USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1910 > Part 16
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BUILDINGS.
Repairs have been made at the Central Fire Station and the building has been repainted both inside and out. The North Fire Station was completed last spring and was immediately occupied by Engine Company No. 3 and Combination Ladder Company No. 1. This building is a credit to the Town and is appreciated by the firemen. The Grammar School building at Manomet has been renovated to meet the requirements of the department and Chemical No. 1 has been placed in com- mission there.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
The underground wire in the south part of the Town has been replaced with lead cable. The necessary wire to extend the underground circuit to Nelson street has been purchased and will be placed in the ducts the coming spring. Provision has been made for rebuilding the lines in several of the streets. This was made necessary by the changes in pole locations.
The Board believes that there should be a better under- standing between this Department and others maintaining poles and wires under and over our streets. Conditions arise where all concerned are caused unnecessary expense because of a lack of co-operation.
HYDRANTS.
Three hydrants have been set during the year, making 291 available.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Appropriation (Manomet Fire Station),
$200 00
Payments, repairs and cartage,
$194 44
Undrawn balance,
5 56
$200 00
Undrawn balance, Jan. 1, 1911,
$48 03
Appropriation,
13,500 00
Reimbursements,
37 36
Overdrawn,
1,500 99
$15,086 38
Payments-
Pay roll,
$7,019 33
Horse hire,
2,404 50
Repairs and replacements,
$968 03
Repairs, Ladder 1,
252 45
Repairs, Ladder 2,
270 21
1,490 69
Fire alarm,
1,056 37
Hose,
908 38
Fuel,
755 50
Hydrants, setting and repairs,
443 17
Supplies,
319 18
Lighting,
301 76
Janitors,
125 33
North Fire Station,
93 42
Sundries,
54 25
Telephone,
52 82
Freight and express,
42 78
Removing snow,
18 90
$15,086 38
RECOMMENDATIONS. The Board recommend that the Town purchase a motor.
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driven combination chemical and hose truck. It would be an improvement to the chemical service as the long runs could be made quicker, a large territory served, and there would doubtless be a saving in maintenance. The purchase of one. of these trucks would displace three horses, which the Town now hires at an expense of six hundred dollars per year. A second truck could replace five other horses. At the present time the twelve horses used at the Central Station, with two drivers in attendance nights, Sundays and holidays cost the Town $2,280.00 a year. This expense could be materially reduced by the purchase of motor propelled combination chemical and. hose trucks.
There have been no extensions of the fire alarm system for a long time. Requests for boxes have to be refused because there have been no funds available for the purpose. There are sections of the Town to which this service should be supplied and the Board trust that it will be possible to extend the sys- tem this year.
The Board believe that the Town should not delay longer the adoption of some regulations governing the construction of buildings which would prevent the spread of fires.
An appropriation of $14,500.00 is recommended to meet the expenses of the Department for the year 1912, and $1,500.99 for the overdraft.
CONCLUSION.
Every man in the Department sincerely appreciates the all- night lighting of the streets. It is fortunate that there have not been serious accidents to men, horses and apparatus while- hurrying along dark streets. Under the previous arrangement the Plymouth Electric Light Company has lighted the streets
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as soon as possible after an alarm, and their thoughtfulness has been appreciated.
The Engineers wish to express their thanks to the Board of Selectmen and the Superintendent of Water Works for the interest manifested in this Department; to the Police Depart- ment and the Fire police for their assistance, and to the officers and men of the Department for the manner in which they have performed their duties.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. SULLIVAN, ISAAC L. HEDGE, ALTON D. EDES,
Board of Fire Engineers.
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BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Board of Health respectfully submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1911.
There has been a total of fifty-two cases of contagious disease as compared with seventy-four of the preceding year.
Of these, eighteen were Tuberculosis, eight Diphtheria, eight Typhoid, two measles, one Spinal Meningites, and one Infantile Paralysis. Nearly 48 per cent. of all were among the poorer classes, and the Board found it necessary to furnish medical at- tendance, nursing, supplies, etc., in ten cases of Tuberculosis, seven of Scarlet Fever, four of Diphtheria, three of Typhoid, and one of Infantile Paralysis.
Eighteen of the above charges of the Board had legal residence in this town, their expense being taken from the appropriation, while of seven remaining and legally non-residents-the expense has been asked from whatever place was known to be liable.
In one instance during the year, an additional expense was incurred by the Board in establishing a close quarantine, which had to be maintained until all danger of infection was past.
Disinfection in all cases of contagious disease has been con- tinued as in the past, at no time did any contagious disease be- come epidemic, and in all ways the work for the year has been satisfactory to the Board. The public dumps have been the cause of much complaint throughout the year. No permit could be obtained to burn the dump on Obery street, which has resulted in its very unsightly condition, constituting a nuisance
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both to the County Farm and the immediate vicinity of South street. The Board advise closing this site at once and the pur- chase of land at what is deemed a better location for this dump.
The dump on Samoset street is still available but it is not unlikely that some changes will be made here too in the near future. We recommend the appropriation of $402.85 to be made to meet the account overdrawn by the Board during the past year.
Also a sum of $3,500 be appropriated to cover the expenses of the Board during the coming year and $200 to purchase a new site for the Obery street dump.
The Inspectors of Plumbing are Arthur A. Sampson and Michael D. Welch.
The inspectors have issued 148 permits, have made 202 in- spections and 18 examinations.
The permits were issued, 40 for new buildings and 108 for old buildings.
The following were given licenses to slaughter cattle and swine :
Jacob Steinberg, Morris Resnick, John M. Kingsley, Antonio Cabral, Thomas E. Swift, Charles W. Raymond, A. Ardizzoni, Sebastian Cavicchi, Thomaso Guidoboni, Manuel Lewis, George Weatherby and Isaac Gawley.
The following were licensed as undertakers : W. W. Bea- man & Son, B. H. Holmes and M. J. Calnan & Co.
It was necessary for the Board to take some action in seventy- one cases of complaint during the year, as follows :
Houses unconnected with the public sewer, 3
Piggeries within one hundred and fifty feet of a residence, 9
Dead animals,
Unclean condition of public buildings, 2
3
Unclean condition of markets,
Sewage matter on surface of ground, 5
Unclean houses, 12
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Unsanitary condition of public or private ways, Sewage matter discharging into Town Brook, Obstructed sewer,
3 2
Dead fish in ponds,
1
Removing refuse from dump,
2
Unsanitary cow barns,
3
Public and private dumps,
Outhouse nuisance,
1
Cess pools,
1
Draining pond below water line,
1
Garbage nuisance,
3
Unclean yards,
2
"Total, 71
Statement of expenditures of the Board of Health for the .year ending December 31, 1911 :
Expenses of contagious diseases (nurses, physi- cians, supplies, etc.), $1,549 75
Maintaining quarantine on Diadato case,
76 05
Sundries (No Dumping signs, typewriting, ex-
pressage, etc.), 10 85
Stationery,
4 70
Printing,
26 00
Drugs,
27 12
Disinfectants,
123 60
Killing and burying animals,
24 00
Reburying human bones
5 00
Cleaning Poorhouse pond of dead fish,
2 00
Care of public dumps,
269 75
Physician (salary and expenses),
208 66
Secretary (salary and expenses),
57 50
Inspection of plumbing,
625 50
1
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Agent and inspector (salary and expenses),
287 49
Inspector of meats and provisions, Overdraft (year 1910),
150 00
307 48,
$3,755 45
Cr.
Licenses (slaughter)
$13 00
J. W. Cooper, overcharge,
1 25.
Appropriation,
3,000 00
Overdraft, reimbursement (1910),
307 48%
Com. of Mass., reimbursement,
24 87
City of Quincy, reimbursement,
6 00
Overdraft, 1911,
402 85-
$3,755 45
ARTHUR W. BRAMHALL, Sec'y, FREEMAN MANTER, GEORGE H. JACKSON, M. D., Board of Health.
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS.
The Directors of the Library respectfully make the following report of the work of the Library during the past year, and of its present condition :-
Bound volumes added for circulation in 1911, 400
Bound volumes added for reference,
78.
Total number of volumes added, 478
Number of volumes for circulation, Jan. 1, 1911, 14,025.
Number of volumes added for circulation in 1911, 400
14,425
Withdrawn from circulation in 1911,
92
Total number for circulation, Jan. 1, 1912,
14,333
Number of volumes in reference depart- ment, Jan. 1, 1911, 3,149
Volumes added in 1911, 78
Total number of volumes for reference, 3,227
Total number of volumes in the Library, Jan. 1, 1912, 17,560
Books circulated in 1911-
General works, 310
Philosophy, 63
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Theology,
Sociology,
Language,
Natural Science,
Useful Arts,
Fine Arts,
Literature,
741 976
Travels,
Biography,
706 574
History,
Fiction,
23,524
Total circulation for 1911,
28,604
Periodicals, 1911-
Monthly-
American Journal of Archaeology, gift of Dr. Helen Morton
Atlantic Monthly
Bookman
Century
Cosmopolitan
Country Life in America
Craftsman
Etude
Good Housekeeping
Harper's Monthly .
Indian's Friend, gift of Dr. Helen Morton
Library Journal
McClure's Magazine
Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, gift of the Museum Musician
New England Magazine
North American Review
Our Dumb Animals, gift of S. P. C. A.
Popular Science Monthly
83 354 57 390 318 508
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Public Libraries Review of Reviews St. Nicholas School Arts Book
Scribner's Magazine
Textile World Record
World's Work
Weekly-
Harper's Weekly Literary Digest
Old Colony Memorial, gift of the publishers
Outlook Scientific American
Scientific American Supplement
Survey
Union Signal, gift of the local W. C. T. U.
Vindicator, gift of Edwin S. Paulding Youth's Companion
Daily-
Boston Transcript New York Tribune
Religious Weeklies. The gift of various individuals-
America Christian Register Congregationalist Watchman Zion's Herald
The Directors desire to publicly and gratefully acknowledge the gift of 66 volumes of the best books published during the year from the Ladies' Book Club, and also the gift of fifty dol- lars for the purchase of books from Miss Mary Pratt.
At considerable expense the Directors have lately added to the
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Reference Department the new 11th Edition of the Encyclo- pædia Britannica, which will be of great benefit to all the pa- trons of the Library. The Reading Room has been used more than ever during the past year, and has been a source of great pleasure both to our many summer visitors during the summer, and to our citizens generally throughout the year.
WILLIAM HEDGE, President,
Plymouth, Feb. 1, 1912.
For the Directors.
:
:
:
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REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
Dr.
To balance unexpended,
$1,162 41
To appropriation,
800 00
$1,962 41
Cr.
By labor,
$785 38
By power sprayer,
663 00
By trees,
29 50
By tree guards,
6 00
By insecticide and supplies,
212 26
By balance carried to 1912,
266 27
$1,962 41
A power spraying outfit has been purchased and found to be a great improvement over the hand machines for the tree warden work and a saving to the town.
Several of the trees on Court street, in the north part of town, have been reset on account of the widening of said street, and five trees in other sections of the town have been removed, as being decayed and dangerous to public travel. Three dozen new trees have been set out in various sections of the town. Considerable trimming has been done, dead limbs removed and other work necessary toward the preservation of the trees.
In addition to the unexpended balance of $266.27, I re- spectfully recommend that $1,000 be appropriated for the en- suing year.
A. A. RAYMOND,
Tree Warden.
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GYPSY MOTH ACCOUNT.
Dr.
To balance unexpended, To reimbursements,
$1,318 09
11 70
To appropriation,
1,500 00
$2,829 79
Cr.
By labor,
$2,176 77
By rent,
3 00
By supplies,
16 35
By balance carried to 1912,
633 67
$2,829 79
In the early part of 1911 a good deal of work was required against the brown-tail moth. Many bushels of the winter webs of these poisonous pests were cut off and destroyed. The unusual increase of these moths was not confined to Plymouth, but was common to South Shore towns. It was not due in Plymouth nor in neighboring towns to local neglect. As the brown-tail moths fly, such invasions from outside, even from a considerable distance, are likely to happen in the future.
Operations against the other and more important insect pest, whose suppression is required by law (the gypsy moth), were carried on as usual last year. They comprised the in- spection before May 1st, hatching time, of all known wood colonies, together with the creosoting of egg-masses therein ; the summer work of burlaping and spraying in the residential sections, and the fall inspection with attendant creosoting in the same sections.
The present status of the gypsy moth in Plymouth is as follows: In the residential sections the moths are less numer- ous, but more scattered, and are not in serious numbers any- where. In the woods there are many colonies but none of these are in a dangerous condition. In many of them the
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numbers of the moths have been much reduced, as is notably the case in the Pine Hill district. The inspection of the woods in the southern part of the town is still unfinished but will be carried to completion with the coming of favorable weather.
In addition to the unexpended balance, I would respectfully ask for an appropriation of $2,200 for the ensuing year.
A. A. RAYMOND,
Superintendent.
1
1
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REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I respectfully submit the following report of the Forest War- den for the year ending December 31, 1911.
Cr.
By balance, December 31, 1910,
$249 01
By appropriation,
1,000 00
$1,249 01
Dr.
To salary of watchman,
$388 00
To telephone,
31 44
To printing,
6 75
To supplies,
34 94
To repairs,
5 35
To automobiles at fires,
23 00
To salary,
200 00
To food at fires,
8 83
To undrawn balance,
550 70
$1,249 01
I have had reported 63 fires during the year, and the cost to the Town was $1,598.43.
The most expensive fire, costing $498, started near Southers' Marsh Bog on the west pond road, burning over an area of two miles long and one mile wide, and was finally extinguished by digging a trench a mile long. We arrested a man for setting this fire, but were unable to convict.
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A fire on the land of Harvy Cole at Darby, cost $184.37. This fire we believe from evidence received, was set by berry- pickers in the Town of Carver.
Fires at or near Whipple estate cost $174.96.
Fire set by steam roller at West Plymouth, cost $95.17.
The first of the season several fires were reported near Gravelly Hill. After investigation I found that boys had been setting them. The boys were given a good talking to by our Chief of Police, and no more fires occurred in that vicinity.
While I have not secured evidence to convict, I have been satisfied a number of fires were set, and in consequence of talk with parties that I believe knew of them, the fires ceased.
The State Forester has notified me that the State will as- sume the expense of the man in the Tower, also the Telephone, making a saving to the Town of $500 a year.
The necessity of getting to a fire as soon as possible after it is reported, can greatly be aided in the use of an auto truck, and it will also be a financial gain to the Town.
The expense to the town by fires on the line of the Middle- boro Railroad was $242.46. A bill for the same has been forwarded to the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. for settlement.
The cost of fighting fires for the last ten years has averaged $1,650.00 a year. I ask for an appropriation of $2,000.00 for this department.
I wish to thank the Deputy Forest Wardens for the very able manner in which they have handled the various fires, and the watchman in the Tower who has always been attentive to duty.
HERBERT MORISSEY,
Forest Warden.
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
The work at the several parks and Training Green has been carried on in the usual way. In Morton Park the roads and. paths have been kept in order; the fire-guard has been com- pleted and failing sprout-growth has been removed where it interferred with the development of seedling trees.
A number of trees, a gift from the chairman of this board,. were set out in the autumn. These were of various species and of considerable size. If they survive the severe winter, they should soon add interest and variety to this park.
A small appropriation was made by the Town, at its last annual meeting, for the purpose of establishing bath-houses, presumably at Beach Park. Your commissioners saw no way, within the limits of the appropriation, to furnish accommo- dations for bathing at this park under conditions which would be likely to be approved by the voters. If the Town wishes free bathing facilities for the public, we believe it should appropriate a sufficient sum to erect suitable buildings, and to provide for their proper care and use.
Now that the lot for the proposed United States building has been secured, your commissioners hope that the plans for that building may soon be open for inspection, and that it may be possible to obtain a design for a fountain which shall be in harmony therewith, to be erected on the small piece of land at the corner of Leyden street and the extension of Main street, that has been made a public park. There have been several offers of contributions for the purpose of building a.
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fountain on this land which, with the small appropriation made- by the Town for that purpose, are probably available when a. satisfactory design can be shown. We are confident that other contributions will be made if a fountain that shall be an orna- ment and credit to the Town can be erected. It is both suitable and just that the fountain which shall deliver water from the- Brewster Spring should be, in the judgment of the representa- tives of the Brewster descendants, who furnish the principal. sum available for its erection, a fitting memorial of their hon- ored ancestor.
It is with deep regret that we record the death of our asso- ciate, Walter H. Sears. His sound technical knowledge; his- love of nature; his simple taste and his good judgment made his services valuable to the Town in many ways: they have con- fidently been relied upon by his fellow commissioners during the time when his failing health limited his activities. May Plymouth always be able to command the interest and service of men who are equally sincere, honest and unselfish.
. We ask an appropriation of $1,200 for the parks; $185 for- Training Green ; also $500 to be added to last year's appropria- tion of $250 for establishing bathing facilities at Beach Park, including a shelter in connecton therewith.
PARK ACCOUNT.
Dr.
To appropriation,
$1,200 00
To reimbursements,
50 00
To overdraft*,
99 62
$1,349 62
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Cr.
By labor bills, By tools, supplies, etc.,
$1,288 86
55 76
By printing,
5 00
$1,349 62
*Accrued interest of the Morton fund, not placed to the credit to the above account in 1911, will offset the apparent overdraft.
1
TRAINING GREEN ACCOUNT.
Dr
To balance from 1910,
$12 74
To appropriation,
175 00
$187 74
Cr.
By labor for care,
$177 31
By supplies, etc.,
7 98
By balance,
2 45
$187 74
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS R. WATSON,
GEORGE R. BRIGGS,
Commissioners.
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SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen-
Gentlemen : I have the honor to submit the following report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures Department for the year ending December 31, 1911:
Property of town in the department:
One brass beam scale and cabinet; one each 50 lbs., 25 lbs., 20 lbs., 10 lbs., 5 lbs. weights, nickel plated.
One each 4 lbs., 2 lbs., 1 1b., 8 ounces, 4 ounces, 2 ounces, 1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1/8 ounce, 1-16 ounce, brass.
Dry measures-1/2 bushel, 1 peck, 2 quarts, 1 quart, iron.
Liquid measures-1 gallon, 1/2 gallon, 1 quart, 1 pint, 1 gill, iron.
Linear measures-1 steel tape, 1 yard measure, brass.
Working Set.
Nineteen 50 lb. weights, iron; 4 1b., 2 1b., 1 1b., 8 ounces, 4 ounces, 2 ounces, 1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1/8 ounce, 1-16 ounce, brass.
Dry measures-1/2 bushel, 1 peck, 1/2 peck, 2 quarts, 1 quart.
One portable balance with case.
One hanger weight, nickeled.
One scaler's case and tools.
One hand press seal with wired seals, rubber stamps, mark- ing acid, record book, steel alphabet dies and numbers, paper seals and safe.
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Scales, Etc., Tested.
Sealed.
Adj.
Cond.
Scales over 5,000,
12
3
0
Scales under 5,000,
126
15
1
Scales, all others,
169
17
1
10
Scales, computing,
21
3
1
Weights,
919
136
4
Dry measures,
156
1
21
Wet measures,
190
14
Milk bottles,
117
2
Linear measures,
31
Cranberry barrels,
36,000
Cranberry crates,
190
Stores inspected,
81
Milk, fish, meat, produce, junk, ber- ries, hawkers, etc., inspected,
205
Slot weighing machines,
9
1
Coal weighed in transit-
Weighers' weight.
Sealer's weight.
2510
2512
3130
3150
2740
2740
Fees collected, $126 94
B. F. SNOW, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SALARIES OF TOWN OFFICIALS
At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Plym- outh held on the 25th of March, 1911, Articles 11, 29 and 30 of the Town Warrant being under consideration, Mr. Avery moved, "That Articles 11, 29 and 30 be referred to a commit- tee of five to be appointed by the Moderator, relating to the compensation of Assessors, Chairman of Selectmen and Tax Collector, to report at a future meeting of the Town what readjustment of the salaries and compensation of the officers of the Town is advisable, together with their recommendations as to the apportionment of duties and compensation of the members of the several boards and committees of the Town," and the motion was carried.
Pursuant to the foregoing vote the Moderator appointed the following as members of the Committee: Elmer E. Avery, Charles G. Hathaway, John B. Washburn, George W. Bradford and Harry B. Davis.
The Committee met and organized, with Elmer E. Avery as chairman and Harry B. Davis as secretary.
After hearing the parties interested and after due con- sideration, the Committee recommends :
1. The salary of the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen shall be $600.00 per year, and the other members of the Board shall receive $150.00 per year.
The Chairman shall keep such office hours as the Board of Selectmen shall determine.
The Committee further recommends that the Board of Se-
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lectmen be reduced from five to three members, and that at the annual meeting in March, 1913, that three members be- elected.
2. The salary of the Town Clerk shall be $100.00.
3. The salary of the Town Treasurer shall be $1,000.00.
4. We recommend that the Town Accountant to be ap- pointed shall act as Clerk of the Board of Selectmen and that his salary as Town Accountant and Clerk of said Board shall be $900.00 per year.
The Committee was unable to fully determine just what the duties of the Town Accountant may be and this compensation is fixed with the possibility of a necessary revision at a future Town meeting.
5. The salary of the Collector of Taxes shall be $1,000.00 per year.
6. The salary of the Chairman of the Board of Assessors. shall be $800.00 per year and he shall devote his time to the duties of the office, i. e., unless engaged elsewhere, he shall. keep office hours corresponding to those kept by other Town officers.
The compensation of the other members shall remain as- now fixed, i. e., $3.00 per day.
We further recommend that the Board of Assessors be au- thorized to expend for a clerk each year such sum as may be- necessary, not to exceed $200.00.
7. The salary of the Chairman of the Overseers of the- Poor shall be $50.00 per year and the salary of the Secretary of the Board of Overseers of the Poor shall be $250.00 per year.
8. The salary of the Clerk of the Board of Registration shall be $100.00 per year. Other members of the Board of Registration shall be paid per diem as at present.
9. We recommend that the School Committee be reduced from six to three members.
+ . .....
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10. The Moderator shall receive $10.00 for each meeting or for any adjournment thereof.
11. Appointees. All boards, committees and other officers appointed by the Selectmen shall receive such compensation, if any, as the Board of Selectmen shall determine.
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