Norwood annual report 1915-1922, Part 82

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1954


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1915-1922 > Part 82


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JAMES E. PENDERGAST, Town Clerk and Accountant.


2,340.64


Charities Soldiers' Benefits Libraries Licenses and Permits


879.00 690.00 722.69


Water Department


20.54 4,000.00


Tax Collections


153


ANNUAL REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL.


Selectmen of Norwood, Mass.


Hon. F. G. Allen, Chairman,


Dear Sirs:


I submit in the form of this brief summary my twelfth annual report as Counsel for the Town covering the year 1920.


The work of the Department was advisory to a large extent and covered a wide range of matters as to which decision and action by the various departments of the town were required or desirable. This service involved many conferences, attendance at numerous meetings and hearings, the consideration of a large number of questions and the preparation and sub- inission of many opinions and letters.


Litigation


No suits were brought against the Town during the year. Certain claims against the Town were presented and investigated and rejected.


The three cases of the Finnish Workingmen's Association Into of Nor- wood against the Town brought to recover the sums paid for taxes assessed in the years 1915, 1916 and 1917, the details of which suits were set forth in my report for the year 1918 and which suits were pending at the beginning of the year 1920, have been settled.


By the terms of the settlement, the suits were abandoned and no further action upon the claims is to be taken and the taxcs assessed for the year 1919, with interest, have been paid, while the Board of Assessors have agreed that no taxes shall be assessed for the year 1920 and subsequent years upon the property of this organization in Norwood, which may be exempt under t he laws of the Commonwealth by reason of the literary, benevolent or charitable character of the corporation. This settlement met with the approval of the officials of the State Tax Department, as well as with the Board of Assessors, and is an altogether satisfactory disposition of this litiga- tion.


There is pending, to the knowledge of this department, but one claim against the Town. It is not of a substantial character and appears to be without merit.


The year closed with no suits outstanding against the Town and none in prospect, and it is with much satisfaction that this excellent situation is reported.


General


Other matters of importance which received attention are the following:


A. Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company Servicc.


The attention given to this subject in its various phases was considerable. The problems of complete discontinuance of service; of track rehabilita- tion; of reduced service; of jitney competition; of contribution to the excess cost of service; of the character of the service, of power supply and of the support of the service by the other towns served by the Grove Street- East Walpole line, and a solution of the same called for numerous confer- ences with the trustees and other officers of that Company, and with the officials of the other towns, and the preparation of various papers. These inatters were of extreme importance to our community, and to your prompt and energetic efforts and wise action, led by your Chairman, is due in a large measure the improved condition of the road-bed and the maintenance of strect car service, not only for Norwood but also for Dedham, Westwood and Walpole.


154


It is gratifying to record that the course which you took received the approval of the citizens through action at the special town meetings.


B. Neponset River Improvement Expense.


Norwood has a vital interest in this matter.


A large sum of money said to be in excess of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) has been expended by the Commonwealth, and one-half of the amount with accumulating interest will be apportioned among the towns of Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Norwood, Canton, Westwood, Ded- ham, Milton and the City of Boston, by commissioners appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court, and when the award has been accepted by that Court the amounts so determined must be paid to the State by the respec- tive communities in ten annual instalments. It is probable that the Com- missioners will be appointed and the award made this year.


As preliminary to this action, the State Department of Health caused surveys of the entire meadow areas to be made together with an examina- tion of ownership titles. Plans have been prepared indicating the locations of all the parcels of land investigated and a return will be made to the Assessors showing the parcels of land benefited by the work done and change made, with the areas and names of owners or occupants, and with amount of the benefits accruing to each of the parcels. The Assessors are then required to divide and apportion the sum which the Town is required to pay upon the land benefited, but not to exceed the special benefit received by each estate assessed.


It is apparent what these requirements mean to our Town in the initial assessment or apportionment on the Town as a whole, and then in division on the land owners in the area found to be improved.


During the year considerable attention was given to this matter by my Department by way of study of conditions, including a perambulation of much of the Norwood territory affected with State officials, and including conferences with the Chief Engineer of the State Department of Health and his associates on the Advisory Committee, and consideration of basic questions involved in the return by the Department of Health above men- tioned, with a view to intelligent action in protection of the interests of Norwood as developments warrant.


Submitted with this report is a detailed statement of all services rendered by this Department during the year.


This Department is grateful for the consideration and curtesy extended by you and all other officials of the Town in the performance of its work, and wishes to acknowledge in particular the generous co-operation and assistance at all times of your efficient clerk, Mr. James E. Pendergast.


Respectfully submitted,


JAMES A. HALLORAN.


155


.


REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMISSION.


At the annual meeting held in January, 1920, Charles J. Prescott was elected for the term of three years, succeeding Mr. Francis J. Foley.


The Board was organized with Charles J. Prescott as chairman and Ar- thur W. Coolidge as clerk.


Mr. Foley completed five years of service on the Commission, being one of its original members and having served four years as chairman. Through his study of town finances, Mr. Foley became a recognized authority on tax problems. The present law governing the method of distribution to citics and towns of the money collected by the Commonwealth from the tax on intangible personal property is, with slight changes, the plan worked out by Mr. Foley and submitted by him to the Legislative Committee. That it became a law is largely due to his presentation of the plan before the Taxation Committee of the Legislature and his efforts in convincing other towns and cities of the justice of the measure. Distribution under this plan will ultimately assist industrial towns.


Because of the illness of one of the members of the commission Mr. Foley's services were drafted to assist in the preparation of the annual budget again this year, and his time, ability and experience were freely given for two months after the expiration of his term. The Commission records its appreciation of Mr. Foley's valuable work.


Owing to the unsettled conditions, budget making has been difficult dur- ing the year. Unusual expenditures incidental to the severity of the win- ter, the breaking down of the street railroad service and the advance in both wages and materials have rendered necessary special town meetings. There has resulted an increase in the tax rate. The need of much work in the Public Works Department, the development of a new water supply and the problems of the School Committee seem to indicate that further increases in the rate may be necessary in the coming few years.


The Commission has received throughout the year cheerful and helpful co-operation of the several boards and the town officials, with the result that all its recommendations have been adopted. We would urge a more active and intelligent interest in the preparation of the budget by the public and invite to the meetings of the Commission all voters, particularly the women.


We attach a statement of the apportionment of the rate covering the past four years.


Respectfully submitted, CHARLES J. PRESCOTT, FRANK A. FALES, ARTHUR W. COOLIDGE, Finance Commission.


1


APPORTIONMENT OF TAX RATE On Basis of Appropriations


1917


1918


1919


On Basis of Expenditures 1920


General Government


Board of Survey


$ 100.00


$


21.75


Selectmen


$ 250.00


$ 250.00


250.00


Town Clerk and Accountant


4,575.00


5,755.00


7,960.00


8,339.04


Treasurer and Collector


2,400.00


3,250.00


3,495.00


4,009.17


General Manager


3,900.00


3,350.00


3,583.33


4,001.78


Assessors and Plans


2,030.00


1,600.00


1,600.00


2,268.81


Certification of Notes


100.00


250.00


175.88


104.00


Finance


200.00


200.00


200.00


102.45


Law


1,000.00


1,000.00


1,000.00


1,252.31


Election and Registration


1,070.00


1,024.00


965.00


1,955.95


Town Offices


1,150.00


980.00


1,244.41


822.65


Inspector of Buildings


525.00


525.00


525.00


489.00


Inspector of Cattle


100.00


100.00


100.00


150.00


Sealer of Weights and Measures


325.00


370.00


386.00


424.76


Memorial Day


250.00


250.00


250.00


281.32


Town Reports


550.00


550.00


550.00


800.00


Insurance


1,012.50


5,144.50


3,143.00


2,173.75


Town Planning Board


250.00


Incidentals


350.00


2,157.28


2,350.00


1,309.68


$19,787.50


$1.21


$27,005.78


$1.69


$27,977.62


$1.77


$28,506.42


$1.50


Highways


General


$38,593.00


$2.35


$35,420.78


$2.21


$38,530.11


$2.43


$47,448.27


Ash Removal


200.00


.01


1,030.54


Notes


22,386.38


1.37


23,000.00


1.44


12,000.00


.76


18,930.00


Interest


3,459.50


.21


2,982.00


.19


1,840.00


12


2,532.50


Parks


375.00


.02


350.29


$64,438.88


$3.93


$61,402.78


$3.84


$52,945.11


$3.34


$70,291.60


$3.76


156


Schools


General


$88,700.00 6,100.00


.37


6,100.00 12,692.34


.38


29,700.00 16,835.00


1.09


16,097.75


$99,965.50


$6.10 $124,342.34


$214,240.67 $11.47


Abatement of Taxes


$ 2,500.00


$ .15


500.00


.03


Overlay


6,437.46


.39


3,433.37


2.15


3,581.44


$ .22


$ 3,074.29


State Taxes


38,940.00


2.38


39,940.00


2.43


44,806.27


2.78


56,624.90


County Taxes


15,270.59


.93


15,733.33


.98


21,316.09


1.39


24,450.81


$84,150.00


$4.50


Police Department


10,300.00


63


11,804.00


74


14,673.03


92


18,880.37


1.01


Fire Department


9,750.00


.60


9,420.00


.59


9,019.51


.57


12,668.71


.68


Gypsy Moth


2,600.00


3,109.00


19


2,500.00


16


4,342.06


.23


Shade Trees


700.00


04


600.00


.04


825.00


.06


424.58


.02


Board of Health


4,500.00


.28


9,300.00


58


6,200.00


.38


5,717.88


.31


Sewers


General


4,275.00


26


1,025.48


.065


3,496.47


.22


5,877.21


Notes


10,000.00


.61


8,500.00


.53


7,000.00


.44


9,920.00


Interest


8,023.00


.49


3,836.02


.24


7,280.00


. 46


7,425.00


$23,222.21


1.34


County T. B. Hospital


5,337.50


.34


5,315.75


Notes Interest


675.00


. 04


1,215.00


$12,530.75


.67


2,000.00


12


1,269.63


07


450.00


.03


3,498.85


.19


$6.60 $113,675.00


$7.07 $166,192.92


Notes


1.87


31,950.00


Interest


5,165.50


.32


$5.41 $105,550.00


.79


$7.77 $160,210.00 $10.00


157


-


Care in Hospitals Main Drains


6,000.00


APPORTIONMENT OF TAX RATE - Continued On Basis of Appropriations


n


1917


1918


1919


On Basis of Expenditures 1920


Board of Relief (this includes Sol- diers' Benefits)


10,500.00


. 64


15,200.00


95


14,600.00


.92


17,113.12


.92


Library


4,766.50


.29


4,974.12


.31


5,366.00


.34


7,523.25


41


Cemetery


2,400.00


. 145


2,470.00


.155


1,785.00


.11


2,100.00


.11


Strect Lighting


6,300.00


. 40


6,000.00


.32


Notes (not applicable to any depart- ment)


2,000.00


. 12


2,000.00


125


4,000.00


.25


4,000.00


.21


Interest (not applicable to any de- partment)


3,422.00


21


4,120.00


257


5,605.00


.35


8,558.32


.46


Contingent Fund


1,000.00


.06


521.00


.033


338.68


.02


Engineering


2,400.00


.145


2,400.00


. 15


2,708.53


.17


3,070.02


17


Band Concerts


500.00


03


500.00


02


$324,176.43 $19.78 $350,637.22 $21.91


$411,396.05 $25.83


$528,608.44 $28.35


LESS CREDITS


Poll Taxes Assessed


ef. 7,564.00 $


.46 $


7,632.00


.48


$ 7,620.00 $


48


7,458.00 $


.38


Excess and Deficiency


18,000.00


1.10


13,907.28


.87


31,512.99


1.98


36,800.00


1.87


Bank and Corporation Returns


34,000.00


2.07


40,000.00


2.50


60,000.00


3.76


65,332.79


3.32


Income Tax Distribution Returns


36,261.00


2.21


40,663.86


2.54


38,317.24


2.42


48,510.00


2.46


Excise Tax


1,809.29


.11


1,323.12


.085


506.16


.03


Dog Licenses


766.50


.05


729.12


.45


516.00


.03


722.75


.04


Available Receipts, Treas.


7,830.00


. 48


12,679.00


.79


16,391.66


1.02


44,185.23


2.24


Note Premium Receipts


2,211.14


.14


223.99


.01


Total


$106,230.79 $ 6.48 $116,934.38 $ 7.31 $156,569.03 $ 9.83


Net Total


Add Closing Balances Net


Tax Levy on Property


217,945.64


262,551.22


254,827.02


Tax Rate


13.30


14.60


16.00


Valuation


$16,386,634.00


$16,005,607.00


$15,926,689.00


$203,738.92 $10.35 324,869.52 10,785.26 335,654.78


$18,647,488,00 18.00


158


-


159


ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY.


The total circulation for the year 1920 was 54,287 against 50,160 volumes for 1919. The largest daily circulation was 361 while the average daily circulation was 178. There are at present 5,273 borrowers, a net increase of 183 during the year.


Cooperation between the Library and the Public Schools is working out with splendid results and in a notable extension for 1920-particularly in the increased use of the Library by the High School pupils for Reference Work.


A new feature introduced is the bringing in from the Night School, for- eigners learning English, for the purpose of acquainting and familiarizing them with the proper use of the Library in all of its departments.


To make the Library of vital help in the work of Americanization through the recommendation of Miss J. M. Campbell, Director of Work for the Foreigners for the Massachusetts Free Public Library Commission, who, in Library Hall in October, addressed a gathering of Trustees and Librarians of neighboring towns, the Library is receiving "Travelling Libraries" of books printed in four languages which are already circulating quite generally among our foreign population, and if the interest continues to increase, your Trustees may find it advisable to make this a regular department of the Library and purchase books with that special end in view.


Books for children exchanged bi-monthly are still going to the Balch School with such good results that your Trustees are considering enlarging the scheme.


During the year, many of our citizens have responded to an appeal for funds to continue the work begun during the late war by the American Library Association for the distribution of books and magazines in Soldiers' and Sailors' Hospitals. Your Trustees acknowledge these gifts with thanks and appreciation.


A year ago your Trustees appeared before the Finance Commission of the Town and presented the imperative need of the Library for immediate relief in the crowded condition of the Stack room. On account of the lesser expense involved, we suggested the plan of fitting up Library Hall at a moderate cost as a Childrens' room, keeping the main Stack room for adults only, which would afford relief for some time to come. To keep the tax rate down, it was mutually agreed to postpone action for one year, but condi- tions at the Library are now such that further delay will result in permanent injury to the Library. Over one-third of our reading public are registered borrowers. Your Trustees have brought the use of the Library to the point where it is a part of the educational system of the Town. It would be suicidal to weaken its present efficiency. When our citizens realize that the Library stores 23,000 volumes with Stack room designed for only 13,000, the necessity for relief is painfully evident.


Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM T. WHEDON, Chairman, A. AGNES CURTIN, Secretary, MARIA E. COLBURN, MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, WALTER BLAIR, WILLARD W. EVERETT,


Trustees.


160


LIBRARIAN'S REPORT


To the Board of Trustees:


The following is a report of the Morrill Memorial Library.


Circulation


Number of days library was open .


54,287


volumes


Total issue .


178


volumes


Average daily issue .


361


volumes


Largest issue, February 21


32


volumes


Percent of Circulation


Adult


Juvenile


Class


1.


.3


General works.


.9


.2


Philosophy .


.3


.4


Religion .


1.4


15.4


Sociology (includes fairy tales)


.1


.2


Philology .


.6


3.4


Natural science .


.9


2.2


Useful arts


.9


1.7


Fine arts .


2.5


3.3


Literature


4.


3.4


History .


2.


3.3


Travel and description


1.8


2.


Biography


83.6


64.2


Fiction.


Of Total Circulation


Adult


40 per cent


Juvenile .


Registration


5,090


Number of names registered January 1, 1920


523


Number of new borrowers.


:340


Number of names withdrawn


183


Net gain .


Number of names registered January 1, 1921


Gifts


Donor


1 volume


Library of Congress .


1 volume


R. H. Donnelly Company . .


1 volume


State of Illinois, Department of Public Works.


5 volumes


Commonwealth of Massachusetts.


3 volumes


United States


10 volumes


Mrs. L. C. Marshall . .


1 volume


R. H. Ingersoll and Brother .


40 volumes


Massachusetts Free Public Library Commission


12 volumes


Miss Sarah Gay


21 volumes


Mrs. Oliver J. Barr


1 volume


Frederick A. Cleveland, Ph. D.


1 volume


Edwin C. Hill .


80 volumes


Miss Edith I. Rhodes.


10 volumes


Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Kimball .


1 volume


Frank A. Munsey.


2 volumes


Norwood Council, Knights of Columbus


The Nation for 1920


A. M. Todd.


Respectfully submitted,


JANE A. HEWETT, Librarian.


5,273


Miss S. Louisa Rhodes.


44 volumes


60 per cent


Smallest issue, February 5


304


161


REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR.


Selectmen of Norwood, Mass.


Hon. Frank G. Allen, Chairman.


Dear Sirs:


I herewith submit my report as Building Inspector of the Town of Nor- wood for year 1920.


Building Permits Issued


No. of Permits


Industrial Plants


11


Valuation $198,800.00


Dwellings .


15


112,000.00


Additions and Alterations to Dwellings. .


27


27,375.00


Stores and Shops


5


10,300.00


Garages.


32


44,355.00


90


$392,830.00


Respectfully submitted, FORREST M. DOUGLASS, Inspector of Buildings.


162


REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.


January 1, 1921.


The Board of Selectmen, Norwood, Massachusetts.


Gentlemen:


We herewith respectfully submit the annual report of the Fire Depart- ment for the year 1920.


There were seventy-three alarms during the year, as follows:


Box Alarms 25


Still Alarms 38


False Alarms 10


Total 73


The risks involved and loss from fires were as follows:


Risk Involved, Buildings $31,925.00


Risk Involved, Contents 10,550.00


Insurance Carried, Buildings 24,200.00


Insurance Carried, Contents


9,550.00


Loss on Buildings 3,405.00


Loss on Contents 3,481.00


Total Loss 6,886.00


Report on one small fire missing.


The buildings and apparatus have been maintained in good condition, but we still believe that it would be economy to purchase a small piece of apparatus to answer still alarms, a very large percentage of which are for brush and grass fires. Under the present arrangement, when the apparatus is called to the outlying parts of the town, the centre is left uncovered, and in case of a fire might result seriously from the delay in reaching the scene quickly. Furthermore the "wear and tear" on the combination truck when we are obliged to go into the woods or off the street is not justificd when the cost of a small piece of apparatus such as is suggested ($2,000.00) is con- sidered.


To the loyalty and splendid spirit of co-operation of the members of the Norwood Fire Department is due the enviable reputation for efficiency given us throughout this part of the Commonwealth.


Respectfully submitted, J. FRED BOYDEN, F. W. TALBOT, W. P. HAMMERSLEY,


Board of Fire Engineers.


163


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


ORGANIZATION 1920


School Committee


Alfred N. Ambrose, 12 Vernon Street, term expires 1921.


Henry Crosby, 20 Douglass Avenue, term expires 1921.


*Cornelius M. Callahan, 59 Winslow Avenue, term expires 1922. Brainard, A. Rowe, 28 Florence Avenue, term expires 1922. Harriet W. Lane, 296 Walpole Street, term expires 1923. Julia R. O'Brien, 4 Railroad Avenue, term expires 1923.


Mildred F. Metcalf, Clerk.


Standing Committees


Schoolbooks and supplies-Mr. Rowe, Mrs. Lane, Miss O'Brien.


Finance, accounts and claims-Mr. Callahan, Mr. Ambrose, Mr. Crosby. Janitors, schoolhouses and grounds-Mr. Ambrose, Mr. Crosby, Mr. Callahan.


Fuel-Mr. Crosby, Mrs. Lane, Mr. Callahan.


Committee Meetings


The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held at the School Committee Room, Beacon School, at eight p. m. on the first Thurs- day of each month.


Superintendent of Schools


*Charles O. Dalrymple, Talbot Block.


Telephone number, Norwood 151-M.


The office of the Superintendent of Schools is at the Beacon School, and is open from eight a.m. until twelve a. m. and from 1 p. m. until 5 p. m. on school days, and from 8 a. m. until 12 a. m. Saturdays. Also, Monday evenings from seven until eight.


Telephone number, Norwood 133.


*Resigned December 1920.


MEMBERSHIP OF SCHOOLS


The following table gives the membership of the schools over a period of ten years:


Year


High


Grades


Total®


1910-11


179


1402


1581


1911-12.


162


1452


1614


1912-13


155


1552


1707


1913-14.


165


1674


1839


1914-15.


215


1775


1990


1915-16


248


1849


2097


1916-17


252


1911


2163


1917-18.


304


1946


2250


1918-19.


402


2035


2437


1919-20


378


2286


2664


164


THE HIGH SCHOOL


The work of the school was somewhat upset during the year, because of the resignation, for various reasons, of a majority of the teachers. But the organization is now well in hand under the competent leadership of Principal Oldham, and the committee expects that within the coming year the school will make a showing and record entirely creditable to the town.


The school is in 'need of more adequate equipment for the laboratory courses offered in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and the Manual Arts Department.


The unfinished part of the building should be completed and equipped without delay, so as to eliminate the crowded conditions unfavorable to the best work.


ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS


As will be seen from the table above showing the membership of the schools for the past ten years, the time is now at hand when additional rooms must be provided. This year all available space, in the present buildings for elementary schools, has been used. Before the opening of the schools in September, 1921, the town will have to provide room for at least 200 more pupils.


The currculum for the elementary schools is being revised and coordinated.


THE TEACHING STAFF


Number of Principals . 5


Number of High School Teachers. 15


Number of Gradc Teachers. 62


Number of Supervisors . S


In common with the experience of most other towns, our school system has suffered serious handicaps because of numerous changes in personnel. This is due fundamentally to the increases in wages which have prevailed in other lines of work, and consequent depletion of the teaching material available. In order to meet the situation, the scale of salaries has been substantially increased for the past three years to a point which now makes the salaries of all the positions in the grades practically double what they were five years ago.


Norwood is very fortunate in retaining 45 teachers who have been here three or more years, and 60 teachers who have been here a year or more. This proves that the percentage of changes has been much less than in many other towns.


In order that the best results from our schools may be attained, it is the earnest hope of the committee that with the settling of business conditions throughout the world to a more normal condition, the schools of Norwood will be in a better condition, because the number of changes in the teaching force will be substantially reduced.


The Committee expresses to the teachers, on behalf of the town, their appreciation of the good work done in spite of the changes and their result- ing handicaps.


VACATION SCHOOL


The vacation school was in session from July 12, 1920, to August 20, 1920. Four teachers were eemployed for this work.


124


Number that registered . 89


Membership at close of session . 67


Number that gained a year


Number improved but did not gain a year 22


165


In elosing it is eminently fitting to call to the attention of the public the beautiful collection of pictures which our honored fellow-townsman, Mr. Francis O. Winslow, has placed in the High School. Not only has he seleeted the pictures personally, but also has supervised the work of placing them on the walls in a way to make them of inestimable value from both the artistic and the educational point of view.


The reports of the High School Principal and the special department heads are attached.


(Signed)


ALFRED N. AMBROSE, HENRY CROSBY BRAINARD A. RÓWE, HARRIET W. LANE, JULIA R. O'BRIEN.


REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL


Norwood, Mass. December 27, 1920.


To Mr. C. O. Dalrymple, Superintendent of Schools.


I herewith submit the annual report of the High School for the year 1920.


The enrollment for the present year is 387. There are now in the high school fifteen regular teachers and the principal. This is the usual allot- ment of one teacher to twenty-five pupils.




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