USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1875 Vol. 2 > Part 12
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500
6 75
Stevens, Silas, land on Ward st.
1.250
16 88
Stevens, Ellen M. Mrs., land on Parker st.
10,000
135 00
Sully, John, land on Cedar st.
11,000
148 50
TARR, Nathaniel and N. A. Alden, house and land, Ward st.
8,500
114 75
Toombs, Edward H., heirs, lots 13 and 14, Clinton pl.
2,600
35 10
WHEELER, George H., lots 61, 62, 63 and 64, Chestnut Hill
5,000
67 50
White, Ralph H., buildings and land, Chestnut Hill
40,000
540 00
White, George and Maria A. Evans, land on Parker st. 10,000
135 00
Wilcox, Henry B., executor, (per $7,800-$105.30).
Wilkins, Cassander S., land on Beacon st.
4,000
54 00
Smith, Sabin M., lot 52, Chestnut Hill
SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR FOR THE CITY OF NEWTON.
CITY HALL, December 31, 1875.
TO THE HONORABLE THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF NEWTON :
Gentlemen, - The City Ordinance requires the Overseers of the Poor to present to your Body, an- nually, a statement of the condition of that branch of the public service under their charge. The Board, therefore, submit the following statement of their expenditures for the year 1875 :
Amount appropriated for Poor out of Almshouse for the year 1875, $5,000 00
Expenditures of the Board.
Amount paid Hospitals at Worcester, Northampton
and Taunton for support of insane, $1,724 64
66
"
cities and towns for relief of poor, 729 84
" Reform, Industrial and State Pri- mary Schools, 83 57
66
board of sundry poor,
201 42
66
medical attendance, 729 00
66
medical prescriptions,
145 31
66
66 fuel,
667 35
groceries and supplies,
S14 61
66
66 burial expenses,
161 00
66 miscellaneous expenses,
297 05
Total,
$5,553 79
156
REPORT OF
By the foregoing report, you will notice that the Board have exceeded the appropriation $553.79. This amount however will be largely reduced in the net result, as we have bills against the Common- wealth, and against various cities and towns for aid furnished persons belonging to them, amounting in all to something over $400, disbursed in this account, which will soon be collected and paid into the City Treasury, thus showing the expenditures of the Board only about $150 in excess of appropriation.
This result we regret exceedingly, as our Board are as much opposed to exceeding appropriations as any branch of the public service ; but we are not conscious of having injudiciously applied funds be- longing to the City, and are sure we shall not be accused of doing so, when you take into considera- tion the exceedingly depressed condition of all busi- ness interests during the whole year, thus making it very difficult for persons to find constant employ- ment, and consequently to furnish those dependent upon them with their daily bread. In this connec- tion allow us to suggest that a larger sum must be appropriated for the year 1876, or the next Board will be obliged to say with us, “We have exceeded our appropriation."
The first meeting of the present Overseers of the Poor was held January 18, 1875, and by vote of the Board Mr. John J. Ware was elected Warden of the Almshouse for the year, at a salary of $400.
The Board have held regular monthly meetings since, and one special meeting at the Almshouse for the annual inspection of the whole institution. In regard to the latter and in justice to the Warden
157
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
and his estimable wife, it is our opinion that there is no institution of this kind in the State more judicious- ly and in all respects better managed. The average number of poor at the Almshouse for the year has been nineteen and three-tenths, supported at an average expense varying but a fraction from $3.30 per week for each person; and nine persons have been fully supported by the City at the different State Lunatic Asylums.
The number of " travellers " or " tramps " has been upon the increase, especially during the latter month of the year, nearly two thousand and three hundred having been provided with food and lodging at the Almshouse and Police Station, at an estimated ex- pense to the City of about five hundred dollars.
In closing allow us to say that in our opinion there is no way the deserving poor can be so effectually assisted as by giving them employment, and would respectfully suggest that as far as possible they may be employed upon our highways and other public works.
Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Overseers of the Poor.
A. B. COBB, Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF NEWTON :
Herewith is presented, in accordance with the City Ordinance requiring the annual report from the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, a statement of its condition, with a roll of its members, list of fires, alarms, amount of loss, insurance as near as possible, Fire Alarm Telegraph and Boxes, Reser- voirs, etc., also a schedule of the property belonging to the City in charge of the different Companies in each Ward.
Organization.
The Department consists of the following :
Chief, six Assistant Engineers and Clerk, 8
Three Steam Fire Engine Companies, with Hose Carriage and Tender, 15 men each,
45
One Hook and Ladder Company,
14
Two Hose Companies, 6 men each, 12
Two Hand Engine Companies, 46 men each, 92
Making a total of officers and men, 171
160
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER
Fires and Alarms.
The whole number of fires and alarms for the year 1875 was fifty-four, ten of which were out of the City, two were false, eight were second and third alarms, and thirty were fires in different parts of the City.
Apparatus.
The apparatus consists of three Steamers with Hose Carriage and Tender to each, one Hook and Ladder Truck, two Hand Engines with Hose Car- riage connected, one Hand Engine not in use, and two Hose Carriages stationed in Wards 2 and 4.
Since my last Report the following changes have been made in the apparatus: Two of the Hand En- gines referred to in my last report have been sold ; also the two Chemicals, as per instructions from the Committee on Fire Department. Heaters have been put in Steamer Houses 1 and 3 for the purpose of keeping the water hot in the Steamers, so that they can be ready for duty at a moment's warning, which I consider as important as it is to have a Steamer.
As far as I know, everything connected with the apparatus of the Fire Department is in good working order. There have also been ten Johnson Pumps distributed among the different Companies, and I consider them a great addition to the Department, as they have saved a great deal more than their cost.
Hose.
There are about 9,775 feet of hose distributed among the different Companies, all of which is in good order excepting about 2,000 feet in Steamer
161
OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Two's House. I would recommend the purchase of about 2,000 feet more, 1,000 feet to be placed in Steamer Two's House, 500 feet for Hose No. 4, and 500 feet for Hose No. 5, as they have not enough for a change. When the hose they now have on hand is in use, they have no chance to dry it as it should be done, but are obliged to reel it on their carriage while wet, thus destroying it sooner than by use.
Reservoirs.
The whole number of reservoirs is twenty-six. A new one has been built in Nonantnm Square, Ward 1, and contains about twenty feet of water, which would supply a Steamer about one hour. A new one has also been built on Station Street, Ward 6, near the old station on the B. H. & E. Railroad. Fortu- nately no very disastrous fire has occurred in the thickly settled parts of the City, otherwise the reservoirs upon which we depend for our supply of water would have been found inadequate for such an emergency. I look forward to the time when water will be running through all our principal streets, and plenty of Hydrants located, so that when called to duty the Fire Department of the City of Newton will be able not only to respond to the call, but have plenty of water to fight the fiery fiend, for I consider that if the Department, as now constituted, fails of doing its duty, the only thing that will be found wanting will be water, as was the case at the fire April 29th, at P. Cummings' houses.
Houses.
Since my last report there has been erected in Newtonville, Ward 2, a new building for the Hook
11
162
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER
and Ladder Truck and Hose Carriage No. 4, with stables for the requisite number of horses. There are also sleeping rooms in the building for the ac- commodation of the permanent men, and everything in the building is complete with the exception of the hall, which needs furnishing.
In my report, last year, I recommended an altera- tion in the sleeping rooms in Steamer House No. 2, and I still recommend the alteration as then suggest- ed, and hope your Honorable Board will see the necessity of the same.
There is now at the Engine House in Ward 4, a horse kept temporarily, and I would recommend that one be permanently kept there for the Hose Carriage, as we have reduced the company four men, in consideration of having the horse kept there.
In my last report I recommended the building of a new house at the Upper Falls, though the present building might do for a few years; but as it is not in the right location, and is very much out of repair, I think it would be better to build a new one, and dispose of the old one.
The engine houses in Wards 6 and 7 are in good order, though the one in Ward 7 needs painting outside as a matter of ecomomy, and should have also a bath room-a necessary convenience already provided in all the other houses.
Fire Alarm Telegraph.
The Fire Alarm has worked very well the past six months, and the gongs in the different Engine houses are working correctly. There has been one new box added, No. 62, making in all eighteen boxes,
163
OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
six gongs, and five strikers. There are at least six more boxes needed in different parts of the City. A striker is also needed in Ward 3, and I would suggest that a bell and striker be placed on the City Hall, as under the present system the members of the Com- pany in that Ward who do not stay in the house permanently, are not sufficiently notified of a fire. If placed on the City Hall, the janitor of the same can ring the bell when needed.
The Superintendent of the Fire Alarm Telegraph needs a proper room for his batteries, etc., as the present one is not large enough, and is located in the cellar of Steamer House No. 3, which is not fit for a battery on account of the unevenness of the tem- perature. As an alteration must be made for this purpose immediately, I would recommend the build- ing of a room large enough to accommodate the battery, in connection with the engine house.
I think the Fire Alarm Telegraph one of the great- est improvements which the City has added to its Fire Department, as it enables all the citizens of every Ward to learn whether the fire is in their own locality, or what part of the City it is in. It is also a great help to the different companies, as it is sure to tell when and where each is needed. The City of Newton may well be proud of her Fire Alarm Telegraph, as it can compare well with those of the surrounding cities.
In conclusion I would call your attention to the old engine houses in Wards 2, 3, and 6, which are of no use to the Department. As they are constantly de- preciating in value, I think it best for the City to dispose of them, as large, new ones are already built in their places.
164
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
I tender my sincere thanks to his Honor the Mayor and City Council for their willing endorse- ment of my doings the past year; also, to the Com- mittee on the Fire Department, to all my Assistant Engineers, and to the members of the Fire Depart- ment generally, for their promptness in replying to every alarm, for to them I feel that most of the success of the Department is due.
Respectfully submitted, ORRIN WHIPPLE, Chief Engineer.
NEWTON, December 31, 1875.
POLICE REPORT
FOR THE YEAR 1875.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE, WEST NEWTON, Dec. 31, 1875.
To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR :
In conformity with the request of the Chief of Police I herewith submit the Second Annual Report of the transactions of the Police Department of the City for the year ending December 31, 1875.
At present the Department comprises a force of sixteen Regular and five Special Police Officers. On the 31st of December, 1874, the entire force consist- ed of ten Regular and nine Special Officers, making the average number of Regular Officers for the two years thirteen.
The compensation of the force and the contingent expenses for 1875 have amounted to $14,845.99, paid to this date. This also includes the expense of feeding and lodging two thousand tramps, all cared for under the direction and at the Stations of the Department.
The following is a recapitulation of the service of the Department for the year :
166
REPORT OF
General Statistics.
Number of Arrests, 389
Number of Commitments, 49
66
Males,
347
66
Females, 42
Americans,
29
66
Foreigners,
360
66 Minors,
72
Nativity of Prisoners.
United States,
29
Germany, 5
British Provinces,
4
Scotland,
5
Ireland,
313
Sweden,
2
England,
26
Russia,
1
France,
1
Africa,
3
Nature of Crime.
Assault and battery,
55
Larceny, simple, 37
felony,
3
felonious,
2
Attempt at rape,
1
Perjury, 1
Adultery,
1
Stubborn children,
3
Breaking and entering,
1
Suspicious persons,
2
Bastardy,
1
Threatening to kill,
1
Cruelty to dumb animals, 4
Violation of City ordinance, 5
Common drunkards,
9
Sunday law 3
Drunkenness,
158
66 Liquor law, 15
Disorderly,
158
Vagabonds,
4
Disturbing the peace,
34
Witnesses,
1
Escaped convict,
1
Fraud,
1
66 Truants taken to School, 84
66 Provided with Lodging, 2,002
In addition to the foregoing a large amount of miscellaneous service has been rendered, some of the more important of which is as follows :
167
CHIEF OF POLICE.
Assistance in cases of acci- dent, 18
Buildings found open and
secured,
128
Dead bodies taken in charge, 4
Street obstructions re-
moved, 23
Stubborn children returned, 3
Disturbances suppressed, 137
Dogs killed,
30
Defective street lamps re-
ported, 239
66 sidewalks reported, 6
streets reported,
1
Fire alarms given, 7
Fires extinguished without alarm, 3
Injured persons assisted,
14
Intoxicated persons helped
home,
256
Insane cared for, 9
Lost children found, 11
Nuisances abated,
20
Stray teams put up,
17
Dangerous buildings re- ported, 3
Stolen property restored, $500
Respectfully submitted,
R. L. HINDS,
Acting Deputy Chief of Police.
7685 Come.
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