Norwood annual report 1923-1927, Part 11

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1656


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Formal hearings began at the State House in Boston on January 15, 1923, and the opening argument in the presentation of the case for Nor- wood was made on January 22. Hearings were held from time to time thereafter at several of which law questions and matters of procedure and formal questions to the State Department of Health prepared and presented by the communities involved, and the answers thereto, were considered and acted upon. At other hearings, evidence in behalf of Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Canton and Norwood was presented.


As to Norwood, some of the hearings for the convenience of witnesses were held in Norwood and were attended by many meadow land owners and other interested citizens. Evidence was introduced through physi- cians as the the health situation and a large number of meadow owners testified as to the condition of their own and other land before and after the work was done. Mr. Fred L. Fisher, the largest owner of meadow land affected, testified at length over several days and together with the Hon. Frank A. Fales, Mr. George A. Plimpton and other large meadow land owners who testified, aided materially in the presentation of this phase of the Norwood case.


In all, seventeen hearings have been held and the presentation of the evidence for Norwood is not yet completed but will be completed at hear- ings to be held in 1924 when the evidence of the other communities inter- ested also will be heard. The delay has been due largely to the engagement of counsel in other cases.


Much evidence was offered as to the conditions in the Purgatory Brook section and the Commissioners at my request took a thorough view on June 6, 1923, of the Purgatory meadows and were accompanied by inter- ested counsel and experts as well as by Mr. Fisher.


On another occasion the Norwood meadows were examined by experts and others who were to testify. This view was attended by other officials as well as myself.


· Much interest has been shown by the citizens in the hearings and the preparation for same. Questionnaires to all known Norwood meadow owners were sent out and quite generally were returned with some or all the information sought. All the available data in the office of the State Board of Health which is quite voluminous and all expense vouchers in the State Comptroller's office have been reviewed in the study of the questions involved in the case. Numerous conferences with witnesses, counsel and officials were held and law matters were examined and briefs prepared and arguments made as well as all evidence in behalf of Norwood presented by this Department. The case has also required much correspondence and the preparation of many papers. It is hoped that a report and award will be made by the Commissioners during 1924.


The Selectmen as well as other officials of the Town have approved the conduct of the case by this Department and have cooperated in every way


183


in the endeavor to furnish the Commissioners with all facts bearing upon the issues involved and with the expectation that an apportionment of the expense will result which will be fair to Norwood as well as the other com- munities referred to in the Act.


A bill was filed by Mr. William H. Hitchcock, attorney for the Town of Dedham, for the consideration of the Legislature of 1924 which seeks to relieve all communities from bearing any portion of the expense. If this bill is favorably acted upon it will bring the hearings before the Commis- sioners to an end as the entire expense would then rest upon the Common- wealth.


GENERAL


Washington Street Widening .- The alteration of Washington Street as made by the Seleetmen and accepted by the Town in 1922, by which that portion of the street was widened to a depth of 4.75 feet on the easterly side for a distance of about 242.29 feet southerly from the southerly line of a proposed extension of Cottage Street was physically completed during 1923. The only structures the removal of which were involved in the alteration were those located on the property of Elihu G. Loomis, Trustee. Mr. Loomis accepted the award of damages after some negotiation entirely friendly in eharaeter and upon payment of it delivered to the Town an instrument of release and quit claim of rights and easements for highway purposes. Negotiations with Mr. Dana, the other land owner to whom damages were awarded, have progressed to a point where it is apparently safe to state that the award will be accepted and paid in 1924 and an in- strument similar to that obtained from Mr. Loomis will be given. The fairness with which the Seleetmen and the Town dealt with the land owners and the general situation involved seems to have been recognized and it is with much satisfaction that this important matter is disposed of without litigation.


School Needs and Financial Program .- The important matter designated above ealled for considerable attention from this Department, including numerous conferences with the Seleetmen, the Chairmen of the Finanee Commission and School Committee, Town Clerk and Accountant and rep- resentatives of the Planning Board and others, the preparation of articles for special meeting warrants and all motions under the same and a con- sideration of various legal questions involved. Early in the year this Department assisted in the preparation of a petition and Bill to the General Court authorizing the Town to borrow in excess of the statutory debt limit moneys for sehool building purposes ..


Billboard By-Law .- The billboard by-law prepared by General Manager Hammersley as revised and approved by this Department, to which refer- ence was made in my report for 1922, was submitted to the Town and adopted by it during the year 1923. Thereafter it was presented to the State Department of Publie Works for its approval, which was refused. However, state-wide regulations were adopted by the Department of


184


Public Works later which are very comprehensive and restrictive in char- acter. The Town thereby has considerable protection which otherwise could be afforded only by the by-law which was rejected by that Depart- ment. These regulations, however, have been much criticized as depriving municipalities of the right of home rule.


Miscellaneous .- Among the miscellaneous matters of sufficient import- ance to warrant a passing reference and to which attention was given, may be mentioned the following:


Violations of building and fire limit by-laws.


Collection of taxes including lien and sales questions.


Municipal Town Square situation.


Proposed new Washington Street widening.


Transient vendor's licenses.


Taking by right of eminent domain various properties under considera- tion and questions involved.


Action with respect to proposed zoning by-laws and questions raised.


· Hearing on legislative bill as to Superior Court sittings at Quincy.


Cement contract bids and award.


Seizure of mortgaged personal property for taxes.


Takings for sewer system and assessment.


Revocation of licenses.


Water service regulations as to form, legal sufficiency and method of adoption.


Settlement questions involved in, pauper relief.


Alice H. Plimpton Bequest .- Attention to various questions raised, examination of papers and law and advice to Library Trustees and Town Accountant as to status of bequest and as to control of the funds delivered under the bequest.


Option from the Norwood Housing Association covering portions of the Page and Baker tracts so-called.


Status of the Town with respect to pole location for electric light service in private right of way.


Abatement of betterment assessments.


Street layout questions and Board of Survey action.


Title examination, law questions considered and advice given re owner- ship of land in private right of way and taking for sewer purposes.


Sales of cigars on Sunday and opinion to General Manager.


It was necessary for this Department to deal extensively with Mr. Pendergast as Town Clerk and Accountant and in other official capacities, and his unfailing courtesy and cooperation as well as that of all other De- partments with which business was conducted are gratefully acknowledged.


Respectfully submitted, JAMES A. HALLORAN,


Town Counsel.


185


ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


To the Citizens of Norwood:


During the past year the circulation has been 70,310 volumes, exceeding the 1922 figure by 5,562. Such an increase is very satisfactory in view of the fact that many Massachusetts libraries are losing ground or at best duplicating last year's figures.


The Children's Room continues to justify its establishment. Out of 2,258 children eligible to use it, 1,635 or 70 per cent are registered borrowers.


Through the munificence of the late George H. Morrill the present Library building was erected and presented to the Town. Dr. Lewis H. Plimpton, his son-in-law, was for a number of years a valued member of the Board of Trustees. Evidencing the great interest which this family has expressed towards the Library, it was with feelings of deepest appre- ciation that the Trustees learned of the bequest of the late Mrs. Alice H. Plimpton in the sum of $50,000. This amount has been received and de- posited with the Town Treasurer, as Treasurer of the Trustees of the Morrill Memorial Library, pending action by the Trustees as to its later use.


The Trustees wish to put on record their appreciation of this gift, which will be of material assistance in years to come in helping to make the Library commensurate with the growing needs of the Town.


Through the kindness of the Japan Society of Boston, an exhibition of drawings by Japanese school children was held in the Library for two weeks, which attracted considerable attention. 1229 children viewed the pictures and fourteen teachers brought their classes to sce the drawings.


The Library has continued its co-operation with the School Department by furnishing books to the High and Balch Schools.


Much favorable comment has been heard on the repairing of the pedestal lights, the use of which has added greatly to the appearance of" the building in the evening.


As the life of the Library building lengthens, it is of course necessary to make more repairs and this is reflected in our budgets from year to year.


It is very gratifying to the Trustees to record gifts of 92 volumes to the Library during the past year, which exceeds any previous record and shows an increasing interest in the Library by its friends and patrons. We desire to encourage this spirit of giving to the Library and make this suggestion to our citizens for their thoughtful consideration.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIAM T. WHEDON, Chair., MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, GRACE T. EVERETT, W. W. EVERETT,


M. AGNES MAHONEY, WALTER BLAIR, Secretary,


Board of Trustees.


186


LIBRARIAN'S REPORT


To the Board of Trustees:


The following is a report of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1923.


.


Circulation


Number of days the library was open.


302


Number of books given out in the main room 38,716


Number of books given out in the children's room 27,770


Number of books given out in Balch School.


3,370


Number of books in foreign languages issued .


454


Total issue.


70,310


Average daily issue .


232


Largest issue, February 3.


443


Smallest issue, August 3 and October 4.


87


Per Cent of Circulation


Class


Adult


Juvenile


General Works


.5


.1


Philosophy


.5


.1


Religion .


.4


.6


Sociology (includes fairy tales)


1.2


16.9


Philology .


.2


.1


Natural Science


.9


2.5


Useful Arts.


1.4


1.2


Fine Arts


1.4


.9


Literature.


3.9


4.1


History


2.5


2.8


Description and Travel.


2.7


2.5


Biography


2.8


1.7


Fiction


81.6


66.5


.


Of Total Circulation


Per Cent


Adult.


55


Juvenile .


45


Of Books in Foreign Languages


Language


Per Cent


French.


16.5


Italian


5.1


Lithuanian


23.1


Polish


22.3.


Russian .


2.4


Swedish


2.4


Syrian


22.9


Yiddish.


5.3


187


Registration


Main Room


. New registration begun July 1, 1923:


Number of names re-registered .


1329


· New names registered. Number transferred from Children's Room . 145


1594


Number transferred to Children's Room


9


Number registered, January 1, 1924.


1585


Children's Room


Number registered January 1, 1923


1391


Number transferred to main room.


145


Number withdrawn.


20


165


1226


Number transferred from main room.


9


New names registered


400


409


Number registered January 1, 1924


1635


Total Registration


3210


Gifts


Mr. Warren H. Cudworth.


4 volumes


Mrs. M. W. Tileston


2 volumes


Y. M. C. A. Trustees of War Fund.


2 volumes


Mr. William T. Whedon


2 volumes


Mrs. L. C. Marshall.


2 volumes


Mrs. George W. Lewis.


10 volumes


Mrs. Ida F. Harper


3 volumes


Miss Sylvia Paajnen


2 volumes


Miss Irene Hezlitt.


8 volumes


Mrs. John Deeb


2 volumes


Mr. Carl E. Smith .


2 volumes


Mr. William S. Hart


2 volumes


The Plimpton . Press


10 volumes


Norwood Town Planning Board .


1923 reports


Massachusetts.


Publie documents


United States


Publie documents


One Volume Each


Elbert H. Gray


Aliee E. Field Claudia Q. Murphy Helen M. Norton


L. M. Zimmerman Peter Johnson


120


188


Mrs. Luther Smith Mr. William Watson Norwood Council K. of C. Fairview Publishing Co. Nijgh & Van Ditmars Publishing Co.


Magazines


Miss Maude A. Shattuck Mrs. H. P. Everett Helen M. Norton Rev. James F. Doherty Mrs. John Deeb


Miscellaneous


Mrs. H. A. Halstead


Rubber plant


W. W. Everett


Framed picture


Chamber of Commerce, U. S. A.


Etchings unmounted


Abby J. Spear.


Unmounted pictures


Alice E. Field


Unmounted pictures


Music


34 titles


Mr. William T. Whedon.


.


Respectfully submitted,


JANE A. HEWETT, Librarian.


189


REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR


To the Selectmen of Norwood,


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit the following as the annual report of the Inspector of Buildings of the Town of Norwood for the year 1923:


Building Permits Issued


No. of Permits


Estimated Value $276,400.00


Dwellings


75


Additions to Buildings


28


15,010.00


· Garages.


96


44,060.00


Industrial Plant .


15


252,585.00


Store Buildings


11


23,650.00


Total


225


$611,705.00


Respectfully submitted,


FORREST M. DOUGLASS, Inspector of Buildings.


190


ANNUAL REPORT BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS


January 1, 1924.


The Board of Selectmen,


Hon. Frank G. Allen, Chairman, Norwood, Massachusetts.


Gentlemen:


We submit herewith the annual report of the Board of Fire Engineers for 1923.


One hundred and eighty-two alarms were recorded for the year, classi- fied as follows:


Telephone 101


Box Calls


81


Buildings 30


Brush and Grass 132


Automobiles and False Alarms 20


The fires on the meadows were responsible for a large proportion of the alarms for brush and grass, and involved an expenditure of approximately $5,000.00, and · were burning continuously from August 14 to October 22. Valuable assistance was rendered by the State Department of Con- servation in the furnishing of men, pumps, and equipment, without which we probably should have been unable to cope with the situation.


The following is a statement of the fire loss for the year:


Risks Involved-Buildings $160,500.00


Contents 82,947.00


Insurance on -Buildings 142,000.00


Contents 45,700.00


Damage


-Buildings 16,182.97


Contents. 6,806.85


Insurance Loss-Buildings


14,700.97


Contents. 6,127.85


Net Loss


2,161.00


Respectfully submitted,


J. F. BOYDEN, F. W. TALBOT, W. P. HAMMERSLEY, Board of Fire Engineers


191


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


School Committee


1923


Frederick A. Cleveland, 70 Winter Street, term expires 1924.


Arthur S. Hartwell, 90 Winter Strect, term expires 1924.


Brainard A. Rowe, 28 Florence Avenue, term expires 1925. Edward F. Brennan, 1 Walpole Street, term expires 1925.


Julia R. O'Brien, 4 Railroad Avenue, term expires 1926.


Florence M. Field, 54 Winter Street, term expires 1926.


Organization


Dr. Frederick A. Cleveland. . Chairman


Marjorie K. Parker Secretary


Standing Committees


Educational Program Committee: Dr. Cleveland, Miss O'Brien, Dr. Hartwell.


Finance Committee: Mr. Rowe, Dr. Brennan, Mrs. Field.


Janitors, Schoolhouse and Grounds: Dr. Brennan, Mr. Rowe.


Fuel, School Books and Supplies: Mrs. Field.


Committee Meetings


The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held at the School Committee Room, Beacon School, at eight o'clock p. m. on the first Thursday of each month.


Superintendent of Schools


Herbert H. Howes, 55 Florenec Avenue.


Telephone: Norwood 0373-W.


· The office of the Superintendent of Schools is at the Beacon School, and is open from 8 a. m. until 12 m. and from 1 p. m. until 5 p. m. on school days, and from 8 a. m. until 12 m. Saturdays. Telephone: Norwood 0133.


Clerks


Marjorie K. Parker, 21 Florenee Avenue.


Irene D. Readel, 506 Walpole Street.


192


SCHOOL CALENDAR 1924


Second Term begins January 2, 1924, ends February 15, 1924 7 weeks Third Term begins February 25, 1924, ends April 11, 1924 7 weeks


Fourth Term begins April 21, 1924, ends June 26, 1924 10 weeks


First Term begins September 8, 1924, ends December 19, 1924 15 weeks


Holidays


October 12, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, Good Friday, April 19, May 30, June 17.


No School Signal 2-2


Repeated at 7.15 a. m.


No forenoon session of any schools.


Repeated at 8.00 a. m. grade Junior High.


No forenoon session of any grade below the ninth


Repeated at 8.20 a. m. No forenoon session of the first three grades.


Repeated at 11.50 a. m. No afternoon session of any schools.


Repeated at 12.50 p. m. No afternoon session of first three grades.


Repeated at 7.00 p. m. No session of evening school.


193


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Norwood, in the recent past, like many other towns the country over, has had three serious situations to face: (1) An obvious need for better coordination and team work in defining and carrying out its educational program; (2) A serious school building shortage; (3) A marked increase in the cost of public education.


These situations have been thought to be due in part to the upsetting circumstances of the World War; in part to a more friendly attitude toward the schools on the part of the parents, thereby adding to the average period of attendance; in part to changes in educational policy; in part to changed economic and social conditions.


I. THE UPSETTING CIRCUMSTANCES INCIDENT TO AND FOL- LOWING THE WORLD WAR


From 1917 to 1920 the losses from the teaching and administrative staffs were unusually large. During this period there were 93 separations from the teaching and administrative staffs,-an average each year of more than 28% of the total number in the system; there was a constant shifting of personnel, some of the positions being made vacant many times, the posi- tion of Superintendent of Schools being vacated twice-all of which was disorganizing and detracting from the esprit de corps. The dramatic in- cidents of war preparation and military engagement were disturbing to pupil and teacher alike.


At the same time there has been a marked change in the disposition both of parents and pupils to prolong the period of school attendance-es- pecially since the close of the war and the cessation of the unusual demands made for enlistment and industrial employment induced by military necessity.


A factor of considerable, although of less importance has been a corre- sponding demand on school authorities to give increasing breadth to the educational opportunity offered, with a view to enlisting the interest of all classes-whether inclined toward professional, commercial, or industrial employment or simply desiring cultural training such as was offered in the old-time "finishing school." This demand has found expression in the four distinct courses offered by the high school ("classical," "commercial," and "technical," as well as the "general"); in more compelling attendance laws; and in the adoption of what is known as the 6-3-3 plan of school organization. Pursuant to this plan the "elementary" school training has been limited to grades 1 to 6 inclusive; a "junior-high" school or- ganization has been adopted for grades 7 to 9 inclusive; and the "senior- high" school organization has been limited to three years, including grades 10, 11, and 12 only. The primary reason for adopting this particular plan has been to adapt the school curriculum and organization to three recog-


194


nized mental-age periods-childhood, adolescence, and youth-which together with corresponding modifications of play and physical training programs have added to the attractiveness and wholesomeness of school life. A further change in educational policy relates to the corresponding development of a school health service which includes periodical physical examinations, eye and dental clinics, attention to diet, home visiting, etc. All these changes by way of enlargement of the public school service and the "enrichment" of the educational program have contributed somewhat to the unusual burdens of school management and instruction.


Marked Improvement in the Work of Schools


Such is our immediate historic background. That Norwood has been especially fortunate in its progress made toward overcoming, in a large measure at least, the educational difficulties appears from the report of Dr. James H. Van Sickle, printed herewith-a careful reading of which is recom- mended to parents and tax-payers. And for this achievement much credit is due to the able and well-poised leadership of Mr. Herbert H. Howes, who since January, 1921 has been our Superintendent, and to the loyalty and cooperation of principals and teachers serving under him. Dr. Van Sickle (at the request of Mr. Charles J. Prescott, Chairman of the Finance Com- mission, and at his personal expense) made his first survey in the latter part of 1920. Because the following excerpt from his recent report (made three years after the first survey) sounds a note of special interest to tax- payers, it is quoted :


"Norwood has developed an exceptionally good system of schools. The things now lacking are chiefly: 1. The completion of the building program including the purchase of two new sites and the enlargement of two others. 2. Removing the Junior High School from the High School building and organizing it as a complete unit of the school system in its own building."


II. OVERCOMING THE SCHOOL BUILDING SHORTAGE


The first subject for immediate consideration mentioned in Dr. Van Sickle's report is that to which the School Committee's last year's report was addressed-the "existing school building shortage." Three years ago this shortage was estimated in dollars to be from $200,000 to $400,000. It appears now that the latter figure inore nearly states the brute fact to be reckoned with-having in mind the continued high cost in construc- tion. To this, the existing shortage, must be added the annual increase in the school building demand due to continuing growth in the school population-to meet which it is estimated we must add from $50,000 to $60,000 per year, the facts supporting which conclusion are given below (pp. 195 and 197). That we have been gradually overcoming this shortage appears from the following: In 1921, $75,000 was appropriated to com- plete and furnish the west wing of the present high school building; in 1922 an appropriation of $80,000 was made to add eight rooms to the Balch elementary school; in 1923 an appropriation of $100,000 was made


WINTER ST


PROSPECT


ST


FULTON


ST


UNICHOLS


WASHINGTON


0


RAILROAD


Z


WASHINGTON


EAST CROSS


TOWN OF NORWOOD NORPOLK COUNTY MASS


GENERAL TOWN PLAN


UNDER DIRECTION OF TOWN PLANNING BOARD ARTHUR A SMRTLOPP TOWN PLUGIN BOTEN MASA


FRP SCALE OF FEET _ 2500


500


500 1000


2000


MAP I .- SHOWING LOCATION OF NEW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL WITH STREET APPROACHES AND DISTANCES


-


WALPOLE


195


LLO


196


to begin on the new senior high school-the understanding being that $200,000 more would be recommended by the Finance Commission for appropriation in 1924 to complete a structure for such use. Before the Town shall have completely overcome its school building shortage, how- ever, it will be necessary to build an East Norwood elementary school.


The following table reflects the extent to which the estimated shortage will have been overcome when the new high school is completed:


Table I. Extent to Which the Building Shortage Shall Have Been Over- come When the New Senior High School is Completed


Years


Estimated building


shortage


Assumed increasing Building needs


appropriated


for buildings and


Estimated remaining


shortage after comple-


tion of Senior High


1921


$400,000


$50,000


$ 75,000


1922


375,000


52,500


80,000


1923


347,500


55,000


100,000


1924


302,500


57,500


200,000*


1925


160,000


60,000


$220,000


Anticipated appropriation at March Town Meeting.


Assuming that the anticipated additional appropriation of $200,000 for the new senior high school building will be made at the approaching March Town Meeting and that a further appropriation of $220,000 is made next year or the year following for the acquisition of land and construction of an East Norwood elementary school, it is thought that the normal growth in school building demand will be met and the shortage incurred during the years 1916 to 1921 will have been completely overcome; the Town may then, in its further construction, drop down to an annual average outlay for new buildings (approximately $60,000 per year) to cover population increases estimated on the basis of the rate of growth of the last ten years. (See Table II.)




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