USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > West Hartford > Connecticut, town of West Hartford reports of the town officials, fiscal period 1927-1928 > Part 5
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The Engineering Department is working on plans for several miles of sewers to be constructed in the near future, and is confident that all of the requirements will be cared for.
The Commission has held 59 meetings during the past year, inspected the several streets and sewers that have been constructed, and have driven over all of the streets in Town, and have a large mileage of road construc- tion planned for the ensuing year.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. BARTON, OSCAR W. HJERPE, FRANK J. SPARKS, RICHARD J. DILLON, NEWTON W. LARKUM, Street, Sewer and Water Commission.
89
Report of the Board of Appeals For Year Ending February 29, 1928
The Board of Appeals submits the following report for the fiscal year ending February 29, 1928.
Twenty petitions asking for relief from the regulations of the Zoning Commission were received, making it necessary for the Board to hold 20 public hearings and 6 regular meetings during the year.
The exceptions granted by the Board are as follows:
Erection of a storage shed (residence section), 1; garage for more than 10 motor vehicles (business section), 1; use of barber shop (residence sec- tion), 1; tin repair shop (business section), 1; erection of two-family houses (lot area question), 2; erection of an addition to green house (side yard req.), 1; changing entrances on an apartment house (suitable for lot), 1; locating houses on lot for equalizing side yards, 2; approving side yard of less requirement, 1; erecting of milk room (business section), 2; approving building for private hospital, 1; approving the erecting of oil tanks of larger than tank car size (industrial section), 1; erecting of stable to replace old building (residence section), 1.
Petitions granted, 16.
In the above list, the certificate of approval in allowing the garage for more than 10 motor vehicles was not used, the owners having aban- doned the project and erected a theatre instead.
The following is a list of petitions that were denied by the Board as the conditions did not warrant an exception:
Erection of an apartment house (lot area too small), 1; remodeling a two-family house under construction into a three-family, 1; raising of a roof to a height 2 feet higher than is allowed, 1; erecting of a ladder stor- age shed (residence section), 1.
Petitions denied, 4.
The Board approved the erection of a building on Raymond Road to conform to the shape of the lot, it being deeper on one end than the other.
Mr. William H. Mueller had the honor of being re-elected as a member of the Board for a term of 5 years from April 12, 1927, by the Honorable Town Council.
The average attendance of the Board of meetings and public hearings for the year was ninety per cent.
The Board again wishes to thank the Town Officials for their hearty co-operation given them during the year, especially the Corporation Coun-
90
sel, who attended ninety per cent of the meetings and the Building In- spector, who attended eighty-three per cent.
Respectfully submitted, ANDREW L. OSTERLING, Chairman, JOHN W. HULING, FRANK G. SMITH, WILLIAM H. MUELLER, CLARENCE R. ROOT,
Board of Appeals.
William A. Rothammer, Clerk.
91
Report of the Bureau of Assessment and Award
During the past year the Bureau has published preliminary assess- ments of benefits and awards for damages and conducted hearings in con- nection with the laying out, making grading and establishment of West- phal and Princeton Streets and the changing of building and veranda lines on New Britain Avenue, Ridgewood Road, Whiting Lane, Farmington Avenue, South Main Street, Maplewood Avenue and Melven Road. Final assessments of benefits and awards for damages have been published in connection with the changing of building and veranda lines on New Britain Avenue, Ridgewood Road, Whiting Lane and Farmington Avenue. Several streets to be laid out, made, graded and established, referred to this Bureau by the Council, have been given consideration and referred to the Engineering Department for tabulation.
The Bureau wishes to express at this time its appreciation of the assistance rendered and of the splendid spirit of co-operation shown the Bureau by Town Manager Miller, Corporation Counsel Thomson, Town Engineer Holden and Assistant Town Engineer Loomis.
Respectfully submitted,
G. A. LINDELL, Chairman, E. L. SABIN, JOHN T. DUNN, JR., I. R. THRALL, F. W. HORTON.
G. B. Maynard, Clerk.
92
Report of the Board of Relief For the Month of February, 1928
During this month five advertised days (four of 7 hours each, and one of 11 hours), have been given to hearing appeals of property owners from the doings of the Assessment Commission, the full board being present each day.
On February 25 all members of the Commission met in executive session to take action on and complete the work of the previous hearings; several properties were visited to determine if changes should be made.
During the public sessions 101 appeals were sworn for relief, and many not sworn appeared for explanations, apparently satisfactorily given by the office force of the Assessment Commission. Denied, 58; granted, 43.
There have been 89 reductions amounting to $104,730.00, also 19 increases amounting to $158,738.00.
Respectfully submitted, 1 HENRY W. WALSCHE, Chairman, MILO S. HUNT, ADAM C. HARRISON, WARREN T. QUAYLE, H. H. HOYT.
93
Report of the Town Plan, Park and Cemetery Commission
The Commission by its name implies that it has three departments of the Town Government under its charge.
The purpose of the Park Department's phase of the Commission's work is to supervise the small plots, now designated as parks and to plan additional ones.
The purpose of the Town Plan Department is to visualize, plan, recommend and approve the geographical development of the Town as respects streets, lots, parks and municipal centers so that the ultimate result will be a comprehensive and as nearly an ideal layout of the Town as possible.
The work of the Commission in connection with the Cemetery De- partment has been to supervise and determine the general policies of the care and development of the Town's cemeteries.
The year's work of the Park Department of the Commission has had to do with the developing of a tentative plan for a proposed park and parkway system and the inauguration of supervised summer outdoor recreation. This Department has requested a special appropriation of $500.00 for the coming year for the improvement of Goodman Park, more familiarly known as the "Village Green."
The playground program as developed, during the past year, estab- lished supervised playfields on school grounds at the following schools: James Talcott, Seymour Avenue, Plant School and the excavation of a small swimming pool and the erection of four buildings for the bathers on the Town property near the Trout Brook, on Fern Street.
At the request of this Commission, the Town Council appropriated during the year $2,000, which was spent for this program, which apparently, was well received by the children and the townspeople, as is shown by the attendance stated below. This does not include the attendance during the evening or on Sundays.
Playground
Attendance
Visitors
Plant School.
140
15
Seymour Avenue
4,079
100
Talcott School
2,915
95
Swimming Hole
6,768
1,957
13,902
2,167
94
The program of supervised play covered the period from June 21 to September 1, inclusive. The playfield at the Plant School was closed July 15, due to lack of attendance.
The Commission recommended to the Town Council the continuance of the program for supervised recreation for the summer of 1928, and re- quested that an appropriation of $4,200.00 be included in the annual budget. This appropriation, if granted, will allow for the continuance of the playfields at Seymour Avenue School, the Talcott School, the super- vision of a new playground in the Charter Oak Park playfield and the enlargement of the swimming pool and necessary improvements at Fern Street. The Commission believes there is a popular demand for the im- , provements contemplated at the Fern Street playfield.
The Commission recommends the development of a park system that will provide recreation centers for the future and the construction of a parkway, which will be so built that there will be a drive suitable for automobiles, also a bridle path, and playgrounds along the drive at suit- able places, which provide natural development for such purposes. While it may take years to realize this program, yet the Commission believes that it would be good policy for the Town to appropriate sufficient funds from time to time to take options and ultimately purchase tracts for parks and parkways when the opportunities arise.
The Commission, realizing its responsibilities for the care and develop- ment of the Town's four cemeteries, visited these cemeteries during the summer and found them being carefully and thoughtfully cared for under the excellent supervision of the Commission's Superintendent, Mr. A. J. Keeney and his subordinates. The Commission made, during the year, several recommendations to the Superintendent and has received his co- operation.
The Commission believes its work as a Town Plan Commission to be very fundamental to the future growth and ultimate beautification of the Town and recommends that the topographical survey be continued and progress made as rapidly as possible even though this will require special appropriations annually and increased work for the Engineering Depart- ment.
During the year layouts approved by the Commission were Sunny Slope, Sunny Ridge, Sagamore Terrace, South Main Terrace and Norwood Terrace. The total mileage of new streets in these tracts equalled 19.71 miles.
In approving layouts, the Commission has recommended to developers that they endeavor to make the corner lots wider to minimize the number of requests for changes of building and veranda lines and also has asked them to show street corners rounded whenever possible.
95
It has been the policy of the Commission to urge property owners who contemplate development of their properties to combine their plans to bring about a more comprehensive and more desirable development when taken as a whole.
The Commission wishes to express its appreciation for the co-operation it has received from the Town Council, other boards and commissions and the various officials of the Town.
Respectfully submitted, D. W. MURPHY, Chairman, C. A. GRISWOLD, W. W. THOMSON, H. J. MARKS, L. I. CORLISS, The Town Plan Commission.
H. J. Salmonsen, Clerk.
96
Report of Cemeteries
For Year Ending February 29, 1928 Fairview Cemetery
Debit
To balance cash in hands of Treasurer, March 1, 1927.
$3,383.50
To amount drawn on appropriation for oiling roads. 49.15
To cash received:
·
From sale of lots and single graves. 4,959.62
For vault charges 18.00
For moving from vault. 4.00
For monumental and grave marker foundations
965.75
For use of lowering device
120.00
For opening graves
443.00
For wood sold.
5.00
$9,948.02
Credit
By cash expended :
For improvements and care $3,621.23
Transferred to permanent fund.
4,000.00
Balance of cash in hands of Treasurer, March 1, 1928 .. . . 2,326.79
$9,948.02
Old and North Cemeteries
Debit
To balance cash in hands of Treasurer March 1, 1927 $ 388.28
To appropriation from Town for improvements and care. 1,000.00
To cash received:
For opening graves
84.00
From Mary L. Wells for fund for care of private lot. 100.00
From individuals for care of private lots. 320.25
From interest on funds for care of private lots.
276.00
$2,168.53
97
Credit
By cash expended:
For improvements and care $1,118.84
For care of private lots.
612.94
For cash deposited as fund for care of private lot. 100.00
Balance of cash in hands of Treasurer March 1, 1928 336.75
$2,168.53
Quaker Lane
Debit
To balance cash in hands of Treasurer, March 1, 1927 $ .36 To cash received:
From appropriation from Town for improvements and
care.
50.00
From interest on funds for care of private lots 8.00
$ 58.36
Credit
By cash expended for improvements and care.
$ 54.36
By balance of cash in hands of Treasurer, March 1, 1928.
4.00
$ 58.36
FUNDS FOR CARE OF PRIVATE LOTS
Int.
Exp'd
Bal.
1. Fannie Hurlbut Fund.
$141.93
$6.80
$4.00
$144.73
2. Crofut Fund
136.81
6.57
4.00
139.38
3. H. O. Griswold Fund.
124.49
5.98
4.00
126.47
4. Tompkins &Merrill Fd
129.86
6.23
4.00
132.09
5. Calvin Gridley Fund ..
120.54
5.78
4.00
122.32
6. Ellen J.Sedgwick Fund
139.97
6.72
4.00
142.69
7. Benj. S. Bishop Fund.
107.66
5.17
4.00
108.83
8. Franklin Sisson Fund.
637.63
30.70
20.00
648.33
9. Lavinia Sheldon Fund.
95.49
4.57
3.00
97.06
10. Anson Chappell Fund.
107.64
5.17
4.00
108.81
11. Joseph Hurlbut Fund.
94.36
4.53
3.00
95.89
12. Warren S. Crane Fund
137.25
6.60
4.00
139.85
13. L.G.& A.S.Flagg Fund
129.01
6.21
4.00
131.22
14. Selden P. Sears Fund.
133.21
6.40
4.00
135.61
98
15. Mary C. Millard Fund
122.30
5.89
4.00
124.19
16. Thomas Sisson Fund. .
129.35
6.22
4.00
131.57
17. Seth Talcott Fund.
107.37
5.17
4.00
108.54
18. Childs Goodman Fund
52.14
2.51
2.00
52.65
19. Nancy Wells Fund.
53.80
2.56
2.00
54.36
20. Warren O.Griswold Fd
112.26
5.40
4.00
113.66
21. Eliz. G.Hubbard Fund
1,317.81
63.47
48.00
1,333.28
22. Seth L. Gilbert Fund.
114.49
5.51
4.00
116.00
23. Emma E. Elmer Fund
104.96
5.02
4.00
105.98
24. Geo. F. Goodwin Fund
108.59
5.21
4.00
109.80
25. Annie G. Elmer Fund.
108.65
5.21
4.00
109.86
26. Eliz. W. Talcott Fund
109.43
5.25
4.00
110.68
27. Maria Barber Fund .. .
105.21
5.05
4.00
106.26
28. Mary J. Shepard Fund
51.05
2.46
2.00
51.51
29. Lisbon Graunis Fund.
51.53
2.47
2.00
52.00
30. Roger Francis Fund. .
104.76
5.02
4.00
105.78
31. C. Bell King Fund .. ..
103.38
4.96
4.00
104.34
32. Wm. S. Griswold Fund
104.66
5.02
4.00
105.68
33. Eliz. G. Sisson Fund ..
170.56
8.20
6.00
172.76
34. Emma S. Griswold Fd.
101.97
4.87
4.00
102.84
35. Mary W.Hamilton Fd.
101.93
4.87
4.00
102.80
36. Bertha M. Case Fund.
101.87
4.87
4.00
102.74
37. John M. Shaw Fund. .
101.87
4.87
4.00
102.74
38. Lavilla A.Edgerton Fd
101.50
4.87
4.00
102.37
39. Alice G. Beach Fund ..
404.25
19.47
18.00
405.72
40. H.G. Montgomery Fd.
101.50
4.87
4.00
102.37
41. Eliza S. Miller Fund ..
101.50
4.87
4.00
102.37
42. William A. Burr Fund
204.08
9.82
8.00
205.90
43. Jennie L.Hodgdon Fd.
101.48
4.87
4.00
102.35
44. Kate E.Griswold Fund
101.10
4.85
4.00
101.95
45. Caro. A. Goodwin Fd.
101.10
4.85
4.00
101.95
46. Georgia C. Morris Fd.
50.56
2.42
2.00
50.98
47. Julia A. Fuller Fund ..
100.79
4.83
4.00
101.62
48. Seth P. Griswold Fund
101.77
4.87
4.00
102.64
49. Evelyn B. Cutler Fund
100.55
4.83
4.00
101.38
50. James A. King Fund ..
100.55
4.83
4.00
101.38
51. Annie L. Hamilton Fd.
152.07
7.31
5.00
154.38
52. Edw. Churchill Fund.
101.05
4.85
4.00
101.90
53. Hatch &Parsons Fund
100.25
4.81
4.00
101.06
54. Mary L. Wells Fund. .
3.55
3.00
100.55
Fairview Cemetery Fund. $29,345.02 $1,495.36 $4,000.00 $34,840.38
There has been less activity in the sale of lots in Fairview Cemetery during the year just closing and for that reason a corresponding decrease in the amount carried forward to the permanent fund.
99
The amount of the permanent fund at the close of the year is $34,840.38. This includes the sum of $4,000.00 added from the sale of lots and accrued interest of $1,495.36.
To meet the call for small lots in Fairview Cemetery, two more of the large lots were subdivided, making available twenty-nine lots of small dimensions. By so doing will defer the development of more area requiring care for at least the present year.
During the year just closed there has been installed in the different cemeteries of the Town foundations for monuments and grave markers to the value of $965.75. The net profit on the above installations being $347.54. This work was carried on at odd times when the employees were not otherwise engaged in the regular care and maintenance of the grounds
Respectfully submitted, D. W. MURPHY, Chairman, C. A. GRISWOLD, W. W. THOMSON, H. J. MARKS, L. I. CORLISS, The Cemetery Committee.
A. J. Keeney, Supt. of Cemeteries.
INDEX
Appropriations, Expenditures, Transfers and Balances.
12
Comparative Statement of Appropriations
20
Controller's Statement.
30
Inventory of Town Property - Estimated Value.
6
Index
100
List of Overdue Taxes
59
Recapitulation.
44
Report of Assessment Commission
71
Report of Board of Appeals.
89
Report of Board of Finance
9
Report of Board of Relief.
92
Report of Building Inspector
73 16 47
Report of Dog License Funds
56
Report of Health Officer
72 81
Report of Juvenile and Welfare Commission.
Report of Park, Town Plan and Cemetery Commission
93
Report of Plumbing Inspector
75
Report of Police and Fire Commission
76
Report of Public Library Committee.
53
Report of School Board.
78
Report of Street, Sewer and Water Commission
87
Report of Tax Collector.
57
Report of Town Engineer
84
Report of Town Manager
85
Report of Treasurer .
49
Report of Zoning Commission.
82
Summary of Unexpended Balances
45
Town Officers
3
Report of Bureau of Assessment and Award.
Report of Controller
١
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