USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1954 > 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
AT 974.48 A88a 1954
ANNUAL REPORTS
ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS
1954
OMA
AXAT
1
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
a31654001302022b
ANNUAL REPORTS
CITY OF ATTLEBORO 1 1954
AT 974,48 A88a C.I
AS SUBMITTED BY THE OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY JOSEPH L. SWEET MEMORIAL'
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/reportsoftownoff1954attl
ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor Cyril K. Brennan
Term expires January, 1956
City Clerk Kenneth F. Blandin Term expires January, 1956
City Treasurer Edward J. Healey
Term expires January, 1956
City Collector Doris L. Austin
Term expires January, 1956
Councilmen-at-large Bertrand O. Lambert, President
Lawrence F. Fitton
George I. Spatcher
Franklin R. Mckay Richard M. Parker
Terms expire January, 1956
Ward Councilmen
Ward I
John M. Kenny
Ward II Ward III
Arthur Hinds
Conrad J. Carlson
Ward IV
Harold P. Bellavance
Ward V
Earl Baumgartel
Ward VI
Charles A. Smith
Terms expire January, 1956
School Committee
Alice H. Stobbs Deborah O. Richardson Irvin A Studley Royal P. Baker
Terms expire January, 1956
Henrietta Wolfenden Philip Athanas John P. Lee Donald Antaya Dr. Ernest A. Bragg Terms expire January, 1958
APPOINTED OFFICIALS
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Carl A. Nelson
Term expires January, 1955
Patrick J. Byrnes, Chairman
Term expires January,
1956
James F. Murray
Term expires January, 1957
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE John J. Maynard
Term expires February, 1955
John J. Henderson, Chairman
Term expires February,
1956
Patrick J. Duffy
Term expires February,
1957
Frederick J. Franz, Almoner
HEALTH OFFICER
Dr. Fernand Girouard
Term expires February, 1955
HEALTH INSPECTOR Frank L. Cushman
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Dr. Anson B. Barber, Superintendent of Schools Simon Coren M. D. , School Physician
Dorothy B. Wendell, School Nurse
FIRE DEPARTMENT - FIRE ENGINEERS Hiram R. Packard, Chief
Term expires February, 1958
Charles G. Thomae
Term expires February,
1955
John W. Wolfenden
Term expires February, 1956
Hayward H. Sweet, Chairman
Term expires February,
1957
William S. King, Superintendent of Fire Alarm
POLICE DEPARTMENT Peter J. Marron, Chief and Lockup Keeper Term expires February, 1955
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Russell F. Tennant, Superintendent Term expires February, 1957
AUDITOR
Ismay A. Sharkey Elected by the Council Term expires February, 1955
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Hiram R. Packard
Term expires February, 1955
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Daniel O'Connell
Term expires February, 1955
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Eva L. Kent, Clerk
Term expires February, 1955
Clayton A. MacDonald, Chairman
Term expires February, 1956
Louis J. Perry
Term expires February, 1957
Lilla Conant
Term expires February, 1958
CITY SOLICITOR
Francis M. Flaherty Term expires February, 1955
PARK COMMISSIONERS
Thomas G. Sadler
Term expires February, 1955
Samuel M. Stone, Chairman
Term expires February, 1956
Harry C. Wolfenden
Term expires February, 1957
RECREATION COMMISSIONERS
Walter N. White
Term expires February,. 1955
William Liddell Jr. , Chairman
Thomas E. Dube
Term expire February, 1956
Frank Miller
Term expires February, 1957
HOUSING AUTHORITY
Harold W. MacDonald
Term expires April, 1955
Mrs. Francis J. O'Neil
Leonard I. Lamb
Terms expire April, 1956
HOUSING AUTHORITY-continued
John E Turner Chairman
Term expires April. 1958
Leland B. Smith Term expires April, 1959
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Frederick V. Murphy. Fr.
George E. Nerney Leland B Smith
Terms expire February. 1955
Margaret Conra
Lydia Gregory Edwin F. Leach, Chairman
Terms expire February, 1956
Ethel H. Barden , Secretary
Raymond M. Horton, Treasurer
Gertrude F Chilson
Terms expire February,
1957
Lucile P. Cavender, Librarian
BOARD OF LICENSES
E. Raymond Truell
Term expires June, 1955
Zelotus E. Wetherell
Term expires June , 1956
Francis P. Cronan, Chairman
Term expires June, 1957
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
Thomas H. Brennan
Term expires February, 1955
Manuel O. Castro
Term expires February, 1956
Frank J. Nerney
Term expires February,
1957
John E. Turner, Chairman
Term expires February, 1958
DOG OFFICER
Michael Quaglia Term expires April, 1955
CITY FORESTER AND MOTH SUPERINTENDENT Warren P. Hofmann
Term expires February, 1955
FOREST WARDEN
Hiram R, Packard
Term expires February, 1955
SOLDIERS' RELIEF AND BURIAL Arthur B. Cummings, Agent Term expires February, 1956
PLANNING BOARD
Clifford A. Swanson Harold E. Washburn
Terms expire February. 1955
J. Burleigh Moulton 1956
Term expires February, Reverend Frank L. Briggs
Term expires February, 1957
John A. Cummings appointed to fill unexpired term of Lawrence Fitton
Term expires February, 1958
Leo F. Lyons
Robert W. Mawney
Terms expire February, 1959
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Dr. James C. DeWitt
Term expires March, 1955
CITY STENOGRAPHER
Gladys Hinds Elected by Council
CITY MESSENGER
John B. Bowen Elected by Council
CITY REPRESENTATIVES ON BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE ATTLEBORO HOSPITAL
Edward J. Healey, Ex-officio
Bertrand O. Lambert
Cyril K. Brennan
Terms expire February, 1956
TRUSTEES OF THE CAPRON AND DEBORAH STARKEY FUND All ex-officiis
Cyril K. Brennan, Mayor
Edward J. Healey, City Treasurer
Royal P. Baker, Chairman of School Committee
MEASURER OF LUMBER
George L. Lincoln
Term expires February, 1955
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK Harold Demers Richard Bauer Terms expire February,
1955
TRUST FUND COMMISSIONERS
Ralph R. Gunner fermo expires February, 1955 james McBrien T: in expires February, 1956
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Clarence D. Roberts
Term expires February, 1955
Charles E. Judge
Term expires February,
1956
Elmer E. Tufts, Chairman
1957
Term expires February,
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
John D. Baer
Bazil B. Mulligan
Terms expire February,
1955
CONSTABLES
Eli Franklin Hormidas Allard Clarence E. Weeman
Terms expire February,
1955
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL 1954 - 1955
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND SCHOOL MATTERS George I. Spatcher, Chairman John M. Kenny Charles A. Smith
COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND BRIDGES
John M. Kenny, Chairman
Lawrence R. Fitton Harold P. Bellavance
COMMITTEE ON WATER SUPPLY
Lawrence R. Fitton, Chairman Franklin R. Mckay Harold P. Bellavance
COMMITTEE ON SANITATION AND DRAINAGE Charles A. Smith, Chairman Arthur Hinds Conrad J. Carlson
COMMITTEE ON LIGHTING, SIDEWALKS AND SIGNS Harold P. Bellavance, Chairman Charles A. Smith John M. Kenny
COMMITTEE ON FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS Richard M. Parker, Chairman Franklin Mckay George I. Spatcher
COMMITTEE ON LICENSES
Arthur Hinds, Chairman Earl Baumgartel Richard M. Parker
COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, ELECTIONS AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
Franklin R. Mckay, Chairman
Arthur Hinds George I. Spatcher
COMMITTEE ON WELFARE AND VETERANS MATTERS Conrad J. Carlson, Chairman
Earl Baumgartel
Richard M. Parker
COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS, TRANSPORTATION, PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS Earl Baumgartel, Chairman Conrad J. Carlson Lawrence R. Fitton
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK 1954
Honorable Cyril K. Brennan, Mayor City of Attleboro, Massachusetts. January 31, 1954
In submitting the annual report of the City Clerk's Department, I wish to call attention to the fact that the operation has been carried out with a minimum of expense to the city and a maximum of efficiency through- out the year. The salaries and wages are far below the standard of any known city in New England and the work has been done by the City Clerk, the Assistant City Clerk and one part time clerk.
Throughout the year, the office has been open every Wednesday night until 8 P. M. , and there has been, without overtime charged, several nights that the office has been open for the sale of dog licenses and for fish- ing licenses in the early spring, The clerk made the usual visit to South Attleboro where 100 licenses were sold, during the dog licensing rush. Numerous calls have been received for the clerk to leave home after hours to give services in emergencies, such as issuing licenses to service men who had to return to duty before the office opened again.
Due to the fact that the clerk and his assistant have both put in many extra hours, including evening, Saturday, Sunday and even holiday hours on occasion also for no overtime, the City of Attleboro Clerk's office was again able to secure the Gold Star award for completing the vital sta- tistics of 1953, early in January of this year.
Chief reward for this extra-curricular service appears to be only the satisfaction of knowing that the job is appreciated by the general public.
During the year, an important work was started with the binding of record books, some of which went back as far as 1856. I am asking a budget allowance to complete this work in 1955 when the project should be completed and the records placed in good condition for many years to come. This year the binding costs were considerably reduced through a little "shopping" and securing of a much better price than has been paid for the work in other years.
Through the year, due to excellent co-operation of the Treasurer, Edward Healey who shares this office there has been improvement made in working conditions, mainly through installation of a separate phone , installa- tion of a new safe that gives the clerk more storage room, and a re-arrange- ment of the furnishings. The installation of new filing cabinets has also aided , but there is still lack of room, working space and storage space.
1.
Annual Report
Report of the City Clerk continued-
The wages paid the part time clerk in this office have been more than covered by the fees for filing chattel mortages and the City will receive a goodly sum from this work which is ever in the increase.
During the year there has been 1590 sporting licenses sold, from which the City received $397.50 in fees and the balance of the $5028.25 realized from the sales went to the State Department of Fisheries and Game. During the year there were 1183 male dog licenses sold, 151 female dog licenses and 546 spayed dog licenses also 25 Kennel licenses for a total of $4527. Of this amount the City retains $281 and the balance was paid to the County. In December of this year there were also sold $650 worth of 1955 sporting licenses.
There were 384 deaths in Attleboro in 1954, compared to 393 in 1953. There were 1282 births recorded this year compared to 1308 last year and 275 mar- riages recorded, compared to 266 in 1953.
The year 1954 was another big one in over the counter business. The Chattel mortgage recording total reached $2362. 96. Sale of certified copies of vital statistics and other records reached $416. 25. Other returns from so called "Counter" business included $446. 00 for marriage licenses; $157. 50 for reg- istering of gas tanks and licenses to sell firearms; $129. 00 for sign permits; $98. 00 for theatre licenses; $126. 00 for amusement permits; $705. 00 for junk and second hand licenses; $15. 00 for auctioneer licenses; $224. 00 for pool and bowling; $165 00 for common victuallers and lodging house licenses; $230. 00 for Sunday sales licenses, $404. 00 for hackney stands and drivers licneses; $75. 00 for motor sales licenses and $26. 90 in miscellaneous fees.
Kenneth F. Blandin City Clerk.
2
Annual Report
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OF COUNCIL MEN AT
1954 COUNCIL MEETINGS
Present
Absent
Total
President Bertrand O. Lambert
22
2
24
Mr. Conrad J. Carlson
24
0
24
Mr. Charles A. Smith
24
0
24
Mr. Arthur Hinds
24
0
24
Mr. Harold P. Bellavance
24
0
24
Mr. John M. Kenny
24
0
24
Mr. Richard M. Parker (elected Feb. )
21
24
Mr. Lawrence R. Fitton
24
0
24
Mr. Franklin R. McKay
22
2
24
Mr. Earl Baumgartel
24
0
24
Mr. George I. Spatcher
22
2
22
-
MEETING DATES
1954
1954
January
5
Regular
July
6
Regular
January
19
Regular
August
3
Regular
February
2
Regular
August
21
Special
February
16
Regular
September
7
Regular
March
2
Regular
September
21
Regular
March
16
Regular
October
5
Regular
April
6
Regular
October
10
Regular
April
20
Regular
November
2
Regular
May
4
Regular
November
16
Regular
May
18
Regular
November
26
Special
June
1
Regular
December
7
Regular
June
15
Regular
December
21
Regular
22 Regular Meetings 2 Special Meetings 24 Total
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD 1954
To His Honor the Mayor and the Honorable Municipal Council
Gentlemen:
The Planning Board held twenty regular meetings with an average attendance of 5. 75 out of a possible 7. Mr. Lawrence Fitton resigned to take his place on the Municipal Council. Mr. John A. Cummings was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Four special meetings were held to consult with other bodies, i. e. ,
1 The Municipal Council on the Boards' rules and regulations for sub- divisions relative to the installing of water pipes in the ways of new plats of land.
2. The School Committee relative to the location of new school houses.
3. The Retail Merchants Association, Municipal Council, Fire and Police Departments relative to new parking lots.
4. Municipal Council, Fire and Police Departments concerning the con- solidation of the two Central Fire Stations and the Police Station on the site of the present Union Street Fire Station.
Recommendations made to the Municipal Council on the use of land:
1. That a certain portion of land on the lower level of the Municipal Parking Lot on the westerly side of North Main Street, abutting on the easterly side of the Ten Mile River be sold to the L. G. Balfour Company for the purpose of extending the existing factory for two hundred feet.
2 That the City acquire the land of Joseph R. and Rose D Fredette and the adjoining land of Mildred A. Poore on County Street as a step for the future relocation of Wall Street and for off-street parking.
3 That a study be made as to the feasibility of widening Park Street from Maple Street to Handy Street to a width of fifty-four feet to handle the increased traffic converging on this area.
4. That land owned by the City on the easterly side of Hodges Street and the southerly side of Mechanic Street should not be sold, but should be retained by the City for the future development of Riverbank Road and used as a sit-down park or as a public parking lot.
5 That a portion of land containing approximately 6, 500 square feet contiguous with the southerly boundary of land of the Columbian Cor- poration be sold to that Corporation to further its building plans.
6. That the Board did not recommend the rezoning of the Industrial District on lower County Street, southerly. of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad to a residential district.
7 That Lot #1 in Mayhew Manor be acquired by the City in order to provide for a better connection with Holden Street which would be needed in case Mayhew Road could be extended to North Avenue.
8. The Board would again recommend the acquirement by the City of the Hinds land adjacent to Capron Park and fronting on Dennis Street.
Annual Report
Report of the Planning Board continued.
Other Recommendations
Public Comfort Station Questionnaires sent to neighboring cities about the cost of buildings, salaries supplies, rents, etc., indicated a cost of $15, 000. 00 and up per year, which is more than the City pays in rent for the City Hall. The only way to reduce the cost would be to limit the hours the station was open per day and the number of days per week. The greatest need would probably be dur- ing the shopping hours and it should be placed in the shopping district where ac- cess to it would not be too noticeable. A public building by itself on the common would make its use conspicuous and need careful supervision at all times. It is unfortunate that convenient locations in the City are unavailable because of their obsolete construction and fire hazards. It would seem as though at the present time private enterprise by means of a few emergency rooms in convenient shops could meet the needs of the shoppers better and more economically than a City project.
One Central Fire Station combining the South Main Street and the Union Street Stations on the Union Street lot. The Union Street lot seems to be the best location available as it is just outside the congested traffic zone and has ready access to the west side of the Railroad through the Capron Street and Mill Street arches. This lot contains approximately 40 000 square feet and is adequate for the proposed plan. The present South Main Street station is now located in the midst of the heavy traf- fic, covers practically the entire lot and is flanked by sizeable buildings of frame construction. The relocation of the Police Station on Union Street in conjunction with the Central Fire Station. It is a good central location for police purposes and the building plans show a space of 14, 000 square feet on the lot that could be used for parking. The present headquarters could be well used by the Department of Public Works. This would enable the Public Works Department to abandon the water barn which now blocks the further development of Riverbank Road between County and Hodges Street.
The Traffic Problem. The traffic problem on Park Street could be eased by making more use of such cross streets as Peck Street, Mechanic and Dennis Streets, Olive, Maple, Brook, Forest and Wall Streets and Riverbank Road. The Board again recommends the development of Riverbank Road to Hodges and Mechanic Street and the widening of Wall Street to fifty-four feet.
Traffic coming down North Main Street is often blocked by buses stop- ping in front of the Watson Block .. This could be avoided if the bus stop was placed in front of the Bates Block where the street is wider.
Holden Street carries heavy traffic at certain hours of the day and the Board suggests that the stop sign now facing on Holden Street be made to face on Bank Street and to read "Yield".
The extension of Brook Street along the City right of way to South Main Street would serve to keep some traffic away from the center and be useful in extending the Industrial area.
Parking Lots. The Sanford Street parking lot was greatly improved by gra- ding, and the removal of the gravel to the low land owned by the City on Mechanic Street, where it reclaimed useless land for future use.
5.
Annual Report
Report of the Planning Board continued.
The parking space on the easterly side of Bank Street in back of the Odd Fellows Building could have its capacity doubled by removing the old dwellings southerly of the Telephone Exchange.
The only way of getting new parking lots in the business center is to remove the old and obsolete buildings now occupying valuable land. This land is taxed and must bring a return to its owners as well as to the City. If the land is ac- quired by the City it should have parking meters to pay for its upkeep, and pro- vide funds to acquire other needed parking lots. It should be recognized that the merchant or manufacturer who provides parking space for employees or customers has to pay taxes on that land and must be reimbursed either from increased business profit or by charging a fee. There is no "free parking" in the last analysis. We should aim to provide enough parking space to meet the needs of the heaviest traffic even though some of the time the lots would not be filled. The Board is working on Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance + to better enable parking lots to be established where needed by business and industrial concerns.
Recommendations on acceptance of streets in accordance with Chapter 41, General Laws, Section 81-I. Eleven ways, or parts of ways, were referred to the Board for recommendation relative to their acceptance as town ways and were approved for acceptance in accordance with Section 5 of the Ordinance Relative to Streets, Ways and Public Places. The total length of ways so approved was approximately 6, 422 feet and the cost estimated at $3. 00 per linear foot would be $19, 268.
1. Mary and Fisher Streets for 500 feet on Mary Street and 700 feet on Fisher Street.
2. Fisher Street from Thirteenth Street southerly for 560 feet to Thacher Street
3 Walnut Street from County Street easterly for 397. 99 feet.
4. Garfield Avenue from Park Street easterly for 325 feet.
5. Westminster Street between Bacon and Turner Street, 440 feet.
6. Norgate Road from Commonwealth Avenue southerly for 900 feet to North Avenue.
7. Hazelwood Avenue from Bank Street Extension easterly for 520 feet.
8. Prospect Avenue, from end of the 1952 layout easterly for 450 feet.
9 Royal Street from Prospect Avenue southerly for 200 feet to Wilmarth Street.
10 Allen Street from George Street easterly for 1, 430 feet to Park Street.
11. Payson Street Extension. 6.
Annual Report
Report of the Planning Board Continued,
The Board recommended that Prospect Avenue be given another name, and that Allen Street should be given the name of Cummings Street to avoid con- fusion.
Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. Four public hearings were held on petitions to amend the Zoning Ordinance so as to extend the Industrial and Busi- ness Districts. They were approved by the Board and so recommended to the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council as follows:
1 Petition of the L. G Balfour Company to change the use of a certain parcel of land on the easterly side of the Ten Mile River from General Residence "Uso" to Industrial "Use" and more fully described as parts of lots #167, 168, 19@ all of Lot #179, as shown on Assessors' New Plat #31. Recommended January 18, 1954.
2. Petition of Jennie A. Anderson and others to change the use of a certain area of land on lower County Street from Single Residence Use to Indus- trial Use. This would make an extension of the present industrial dis- trict easterly to the easterly line of the right of way of the Montauk Elec- tric Company and northerly of the New Haven Railroad to a line 300 feet northerly and parallel to County Street. Recommended May 17, 1954.
3 Petition of Florio Anzivinio and others to change the use of a certain parcel of land with frontage on Parker Street and Dunham Street from General Residence to Business Use. This would be an extension of the present Business District on the easterly side of Pine Street easterly to Parker and along the southerly side of Dunham Street to a line 100 feet distant from James Street Recommended May 17, 1954.
4. A petition of Attleboro Lodge #463, Loyal Order of Moose, to change the "Use" of a certain parcel of land on the northerly side of Park Street and easterly of Morey Street from General Residence to Business "Use" and more fully described as Lots #335-340 inclusive, as shown on Assessors' New Plat #28 and Lot #136 on Assessors New Plat #61. Recommended August 23, 1954
Subdivisions. The Boards Rules and Regulations relative to Subdivision Control were revised in accordance with revisions made in Chapter 40 of the General Laws, Sections 81-K to 81 - Y inclusive the so-called Subdivision Control Law of the "Improved Method of Municipal Planning". The revisions were enacted into law as Chapter 674 of the Acts of 1953. A copy was given to each member of the Municipal Council and a copy transmitted to the Register of Deeds and to the Recorder of the Land Court.
Six new plats of subdivisions were approved after public hearing as follows:
1. Mayhew Manor Plat on the westerly side of North Main Street and north- erly of Payson Street Approved May 3, 1954,
Annual Report
Report of the Planning Board continued.
2. Hillcrest Circle Plat on the westerly end of Payson Street. Approved March 15, 1954.
3. Oakland Plat on the southerly side of Mendon Road. Approved for Lots #45 to 58 inclusive on April 19, 1954.
4. Snowcrest Plat on the westerly side of North Avenue. Approved for Lots #1 to 10 inclusive, August 2, 1954.
5. Richardson Acres on the westerly side of North Main Street and the south- erly side of Commonwealth Avenue. Approved November 15, 1954.
6. Edgewood Park Plat, Section 2. Approved October 26, 1954.
Under General Laws Chapter 41, Section 81-P, plans of land that do not require the approval of the Planning Board under the Subdivision Control Law must be so endorsed by the Board before they can be either recorded or regis- tered. Nineteen such plans were so endorsed.
In conclusion we wish to thank the Mayor, the Municipal Council, the City Solicitor the Public Works Department and the Board of Assessors for the many courtesies extended during the year, and the press for their valuable publicity.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank L. Briggs, Chairman
Robert W. Mawney, Secretary
Clifford A. Swanson
Leo F Lyons Harold E. Washburn J. Burleigh Moulton John A. Cummings
8.
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES FOR 1954
To His Honor the Mayor and Municipal Council:
The work of the department required by state and local laws was carried out and all stores, gas station, fuel oil dealers, pedlars, scales and equipment were inspected and the required seals attached to correct findings.
Several local licenses were issued and applications for County State and special licenses were made out for the applicant and mailed to Bureau of Stan- dards in Boston for verification and completion.
Respectfully submitted, Daniel O'Connell Sealer of Weights and Measures
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER 1954
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.