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ANNUAL REPORTS CITY OF ATTLEBORO 1915
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY a31654001303392b
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Attleboro High School
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
Officers and Departments
OF THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO
TTLEB
TOWN
NCORP.
N
IT
694 MASS
C
.EBO
FOR THE YEAR 1915.
THE APPLETON CO., Attleboro, Mass. 1916
179 4X ANVa 1915 0 3
GOVERNMENT
OF THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO
1915
ELECTED OFFICIALS.
MAYOR.
Term expires January, 1917.
HAROLD E. SWEET
.80 North Main St. Hours :- 9:30 to 11:30 and 3 to 5 Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 9:30 to 11:30 A. M. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
CITY CLERK AND TREASURER. Term expires January, 1917.
FRANK I. BABCOCK. 163 South Main St. Hours :- Daily from 8:30 a. m. to 5 p. m. except Saturdays. Saturdays 8:30 a. m. to 12:30 p. m.
ASSISTANT CITY CLERK. Term expires January, 1917.
ALBERTA F. REMINGTON 6 Fourth St. Appointed by the City Clerk, confirmed by the Council.
CITY COLLECTOR. Term expires January, 1917.
LESTER W. NERNEY
.200 North Main St. Hours :- Daily from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. except Saturdays. Saturdays 8 a. m. to 12 m.
COUNCILLORS-AT-LARGE. Terms expire January, 1916
PHILIP E. BRADY, President. 12 Horton Block. STEPHEN H. FOLEY 30. Union St. HARRY P. KENT. 12 First St.
WILLIAM H. SAART.
11 Fourth St.
CHARLES O. SWEET. 119 Bank St.
OSCAR WOLFENDEN
173 County St.
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ANNUAL REPORT
WARD COUNCILLORS. Terms expire January, 1917.
WILLIAM H. GARNER 373 South Main St. WILLIAM A. SPIER 14 Grove St. SOLOMON B. JACOBS 48 Park St. SAMUEL M. HOLMAN 39 Pleasant St. 45 James St.
JOSEPH E. GAYNOR
ASSESSORS.
WALTER J. NEWMAN, Chairman. . 177 Pine St.
Hours :-- Daily from 8:30 a. m. to 12 m. and 1:30 to 5 p. m. except Satur- days. Saturdays 8:30 a. m. to 12 m.
Term expires January, 1918.
HARRY E. CARPENTER, Clerk West St.
Term expires January, 1916.
MALCOLM CURRIE. 12 Holden St.
Term expires January, 1917.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Terms expire January, 1918.
BENJAMIN P. KING, Chairman 17 First St.
DR. REGINALD P. DAKIN, Secretary. 32 John St.
MRS. EMILY L. RICHARDSON 13 Maple St.
Terms expire January, 1917.
WALTER A. BRIGGS. 1 Cliff St.
THOMAS G. SADLER.
South
Attleboro.
MRS. FLORENCE B. THEOBALD 250 County St.
Terms expire January, 1916.
MRS. SUSIE M. PEARSE 24 Dean St.
EDWIN F. THAYER. 17 Mechanic St. 177 Pine St.
WALTER J. NEWMAN
APPOINTED OFFICIALS.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
JOSEPH V. CURRAN, Chairman. Highland Ave., Hebronville. Term expires February, 1918.
BENJAMIN P. KING, Clerk.
17 First St.
Term expires February, 1917.
FRANK M. PAYSON 139 North Main St.
Term expires February, 1916. CITY PHYSICIAN. Term expires February, 1916.
WILFRED E. ROUNSEVILLE. .40 Bank St.
HEALTH OFFICER. Term expires February, 1916.
RALPH P. KENT 115 County St.
5
ANNUAL REPORT
FIRE DEPARTMENT-FIRE ENGINEERS.
HIRAM R. PACKARD, Chief 8 Hope St. Term expires February, 1918.
FRED A. CLARK, First Assistant. 22 Hayward St.
Term expires February, 1917.
WILLIAM E. SWEENEY, Second Assistant. 10 School St.
Term expires February, 1916. POLICE DEPARTMENT.
CHARLES E. WILBUR, Chief and Lockup Keeper Bronson Annex. Resigned November 12, 1915.
EDMOND H. GINGRAS, Lieutenant. 15 John St. Appointed Acting-Chief and Lockup Keeper November 12, 1915.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
HARRY J. GOODALE, Superintendent 61 County St. Hours :- Daily from 8 a. m. to 12 m. and 1 to 5 p. m. except Saturdays. Saturdays 8 a. m. to 1 p. m.
Term expires February, 1918.
SAMUEL DYER, City Engineer . 48 Hodges St. Appointed by Supt. of Public Works. Term expires February, 1916. AUDITOR. Term expires February, 1918.
EDGAR F. BOSWORTH. .317 South Main St. Hours :- Daily from 8:30 a. m. to 12 m. and 1:30 to 5 p. m. except Satur- days. Saturdays 8:30 a. m. to 12 m.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS. Term expires February, 1916.
MILLARD F. ASHLEY 8 Sturdy St.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. Term expires February, 1916.
HUGH GAFFNEY 31 Dennis St.
BOARD OF REGISTRARS.
JOHN R. CURRY, Chairman 4 Foley St.
Term expires February, 1916.
MICHAEL A. GALLIGAN. 70 Dunham St.
Term expires February, 1917.
CHESTER A. SMITH South Main St. Hebronville. Term expires February, 1918.
FRANK I. BABCOCK, ex-officio. 163 South Main St.
CITY SOLICITOR.
412 Holman St. JOHN J. COADY
Term expires February, 1916.
.
6
ANNUAL REPORT
PARK COMMISSIONERS.
CHARLES A. MOOERS. 72 County St. Term expires February, 1917.
SOLON D. BUSHEE. 255 County St. Term expires February, 1916.
JOHN E. ANDERSON Thacher St.
Term expires February, 1918.
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. Terms expire February, 1916.
JOSEPH L. SWEET, Chairman .42 Peck St. LEONARD I. LAMB 197 South Main St. 99 Union St.
THOMAS E. McCAFFREY
Terms expire February, 1917.
MRS. ELEANOR S. CARPENTER . 60 Peck St.
CHARLES S. HOLDEN, Secretary 378 North Main St.
MARK E. ROWE. 178 South Main St.
Terms expire February, 1918.
MRS. IRENE T. HILL. 192 South Main St.
GEORGE ST. JOHN SHEFFIELD, . North Main St.
MISS ELIZABETH J. WILMARTH. 73 North Main St.
TREE WARDEN. Term expires February, 1916.
W. E. S. SMITH 51 Thacher St.
MOTH INSPECTOR. Term expires February, 1916.
W. E. S. SMITH 51 Thacher St.
FOREST WARDEN.
Term expires February, 1916.
HIRAM R. PACKARD 8 Hope St.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF AND BURIAL AGENT. Term expires February, 1916.
FRED L. MORSE 24 Dean St.
PLANNING BOARD. Terms expire February, 1916.
JOSEPH FINBERG, Chairman. 24 John St. MILFORD E. BLISS . 12 Dean St.
Terms expire February, 1917.
MRS. JOSEPHINE L .. HAMMOND 17 Second St. RAYMOND M. HORTON. . 116 Pleasant St.
Term expire February, 1918.
MRS. MARY G. MULLALY. 1 Ellis St. GEORGE A. SWEENEY, Secretary 52 Holman St.
7
ANNUAL REPORT
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS. Term expires February, 1916.
EUSTACE V. CARPENTER 278 Oak Hill Ave.
INSPECTOR OF WIRES. Term expires February, 1916.
BENJAMIN C. WETHERELL.
.37 Peck St.
FENCE VIEWERS. Terms expire February, 1916.
ISAAC ALGER 252 Pleasant St. EUSTACE V. CARPENTER. .278 Oak Hill Ave. . Locust St.
HENRY A. LORD
CARETAKER OF GRAVES. CIVIL AND SPANISH WAR VETERANS. Term expires February, 1916.
GEORGE R. ADAMS .87 Dean St.
CITY STENOGRAPHER. Term expires February, 1916.
MRS. LULU A. GINGRAS. 15 John St.
CITY MESSENGER.
Term expires February, 1916.
FRED L. MORSE .24 Dean St.
POUND KEEPER. Term expires February, 1916.
NELSON HAGAR, City Farm and Pound.
County St.
CITY REPRESENTATIVES ON BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE ATTLEBOROUGH HOSPITAL. Terms expire February, 1916.
HAROLD E. SWEET 80 North Main St. CHARLES O. SWEET. 119 Bank St. 163 South Main St.
FRANK I. BABCOCK, ex-officio
TRUSTEES OF THE CAPRON AND DEBORAH STARKEY FUNDS.
All ex-officio. HAROLD E. SWEET, Mayor. FRANK I. BABCOCK, City Treasurer. BENJAMIN P. KING, Chairman of the School Committee.
8
ANNUAL REPORT
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.
FREDERICK G. MASON Chairman 80 County St. Term expires February, 1917.
W. GRANVILLE MEADER, Clerk 146 County St.
Term expires February, 1916.
FRANK W. WEAVER Bates Block.
Term expires February, 1918.
SEWER LOAN COMMISSION.
HAROLD E. SWEET, Mayor, ex-officio, Chairman.
FRANK I. BABCOCK, City Treasurer, ex-officio.
W. GRANVILLE MEADER, Clerk ..
Term expires February, 1916.
FREDERICK G. MASON
Term expires February, 1917.
FRANK W. WEAVER Term expires February, 1918.
ADDRESS OF
HON. HAROLD E. SWEET
MAYOR OF ATTLEBORO
AT THE
INAUGURATION
OF
THE 1916 CITY GOVERNMENT
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HALL
ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1916
11
ANNUAL REPORT
Gentlemen of the Council:
The time has come for a review of our first year as a city, an estimate of what has been accomplished and careful consideration of what lies before us.
Any comment or criticism on what we have done or left undone during the past year should properly come from the people whose interests we have endeavored to serve. It may be in order for us to say that we have tried to so chart and buoy the course as to steer clear of extravagance on the one hand and deficiency on the other, Furthermore, we may perhaps be allowed to accept as a tacit approval of our conduct of municipal affairs the practical lack of contest or issue in the recent election. This condition should, how- ever, not lull us into a smug complacency either as to ourselves or our doings.
A vigilant and critical public is highly essential in order to insure the efficient and industrious application of public officials to their duties, to key them up to the highest degree of service. Personally, I have experienced a keen disappointment that a larger interest in our doings has not been mani- fested by our citizens during the past year, and emphasis is laid on this mat- ter at this time because laxity in this respect is fraught with danger now and in the years to come. With this in mind I have welcomed all sorts of in- quiries during the past year, many of them perhaps seemingly not worthy of consideration, and yet manifestly due to a desire to intelligently compre- hend affairs. I have not lent ear to carping curbstone criticism, which is ever prevalent, but am always ready to meet frank, intelligent censure of any municipal action or policy and to give a full statement of the reasons that appear to justify our course.
The several department heads and their assistants are united in a com- mon purpose to render to the city the best service of which they are capable. Their relations with this office have been pleasant without exception, and there has been a prompt and cheerful response to suggestions. I do not pretend to say that the high degree of efficiency which ought to be the goal has been attained, but there is encouraging evidence that all are animated with a desire to perform the tasks assigned to them loyally and thoroughly.
Finances
A reduction in the tax rate is a popular campaign shibboleth, and, seri- ously speaking, is much to be desired, but it is obvious that it can be accom- plished in only one of two ways: either by a reduction in expenses, or an increase in valuation and sources of income. A municipality, like one's family or one's business, cannot grow without a corresponding increase in the expense of maintenance.
The constantly increasing demand for all kinds of governmental aid, however justifiable, means increased governmental expense in nation, state and city. You cannot provide for working men's compensation in case of injury, you cannot allow the firemen one day off in five, you cannot con- tribute to the support of mothers with dependent children, you cannot take care of an annual increase in school population of one hundred or more and maintain Massachusetts' educational standards, you cannot meet the con- stantly increasing state tax, you cannot do a number of other things that are demanded in increasing measure each year, without materially adding to the annual municipal budget.
It does not seem possible that during the coming year we can increase our valuation, already high in comparison with other cities of like size in the Commonwealth, even by the normal ratio of the last five years. This means
12
ANNUAL REPORT
that we cannot rely on having much more money available for municipal expenses this year than last, so that we must redouble the scrutiny and care with which we analyzed every appropriation that was approved last year.
It is therefore essential that we should at this time make a careful study of our financial condition as compared with a year ago, and while the balance for the year has not yet been struck, owing to the physical impossibility of getting in all the outstanding December bills which must be paid out of the 1915 appropriations, yet I am pleased to state that our financial condition is materially improved, in evidence of which I submit the following data:
Our average valuation for the past three years, less abate- ments is
$21,083,190.00
Our debt limit, under existing laws, 212% of this is.
527,079.75
Our present liabilities (as of Dec. 31, 1915) are-
Water Bonds.
$599,500.00 421,000.00
Sewer Bonds
High School Bonds.
$148,000.00
Fire Station Bonds
19,000.00
Highway Bonds. 40,000.00
School House Bonds 30,000.00 $237,000.00
Total Bonds-Water, Gen- eral and Sewer.
$1,257,500.00
Time Notes
$ 35,000.00
Anticipation of Tax Notes 125,000.00 160,000.00
Total Debt-Bonds and Notes. $1,417,500.00
Less Sinking Fund Assets-
Water Department.
$132,112.47
General Department. 65,136.70
*Sewer Loan Investment Fund.
108,977.25 $306,226.42
Net Bonded and Floating Debt.
$1,111,273.58
Above liabilities, outside debt limit, are-
Water Bonds.
$599,500.00
Sewer Bonds. 421,000.00
Anticipation of Tax Notes
125,000.00
$1,145,500.00
Less Water and Sewer Sinking Fund Assets. $241,089.72 $904,410.28
Net Debt, within debt limit. . .
$206,863.30
Borrowing Capacity, Jan. 1, 1916
$320,216.45
Borrowing Capacity, Jan. 1, 1915
267,701.20
Net increase in borrowing capacity
$52,515.25
Reduction in Net Debt.
$97,561.56
*Not taken into account in last year's summary.
13
ANNUAL REPORT
A comparison of the above figures with those of a like nature submitted to you a year ago at once indicate a very appreciable reduction in our muni- cipal obligations, and that we are well within the margin of our legal bor- rowing-both by reason of this reduction and the increase in our average valuation.
Without the specific figures at hand, which cannot be obtained until the auditor's books for 1915 have been closed, I cannot definitely state to you tonight just the exact amount the City of Attleboro spent for all pur- poses in the year 1915 and just how this compared with the city's income from taxes and receipts, although I have followed the figures closely enough to know that the difference is very slight.
At an early date I shall present to you a detailed report of these expenses as compared with those of the town in 1914, and believe it will be apparent, despite some legacies that unavoidably added to the expenses of 1915, that the city actually SPENT less for local requirements than the town in its last year.
It is not, however, so much a question of the amount expended, whether it be more or less, but rather of the value received. In this respect it has been our special concern during this last year to see that the city gets the best possible return for every dollar of expenditure. Some waste in the expenditure of so large a sum, with a total of employees at times running up to 475, is inevitable, but I venture to say that the city emerges from this first year with its physical condition improved, and a financial showing that indicates for the present at least, that city government is no more expensive than town government, and this too despite some unusual expenses incident to the first year of city administration.
Not only has an appreciable reduction been made in the amount of obligations incurred in former years, but we have contracted no new ones for future payment, excepting those contingent upon the completion of the rifle range and the purchase of a new steam roller, totalling $9000.00.
In the matter of the rifle range, we have not as yet issued the note authorized, owing to a technicality, and have consequently expended all the money thereon so far out of current revenue, thereby saving a small amount of interest.
Digressing for a moment, it has seemed to me that there is every reason for requiring that the state own the rifle ranges throughout the Common- wealth that applies to the owning of the armories by the state, and this mat- ter has already been taken up with our local representative in the Legislature in the hope that legislation of this sort can be made effective this year.
The $3000 due on the steam roller on April 1st next, if we elect to pur- chase it at that time, represents, with the amount already paid-that is, $1500 -- merely the net price that other cities have paid for exactly the same machine within ten days after delivery. In other words, we were able to take advantage of eight months dating on this purchase, contracting to lease the machine at $1500, until April 1st next, the rental to apply on the purchase price if it seems advisable to buy this at that date.
The last payment of $3000 was made on the South Attleboro engine house in 1915. We shall meet this year the last of the ten annual apportion- ments and interest covering the grade crossing abolition, with, however, the possibility of a supplementary expense, (less than half what we have paid annually for the last nine years) in adjusting certain land damage claims incident to the change in grade of the railroad.
There will be paid this year from the sinking fund $40,000 of bonds issued for the Peck Street extension, another expense incident to the grade crossing abolition. This will not only enable us to make a reduction of over $2000 in our annual sinking fund requirements but will also mean a reduction in interest charges after June 1st next of $1600 per annum.
Indeed, I am reasonably confident that these reductions together with some saving in the general governmental expenses incident to the first year
14
ANNUAL REPORT
of the city, will be well nigh sufficient to cover the rifle range appropriation and the final payment on the roller if it is so ordered.
Civic Needs
The needs of the city are many and varied, but there are certain specific requirements, not any of them especially large in itself, which the city, with the larger and pressing demands that are being made upon it, cannot under- take, that ought to appeal to the generosity of some of our public spirited citizens. I am hopeful that the mention of a few of these at this time may result in obtaining some during the coming year.
We should have a well located and properly equipped athletic field; public bathing facilities; a wading pool at Capron Park, and a permanent, centrally located playground on the east side.
I shall recommend an appropriation to begin this year the very impor- tant work of an accurate survey of the city. Its need must be apparent to you all, and the work must be undertaken independent of any existing records. The assessors' plats may be used as a guide for the various sub-divisions of this survey, but not for accuracy of property lines.
While the expense of the complete survey is admittedly large, I am con- fident that in the end it will result in profitable returns to the city in that it will enable the assessors to accurately and thoroughly cover all real pro- perty, something which they have been admittedly unable to do from the data now in their hands. Not only is the survey of use for the assessors, who report criticisms from the state authorities because we have nothing of this sort in a community of this size, but it is greatly needed in the work of the Public Works Department. It is contemplated that the City Engineer will supervise and devote all the time possible to the work, a special appro- priation being required for materials and assistants.
It is highly essential that we set ourselves, during the coming year, to the important and arduous task of completing the City Ordinances, except- ing, of course, such as may be necessary to meet particular occasions as they arise from time to time; abandoning the old town by-laws, many of which are obsolete but which are still supposed to be operative until they are res- cinded or replaced.
The Planning Board, whose value as an agency for civic improvement will be more appreciated as the public comes to realize the purpose and scope of its work, has made a number of very practical recommendations that merit your attention.
All night lighting, the building of a public sanitary on the common, and traffic regulations to relieve the fast growing congestion here at certain points in the center, are among the suggestions emanating from this source and will be taken up with you later on more in detail.
The request has been renewed that the city undertake the collection of ashes and rubbish from the householders and this comes within the category of those governmental aids supplanting individual effort, above referred to, and though it may appeal to us as highly desirable from the standpoint of civic improvement yet it is not clear how we can now afford the expense involved.
Police Department
The recommendation made by me a year ago for an increase in the police force and promptly acquiesced in by you has justified itself, for we have been more thoroughly and better patrolled near the center during the past year than ever before.
I am not, however, entirely satisfied with conditions in this department, and this is said without having in mind any individual or group of individuals therein, and without ascribing to any member of the department any inten- tion to perform other than his full duty thereto. The fact remains, how-
15
ANNUAL REPORT
ever, that the morale and efficiency of this department are not what they should be. There is a lack of sympathetic co-operation and loyalty that is absolutely essential to the obtaining of best results. This situation has been of serious concern to me, and it will be my endeavor to improve the depart- ment in these particulars during the coming year.
In the schedule of city property recently issued was listed the police automobile, but instead of characterizing this as an asset, anyone having occasion to look into the year's bills for maintenance of this machine would undoubtedly consider it a liability. Certainly it involves at the present time an expense all out of proportion to its usefulness, and some other pro- vision must be made during the coming year on the ground of both economy and efficiency.
Plans for an adequate police station have already been submitted to you. The need for such quarters is apparent. The city now owns a desirable site on Union street and we should give early consideration to just how we can best finance this essential part of our municipal equipment.
A needed addition to the efficiency of the Police Department and conse- quently to the protection it affords our people is a modern signal system, which will not only enable headquarters to keep in touch with officers on their various beats during the night hours but will insure a check upon and record of their movements, which is required in every community which is adequate- ly policed. Installation of such a system during the current year, however, seems hardly possible in view of the bewildering demand for more funds from all quarters.
Fire Department
We have been remarkably free from any very destructive fires during the year just ended. The loss was unusually small though grave possibilities were in evidence on several occasions. That serious developments did not follow can be ascribed to prompt and efficient action by the department.
I am keenly in sympathy with the recommendations of our Fire Engi- neers, believe thoroughly in further motorization of the department, and a more restricted but, more highly intensive fire fighting force, but it should be borne in mind that we are confronted with an increase of nearly $3000 more for manning the department in order to permit of one day off in five for the permanent men, and it hardly seems possible to provide for a still larger in- crease just now.
We cannot, however, dismiss lightly the suggestion that the city pur- chase a motor-driven triple combination, consisting of a pump, hose and chemical truck. While it may seem to many of our citizens an expensive piece of apparatus (costing according to the Engineers' estimate $8500) and only useful in a seemingly remote contingency, yet the emergency may arise this very night that would demonstrate the value of this auxiliary many times more than its cost,-indeed, it may be that with this pumping engine to rely upon, we can afford to proceed more gradually with the changes that are recommended in the size of our water mains in various parts of the city, to insure to the residents thereof the protection to which they are entitled, and to which reference will be made later on in this address.
Charity Department
The Charity Department has passed through what was undoubtedly the most trying year in its history, for the demands made upon it have been numerous and urgent, the industrial situation, particularly in the early part of the year, compelling many families, who had hitherto been able to main- tain themselves, to ask for aid.
It is extremely fortunate that in such a year the work of the Associated
16
ANNUAL REPORT
Charities was begun, supplementing the efforts of the Charity Department in an intelligent and sympathetic manner.
It is the opinion of those conversant with the situation that more real need has been met and that imposition, which so often confronts a charitably disposed community, has been less successful.
The Charity Department and the Associated Charities have worked in harmony with the other charitable organizations of the city, preventing much former duplication of effort and aid, and insuring helpful assistance to self-respecting families who have never required support hitherto and had been overlooked because of their reluctance to make their legimate wants known, and also because of no centralized bureau of investigation equipped with the data and means to discover such conditions.
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