USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1931-1940 > Part 58
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GEORGE H. BANCROFT
Born Dec. 29, 1868. Died Feb. 18, 1938. Age 69 years, 1 month, 20 days Library Trustee, 1893-1913; Center School Building Committee, 1903; Board of Selectmen, 1904-1905; Auditor, 1909-1911; Town Accountant, 1912-1917, resigned Dec. 10, 1917; Assessor, 1921-1938
FRANK C. NEWHALL
Born Oct. 29, 1879. Died April 10, 1939. Age 59 years, 5 months, 12 days Selectman, 1918-1929; Forest Fire Warden, Oct. 1, 1918-1921
33
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
An ordinance to prohibit horse back riding on dead end streets in the Town was adopted.
In November the people of the Town were shocked by the sudden death of a valuable and honored Town Official, Mr. Fred I. Wilkins, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer and Clerk of this Board. The Board was faced with a problem that had to be taken care of at once. According to the provisions of the General Laws the board was permitted to ap- point a Town Clerk and Treasurer to fill the vacancy for the unexpired terms. After due consideration William W. Grace was appointed Treas- urer and Mrs. Mary E. Wilkins was appointed Town Clerk.
Knowing the great loss to the Town and to this Board, by the death of Fred I. Wilkins, the board drew up a resolution, which was sent to Mrs. Wilkins and a copy of same will be found in this report.
Respectfully submitted,
BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
At a Meeting of the BOARD OF SELECTMEN of the
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
held on November 17, 1939, the following resolutions were adopted: WHEREAS, God in His infinite wisdom has seen fit to separate us from Frederick I. Wilkins, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Clerk of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lynnfield, Outstanding Citizen, Eminent Christian, Devoted Friend, Husband and Father and
WHEREAS, Frederick I. Wilkins gave to his Community many years of faithful service and
WHEREAS, His example of living has been a beacon to all with whom he has come in contact and
WHEREAS, This Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lynnfield, with utmost reverence and deep affection honors him, so therefore with respect to his memory, be it
RESOLVED, That the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lynnfield fully realize the loss they have sustained from this separation, a loss of loyalty, honesty, service and affection beyond words they may use to express, and be it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution be inscribed upon the records of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lynnfield and as a token of our common grief a copy thereof be sent to his family.
EVERETT S. WEBSTER, CLARENCE A. STUDLEY,
ELMER A. SMITH, Selectmen of Lynnfield
34
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1939.
The following arrests were made by Lynnfield Police:
2 Breaking and entering in the night time.
1 Breaking in the day time.
7 Drunkenness.
1 Allowing an improper person to operate motor vehicle.
The number arrested by the State Police is unknown as no report has been received.
27 Summonses were served for out of town police.
Lynnfield was fortunate during 1939 in having very few automobile accidents.
The Police Department regrets the untimely death of the late Fred- erick I. Wilkins, Town Clerk and Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT G. TEDFORD, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
and Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
Herewith I respectfully submit my annual report of the Fire Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1939:
The Department responded to 238 alarms, an addition of 20 more than in the year 1938. There were 8 building fires, 7 chimney fires, 98 forest, grass and woods fires, 6 oil burner fires, 8 dump fires, 83 false alarms for the year, 12 needless alarms, 5 emergency calls. We responded to 2 calls for assistance from Wakefield, and one from Peabody. We have received letters of appreciation from these departments.
The department laid 6,600 feet of 21%-inch hose, 7,500 feet of 11%- inch hose, 8,000 feet of 1-inch hose, used 600 gallons from chemical tanks, used 60 pony extinguishers and Indian pumps, raised approxi- mately 270 feet of ladders.
The total loss from building fires was approximately $2,800.00.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM W. MOXHAM, Chief of Fire Department.
35
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
During the year ending December 31, 1939, 57 permits have been issued as follows:
Permits
Approximate Value
27 New Dwellings
$104,050.00
11 Additions
2,250.00
1 Repair
50.00
9 Garages
3,900.00
2 Poultry Houses 275.00
6 Business
1,730.00
1 Boat Landing
500.00
$112,755.00
Three permits have been given for reshingling for which no charge is made.
Fees for above have been collected and accounted for to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
C. E. PEARSON, Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
The following articles were sealed:
Platform Scales 5
Beam Scales
5
Spring Balanced 9
Computing Scales 3
Slot Weighing
2
Liquid Measures 23
Gas Pumps 35
Fees collected, $26.29.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. WESTOVER, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
36
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
The past year's work was carried along the same lines as the pre- vious eleven years. Woodlands were looked over for gypsy moth infes- tations and creosoted. Some of these infestations were sprayed where it was possible to get to them. Some very fine work was done by the W. P. A. crews, which included creosoting, spraying, underbrushing and removing fire hazards in woodlands. There was a colony of brown tail moths in the park area of Grove Street which was well taken care of and as yet no brown tail nests have been found. The elm leaf beetle was very bad in the south part which was confined mostly to the turn- pike and Salem Street which is under the Public Works Department.
This work is carried on under the supervision of the State Depart- ment of Conservation. The State contributed $869.94 to the Town in money and supplies during the year.
There is a very bad infestation on Main Street near the Middleton and Peabody lines which takes in about 200 acres on both sides of the road. This infestation extends back in the swamp area back of the Boston Blacking Co. plant. This is being creosoted now. There are slight infestations on Lowell, Chestnut, Summer and Walnut Streets. These infestations will be creosoted and sprayed if necessary with help of the W. P. A. crews.
I hope that extra money will be appropriated in this coming town meeting so that these infestations may be properly handled.
Respectfully submitted,
LYMAN H. TWISS, Moth Superintendent.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1939.
I have inspected 21 barns where animals are kept and found all in good condition.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR W. BRYANT, Inspector of Animals.
37
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Milk for the year end- ing December 31, 1939.
I have inspected all places where milk was kept for sale and issued licenses as required.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR W. BRYANT, Inspector of Milk.
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1939.
I have answered 70 calls and disposed of 28 dogs.
To the best of my knowledge all dogs in town have been licensed. Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR W. BRYANT, Dog Officer.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OLD MEETING HOUSE
Board of Selectmen, Town of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, Gentlemen:
In compliance with your letter of August 5, 1939, the Committee appointed by you to report on the restoring of the Old Meeting House has had several meetings and submits the following report.
It was the opinion of the Committee that there were probably many new citizens of the Town who were not acquainted with the historical value of this building and it was therefore decided to include in the report a preamble giving a brief history of the structure so that full consideration of the importance of preserving this historical building can be fully considered by the citizens of the Town.
The Old Meeting House
The Old Meeting House was erected in 1715, so that it is now two hundred and twenty-five years old, and is the third oldest church struc- ture in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It was built when the
38
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
land was the Dominion of the King of Great Britain, between fifty and sixty years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and was erected upon the land where the wood was cut, some of it for its timbers. The pulpit used to stand upon the Eastern side with a window beyond and a sounding board above. There were three galleries; one of them contained the head men's seats, reserved purposely for colored people who were slaves, and more than one slave child has been pre- sented for baptism by its master in the old edifice. There were three doors to enter the building and before them were the horse blocks, that is, large stones for dismounting from the horses. The building was neither plastered nor painted for more than one hundred years.
In 1782 a petition was presented to see if the signers might cut the house in two and move it, and put in fourteen feet without cost to the parish. A meeting was held and it was agreed to move the gallery two and one-half feet and the pews were then to be sold at auction to pay the cost of repairs. For more than fifty years but little was done to the building, the principal thing being the introduction of a stove, which was accomplished in 1824, and it was decided "that the space near the North door is a convenient place to set a stove".
In 1836, the Meeting House being sadly out of repair and the Town having no hall, the following proposal was made to the Town by a committee of the parish:
"We, the undersigned committee for the First Congregational Society in Lynnfield, wish to make the following proposal to the inhabitants of the Town of Lynnfield:
"Being about to repair our Meeting House and having no particular use for the lower story as high as the galleries are now placed except a convenient and suitable place for the erection of stairs by which the members of the above mentioned Society may ascend to and enter the upper story of the Meeting House, therefore we propose to give all the lower story of the said Meeting House, with the exception above mentioned, to the inhabitants of the Town of Lynnfield for a Town House, pro- viding the inhabitants of the Town of Lynnfield will agree to pay one-half of all the expense of repairing the outside roof and underpinings of said Meeting House and the parish will enter into obligations that as long as the said inhabitants of Lynnfield will continue to pay one-half of the expense of keep- ing it in repair so long the said inhabitants shall enjoy the above mentioned privilege."
(Signed)
BOWMAN VILES H. EMERSON MOSES RICHARDSON MATTHEW COX
39
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OLD MEETING HOUSE
Lynnfield, September 7, 1836.
The Town voted to accept the proposal offered concerning the Old Meeting House and a committee was chosen to confer with the parish committee. The upper part was used for church purposes and the lower story for a Town House for over fifty years and historians re- count that the variety of uses to which the building has been put, good, bad, and indifferent, is simply astonishing.
When the present Town Hall was dedicated the Honorable Nathan M. Hawkes, one of Lynnfield's gifted sons, stated: "The dedication of your new Town Building marks an era in your existence. It is the final divorce of Church and Town. The holding of Town Meetings in the house erected on the green by the Old North Parish was a reminder of Puritan ways that was unique. The old House was plain but it was in keeping with the plain God-fearing yeomanry who there legislated and worshiped, and there the Precinct District and Town of Lynnfield were formed."
Proposed Plan
It would seem to be a very appropriate time on the two hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the erection of this building, for the citizens of the town to consider seriously the problem of restoring this building to its original condition in so far as it is practicable.
Some of the wide variety of uses to which this building has been put in the past and its present occupancy and condition are not a credit to the Town of Lynnfield, and it is doubtful if such a condition would be tolerated by other communities in the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts in view of the age and historical value of the building.
In the consideration of this problem the first step to be taken was the removal of the Fire and Police Departments occupancy and finding a suitable location for them. After careful thought it was decided that the Town should not at this time be burdened with the expense of providing and maintaining a new building for the Fire and Police Departments if suitable facilities could be found in an existing town building without expensive cost of alteration and which would meet the needs of these departments for the next ten or fifteen years.
With this idea in mind the Committee gave consideration to the possibility of moving the present Library structure from its present location to the adjacent lot now owned by the Town, and remodeling the building for Fire and Police department purposes. It is believed that this change could be made at a reasonable cost and will provide suitable quarters for the apparatus, hose drying facilities, recreation room, air whistle or horn for the fire alarm, and separate room for the Police Department, including adequate heating, lighting and sanitary
40
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
facilities. The relocation of the building to the adjacent lot of land would provide much needed parking space for automobiles during church services and thus relieve the present congested condition which exists at this location due to parked automobiles on the street.
The next problem to receive consideration was the disposition of the Library in view of the locating of the Fire and Police Departments in the present Library building. It was the consensus of opinion that if any occupancy other than one of an historical nature should be located in the Old Meeting House, it would be one for library pur- poses, and it was therefore considered locating the Library in the first story of the building after making suitable alterations of such a nature which would be in keeping with the age of the building. This proposed plan to include provisions in the first story for a meeting room for small groups, and adequate space for historical relics, would be the forerunner of a possible Historical Society. It was the opin- ion of the Committee that the locating of the Library in this struc- ture would tend toward better maintenance and supervision and would not detract from the historical value of the building such as the present occupancy.
The Committee was agreed that it would not be practicable to restore the building to its original design of a one story building with galleries and therefore considered allowing the church portion of the building to remain in its present location on the second floor and devote the entire first floor to library and historical purposes.
The structural changes necessary with this arrangement would in- clude the removal of the tower and bell, which was not included in the original building, and the necessary alterations in the first story to accommodate the suggested library and historical room occupancy and the providing of adequate heating, lighting and sanitary facilities.
It is the opinion of the Committee that the second story should remain as at present constituted except for the removal of the sus- pended ceiling and such repairing and refinishing as may be necessary.
The entire design and finish of the building should be as near the original style as may be practicable, and would include entire repairing and repainting of both exterior and interior. This would bring the internal appearance of the building back to the 1836 period when the church was moved to the upper story, and externally the building would retain much of its original appearance.
The area surrounding both the Old Meeting House and the pro- posed Fire and Police Departments building should be properly graded and landscaped, and the exterior color scheme of both buildings should be in harmony with the Centre Congregational Church, so as not to detract from that structure.
The Committee has had the privilege of advice and consultation with Mr. Philip Horton Smith of Smith & Walker, Architects of Boston,
41
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OLD MEETING HOUSE
who were in charge of the restoration of King's Chapel in Boston and the Old Ship Church in Hingham, as well as other structures having historical significance, and Mr. Smith's opinion is that the Town has a structure of almost priceless value, particularly in respect to the type of roof framing and other details, and believes that every effort should be made to preserve and restore this building.
Conclusion
We therefore recommend to the Town of Lynnfield the following procedure in order to accomplish the preservation of the Old Meeting House:
First: Engage the services of Smith & Walker, Architects, to pre- pare plans, specifications and costs for the restoration of the Old Meet- ing House and the remodeling of the present Library Building for Fire and Police Department purposes, the work to be done in so far as possible by progressive stages so as to distribute the cost over a period of years.
Second: Remove the Fire and Police Department occupancy from the Old Meeting House and locate the same in the present Library building after making the necessary alterations to accommodate this occupancy and relocating the building on the adjacent lot of land.
Third: Relocate the library occpancy from its present location to the first story of the Old Meeting House after making the necessary alterations to restore it to as near its original state as is practicable.
Fourth: Provisions to be made in the restoration of the Old Meet- ing House to provide adequate quarters for an historical section in con- junction with the Library in the first story.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES COMSTOCK, ERNEST LANE, ROBERT ROURKE, CHARLES PEARSON, JOHN S. CALDWELL, Chairman.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
At the last Annual Town Meeting an appropriation was made to take care of the shade trees. This appropriation was used to take down dead and dangerous trees, and to trim up trees where there were dead and dangerous limbs. Some cavity work was done on trees where
42
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
they were very bad. The street trees, as a whole look very good, but I hope the appropriation will be much larger so that more work can be done along these lines. I also hope that a small appropriation will be made to plant new trees.
Respectfully submitted,
LYMAN H. TWISS, Tree Warden.
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1939. Contagious Diseases for the year 1939:
Chicken Pox
7
Lobar Pneumonia
8
Measles
8
German Measles
3
Bronchial Pneumonia
1
Mumps
5
Scarlet Fever
2
Pulmonary T. B.
5
Syphilis
3
Whooping Cough 17
Dog Bite
8
Diphtheria
0
Neisserian Inf.
4
Contagious Diseases
We have had several cases of T. B. taken care of at the Essex Sana- torium this year. At present there is one patient from this town con- fined there.
Summary of Report
Number of complaints 2
Verbal notices
2
Inspections made 14
Letters written
81
Telephone calls
80
Permits to attend school
6
Obstetrical cases 2
Surgical cases 3
43
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
Ambulance calls 9
Number of professional calls:
Office 126
House 193
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE S. ROBINSON, M.D., D.O.,
Health Officer.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Gentlemen:
The usual amount of snow was handled and streets sanded. Catch basins cleaned out and streets cleaned. A number of streets were tarred where needed.
Chapter 90 maintenance consisted of a seal coat of asphalt and pea stone on Main Street from the residence of Anson Strong to Ivan Drysdale. I hope to finish Main Street this coming year.
A new Ford Dump Truck was purchased this year to replace the old 1936 truck, also a water tank for roller.
The bushes on the side of the streets were all cut this year.
Respectfully submitted,
MINOT H. CARTER, Supt. of Streets.
REPORT OF THE SURPLUS COMMODITY DIVISION OF THE LYNNFIELD WELFARE BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby make my report of the Surplus Commodity Division of the Lynnfield Welfare Board.
Listed below are the amounts of food and clothing issued in the Town during the year 1939. The case load for the year is also given.
I have had fine co-operation from the Boston Office, also from the Salem Warehouse.
In my opinion this department has been a great benefit to the Town.
Food
200 Pounds Dried Apples 3,877 Pounds Fresh Apples
1,800 Pounds Dried Pea Beans
44
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
2,436 Pounds Butter
150 Pounds Fresh Cabbage
1,568 Pounds Cereal Wheat
3,940 Pounds Corn Meal
1,568 Pounds Graham Flour
3,503.5 Pounds Wheat Flour
2,724 Pounds Fresh Grapefruit
888 Cans Grapefruit Juice
480 Cans Evaporated Milk
800
Pounds Dried Whole Milk
850 Pounds Oranges
1,160 Pounds Sweet Potatoes
700 Pounds Prunes
300
Pounds Rice
360 Pounds Rolled Oats
1,105 Pounds Fresh Squash
Clothing
24 Girls' Bloomers
94 Women's Bloomers
12 Women's Blouses
180 Girls' Cotton Dresses
216 Women's Cotton Dresses
84 Men's Jackets
6 Complete Layettes
42 Girls' Nightgowns
126 Women's Nightgowns
24 Women's Pajamas
144 Men's Pajamas 78 Men's Pants
408 Men's and Boys' Shirts
114 Men's and Boys' Shorts
17 Women's Skirts
48 Women's and Girls' Slips
7 Boys' Cotton Suits
12 Men's and Boys' Union Suits
36 Men's Dungarees
6 Boys' Dungarees
120 Children's Pajamas 72 Boys' Pants
Total clothing articles issued during 1939 1,870
45
REPORT OF SURPLUS COMMODITY DIVISION
During 1939 the value of food received was $2,196.99 as against $2,274.45 in 1938. In addition to this allotment of food, there was dis- tributed in the Town, W. P. A. Clothing having a value of $1,497.45 as against $2,003.95 in 1938. The combined value of both food and cloth- ing for the year 1939 was $3,694.44. In addition to this amount the Federal Government allotted to our Town, Federal Clothing amounting to $153.50.
Respectfully submitted, WESLEY W. MUNROE, Clerk.
CASE LOAD OF THE SURPLUS COMMODITY DIVISION OF THE LYNNFIELD WELFARE BOARD
Increase
Decrease
Month
Cases
Persons
Cases
Persons
Cases
Persons
January 1, 1939
60
222
February 1, 1939
59
222
1
March 1, 1939
60
226
1
4
April 1, 1939
64
241
4
15
May 1, 1939
60
226
4
15
June 1, 1939
53
206
7
20
July 1, 1939
45
166
8
40
August 1, 1939
44
162
1
4
September 1, 1939
45
165
1
3
October 1, 1939
45
165
November 1, 1939
46
172
1
7
December 1, 1939
44
171
December 31, 1939
44
171
2
1
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
46
.
. .
47
REPORT OF FEDERAL ACTIVITIES
REPORT OF FEDERAL ACTIVITIES IN LYNNFIELD DURING 1939
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Moth Project 17,878-Control and Suppress Leaf Feeding Insect Pests Throughout the Town
As Lynnfield is an area, much infested with gypsy and brown tail moths, this project is very beneficial to our Town. No one wants to see our trees barren of foliage. While there are so few things our W. P. A. can accomplish during the winter months this is an opportune time to rid our community of these pests. From January 1, 1939 to July 7, 1939 this moth project creosoted five hundred acres of woodland, sixteen acres thinned out and two hundred and fifty acres sprayed. The Federal payrolls on moth work amounted to approximately six thousand, nine hundred dollars ($6,900.00).
Playground Project 16,769-To Improve Playground off Main Street
Roadway: Six hundred cubic yards of excavation was removed from roadway and applied to the ball field. Eight hundred yards of gravel, paid for by the Federal Government, was applied. One coat of tar was applied this fall and another will be put on in the spring.
Ball Field: Approximately two and one-half acress. This plot of land was graded, loamed, rolled, and seeded. The ball diamond was seeded a year ago, and a fine crop of grass came up. We hope that by spring the entire ball field will be in a condition to allow league games to be played. Bleachers will be erected to accommodate five hundred fans with an excellent back stop. Federal Government will pay for the lumber used in building these bleachers.
Playstead and Parking Area: One and one-half acres of land have been cleared for a playstead and parking area. A playstead with up-to- date equipment for the children, paths, walks, and several fireplaces will be completed when the weather permits. Some equipment will have to be purchased and considerable amount of fence is needed for safety and general appearance.
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