USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1923-1927 > Part 25
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I find that the cash on hand December 31, 1924, of Harold W. Gay as Treasurer and Collector equals an amount as shown in the Accountant's statement that his cash balance on December 31, 1924, was $86,819.66.
Municipal Light Department. Throughout the year each month the accounts of Frederick S. Barton as to sales and collections have been ex- amnined and I find that he has deposited with the Town Treasurer all collections shown in the sales account of this department.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. The collections of Harry M. King as Sealer of Weights and Measures have been examined, and he has de- posited with the Treasurer all fees which appear to have been collected by his department.
Morrill Memorial Library. Alice H. Plimpton Trust Fund. I have examined the securities in the possession of Harold W. Gay as Treasurer of the Trustees of the Morrill Memorial Library and find that the securities and cash on hand represent the amount set forth in this report; namely, $52,763.07.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES E. PENDERGAST, Town Clerk and Accountant
154
GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT
January 1, 1925.
To the Board of Selectmen, Norwood, Massachusetts. Gentlemen:
I have the honor to transmit herewith the Annual Report of the General Manager for 1924.
A resume of the work done by the various departments under my direc- tion follows:
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Mr. Joseph E. Conley, Superintendent
Highway Division
With the yearly increase in mileage of surfaced streets, and the greater number of automobiles using them, the task and cost of keeping the sur- faces in a satisfactory condition becomes correspondingly greater. Our macadam streets require almost continuous patching, and even the granite block paving in the center of the Town, which was expected to last fifty years, with little, if any, expenditures for repairs, is beginning to break up in places from the constant pounding of heavy trucks passing over it. Either large sums of money must be expended for more suitable streets or the speed of trucks must be reduced to the point where minimum dam- age will result from the hammering effect due to unevenness of the surfaces.
The following new bituminous macadam construction was executed by Town forces during 1924:
Nahatan Street Washington Street to Prospect Street
Phillips Avenue Walpole Street to Winslow Avenue
Saunders Road Walpole Street to Winslow Avenue
Marion Avenue Charles Street
Street Oiling
Thirty-five and one-half miles of streets were oiled or surface treated. It should not be necessary to re-treat niany of the streets oiled again in 1925. Giavel streets treated in this manner furnish a very satisfactory surface for light vehicular traffic at a minimum cost. Sumner and Prospect Streets are examples of this type of surfacing.
Granolithic Walks
2174 sq. yds. of cement concrete (granolithic) sidewalks were laid by contract; the abutting property owners paying one-half the cost.
155
Snow Removal
To expedite the opening of streets after snow storms, two truck snow plows and three sidewalk plows were added to our equipment, and arrange- ments were completed with the State Department of Public Works whereby we secured a government truck with plow attached, in return for which we are expected to keep the State Highways open before using the truck on the other streets in Town. An agreement was also made with George H. O'Brien for the use of a 5-ton tractor with plow attached, so we feel confident of our ability to open streets within a few hours after storms.
Collection of Ashes
The usual custom of collecting ashes at cost to our residents was con- tinued.
Crusher
The condition of the Town quarry is such that it is doubtful if it would be profitable to attempt to crush all of the stone necessary for construc- tion another year. It is probable that stone can be purchased from some nearby quarry for less than it would cost to crush, but it would be difficult to secure stone of sizes needed and as required; that difficulty can be over- come by crushing enough to always have a small supply on hand at our own quarry.
Sewer Division
All sewer main extensions and the filter bed provided for in the annual budget were completed within the year. The additional filter bed, of approximately one acre in area, gives us a total of more than 13 acres now in use.
Ninety-seven new house services were added to the system, making the total to date 1507.
The entire system was thoroughly eeaned and the beds are in excellent condition, but should be brought up to their original level by adding sand during the coming year. Theoretically, three acres more are required to properly treat the amount of sewage being discharged by the Town at the present time.
Owing to the extremely low level of the Neponset River during the long dry season prior to September, we were obliged to add nitrate of soda to the effluent in order to maintain the oxygen content necessary to prevent putrefaction in the river, which would result in sending off offensive odors. The large industries on the river showed a commendable spirit of coopera- tion by joining with the Town in treating the effluent from their plants likewise.
Overflowing of manholes in the streets on several occasions during severe rainstorms probably indicates that an additional main will have to be installed between Willow Street and Dean Street in the near future. The work done on this line in the past two years has greatly relieved the eon- dition, but not entirely as was expected.
156
The pumping station has been maintained in first-class condition.
Sewers Constructed Size Length
Vernon Street-west of Prospect Street 100 ft. Saunders Road-between Walpole St. and Winslow Ave. 6'' 196 ft. Mountain Avenue and Willowwood Street 664 ft.
Prospect Street-between Lincoln and Winter Streets 464 ft.
Harding Road-between Walpole St. and Winslow Ave. 8" 765 ft.
Winslow Avenue-between Harding Road and Chapel St. 8" 534 ft.
Granite Street-between Washington and George Streets Lenox Street-between Lenox Avenue and Willow Street Filter Bed-1 acre
380 ft.
1114 ft.
Drains
Street drainage has been much improved by the construction of a 20-in. pipe line in Oolah Avenue which carries the street water from the vicinity of Chapel Street, Winslow Avenue and Walpole Street; and a drain in Vernon Street from Beech to Washington Streets, doing away with the continual washing away of the gutters in summer and icy condition in winter. Drainage conditions at Washington Street and Oolah Avenue, Winslow Avenue and Saunders Road, Washington and East Hoyle Streets, and Mylod Street have been remedied by constructing catch basins with suitable outlets.
All open drains were properly cleaned during the late fall and should well care for the spring floods.
Catch basins were cleaned as often as was necessary.
Water Division
The past year was the driest in point of rainfall in the history of the water works; the average rainfall being 72" below normal. In spite of the deficiency, we were able to supply the demand without serious concern by operating both stations when the water was low or demand required. The situation is such, however, that we have started further investigations to determine if an additional supply can be secured within our confines. Walpole officials have assured us that in the event of a shortage that Town will be glad to supply Norwood with water up to 2,000,000 gallons per day.
The entire system was gone over carefully to locate and repair leaks in order to conserve as much water as possible. Eighteen such leaks in main joints and forty service leaks were discovered and repaired. Until the use of the present pumps at Westwood is discontinued, it will be necessary to watch closely for leaks, due to the pulsating action loosening and forcing out the lead joints in the mains.
The policy of cleaning about four miles of mains was continued, and from the comparatively few complaints about dirty water, we feel that through a continuance of this practice for a few years more the cause of the complaints will be completely removed.
157
The following sections were eleaned by contraet with The National Water Main Cleaning Company:
Street
From
To Size
Length
Railroad Ave.
Washington St.
Monroe St.
6"
1,832 ft.
Monroe St.
Railroad Ave.
Cross St.
6" 2,048 ft.
Cross St.
Lenox St.
Pleasant St. 6ª 1,689 ft.
Lenox St.
Guild St.
R. R. Bridge 6" and 8"
2,706 ft.
Dean St.
Washington St.
Mahoney's
6"
2,846 ft.
Washington St.
Chapel St.
Water St.
8"
5,955 ft.
Niehols St.
Winter St.
Nahatan St.
6" 1,900 ft.
Winslow Ave.
Saunders Rd.
Hoyle St.
6"
1,674 ft.
20,650 ft.
Water mains were extended as ordered by your Board at various times as follows:
Size
Length
Winslow Ave .- Harding Rd. to Chapel St.
6"
282 ft.
Lenox St .- Railroad Bridge to Washington St.
877 ft.
Walpole St .- near Walpole line
6" 560 ft.
Morse St .- at Neponset River
372 ft.
Harding Rd .- Walpole St. to Winslow Ave.
6" 425 ft.
East Cross St .- Sixth St., south
8" 158 ft.
Mountain Avenue
6"" 672 ft.
Berwiek Rd .- east of Walpole St.
6" 36 ft.
At. Paul Avenue
6"
204 ft.
St. Joseph Avenue
6"
132 ft.
Vernon St .- west of Prospeet St.
6" 96 ft.
Private Way-east of Washington St. (Morse Hill)
4" 36 ft.
Heaton Ave .- east of
6'' 513 ft.
East Hoyle St .- between Washington St. and Broadway
6"
172 ft.
One hundred and nine new service connections were made.
A thorough examination of all fire hydrants was made and all defective hydrants found were repaired or replaced. All hydrants were painted, orange eolor being used for the tops to increase their visibility.
Considerable damage was caused by autos colliding with hydrants, but in most cases the persons responsible were known and paid the cost of repairs. New hydrants were installed in the following places:
Douglass Avenue-half way between Washington St. and Winslow Ave. East Hoyle Street-corner of Broadway.
Heaton Avenue-corner of Pond Avenue.
Walpole Street-end of Main (Walpole end).
158
Mountain Avenue-about 250 feet from Willowwood Street.
Morse Street-near Neponset River, west side.
Oolah Avenue-about 400 feet from Washington Street.
Pumps were operated on an average of twenty hours daily throughout the year, one-eighth of the time at the Westwood Station. The average consumption per inhabitant based on a population of 14,000 was 79 gallons per day, which is low considering the amount of water used by our industries, and indicates absence of any large or great number of leaks.
Considerable trouble has been encountered with the pumping machinery at the Ellis Station, due, we believe, to the great strain on the pumps by reason of low condition of the water in the wells. The matter has been taken up with the manufacturers of the pumps in an endeavor to overcome the trouble if possible.
We were compelled to retube one of the boilers at the Westwood Station, and will soon have to retube the other.
We again urge the installation of electrically driven centrifugal pumps at Westwood. The change will result in a saving in operating cost, a large economic saving in plumbing fixtures, meters and piping, and do away with the pulsations which are so objectionable in many parts of the Town. Such an installation can be made without removing the present steam plant, which should be maintained in case of a breakdown in the electric power service.
New gutters and downspouts were put up on the Ellis Pumping Station, and all broken slates on the roof replaced.
Much credit is due Mr. Slattery for beautifying the grounds by setting out young evergreens, shrubbery and flowering plants, which have added very much to the general appearance of the place.
New Method of Cleaning Wells
Compressed air, instead of steam or water, was used for cleaning the wells last year by use of inserting a small pipe to which the air hose is at tached into the strainers and fitting the well with an air-tight cap. Air from a compressor is forced into the well to dislodge the small particles of sand that accumulate around and clog the strainers. A small hand pump is then attached and the loosened sand pumped out with the water. The operation is repeated until the well yields freely. This method is new and has resulted in increasing the yield of the wells and reducing the cost of cleaning. All wells were cleaned twice during the year.
PARKS
There seems to be a growing sentiment in Town that more attention should be paid to the development of public parks and playgrounds than has been done heretofore. Because of this sentiment a few of our public- spirited citizens organized for the purpose of promoting interest in that worthy object, and to assist as far as possible by contributing time and money in improving some tracts of land already owned by the Town.
159
Bond Street Park
Improvement of the park on Bond Street, in the vicinity of the High Sehool, is a notable example of what can be accomplished. The lot has been graded, laid out, and planted in aeeordanee with a predetermined plan approved by a well-known landscape architect and authority on parks and playgrounds. The lot was purchased about eight years ago, but nothing had been done to improve it until Dr. Cleveland took hold of the proposition to demonstrate what could be done in various parts of the Town by a little cooperation.
Charles W. Eliot Park
A survey was made and plan prepared by the Engineering Department in consultation with Mr. Arthur A. Shurtleff, Landseape Arehitect, for the development of the pareel of land in the rear of the Baleh Sehool, given to the Town by Honorable Charles Sumner Bird. The plan provides for an athletic field which ean be flooded for skating in the winter, wading pool, playgrounds and field house, and a section well shaded set apart as a recreation spot for women and small ehildren.
At the request of Mr. Bird the park will be known as "Charles W. Eliot Park" in honor of Charles W. Eliot, President Emeritus of Harvard Col- lege.
Shattuck Park
At the Special Town Meeting held December 29, 1924, Mrs. Emma L. Shattuek presented to the Town, in memory of her late husband, Edmund J. Shattuck, a traet of approximately ten acres at the head of Bond Street to be used for park purposes.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Mr. G. A. Smith, Engineer
The demand for engineering services by the various Town Departments and Committees continues to grow, and it probably will not be long before an additional assistant, on part time basis, will be required to meet the de- mand.
It is highlý important that all construction work and planning be done on a scientific basis, and that records and plans of work be made and kept available at all times. The department has rendered serviees which could not be duplicated privately for many times the eost, and is available for adviee to all Town Officials or Departments at all times.
The following indicates the scope of serviee rendered in 1924:
Highway Department
178 days
Sewer Department
139 days
Water Department.
24 days
Assessors 77 days
Cemetery Department
14 days
1
160
Parks .
13 days
School Department
81 days
Drainage. 27 days
Board of Survey
4 days
Zoning Map.
10 days
Norwood Square Development.
43 days
LIGHT DEPARTMENT Mr. F. S. Barton, Superintendent
The Town Accountant's Report shows that a substantial profit was earned by the Light Department in 1924.
Due to business conditions, less power was required by some of our industries than in the preceding year. New business, however, nearly compensated for the loss, and a gradual reduction of the coal clause in our contract with the Edison Company resulted in a saving of about $8000.00 in the purchase of power.
Two hundred and thirty-nine new customers were added to our lines, and eleven new street lights were installed.
One hundred and one new poles were set, replacing small or decayed poles, and two hundred and nine cross-arms attached.
There were fourteen interruptions in service of from two to thirteen minutes duration during the year, due to breaks in the machinery or lines of the Edison Company.
One of our large voltage regulators was burned out in October which necessitated the rewinding of the regulator and a set of new coils. The cost of repairs, $1250.00, was paid by The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspec- tion and Insurance Company.
We continue to furnish power for the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company.
POLICE DEPARTMENT Mr. William C. Kindelan, Chief
One new police officer was added to the force in April; the organization now numbering thirteen men, including the Chief and Sergeant.
Five hundred and eighty-two, or seventy-eight more arrests were made than in the preceding year, as shown below.
The liquor situation has been held down by diligent work, and less in- toxication is evident than ever before.
The Town has been patrolled as extensively as the number of officers would permit; the outlying sections being covered by the motorcycle officer when weather conditions would allow.
Automobile traffic regulations have added to the work of the department, more than 25% of the total arrests being for violation of auto laws.
The total amount of fines paid was $5,940.00, of which $2,400.00 was for liquor cases.
161
Summary of Arrests
Assault.
1
Assault and Battery
2
Assault to Rape
1
Attempt to Rescue Prisoner .
1
Bastardy
1
Being Neglected Children.
10
Breaking and Entering
5
Breaking and Entering and Larceny .
8
Breaking and Entering in the Night Time
4
Capias .
3
Carrying Concealed Weapon
1
Carrying Loaded Revolver
1
Conveying Leased Property
1
Delinquent.
4
Default Warrant.
2
Disturbance
11
Disorderly House
1
Drunk .
197
Failure to Pay Wages.
2
Gaming on Lord's Day
9
Insane
11
Insane, Escaped.
1
Keeping and Exposing
8
Receiving Stolen Property
4
Larceny .
20
Liquor Nuisance .
1
Malicious Injury to Building.
4
Neglect of Minor Child .
1
Neglect of Wife
4
Non-Support.
5
Operating Auto While Drunk
14
Present, Gaming Lord's Day .
10
Runaway from Home.
2
Safe Keeping
2
Suspicion of Breaking and Entering
1
Suspicion of Larceny
7
Suspicious Person
5
Throwing Glass in Street.
1
Unlawful Appropriation of Auto
1
Unlawful Sale of Liquor
23
Unlicensed Dog
8
Uttering Fraudulent Check
2
Vagrancy
2
Violation of Auto Laws.
163
Violation of Fish and Game Laws
1
-
162
Violation of Food and Drug Laws. 2
Violation of Probation . 2
Violation of Town By-Laws 7
Violation of United States Immigration Laws 1
Disposed of as follows:
Appealed 11
Complainant Refused to Prosecute.
1
Continued for Trial.
6
Defaulted
3
Delivered to Wrentham School Officer
2
Delivered to United States Immigration Inspector
1
Delivered to Probation Officer
1
Delivered to Westwood Police
5
Delivered to Canton Police.
3
Delivered to Parent.
1
Delivered to Sheriff from N. H.
1
Delivered to Norfolk Police.
1
Discharged
3
Dismissed .
10
Dismissed for Want of Prosecution .
4
Females
24
Filed
39
Fined . 281
Fined and Suspended Sentence.
5
Fined and Sentenced to House of Correction .
2
Fined and Committed .
1
Foxboro Insane Hospital
10
For Out of Town Police
16
Grand Jury
16
Males.
555
Minors
87
Probation
37
Released .
103
Sentenced to Lyman School
2
Sentenced to State Farm.
1
Sentenced to Shirley School.
1
Sentenced to House of Correction
12
Suspended Sentence Revoked.
5
Taken, Public Welfare Department.
6
Westboro Insane Hospital .
1
Total Arrests.
582
Total Amount of Fines
$5,940
Fines in Liquor Cases
$2,400
Difference
$3,540
Suspended Sentence. 27
163
Superior Court
Fined 2
Probation 2
Sentenced to Concord Reformatory 1
Sentenced to House of Correction.
1
Total Amount of Fines.
$75
Miscellaneous Duties Performed
Abandoned Children Cared for 2
Accidents Reported and Investigated.
122
Buildings Found Open and Secured .
141
Cases Investigated . 1,056
Dangerous Buildings Reported.
1
Dead Bodies Cared for . 8
Death as Result of Fire.
1
Death as Result of Auto Accident
1
Death by Drowning.
2
Defective Cesspools Reported.
1
Defective Drains and Vaults Reported.
3
Defective Hydrants Reported
4
Defective Lamps Reported.
162
Defective Sewer Reported.
4
Defective Streets and Walks Reported.
17
Defective Water Pipes Reported .
4
Disturbances Suppressed .
60
Disturbances Suppressed without Arrests
49
Dogs Killed by Police.
56
Horses Killed .
2
Killed by Railroad Train
2
Lost Children Restored
9
Insane Persons Taken in Charge.
12
Missing Persons Reported.
21
Officers Attending Fires on Alarms
44
Lodgers at Lock up
19
Liquor Raids. 12
6
Suicide by Hanging .
2
Missing Persons Found .
7
Street Obstructions Removed. 2
Total Days' Attendance in Court by Officers
456
Water Running to Waste Reported.
4
Vacant Houses Reported and Cared for
7
Valuation of Property Reported Stolen in Town $7,845.90
Valuation of Property Recovered . $4,035.34
Valuation of Property Recovered for Other Towns $3,900.00
Sick and Injured Persons Assisted
-
164
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT Mr. Geo. A. Smith, Superintendent
Very little work in the way of new development was undertaken this year, it being felt that we were far enough ahead of our actual needs to warrant a curtailment for a year.
We now have available 37 lots and 73 single graves in the Protestant section, and 26 lots and about 167 single graves in the Catholic section.
There were 148 interments during the year.
A hedge of Norway spruce was set out along the main drive in the Old Parish Cemetery which will eventually hide the back yards of the buildings along Railroad Avenue.
FORESTRY DEPARTMENT Mr. W. A. Metcalf, Superintendent
Nature has come to our aid in suppressing the gypsy moth, the so-called "Wilt" disease killing them in large numbers during the past season so that we have no infestations of a serious character at the present time.
There are still a few small areas scattered about Town where there are brown tail moths, but these should be easily cleaned out.
A new pest (in this vicinity) known as the Satin Moth, so called from its satin like appearance, was found during the summer wherever there were poplars or willows, these being the only trees on which it was found, and apparently confining its feeding to these varieties. The nests, or egg clusters, are similar to those of the gypsy moth, only whiter and smaller. They should be painted with creosote when found, and the trees sprayed with arsenate of lead just as soon as the leaves appear in the spring.
Sugar maples were set out as follows:
Winslow Avenue 57
Bond Street 20
Parkway 11 Douglass Avenue. 3
One hundred were purchased, but nine were stolen during the time they were being set out.
Town Nursery
One thousand each of White and Red Pine, Norway Spruce, Sugar Maples, and 50 White Birch scedlings were set out for future use on our streets. The trees set out in previous years are growing nicely and should make a very attractive grove in a few years.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Mr. H. W. King, Sealer
At the request of the officials of Westwood, Mr. King was permitted to serve as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Town. Subsequently, the
165
State Commissioner of Standards combined the Towns of Norwood and Westwood into district D-1-24; the first official dual district to be es- tablished under the law in the State.
Norwood is to be congratulated upon the character of its merchants, for out of the inspections made, numbering 571, but fourteen were found to be short weight and those only slightly so, due probably to evaporation of moisture in the contents; while on the other hand, forty-three packages were found to be over weight. But three scales, out of 261 tested, were found to be weighing incorrectly.
INSURANCE
At our request a survey of all our public buildings was made by The New England Insurance Exchange with a view of securing a lower rate of insurance. As a result of the survey several recommendations were made by the Exchange, which when carried out resulted in our being re-rated on a lower basis. We subsequently received refunds on premiums paid to. the amount of $585.00. The new rate will save $310.00 annually in premiums.
Much credit is due Mr. Frank A. Morrill for valuable assistance given in securing the new rating.
Respectfully submitted,
W. P. HAMMERSLEY, .General Manager.
STATISTICS POPULATION, VALUATION, TAX RATE
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
Population .
12,589
12,700
13,000
13,500
Valuation .
$16,386,634
$16,005,607 14.80
16.00
State Tax.
38,940
38,904
44,657.08 21,316.09
56,147.80 24,450.81 354,235
$18,876,410 24.70 56,147.00 33,216.33 377,605
14,000 $19,859,865 25.00 41,400.00 30,913.00 417,502
14,000 $20,621,060 25.30 41,400 31,688.03 541,414.51
34,500.00 33,332.00
Amt. Raised by Taxation
HIGHWAY DATA
Miles of Paving.
5.25 13.0 14,956
5.4 18.4 15,662
7.69 28.6 17,328
8.44 17.6 17,883 $68,951.06
9.47 26.01 20,040 $77,638.48
10.86 14.91 21,527 $77,144.40
11.64 14.05 22,801 $78,193.71
12.3 35.54 24,975 $129,548.54
WATER DEPARTMENT DATA
Number of Services
2025 30.0
2034 30.57 290
2064 30.61 290
2112 31.03
2149 31.29 296
2220 31.70 296
2301 31.90 297
2410 32.76 304
Gallons Pumped .
375,000,000
446,981,000 $37.128.96
396,400,000 $37,196.94
450,000,000 $43,932.57
430,438,000 $50,142.56 29,813.94
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