USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1923 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE CITY OF ATTLEBORO
1923
OF ATTLEB
ARY
.
PUBLIC
H MASS
1885
INCORPORA
Date May 1925 Gen. No Ref 974.48 A882
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY a31654001303152b
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS
OF THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO
ATT
. BOR
....
-
TOWN OF ATT
INCOPP ASSIM .....
...
THISBOROUGH
CORPORA
-
FOR THE YEAR
1923
-
WM. R. BROWN CO. 33 Eddy Street, Providence, R. I.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/reportsoftownoff1923attl
Gen.
974.48 A
37473 May 1925
Government and Officers
OF THE
City of Attleboro
For 1923
Mayor.
George A. Sweeney 159A Park St. Hours-9:30 to 11:30 A. M. daily and 3 to 4 P. M. Monday and Thursday. Term expires January, 1925.
City Clerk and Treasurer.
Frank I. Babcock
163 South Main St. Hours-Daily from 8:30 A. M. to 5 P. M., except Saturdays. Satur- days, 8:30 A. M. to 12:00 M.
Term expires January, 1925.
Assistant City Clerk.
Alberta F. Remington. .6 Fourth St. Appointed by the City Clerk, confirmed by the Council. Term expires January, 1925.
City Collector.
Frank F. Blackinton.
203 No. Main St.
Hours-Daily from 8:30 A. M. to 5 P. M., except Saturdays. Satur- days from 8:30 A. M. to 12 M. Term expires January, 1925.
Councilmen-at-Large.
Millard F. Ashley .8 Sturdy St.
Fred E. Briggs.
Watson Block
Stephen H. Garner 367 South Main St.
Frank Mossberg. 141 Pleasant St.
Chester A. Smith. South Main St.
Howard G. Smith, President. 32 Elizabeth St.
Ward Councillors.
William H. Blake. 106 South Main St.
Arthur B. Cummings
11 Holden St.
Leonard I. Lamb. 191 South Main St.
William Marshall . 582 Pleasant St.
Arthur F. Gehrung South Attleboro
ANNUAL REPORT
r
Assessors.
Stanley T. Rogers John St.
Term expires January, 1924.
99 Union St.
Thomas E. McCaffrey Term expires January, 1926.
Herman N. Collins
29 Carpenter St. Term expires January, 1925.
School Committee.
Edwin F. Thayer, Chairman 17 Mechanic St. Mrs. Mary Ford. Tyler St.
Joseph Finberg. 24 John St.
Terms expire January, 1925.
Mrs. Lida H. Holbrook. 28 Peck St.
Dr. Reginald P. Dakin, Secretary. .32 John St.
George M. Gustin. Pleasant Ave.
Terms expire January, 1924.
Harold K. Richardson 12 Florence St. George E. Nerney 204 North Main St.
Mrs. Florence B. Theobald. 250 County St.
Terms expire January, 1926.
APPOINTED OFFICIALS.
Overseers of the Poor.
William A. Cook, Chairman. 101% Park Ave.
Term expires February, 1924.
45 Maple St.
Joseph Hardy, Visitor. Term expires February 1925.
Mrs. E. Grace King, Clerk.
Term expires February, 1926.
City Physician.
Wilfred E. Rounseville. .30 Bank St. Term expires February, 1923.
Health Officer.
William O. Hewitt. 34 Sanford St. Term expires February, 1923.
Fire Department-Fire Engineers.
Fred A. Clark, Chief. 22 Hayward St.
Term expires February, 1924.
Leonard Gould, Second Assistant. 88 Forest St.
Term expires February 1925.
Craig C. Pope, First Assistant. 244 Park St.
Term expires February, 1926.
Joseph H. Newcomb, Supt. of Fire Alarm. 35 North Main St.
Police Department. Terence E. Flanagan, Chief of Police and Lockup Keeper .. 19 George St. Term expires February, 1924.
12 First St.
5
ANNUAL REPORT
Public Works Department.
John O. Taber, Jr., Supt .. Watson Block Term expires February, 1924.
Robert W. Mawney, City Engineer. 17 Second St.
Auditor.
Benjamin F. Lindsey 9 Highland St.
Elected by the Council. Term expires February, 1924.
Karl H. Hyde Inspector of Buildings. 130 County St. Term expires February, 1924.
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Hugh Gaffney
31 Dennis St. Term expires February, 1924.
Board of Registrars.
ยท Francis J. Donnelly
30 Deantown Rd.
John B. Pinault
Term expires February, 1923.
88 Parker St.
Arthur F. Connelly Term expires February, 1924.
20 Angell St.
Frank I. Babcock, ex-officio. Term expires February, 1925.
163 South Main St.
Philip E. Brady City Solicitor.
222 North Main St. Term expires February, 1923.
Park Commissioners.
John E. Anderson Term expires February, 1924.
Thacher St.
Solon D. Bushee. Term expires February, 1925. 255 County St.
Samuel M. Einstein, Chairman. 224 County St. Term expires February, 1926.
Recreation Commissioners.
Oscar Wolfenden 173 County St. Term expires February, 1924. 20 Peck St.
Thomas H. Moore. Term expires February, 1925. Martin Brennan, Chairman .. 27 School St. Term expires February, 1926.
Trustees of the Public Library.
Miss Edith L. Claflin. 144 Pleasant St. Raymond M. Horton. . 116 Pleasant St. Miss Elizabeth J. Wilmarth. 73 North Main St.
Terms expire February, 1924.
6
ANNUAL REPORT
Joseph L. Sweet, Chairman. .42 Peck St.
Caroline S. Holden. 752 North Main St.
Thomas E. McCaffrey. 99 Union St. Terms expire February, 1925.
Mrs. Eleanor S. Carpenter .60 Peck St.
William L. King. 45 Holden St.
Edwin F. Leach. South Mam St.
Terms expire February, 1926.
City Forester.
W. E. S. Smith 127 Thacher St. Term expires February, 1924.
.
Fred A. Clark
Forest Warden. 22 Hayward St. Term expires February, 1924.
Soldiers' Relief, Burial and State Aid Agent.
146 Lindsey St. Nathan H. Read. Term expires February, 1924.
Planning Board.
Edgar A. Remington 3 Fourth St. Mrs. Mary G. Mullaly. 17512 South Main St.
Terms expire February, 1924.
Joseph Finberg, Chairman. .24 John St.
Milford E. Bliss. 12 Dean St.
Terms expire February, 1925.
Mrs. Josephine L. Hammond .
17 Second St.
8 Olive St.
Robert W. Mawney. Terms expire February, 1926.
Inspector of Animals.
Frederick L. Briggs 96 Oak Hill Ave. Term expires February, 1924.
Fence Viewers and Field Drivers.
Eustace V. Carpenter 278 Oak Hill Ave.
Henry A. Lord .. Locust St.
Harry L. Carpenter 803 North Main St.
Terms expire February, 1924.
Caretaker of Graves. Civil, Spanish and World War Veterans. 87 Dean St.
George R. Adams .. Term expires February, 1924.
City Stenographer.
Catherine H. Woodward. 13 Cliff St. Elected by the Council. Term expires February, 1924.
7
ANNUAL REPORT
City Messenger.
Fred L. Morse. .24 Dean St. Elected by the Council. Term expires February, 1924.
Pound Keeper.
Nelson Hagar, City Farm and Pound. County St. Term expires February, 1924.
City Representatives on Board of Managers of the Attleborough Hospital.
Frank I. Babcock, ex-officio 163 South Main St.
Elected by the Council.
George A. Sweeney 159A Park St.
Howard G. Smith 32 Elizabeth St.
Terms expire February, 1924.
Trustees of the Capron and Deborah Starkey Funds. All Ex-Officiis George A. Sweeney, Mayor. Frank I. Babcock, City Treasurer. Edwin F. Thayer, Chairman of School Committee.
Sinking Fund Commissioners. Elected by the Council.
Fred L. Torrey Term expires February, 1924.
5 Torrey St.
David L. Low, Clerk. ..
.64 Peck St.
Ernest D. Gilmore Term expires February, 1925.
South Main St.
Term expires February, 1926.
Sewer Loan Commission.
George A. Sweeney, Mayor, ex-officio. Frank I. Babcock, City Treasurer, ex-officio.
Elected by the Council.
Fred L. Torrey Term expires February, 1924. 64 Peck St.
5 Torrey St.
David I. Low
Ernest D. Gilmore. Term expires February, 1925.
South Main St. Term expires February, 1926.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL.
Committee on Finance and Accounts. Fred E. Briggs William H. Blake William Marshall
Committee on Streets, Bridges and Lighting.
Chester A. Smith Leonard I. Lamb Fred E. Brigs
8
ANNUAL REPORT
Committee on Water Supply, Sewers and Drains. Leonard I. Lamb Stephen H. Garner Frank Mossberg
Committee on Fire Department and Police. Leonard I. Lamb William Marshall Stephen H. Garner
Fred E. Briggs
Committee on Licenses. Chester A. Smith Arthur B. Cummings
Committee on Ordinances, Elections and Legislative Matters. William H. Blake Arthur B. Cummings Arthur F. Gehrung
Committee on Health and Poor Departments. State Aid and Soldiers Relief.
Arthur F. Gehrung Millard F. Ashley Arthur B. Cummings
Committee on Claims.
William Marshall Frank Mossberg Arthur F. Gehrung
Committee on A. B. C. Street Railway Line and Norton, Taunton and Attleboro Street Railway. Frank Mossberg Chester A. Smith Millard F. Ashley
Committee on School Matters.
Stephen H. Garner William H. Blake Millard F. Ashley
5
-
ADDRESS
OF
Hon. George A. Sweeney MAYOR
ATTLEBORO ........
TOWN OF AT
169
. MASS.
INCOR
RITLEBOROUGH IN
....
ORPOR
E
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1924
11
ANNUAL REPORT
ADDRESS OF HON. GEORGE A. SWEENEY
January 1, 1924.
Gentlemen of the Council :-
In accordance with the established custom of previous Mayors and Councils, we have gathered tonight to organize for the new year, to give an account of our stewardship during the past twelve months and to call public attention to some of the most important projects that should be undertaken this year if Attleboro is to continue as a growing, progressive city.
It is a pleasure to state that during the year just closed prosperity and good fortune have been enjoyed by most of our citizens. Business has been gradually improving and employment has been steady.
The health of our citizens has been good and we have had no severe losses by fire or flood.
All indications point to a continuance of good business and we face the new year with confidence in the future of Attleboro and with a deter- mination to do our best for the city, which we are proud to refer to as our home. ,0
I will now refer to some of' the work accomplished by the various departments,and to some of the pressing needs of the city for the coming year.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. The School Department, under the careful guidance of the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools, continues to maintain its high standing among the School Departments of the country.
Our school teachers are efficient and loyal and it is with pride that I refer to the fact that in 1923 only seven teachers resigned to accept bet- ter paying positions in other school departments. This is in marked con- trast to 1922, when 43 teachers resigned.
Once more I wish to congratulate the city upon its good fortune in retaining Mr. John L. Gibb as Supervisor of Music. Under his able direction the study of and interest in music has steadily increased, and our schools now boast of two well equipped orchestras.
This year Attleboro must start on a building program to properly house the school children of the near future. The School Committee recommends and I heartily endorse the plan of building a sizable addi- tion to the Richardson School this year. Work should be started as soon as the weather permits in the spring. I also believe that the time is at hand when we must increase the school accommodations for the pupils of the South Attleboro section of the city.
I also recommend the purchase of a portable school house for use at the Bliss School. This will make it possible to use the open air room for the purpose for which it was built.
PUBLIC LIBRARY. Attleboro should be very proud of its splendid library. This beautiful building, well supplied with books, in charge of competent and obliging librarians, is appreciated more and more each year.
The branch libraries at Dodgeville and Hebronville are also largely used by the people of these districts. It is a pleasure to know that a
12
ANNUAL REPORT
suitable place has been found in South Attleboro and that a branch of the library will be installed there in the near future.
CHARITY DEPARTMENT. Owing to the elevation of Mr. Joseph V. Curran to the honorable position of Postmaster, and because of the resignation of Dr. William L. Elliot, it was necessary to appoint two new members to this department, early in the year. In their places Mr. Joseph Hardy and Mr. William A. Cook were named, and with the assist- ance of Mrs. E. Grace King, the Clerk of the Board, they have carried on the work of the department with promptness and efficiency.
PARK DEPARTMENT. The Park Department is rapidly becoming one of our most important departments, for it is from our parks and open air places that our people get the fresh air and exercise and pleasure that keeps them healthy and happy.
Capron Park is developing into a place of beauty far exceeding the dreams of those public spirited citizens who gave it to the city. With its flowers and fountains, swimming pool, zoo, tennis courts and baseball grounds, it is a most popular place during the summer and especially on Sundays, when the band concerts are appreciated by thousands of our citizens.
Finberg Park, Hayward Field and Horton Field have also been greatly improved and are appreciated by all.
POLICE DEPARTMENT. The Police Department has had a much needed overhauling during the past year "With the advent of a new Chief, changes were bound to be made in the hope of increased effi- ciency, and I am glad to report that progress is being made. We now have on duty at all times someone who is wide awake, and who knows when his men go to work and when they quit. It was a pleasure to appoint as the two new Sergeants of Police, Mr. William Sargeant and Mr. William D. Norwood, both of whom were at the head of the civil service list, and have long and honorable records in the department.
With the new officers in charge, with the new rules in effect, and with a feeling of satisfaction that the job of house cleaning has been done, I confidently predict that we shall once more be proud of our Police Department.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. The Fire Department has had many calls dur- ing the past year, but by good judgment, good luck, and prompt responses to alarms, the fire loss has been almost nothing. Most of the motor aparatus owned by the city is over ten years old, and it must be gradu- ally replaced.
I recommend that a new ladder truck be ordered at once, and deliv- ery be obtained at the earliest possible moment.
The question of fire protection at Hebronville is a perplexing prob- lem. Since the closing of the mill, most of the call men of the Hebron- ville company have been obliged to leave the village for employment. This leaves this section without adequate protection during the day. At night these men return to their homes and conditions are improved. However, considering the amount of property covered by this station, and the wide territory to be protected, it seems advisable that two per- manent men should be stationed there at all times.
I believe the City Council should make a thorough study of our Fire Department, to determine if it is advisable to employ a Permanent Chief to have charge of the Department.
With twenty-five permanent men, forty-nine callmen, eight pieces
13
ANNUAL REPORT
of expensive motor driven apparatus, and the upkeep of the different stations, the budget of the Department now reaches nearly $100,000.
It is my opinion that the Department has outgrown its present form of management.
PUBLIC WORKS. This department has had a most active year. The snow which had arrived before January 1st, 1923, remained with us with many additions until late in March, making the expense for snow removal much larger than in previous years. However, we had the satis- faction of knowing that we accomplished for $6,000, what many other cities and towns failed to accomplish with much larger sums. We were greatly assisted in this work by the addition of the large motor driven snow plow, which we received from the State of Massachusetts, after urgent demands for the same from the Mayor's office.
Road experts say that the weather of last winter destroyed more good roads than has any winter for the past decade. The state highway from Boston to Providence broke down in March when the frost was coming out of the ground, and hundreds of heavily loaded trucks began to detour through our streets in an effort to get to Providence from Boston. After one night's travel by these trucks, it became apparent that our roads would be torn to ribbons if this traffic continued. Radical steps had to be taken at once, and so without notice all roads leading into Attleboro were closed to heavy through-traffic. A storm of protest arose at once from truck drivers and trucking concerns. They invaded the Mayor's office and demanded the right to come through Attleboro, and threatened the city with law suits. But with the aid of the Police Department, they were prevented from coming into the city, thereby our good roads, costing thousands of dollars, were saved.
In addition to the regular upkeep and repairs on highways, we have built without any extra appropriation, sections of permanent stone roads on North Main Street, West Street in South Attleboro, and two sec- tions of South Main Street between Dodgeville and Hebronville.
We have also put in a substantial concrete bridge over the Thacher Brook where it runs under South Main Street, and have laid some 271 yards of cement sidewalk over Thacher Brook between Park and Emory Streets. This replaced the old wooden platform that has been a source of danger and expense for years.
A number of new streets have been laid out and much work has been done all over the city.
WATER DEPARTMENT. In the Water Department much work has been accomplished. Many dead ends have been removed and 6,304 feet of six inch main line pipe has been laid. This is the largest amount of pipe laid in any one year since we have become a city.
Many new residences in South Attleboro have been connected with the water system.
This year also promises to be a busy one for this Department, as many new plats are being laid out, especially in the district near the state line, and many connections will have to be made.
SEWER DEPARTMENT. The work of the Sewer Department has been the usual routine of keeping the sewer beds in condition and flush- ing and cleaning sewers in the city.
No new extensions have been attempted for several years, and it
14
ANNUAL REPORT
is my opinion that this year we must take care of our ever increasing demands for sewer extensions.
Water Street, West Street, North Avenue, South Main Street and Short Street residents have been promised this improvement for years, and I believe that they are entitled to it. I recommend that this work be done and that the city borrow the money to do it, as was done when other sewer extensions were made.
DRAINAGE. The question of drainage is one of our most troublesome and expensive problems. This past year, the Cambridge Street drain. Clarence Street drain and the Emory Street drain have been completed and are giving satisfaction.
This year, conditions on Hope Street, Benefit Street, Peck Street, Leroy Street, Bank Street, West Street, and Hodges Street, must be taken care of. After every storm, portions of these streets are impas- sable because of poor drainage conditions. These drains will be per- manent improvements, and their cost should be included in a bond issue.
STREET LIGHTING. The necessity for better street lighting in Attle- boro has been apparent for many years. Plans and estimates of the cost. of a modern lighting system for our business district will be presented to you shortly.
I believe that our antiquated system of turning out our street lights at 1:30 A. M. should be discontinued, and I recommend that all lights be left burning until daylight.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT. For many years, Attleboro has been far behind in her efforts to protect the health of the community. Good work has been accomplished by our Health Departments, but their efforts have always been hindered by a shortage of funds.
A large part of our annual appropriation is used by our support of the Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital, a most worthy cause, but one that leaves us with little money for other work.
During the past year, the efficiency of the Health Department has been greatly increased by the addition of a Ford car for the use of the Health Nurse and the Milk Inspector.
The Health Department has also been active and successful in its efforts to get rid of several nuisances of long standing, by compelling delinquent owners to enter the sanitary sewer.
Especial attention has been given the care of dumps and the removal of garbage, and complaints arising from these sources are rapidly diminishing.
The polluting of the waters of the Ten Mile River has been allowed to continue for many years without interruption, but this year, upon the advice of the Health Department, many abuttors along the river have made application to get into the sewer system, and conditions will be greatly improved along the river before another summer.
The city was very fortnuate this year in regard to its supply of water. Many neighboring cities and towns were seriously affected by the drought, but we had sufficient water for manufacturing and domestic purposes.
However, we should not let this fact lull us to sleep, because under different conditions much suffering might have been caused.
As a precautionary step, I strongly urge the members of the Council to give earnest thought to the recommendation that a chlorinator be
15
ANNUAL REPORT
installed at Orr's pond to purify the water in case it should be necessary to pump directly from the pond into the water mains. The cost of installing the chlorinator is less than $1,500, and its worth in time of necessity cannot be estimated in dollars and cents.
The building of a comfort station has been advocated for a number of years by the Planning Board, by former mayors and civic organiza- tions. It is my intention to submit to your honorable body at an early date suitable plans for such a building.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS. I believe that this is the most important department in our city, and that a capable, well paid Chairman should be on the job every day of the year.
I believe that all valuations in the city should be revised by the Assessors and brought nearer present day valuations.
If Attleboro is to have more schools, better lights, new equipment for Fire and Police Departments, if we are going to be a live, growing, up-to-date city, we must expect to pay our proportionate share of the taxes, and we must work together for everything that is for the benefit of this city of ours.
FINANCES. While the books of the city have not been closed for the year 1923, a brief review shows the financial condition of the city has improved considerably during the year.
On January 1st, 1923, the city's net debt within the debt limit, was $321,700, while on January 1st, 1924, the city's net debt within the debt limit is $257,200, a reduction of $64,500.
The borrowing capacity of the city on January 1st, 1923, was $247,035.32, while on January 1st, 1924, the borrowing capacity of the city is $311,435.32.
These reductions in the net debt and improvement in our borrowing capacity are due to the fact that we have paid off during the year all bonds and' notes as they were due, and we have not borrowed any money on bonds or notes, except in anticipation of taxes.
It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I call your attention to the public spiritedness of Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Kendall, who have expended more than $5,000 on the Horton playground, and the generosity of former Mayor Harold E. Sweet, who has announced the gift of a fund, the income from which will amount to $500 yearly, to be spent for the improvement of Hayward Field.
It is also a pleasure to record that on May 4th, I had the honor of planting a tree in the name of the City of Attleboro, in front of the Lin- coln Memorial in Washington, D. C., in company with the Mayors of 38 other cities in Massachusetts.
Among the important events of the past year was the participation of the City Government in the reception of Captain Carter R. Bishop, who visited us on Memorial Day as a representative of the Southern Confederacy.
A solemn and impressive memorial service was held in the Bates Opera House in honor of our departed President, Warren G. Harding.
It is with the deepest regret that I record the passing of a number of our citizens who have been faithful in their allegiance to the city for many years. Among them are Mrs. Eliza J. Carpenter, one of the donors
16
ANNUAL REPORT
of Capron Park; Nelson Hagar, keeper of the City Home for many years; Eli Mills, police officer and worthy citizen ; and Patrick Nerney, police officer and children's friend at Capron Park; Warren Parker, truant officer for many years; Alfred R. Crosby, a Civil War Veteran, and a Representative to the General Court; John F. Streeter, Charles M. Burbank, Delphis Lanctot, and Samuel Wood, all veterans of the Civil War ; and Isaac Alger, a lifelong resident of this city and the oldest registered voter.
In closing, I wish to thank the members of the Council for their assistance and co-operation during the past year. I wish also to thank the officers and members of the different departments for their earnest efforts in carrying on the work of the city.
17
ANNUAL REPORT
TREASURER'S REPORT
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council :-
I herewith submit the annual report of the finances of the City of Attle- boro for the year ending January 1st, 1924, together with a statement show- ing the amount which the City is within the debt limit, a classified statement of the debt, and the amount of interest and debt to be paid in 1924.
Revenue.
Receipts for the year 1923.
$1,747,785 55
Transfer from Non-revenue :
Washington & Bliss School balance unexpended
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.