900.00


Allotment from County


4,450.00


Total Allotment


$ 20,025.00


Expended


19,336.25


Balance


$ 688.75


Balance from 1936


$ 1,190.22


Expended on Account


1,189.95


Balance $


0.27


The reconstruction of Salem Street was continued from where we left off in 1936 for a distance of 525 linear feet x 30 feet wide. The old surface of bituminous macadam, about 20 feet wide, was saved and widened on both sides with crushed stone, and then the entire surface was topped with bituminous concrete. Surface drainage was installed prior to resurfacing.


Appropriation by Town


$ 1,150.00


Allotment from State


2,300.00


Allotment from County


1,150.00


Total Allotment


$ 4,600.00


Expended


4,593.96


Balance


$ 6.04


Balance from 1936


$ 836.13


Expended on Account


833.25


Balance


$ 2.88


85


REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS


Chapter 90 Maintenance-The following streets received surface treat- ment of tar or asphalt:


Water Street-from Melvin St. to Saugus line


Salem Street-Charles St. to Lynnfield line


Lowell Street-Main St. to Reading line


Albion Street-Byron St. to Stoneham line


Main Street-Salem Street to White Avenue-on east side, was excavated, and crushed stone laid to the curb line, and asphalted.


Main Street-Forest Street to Melrose line-gutters on both sides were excavated and surfaced with pre-mix asphalt type "E" to the new concrete curbings installed by WPA.


Iron rail fence on Main Street, guard rail posts on Lowell Street and New Salem Street were painted.


Appropriation by Town


$ 1,700.00


Allotment from State


1,400.00


Allotment from County


2,000.00


Total Allotment


$ 5,100.00


Expended


5,099.86


Balance


$ 0.14


During the past few years, the department has availed itself of every opportunity to employ welfare labor in departmental activities in order to effect possible savings in current appropriations. The value of the labor received from the Welfare Department on the basis of $3.00 per eight-hour day for the year 1937, amounted to $4,089.00, and was dis- tributed as follows:


Patching


$ 134.00


Tar and Sand


116.00


Street Cleaning


1,021.50


Guard Rail


3.00


Sidewalks


81.00


Grass Plots and Removing Paper


249.00


Snow and Ice


51.00


Buildings


27.00


Snow Fence


78.00


Drainage


921.25


Rebuilding


6.00


Traffic Lines


6.00


Resurfacing and Repairs (Widening of Streets)


1,229.50


WPA


165.75


$ 4,089.00


86


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


The value of the labor received from the Soldiers' Relief Department on the basis of $4.40 per eight-hour day, for the year 1937, amounted to $4,661.35, and was distributed as follows:


Patching


$ 1,091.80


Tar and Sand


156.80


Street Cleaning


806.60


Drainage


349.80


Street Signs


176.00


Grass Plots and Removing Paper


464.20


Snow and Ice


77.00


WPA


321.00


Removal of Ashes


63.80


Buildings


417.20


Traffic Lines


152.00


Sidewalks


13.20


Guard Rail


22.00


Repairing Equipment


61.20


Rebuilding


22.00


Repairs to Tools


144.00


Resurfacing and Repairs (Widening of Streets)


272.15


Snow Fence


50.60


$ 4,661.35


Respectfully submitted, HARRY H. DENNING, Superintendent of Streets.


Report of Supt. of Moth Dept.


Wakefield, Mass., January 1, 1938.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit my report as Superintendent of the Moth and Tree Departments for the year ending December 31, 1937.


We have found that the Satin Moth and the Brown Tail Moth are about the same as in 1936. The Gypsy Moth has increased ten per cent, the Elm Leaf Beetle and the Tent Caterpillar have increased twenty-five per cent over 1936. The increases of the Gypsy Moth and the Tent Caterpillar are very serious. We have found no trace of the Dutch Elm Disease as yet but with the increase of the Elm Leaf Beetle comes the danger of infestation from this disease.


87


REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT


We have been obliged to cut down 35 shade trees which have died from various causes and from the widening of streets. We have planted 125 young trees along streets where they were needed most. Of these trees, 80 were bought with an expenditure of $197.50. The other 45 were grown in our own nursery at Broadway.


We spent $3,905.19 for moth work and spraying; $2,766.79 for trim- ming, cutting down trees and cutting brush.


For other expenditures and appropriations of this department see the Town Accountant's Report.


Respectfully yours, JOHN A. LANDRY, Superintendent of Moth and Tree Dept.


Report of Inspector of Buildings


Wakefield, Mass., January 1, 1938.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,


Wakefield, Mass.


Gentlemen:


I submit the following report of my activities for the year 1937:


Building permits granted


134


Building inspections 304


Public buildings inspected


9


Elevators inspected


13


Convalescent homes inspected


3


Fire escapes inspected


10


Signs and awnings


20


Rooming houses inspected


8


Inspections after fires


14


Buildings torn down


5


Buildings moved to new locations


1


Buildings without permits


18


Permits refused


6


. Cases. to Appeal Board


2


Schools inspected


10


Permits suspended temporarily for violations of building laws 2


Complaints investigated


14


Installing signs or awnings without permits 7


88


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Approximate valuation of new construction $234,453.00. $239.50 permit fees.


$63,000.00 of the above approximate valuation is for the Lafayette School and not taxable.


I wish to thank the Municipal Light, Water, and Highway Departments for helping to promote building and co-operating with me during the year. Thanks also are due to Fire Chief Graham for his assistance on fire hazards.


Respectfully submitted,


JOSEPH W. MacINNIS,


Building Inspector.


Report of Compensation Agent


Wakefield, Mass., January 1, 1938.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Wakefield, Mass.


Gentlemen:


There were 35 compensation cases in 1937 requiring an expenditure of $1,864.90 out of an appropriation of $2,000.00, with a refund to town of $81.00, making a total of $2,081.00.


Expenditures are as follows:


Appropriation


$2,000.00


Refund 81.00


Total $ 2,081.00


Water Dept. 11 injuries cost $ 897.84


Sewer Dept. 18 injuries cost 53.10


Highway Dept. 7 injuries cost 913.96


$1,864.90


Balance $ 216.10


There was one case before the Industrial Accident Board during the year, case settled by attorneys on both sides satisfactorily to the injured and myself.


Respectfully submitted,


JOSEPH W. MacINNIS,


Compensation Agent.


89


REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL


Report of Town Counsel


Wakefield, Mass., January 18, 1938. Wakefield, Mass.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


As Town Counsel for the year 1937, I make the following report con- cerning the legal affairs of the town, largely relating to matters in the Courts.


Pending-One suit in tort for alleged injury from defect in highway for $5,000.00


Pending-One suit in tort for alleged injury from defect in highway for $3,000.00.


Pending-One suit in tort for alleged injury from defect in highway for $3,000.00.


This last case to be defended by Insurance Co.


Pending-Contract Action by City of Boston for $20,000.00 for claims for aid under welfare assistance. To a great extent these are barred by the statute of limitations. There has been filed for the town, a counter claim in set-off $2,389.32.


Pending-Claim by Real Estate and Building Association for damages- Gould Street widening.


Disposed of-One petition for damages for street relocation (Gould Street). Finding by Auditor, whose findings are to be final, for petitioner for $17.00.


One tax title foreclosure tried in Land Court. Finding for Town. In the so-called Muccio Case Action of Contract v. Town for $1,770.17, originally brought in tort, a demurrer was filed on behalf of the Town, setting up in effect that it was beyond the lawful authority of the Legislature to authorize and beyond the lawful authority of the Town to vote payment which in effect was a gift to a private person. Judge Brooks heard the case, re- ceived briefs from both attorneys, and sustained the demurrer. Two small claims for damages for street corner roundings were settled for $25.00 and $17.00, respectively.


B. & M. Railroad Equity Case, relating to Greenwood culvert, dismissed by agreement.


Margaret T. Curley v. Town Highway Defect Case, settled for $175.00.


Boynton et al v. Selectmen, re Spring Street. Bill in Equity dismissed.


Three petitions for damages from street widenings and sewer assessments dismissed at call of list without trial.


90


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


The Town has one action pending for relief, paid to Malden Hospital, on Wakefield settlement case.


Besides attending the Selectmen's weekly meetings, I have been present at many other officials' meetings and have attended and given advice to the Retirement Board and have acted on a Central Committee at the State House with auditors and town and city legal advisers on retirement law problems.


Eight tax titles were filed in the Land Court for foreclosure. See Treasurer's Report for titles held by Town.




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.