USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1914 > Part 3
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The act as asked for was granted by the Legislature, with the following proviso, that the Town, within one year, approve the same in a legal Town meeting, after its passage. The Act was submitted to the voters at special Town meeting held July 31, 1914, and was accepted by a majority of the voters present.
The Selectmen consider the taking over or purchasing by the Town, the water supply plant, from the Fairhaven Water Company; one of the most important subjects and one that requires deliberate action at the present time in order that the Selectmen can act upon the question intelligently and for the best interest of the Town, they decided to have an expert to look the plant over. Mr. Bryant recommended Mr. Maybury of Braintree, a well-known expert on such matters. Mr. Maybury has made an investigation and agreed to report upon the matter as soon as possible. As it was necessary for Mr. Maybury to know the lengths of water pipes laid in the highways for the water supply, Mr. Bryant, by request, and to assist him as much as possible, measured the same with assistance. The Selectmen are anxious to have the water question settled, and expcet to be able to present their report upon the matter at a very early date.
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As the price of gas furnished the Town by the New Bed- ford Gas & Edison Lighting Co. has been the subject of much discussion, the Selectmen, after consideration, knowing the original contract price of same, interviewed the president of the company, and as a result the Gas Company agreed to reduce the price ten cents per one thousand feet, for the present. Later, as the consumption increases, there is liable to be another reduction.
At special Town meeting held Dec. 12, 1914, it was voted to appropriate the sum of $6,850.12 for the purpose of paying Fairhaven's share to the City of New Bedford, for re- constructing the Coggeshall street bridge, to be paid for by notes of the Town. The Treasurer, by approval of the Selectmen, negotiated a loan for the amount required of the New Bedford Institution for Savngs. to be paid by serial notes, the last note coming due in the year 1919.
At the special Town meeting held April 28, 1913, the citizens unanimously voted that the Town accept the trust created by the following provisions of the will of the late Henry H. Rogers :
I give and bequeath to the Town of Fairhaven in the State of Massachusetts, the sum of One Hundred Thousand (100,000) -Dollars, in trust, however, as a permanent endow- ment fund, and I direct that the income thereof be applied between the maintenance of the Primary and Grammar schools of the said Town of Fairhaven.
In accordance with the provisions of the said will the man- agement of said Trust fund, the Board of Selectmen submit the following statement :
Received from the Executors of the will of the late Henry II. Rogers, Aug. 12, 1913, $100,000. Deposited same in Fair- haven National Bank at 2% interest.
Invested Oct. 24, 1913 $25,000.00 in New York Telephone Co. first general mortgage 41/2% gold bonds at a cost of $24,468.75.
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Invested Oct. 25, 1913, $25,000.00 in American Telephone and Telegraph Co. Collateral Trust 4% bonds at a cost of $21,937.50.
Deposited Dec. 30, 1913, in Fairhaven Institution for Sav- ings, $10,000.00.
Deposited Dec, 30, 1913, in New Bedford Institution for Savings, $10,000.00.
Deposited Dec. 30, 1913, in New Bedford Five Cent Savings Bank, $10,000.00.
Invested March 13, 1914, $10,000.00 in New England Tele- phone and Telegraph Co. 5% Gold Bonds at a cost of $10,108.75.
Deposited May 12, 1914, in Citizens' Savings Bank of Fall River, $5.000.00.
Deposited May 12. 1914. in Union Savings Bank of Fall River. $5.000.
Invested Nov. 18. 1914. $3.000 in Automatic Telephone Co. of New Bedford first mortgage 5% bonds at a cost of $2.850.
Deposited December 21. 1914. $635, balance of Trust Fund in Fairhaven Institution for Savings.
Income received from Trust Fund to Dec. 21. 1914. $3.186.58.
The Selectmen call the attention of the citizens and tax- pavers of the Town to the financial condition of the Town. especially at the present time. As our Town debt has in- creased over $24.000 in the past year. and our debt and interest account has increased $3,335.23. all of which are fixed charges against the Town and must be paid: as the State and County taxes are increasing, and the passing of laws by the State Legislature making the Town liable for the support of an increasing number which formerly were self-supporting and could now but are not allowed to, owing
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to the age-limit laws, and the pension acts passed for widows' support. The Board most earnestly requests the citizens to investigate the question and act upon same as a business matter, at our annual Town meeting.
As part of the requirements of the Town for the coming year, we report the following for debt and interest :
Sewer bond, due October 1, 1915, $5,500.00
Bridge bond, due November 1, 1915, 1,000.00
N. B. and Fairhaven Bridge note, 2,000.00
Rogers School, heating apparatus note, 1,000.00
Howland road sewer note, 500.00
Motor chemical wagon note,
560.00
Bridge maintenance note,
400.00
Southeast sewer note,
500.00
Oxford sewer note,
300.00
Howland road sewer note,
300.00
Wood, Buttonwood and Taber street notes,
100.00
N. B. and Fairhaven Bridge note,
1,100.00
Refunding note,
400.00
Oxford Schoolhouse note,
1,400.00
Coggeshall Street Bridge note,
1,370.12
Refunding note,
650.00
$17,080.12
Interest on bridge bonds,
$1,360.00
Interest on sewer bonds,
660.00
Interest on notes,
3,321.77
Interest on temporary loans,
750.00
$6,091.77
$23,171.89
Credit by refunding loan,
4,000.00
$19,171.89
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We respectfully submit the following estimates for appro- priations, as asked for to maintain the various departments
for the ensuing year,
Debt and interest,
$20,100.00
Sewer department,
5,200.00
Poor department,
2,500.00
Fire department,
2,700.00
Fire alarm,
150.00
Highway department,
3,000.00
Hydrants,
2,500.00
Police department,
1,000.00
Town Hall,
1,000.00
Salaries,
3,900.00
Street lights,
2,500.00
Park department,
1,500.00
Incidental account,
2,500.00
Tree department,
1,200.00
Board of Health,
2,000.00
Shell Fish Commission,
381.39
Mothers' Aid,
600.00
$52,731.39
Respectfullly submitted,
CHARLES P. MAXFIELD,
LEWIS E. BENTLEY,
JOHN I. BRYANT,
Selectmen of Fairhaven.
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REPORT OF HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
Charles P. Maxfield acted as Superintendent of Streets and as Foreman the current year. All bills for current expenses of the Highway Department were paid when they were pre- sented, leaving a balance to the credit of the department.
The Street Department have given more than usual at- tention this year, in keeping the streets clean and tidy. The expense of same which comes out of the Highway appro- priation is quite large, and if the citizens who clean up their yards, etc., of grass, leaves and rubbish, would only refrain from placing it in the streets gutters, which they have no right to do, it would not only save expense, but it would give the streets a much better appearance. We should all do what we can to keep up the general character of our Town for cleanliness.
How to save the streets and roads is a subject that is discussed as much as any part of the town and city's de- partment today, not only what can we do to make them wear longer and at the same time save the top covering and keep it from being blown from the surface of the streets and roads, after being ground to powder by the increasing number of automobiles. In the center of the town the streets last much longer than the outlying streets and roads of our town, owing in a great measure to the fact that the roads are used by so many who are travelling from one town to another, always in a hurry to get there. The last season has been an exceeding hot and dry season, therefore very trying to our streets and roads. Under the cimcumstances to save the Highways the Selectmen purchased 8,533 gallons of Dustoline road oil, a light oil for the streets in the center of town, and for the roads and streets most used for heavy travel 7,845 gallons of Standard road oil was used. We would rec- ommend the purchase of more oil the coming year for use on our Streets that are macadamized, as it served as a re- tainer of the covering.
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For the payment of oil, the Town voted at Special Town Meeting held July 31, 1914, to give the Town Treasurer and Selectmen authority to pay for same by transfering from Shellfish account, which had been returned to the Town by the State, enough to pay the account due for the purchase of oil, the cost of oil, $1,065.65, the expense of applying same to streets was paid from the Highway account.
The Selectmen having their attention called to the condition of the paving on Main Street, north of Bridge Street, decided to relay where necessary the paving to the cemetery, the work was done by contract at an expense of $350.00. As many bad places was caused by the gas pipes extending across the street, the N. B. & E. L. Co. paid $50.00 toward the expense contracted, the balance was paid from the Highway account.
As the Town voted at annual Town Meeting to refer the matter of grading and macadamizing Ball Street from Main to Adams Street, to the Selectmen, and as there was not any money appropriated for same, the board decided to do what it could this year, with that idea, the street department has excavated the larger part of the street to grade, and would recommend that the balance of street be finished the coming year. The expense incurred, amounting to $302.00, was paid from the Highway account.
As voted by the Town at the annual Town meeting, the Highway Department built two sand-catchers on Green street between Church and Farmfield streets, and connected same with the gravity sewer. It was paid for from the high- way account.
As there has been much trouble at the corner of Center and Rotch streets, caused by the surface water centering at that point the filling the Shone system chambers with water, which the pumping system had to take care of, the Highway Department, in order to relieve the situation and to take care of the water, have built a sand-catcher of large
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capacity and connected the same with the large surface drain located on Rotch street. It was paid for from the Ilighway account.
To take care of gutter water on Howland road which flowed upon the adjoining property, the street department have built a good size sand-catcher at the corner of Oak street and connected same with the gravity sewer in How- land road. It was paid for from the Highway account.
The main work done by the street department has been macadamizing and re-surfacing the streets and roads of the Town,-Howland road, Green street, South street, North Adams street, East Coggeshall street, Huttlestone avenue, Rotch street and Washington street. Other streets were repaired where most needed.
There has been delivered to the crusher plant about 6,000 tons of stone for crusher purposes the past year. The Town has on hand at the present time 600 tons of crushed stone and stone for street purposes.
The attention of the citizens is called to the law which prohibits placing any rubbish or material in the highways of the Town. As many of our citizens, janitors of our public buildings and churches, have been in the habit of cleaning their yards and lawns of grass, leaves, &c., then raking or sweeping the same into the streets, this law applies. Trust- ing this notice will be sufficient, and that we all use barrels in which to place our refuse in the future, by so doing it will be received by the ash cart.
We would also recommend that the citizens of the Town do all they can to separate the waste paper from the ashes. Perhaps if they would burn the paper, or have a separate barrel or box to place the paper in, it would help the matter; but we are fully satisfied something must be done to abate the nuisance which now exists.
CHARLES P. MAXFIELD,
Acting Superintendent of Streets.
REPORT
OF THE
SEWER COMMISSIONERS
78
REPORT OF THE SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
Organization : G. Winston Valentine, Chairman; Norman M. Paull, Clerk; William J. Fitzsimmons, Superintendent of the Power House.
Changes at the Power House have included : The addition of a third engineer to comply with the eight-hour law adopted by the voters March 2, 1914; a thorough cleaning and repairing, covering the boiler with insulating material, installation of a pressure gauge to furnish a permanent record of the air pressure at all times, re-boring the cylinder of the oil engine, fitting a new piston, also repairs to the crank shaft and y wheels, repairs and replacements in various equipment to bring the plant to the greatest possible efficiency; building a well for the supply of cooling water for the oil engine (the former driven well having been proved inadequate), thus cutting off a large expense for Town water; and requiring a daily account from each engi- neer of supplies used, operation of the plant, repairs, etc., the summary of these reports being of great prospective value in any recommendations the Commissioners may have to make as to changes in or additions to equipment.
Certain portions of three ejectors not overhauled in 1913 were repaired and renewed in 1914, but there still are many portions of all the ejectors which should be renewed during 1915 if the system is to be kept at its highest efficiency. A counter has been placed on each ejector to record its opera- tion. It has been shown that from August 1 to December 31 there were discharged 19,657,500 gallons, or about 81,500 tons, of sewage, and the watter season of the year is still to be recorded. These records will be of value in mainten- ance of efficiency, also in determining the more advisable course in future extensions.
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The increased efficiency of the power plant and ejectors, and the value of the portable power pump have been shown by the fact that, except on March 1, and then in only a few cases and for a short time, have there been any complaints made to the Commissioners of flooded cellars due to the inadequacy of the system.
In accordance with the votes of the town July 31, there were constructed under contract with Albert B. Cook of New Bedford :
379 feet of 8 inch sewer in Main street, north of Howland road, including one manhole.
154 feet of 6 inch connection to Oxford schoolhouse, includ- ing a clean-out.
442 feet of 8 inch sewer in Sycamore street, south of How- land road, including one manhole.
402 feet of 8 inch sewer in Adams and Spring streets, in- cluding two manholes and one lamphole.
All abutting building have been connected and the assess- ments have been levied.
Under the direction of the board there were constructed :
96 feet of 5 inch sewer in Bridge street, west of Middle street, paid for by Messrs. Deane and Kerns.
283 feet of 8 inch sewer in Bridge street, east of Almy street, paid for by Mr. Greenwood.
125 feet of 8 inch sewer in contemplated Almy street, south of Bridge street, paid for Mr. Terra.
325 feet of 8 inch sewer in Pleasant street, to be paid for by the various abuttors.
The board obtained contract prices on the sewer constructed by Mr. Greenwood in Bridge street and the lowest would have made the cost about $1,10 per foot. Employing day labor. Mr. Greenwood built the sewer for about 90 cents per foot or adding 4 cents per foot for liability insurance, which the contractor was obliged to carry, there is still a difference of 16 cents per foot. This would show that careful management will enable these short sections of sewers to be built at less expense by day labor.
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All connections to sewers have been made and repaired under the direction of the superintendent of the streets as per vote of the town at its annual meeting March, 1913. The commissioners have begun a card system of all connections. We find that there is a total of about 580 connections on record, 44 having been made in 1914, but we know that there are many connections not on record at all, and in most cases the record is incomplete.
The board have secured more or less data during the past year on a general contour plan of the town, also they have started an index of the separate plans at hand. In this con- nection it may be said that a survey and general plan of the town was the subject of an article at the special meeting in July, and was referred to the coming annual meeting. We would urge the citizens to vote for this article, for at present there is no general plan of the sewers, and in some cases no plan at all. Such a plan would be of great use in systematic flushing, in planning extensions, and would also be of value to the Selectmen, as a Board of Survey, in passing upon the lines of gradients of projected streets.
After careful consideration of expenditures for 1915, wo feel that we should ask for $5,200.00-$100.00 less than last vear.
Respectfully submitted,
G. WINSTON VALENTINE, WM. J. FITZSIMMONS, NORMAN M. PAULL,
Sewer Commissioners.
REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH
82
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF FAIRHAVEN :-
The Board of Health respectfully submits its annual report.
The number of infectious and contagious diseases for nine months follows :
Diphtheria, 8.
Measles, 2. Opthalmia Neanatorium, 2.
Varicella, 1. Pul. Tuberculosis, 6.
Typhoid, 3. Whooping cough, 1.
The cases of tuberculosis reported cause the most expense to the Town; an expense that cannot be avoided on account of existing State laws. This the citizens must fully realize when the appropriation for the Board of Health is made.
JOSEPH PECK, BERTHA F. CARL FROMMELL, DAVID L. KELLY.
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January 10, 1915.
Selectmen, Fairhaven, Mass.,
Dear Sirs :-
I hereby submt my report as inspector of live animals for the year.
At my last inspection I examined: Cows, 369; young cattle under six months, 172; hogs, 211.
Fairhaven live stock is in very good condition, there having been found but six cases of Generalized Tuberculo- sis in cattle and hogs.
There has been but one case of glanders.
The premises where the above mentoned animals were stabled have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. All precautions have been taken to prohibit the spread of in- fectious diseases peculiar to domesticated animals.
Respectfully yours.
DR. M. J. CURRAN, Inspector of Animals.
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TREE WARDEN'S REPORT.
January 1, 1915.
To the Citizens of Fairhaven' :-
The Tree Warden herewith respectfully submits his an- nual report for the year of 1914.
The spraying of the trees was thorough and successful and in almost every case one application was all that was necessary. The trees are now in excellent condition, but we must not forget that the work must be kept up from year to year. The removal of dead trees has been continued from year to year that the streets of the town will maintain their neat appearance.
The planting of young trees to take the places of the trees removed has been done by the Improvement Associa- tion. The Improvement Association, this year, has planted one hundred young maple trees, also staked and protected them. Two new streets have been planted with trees- North Green street and Elm street, also many have been planted to take the places of those removed.
The Tree Warden reports the trees in town to be in very good condition, but we must not forget that the work must be continued from year to year, that the beauty of our town may be maintained.
The Tree Warden thanks the citizens and the Improve- ment Association for their support and co-operation.
The Tree Warden respectfully recommends that the sum of twelve hundred dollars ($1,200.00) be appropriated to continue the work of preserving the good condition of the trees.
Very respectfully submitted,
PETER MURRAY,
Tree Warden.
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ALMSHOUSE REPORT.
January 1, 1915.
Overseers of Poor and Citizens of Fairhaven :-
I hereby offer my report for year 1914. We have at the present time nine inmates at the home, four men and five women. One man and one woman pay board. All who are able willingly help all they can with the work and appre- ciate the good home the town provides. At Christmas they had a "tree" and they wish to thank all who helped to make a happy season. We wish to thank M. E. Church, "Kings Daughters," H. K. Nye and Peter Murray for their kind remembrance.
During the year we raised plenty of vegetables, potatoes, turnip, cabbage, and with the peas, shell beans, string beans, tomatoes, corn, etc., canned up gives a good supply for winter.
We have a good crop of hay made last season, plenty for horses and cow.
Thanking the board for their kindness and consideration shown us at all times, I remain,
Very sincerely,
J. L. ELDRIDGE.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REPORT
1914
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
2
In School Committee, Jan. 8, 1915.
Voted :- That the Report of the Superintendent of Schools be accepted and printed as the Report of the School Com- mittee.
Voted :- That the Committee ask for an appropriation of $19,000 for the ensuing year.
T. A. TRIPP, D. W. DEANE, D. W. KENDRICK, LEWIS E. BENTLEY, ALTON B. PAULL, LYMAN C. BAULDRY.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
THOMAS A. TRIPP, LEWIS E. BENTLEY,
Term expires 1915
Term expires 1915
LYMAN C. BAULDRY,
Term expires 1916
ALTON B. PAULL,
Term expires 1916
DANIEL W. KENDRICK, DANIEL W. DEANE,
Term expires 1917 Term expires 1917
Chairman, THOMAS A. TRIPP.
Secretary and Superintendent, CHARLES F. PRIOR.
Superintendent's Office Hours :
Town Hall : 8.15-9.00 A. M .- Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 4.00-5.00 P. M .- Every school day unless absent on special business. 7.00-8.00 P. M .- Wednesday.
High School :
9.30-10.00 A. M .- Monday.
Regularly out of town : In Mattapoisett a part of Tuesday. In Acushnet a part of Thursday.
Telephone call at Town Hall, Fairhaven, 3891.
Telephone call at residence, 93 Green street, 3514-M.
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SCHOOL CALENDAR.
Tuesday, Jan. 5 (1915) Friday, Feb. 26.
Schools close.
Monday, March 8.
Monday, April 19.
Patriots' Day.
Friday, April 30.
Schools close.
Monday, May 10.
Friday, July 2. Schools close.
Tuesday, Sept. 7.
Tuesday, Oct. 12.
Columbus Day. Legal holiday
Wednesday, Nov. 24.
Schools close. (noon)
Thanksgiving recess
Monday, Nov. 29. Friday, Dec. 24.
Scohols close.
Christmas vacation Schools re-open
Schools re-open Mid-winter vacation Schools re-open Legal holiday Spring vacation Schools re-open Summer vacation Schools re-open
Schools re-open
Tuesday, Jan. 4 (1916)
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No School Signals.
For the benefit of those who have difficulty in remember- ing the significance of the school signals, the following is submitted for reference :
The signal at 8.00 a. m. indicates no school for grades one to four, inclusive.
The signal at 8.15 indicates no school for all grades.
The signal at 12.30 noon indicates no school for grades one to four, inclusive.
The signal at 12.45 noon indicates no school for all grades.
Notes.
Schools are often in session when weather conditions make it unfit for some children to attend, in which case parents must make their own decisions. At such times the schools are available for those pupils who wish to attend.
6
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Fairhaven, Mass.
Gentlemen :- The eighteenth annual report of the super- intendent of schools is herewith submitted.
In the distribution of the time of the superintendent, Acushnet and Mattapoisett have each one-sixthi of the whole. It may be of interest to note the increase in the school en- rollment of the District during the past ten years.
Enrollment in
Enrollment in
Town.
1904.
1914 (June)
Acushnet,
219
381
Mattapoisett,
193
242
Fairhaven,
858
1081
1270
1704
The District has 38 schools and employs 53 teachers.
The enrollment in Fairhaven schools, on Dec. 20, 1914, distributed by grades, was as follows:
Grade I,
154
Grade II,
121
Grade III,
110
GradeIV,
109
Grade V,
89
Grade VI,
80
Grade VII,
64
Grade VIII,
70
Grade IX,
46
High,
189
1,032
The actual membership of your schools at a similar date last year was 977.
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Buildings.
The most noteworthy event of the year has been the com- pletion of a four-room addition to the Oxford school. Two of the new rooms were available for use and were occupied for the first time on November 10th. The addition makes unnecessary the conveyance of pupils to the Rogers school, relieves the crowded condition of several rooms at that build- ing, and provides school accommodations adequate to the needs of the north section of the town for several years. The building as it stands is a substantial, well-equipped modern school house of eight rooms. There is, also, a recitation room for the individual instruction of exceptional pupils and a Principal's office. The basement contains wardrobes where the outer wraps of the children may be kept warm and dry, bubblers for drinking water, and an excellent system of sani- taries. A new heating plant for the entire building was in- stalled. While equipping the new part with blackboards it was found practicable at a moderate expense to place slate boards, also, in the rooms of the old part. These add much to their value as school rooms. In view of the new law regarding evening schools, it was deemed advisable to install electric lights. In external appearance and in internal ar- rangements the building reflects credit upon the community.
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