USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1923-1927 > Part 28
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26.54
10,751.39
8,805.72
19,891.48
Tax Levy on Property
466,247.32
496,496.70
521,714.51
585,281.36
24.70
25.00
25.30
26.70
Valuation
18,876,410.00
19,859,865.00
20,621,060.00
' Available Receipts and Balances Note Premiums Estimated Receipts and Transfers
Net Total
Tax Rate
1
196
ANNUAL REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
January 17, 1925.
Seleetmen of Norwood,
Thomas B. Mulvehill, Chairman,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
The following sixteenth annual report covering in brief form the ac- tivities of the law department for the year 1924 is submitted.
The services were largely of an advisory character, but included at- tendance at various hearings and meetings, the preparation of numerous papers and opinions, attention to an extensive correspondence, and par- ticipation in many conferences with town officials and others. Written opinions were rendered to the following departments upon matters as to which opinions were requested, viz., Selectmen, Finance Commission, General Manager, Board of Health, School Committee, Town Clerk and Accountant, Superintendent of Schools. Advice was given when required by several other departments such as the Building Inspector and Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes.
Litigation
Aside from certain claims which were relatively small no matters in- volving litigation against the Town arose during the year. The Neponset River Expense Apportionment proceedings are dealt with elsewhere in this report.
As to the claims above referred to settlement or other disposition with approval of the Selectmen was made in all but two instances. In one of these cases compensation by a Town employee for alleged injuries arising out of the employment was sought. In this case a hearing was given by the Industrial Accident Board and a small award to the employce was made, accepted and satisfied. As to the other case an award of weekly compensa- tion had been made the previous year and the Town sought to terminate the payments on the ground that the employee had recovered from the injury for which compensation was awarded. After hearings had been held the member of the Industrial Accident Board who conducted the hearings died and no decision has been rendered and new hearings are probably necessary. There are no suits pending against the Town and the enviable record of the past as to litigation has been maintained.
Neponset River Expense Apportionment
In the Annual Report for the year 1923 it was stated that it was hoped that a report and award would be made during 1924 by the Board of Com-
197
missioners appointed to apportion one-half the cost of the improvement so-called in and along the Neponset River. This statement was based on an assumption that all the evidence would be presented during the year 1924 and the hearings closed. While certain further hearings were held during the year, viz., in April, May and June, yet only a small amount of additional evidence was heard and the hearings were given over principally to a discussion of law questions and proposed action upon a suggested compromise of the issues before the commissioners.
In April the Hitchcock Bill, so-called, by the provisions of which all the communities would be relieved from bearing any portion of the expense through its assumption by the State, was heard by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means of the Legislature and was given leave to withdraw by the recommendation of that committee and the attempt to dispose of the matter thus failed. Thereafter an active and sincere effort was made on the part of counsel for all the communities involved to reach a compro- mise agreement among themselves for a division of the expense to be borne by them on a percentage basis.
The working out of a definite and reasonable plan of compromise and negotiations with the various counsel were given over principally to my department and they required a deep study of the figures and other evi- dence and many conferences and resulted in the preparation of a draft of an agreement for such compromise which was signed with the approval of their respective officials by the counsel of all the communities except one. At the close of the year efforts were directed with much certainty of success to a modified form of the original draft of compromise agreement which had been suggested as the way out of the difficulty encountered and it is now safe to state that in 1925 the new compromise agreement will be executed in behalf of all the communities and filed with the Board of Com- missioners.
Another and independent question which the commissioners must decide is the total amount to be paid to the Commonwealth and this matter was taken up with the Department of the Attorney General and an under- standing was reached with the Assistant Attorney General in charge sub- ject to the approval of the Attorney General who has the papers under consideration. It appears that the question of interest has been raised and that the Attorney General may decide that the Commonwealth is entitled to interest, in which event further hearings may be necessary on that point as the communities affected do not appear to agree that interest is payable. The position of this department has been from the outset that interest was not a part of the cost to be apportioned. The item is substantial and it is probable that the Supreme Judicial Court will have to decide the matter if the Commonwealth takes and maintains the position that interest is chargeable.
It is apparent from the foregoing statement that definite and satisfactory progress has been made in this case during the year without the expendi- ture of any considerable portion of the substantial sum which was appro-
198
priated to meet the expense of the presentation of Norwood's case, and that final disposition may be expected in 1925 upon a basis which will be fairly equitable.
New Senior High School
Attention was given to the various steps necessary to obtain suitable land for the site for the proposed new Senior High School including an option for the land from the Norwood Housing Association, Inc., as its owner and to the title search and conveyance and to certain incidental papers. Various letters were prepared and loan status and tax levy questions were considered. In connection with the building program advice was given to the special committee in charge including that relating to the agreement for architect's services with Mr. William G. Upham.
Norwood Square Improvement
The scope and character of the Norwood Square development program was such as to call for more or less constant attention of this department during the greater part of the year. Legal questions of importance, many of which were technical and new to the Town, required and received care- ful consideration. They related not only to the engineering details, the layouts, takings and betterment determinations, but also the preliminary steps found necessary to such a sizeable undertaking and its approval by the Town Meeting.
It is outside the scope of this report to detail the action of this depart- ment, much of which was by way of assistance to the Selectmen whose duties in the matters were numerous and controlling.
It included the preparation of notices, layouts, locations, articles for warrants, motions, orders of taking with betterment estimate provisions, attention to title searches and to deeds, and mortgage releases and to plans, preparation of declaration of street abandonments, certificates as to entry and possession taken, releases of damages and conveyances, also attendance at various hearings and conferences and examination of law. It is believed that title has been acquired to the parcels of land involved and that such progress has been made as was expected and that no litigation will follow. It is certain that no undertaking of the Town except that of the establish- ment of its sewerage system called for more earnest effort and presented more difficult questions for decision than this one for the officials imme- diately concerned in formulating a satisfactory program.
The citizens should know as this department can state from intimate knowledge that all concerned in the effort, particularly the Selectmen, the Finance Commission, the Planning Board and the Memorial Building Com- mittee, worked with one end in view and that was the best interests of the Town as a whole not only for the present but also for the future, and the officials just mentioned are entitled to the commendation and gratitude of the community for the results obtained. It was an exhibition of the
199
Norwood spirit of fair dealing and disinterested cooperation which was most creditable and deserves this encomium.
Miscellaneous Matters
Matters of such importance as to warrant this reference were given necessary attention as follows:
Walpole Sewerage Disposal Bill.
Use of park land by school pupils for playground purposes.
Motor bus transportation.
Compensation claims.
Increase of rates for telephone service.
Board of Survey questions.
Band concert questions.
Additional land for Winslow School purposes.
Proposed Zoning By-Law questions including consideration of and making changes in original draft of by-laws as presented to the citizens.
Preparation of Warrants for and motions for action at Annual and Special Town Meetings.
Preparation of order of taking and Welch release, Cottage Street Re widening.
Advice and action as to several claims against the Town and attention to Union claims by the Town against certain persons.
Preparation of petition and bill for presentation to legislature for authority to borrow money for school purposes and attendance at hearing.
Title searches were made as to the various parcels of land taken by right of eminent domain and as to land purchased for an addition to the Winslow School grounds.
Attention to Dana award and payment questions and release papers Re Washington Street widening.
Preparation of order of taking Re Willowwood Street layout and atten- tion to betterment assessment questions. Also prepared preliminary papers.
Release prepared Re Low claim settlement.
Advice as to Memorial Building situation.
Advice as to Washington Street school land and adjacent park situation and action as to proposed use and papers prepared.
Attention to claim against O'Hare bankrupt estate.
Attention to Holinan particular sewer situation on Market Street and prepared lease and permit papers relative to use of Town land.
Conclusion
The accomplishments in the way of constructive Town program and action this year are of outstanding character. They show real team work first by the officials among themselves and second by the citizens in Town
200
Meeting with such officials. Norwood's progress is certain under such conditions. In the work of this department with respect to title searches especially as to land of the Norwood Housing Association, Inc., the gener- ous assistance rendered gratuitously by Charles E. Houghton, Esquire, Treasurer of this corporation, is gratefully acknowledged.
The consideration and confidence shown by all the Town officials with which this department had dealings and the constant effort of Mr. James E. Pendergast, Town Clerk and Accountant, to furnish papers and other information and to aid in other ways are also most sincerely appreciated and acknowledged.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. HALLORAN, Town Counsel.
1
201
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Norwood:
During the past year the circulation of books at the Morrill Memorial Library has been 73,212 volumes, exceeding last year's circulation by about 3000. The children's room is continuing to render excellent service to the children and about 70 per cent of those eligible to use it are registered as borrowers.
Co-operative work with the schools has continued and books are also being purchased for the High School deposit station as provided for in our last appropriation.
A place has been prepared at the back-line of the lot for a hedge to be set out in the spring. This will add to the looks of the property as well as be a protection to the lawn.
Numerous gifts of books have been received by the Library. The col- lection of vocal and instrumental music which was started some time ago has been of considerable service.
Miss Packard, one of the staff, resigned July 1, and was replaced by Miss Eaton, who received her training at the Westerly, R. I., Library. Miss Shumaker has also become one of the regular staff.
A collection of pictures drawn by children below the eighth grade has been sent to Japan in return for the exhibit which was made at the Library last year.
At the present time the amount in the trust fund legacy left the Library by Mrs. Alice H. Plimpton stands at $52,763.07.
We report with pleasure that our Librarian, Miss Jane Hewett, has been asked to become a member of a librarians' book review club which has as members a number of the librarians from the larger towns around Boston. Her membership in this club is proving of great service to the Library.
The life of the Library the past year has been normal, without any es- pecially distinctive features which should be mentioned.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM T. WHEDON, Chairman, GRACE T. EVERETT, M. AGNES MAHONY, MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, W. W. EVERETT, WALTER BLAIR,
Board of Trustees.
202
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Board of Trustees:
The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library, arranged according to the form recommended by the American Library Association.
Name of the Library
Morrill Memorial Library
Town
Norwood, Massachusetts
Name of Librarian
Jane A. Hewett
Date of founding
1873
Population served
12,627 (1920)
Assessed valuation
18,647,488 (1920)
Terms of use
Free for lending; free for reference
Total number of agencies
Two
Number of days open in 1924
304
Number of hours open each week 48
1 Number of staff 4
Increase
Number of volumes at beginning of year
25,738
Number of volumes added by purchase.
1,256
Number of volumes added by gift
126
Total number at end of year
27,120 ·
Number of magazines and newspapers currently received.
84 titles
88 copies
4
Use
Adult
Juvenile Balch School
High School
Fiction
32,133
21,853
Non-fiction
7,255
8,866
Foreign
611
January-June January-June
Total.
39,999
30,719
2,367
127
Total circulation
73,212
Number of pictures lent
4,901
Finance-See report of Town Accountant.
Registration
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of borrowers registered-1924.
759
367
1126
Total number of registered borrowers.
2344
1827
4171
Books Added to the Library-1924
Adult
Juvenile
Total
General works
29
2
31
Philosophy
12
1
13
Religion
10
2
12
. .
Number of publications issued during year .
203
Sociology
59
63
122
Philology
15
1
16
Natural science
14
18
32
Useful arts
30
11
41
Fine arts
49
13
62
Literature
82
61
143
History
62
29
91
Description and travel.
65
20
85
Biography
105
57
162
Fiction
337
235
572
Total.
869
513
1382
Gifts
Books and pamphlets have been received from
Mr. Richard G. Badger
Mrs. L. C. Marshall
Mr. Ernest J. Baker
Mrs. Charles J. Prescott
Mr. Warren H. Cudworth
Miss Purcell
Master Everett Fenton
Mr. Nohichiro Saito
Master John W. Fulton
Mrs. Luther L. Smith
Frances C. Hamlet
Mr. Domet Thomas
Mrs. Elias Maloof
Rev. L. G. van Leeuwen
Mr. B. A. Whittcmore
Committee on Publication of The New England Aviators
Dennison Manufacturing Company
Macmillan Company
Norwood Christian Science Society
The Plimpton Press
Magazines have been received from
Mr. Phillips Dennett
Mr. John F. Wheelock Mr. Francis O. Winslow
Miss Maude A. Shattuck
Bird chart, games and pictures have been received from
Mr. Francis O. Winslow
Respectfully submitted,
JANE A. HEWETT, Librarian.
204
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 1924:
Building Permits Issued
No. of Permits
Estimated Value $581,600.00
Dwellings
82
Additions to Buildings
52
54,040.00
Garages
105
51,658.00
Industrial Plants .
12
92,250.00
Store Buildings
3
3,700.00
Churches
2
19,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
FORREST M. DOUGLASS, Inspector of Buildings.
1
205
ANNUAL REPORT BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
January 19, 1925.
The Board of Selectmen, Town of Norwood, Mass.
Gentlemen:
We beg to submit herewith the annual report of the Fire Engineers for 1924.
Alarms for the year were recorded as follows:
By Telephone 87 By Box Signal 89
For Fires in Buildings 44 For Brush and Grass 82
For Automobiles 6
For False Alarms 41 Out-of-Town 3
Much annoyance was experienced by the great many false alarms sounded, and while a concerted effort by the Fire and Police Departments failed to detect the culprits, the offering of a $50.00 reward has had a beneficial effect.
Because of the great difficulty in keeping the pumping engine, purchased in 1916, in proper working order, and of the expense involved, and because we believed the Town had reached the stage where a larger engine was not only desirable but necessary, we recommended the purchase of a new pumping engine, and an appropriation of $9,500.00 was made for the pur- pose. Bids were asked for, and the following were received:
Maxim Motor Company.
$12,000.00
Allowance on Old Engine. 2,500,00
$ 9,500.00
American-LaFrance Fire Engine Co.
$12,500.00
Allowance on Old Engine. 1,500.00
$11,000.00
Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Co.
$12,500.00
Allowance on Old Engine.
1,000.00
$11,500.00
The Seagrave Co.
$12,500.00
Allowance on Old Engine
$12,500.00
206
The Maxim Motor Company of Middleboro being the low bidder was awarded the contract for a 750 gallon pumping engine of the latest type. The engine was tested at Middleboro before being completed, and met the approval of the New England Fire Insurance Exchange. The machine has been in service since July 24, 1924, and is fully up to specifications.
Considerable difficulty has been experienced in securing competent drivers for our apparatus, and we believe that to this fact is due most of our repair bills. We recommend that the salary paid permanent drivers be such as will enable us to secure drivers who will remain in the service.
The end of the year finds the department in first-class condition, both as to morale and equipment.
The following is a statement of the fire loss for the year:
Risks Involved-Buildings $282,730.00
Contents. 141,679.00
Insurance on -Buildings
231,200.00
Contents. 88,500.00
Damage
-Buildings
52,520.04
Contents. 12,889.71
Insurance Loss-Buildings 43,156.04
Contents 12,462.96
Net Loss
9,790.75
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. BOYDEN, FRANK W. TALBOT, W. P. HAMMERSLEY, Board of Fire Engineers.
207
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
School Committee 1924
Edward F. Brennan, 1 Walpole Strcet, term expires 1925.
Brainard A. Rowe, 28 Florence Avenue, term expires 1925.
Florence M. Field, 54 Winter Street, term expires 1926. Julia R. O'Brien, 4 Railroad Avenue, term expires 1926.
Frederick A. Cleveland, 70 Winter Street, term expires 1927. Arthur S. Hartwell, 90 Winter Street, term expires 1927.
· Organization
Dr. Frederick A. Cleveland . Chairman
Marjorie K. Parker Secretary
Standing Committees
Educational Program Committee: Dr. Cleveland, Miss O'Bricn, Dr. Hartwell.
Finance Committee: Mr. Rowe, Dr. Brennan, Mrs. Field.
Janitors, Schoolhouses and Grounds: Dr. Brennan, Mr. Rowe.
Fucl, 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 Florence 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 Florence Avenuc.
Irenc D. Readel, 506 Walpole Street.
208
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1925
Second Term begins January 5, 1925, ends February 20, 1925 7 weeks
Third Term begins March 2, 1925, ends April 17, 1925 7 weeks
Fourth Term begins April 27, 1925, ends June 26, 1925 9 weeks
First Term begins September 8, 1925, ends December 23, 1925 16 weeks
Holidays
October 12, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, Good Friday, 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. No forenoon session of any grade below the ninth grade Junior High.
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 6.15 p. m. No session of evening school.
209
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In the two preceding annual reports of the School Committee, attention was called to certain unsatisfactory aspects of the school situation in Nor- wood following the Great War. Among those noted were: (1) the disordered condition of educational program and (2) the shortage in building and education equipment. Facing squarely this situation, the School Com- mittee has felt under a deep sense of gratitude to the Finance Commission for the steps taken to inform itself and the Town about school affairs, and especially for the independent surveys and reports made by experts at their request. These reports have not only had a high constructive value, but they now serve to confirm the opinion of the School Committee that the first of these two adverse conditions above mentioned has been cor- rected-so far as may be reasonably expected while the building shortage continues. The part of the educational program which now suffers most on account of the building shortage is the Junior High School. Here the administration has been seriously impaired; the Junior High instruction program could not be fully installed; and discipline has been affected ad- versely-by scattering the classes in three different buildings, and by the necessity of working on double shift. The Senior High School has also suffered certain curtailments, in order to make room for Junior High classes. It is gratifying to the School Committee, therefore, to be told by independent experts employed by the Finance Commission that the dis- ordered condition of the educational program has been abated-so far as may be fairly expected having in mind the disadvantage under which the school administrative authorities have been compelled to work.
Much progress has also been made by the Town in the direction of over- coming the building shortage-created in part by the enforced postpone- ment of construction during the War and in part by a rapid increase in population during a time that construction was curtailed: In 1921, $75,000 was appropriated to complete the west wing of the High School on which construction had been postponed during the War; in 1922, $80,000 was appropriated to build an eight-room addition to the Balch School; at the Town Meeting, December 28, 1923, $100,000 was appropriated to start work on the planning and construction of a new Senior High School, and a commission was appointed to prepare plans and to let contracts; during 1924, $300,000 was added to this original appropriation in order to cover the amount of the main contract awarded by the High School Building Commission, it being understood at the last Town Meeting when the last appropriation was made that about $100,000 more would be required for supplementary contracts to cover the heating and ventilating plant, new equipment and grading. This project, when completed, will have nearly overcome the present building shortage.
Business prudence, however, suggests that the immediate foreseeable future needs be kept before the citizens. Two years ago a series of tables was begun containing information of the kind presented herewith. At the
210
time the earlier statistics were published, the School Committee were thought by some to have overdrawn the picture. But the experience of the last two years has shown that the statement of needs, in terms of esti- mated requirements and building costs, were in fact too small. In pre- paring the estimates of needs to be met, covering the next five years, the Committee has been guided by this experience. The tables which reflect present conditions and past results (as well as estimates) have been pre- pared in such form that little need be said by way of comment or interpre- tation other than to make clear to citizens: (1) what the present and im- mediate building needs actually are; (2) the estimated financial require- ments for meeting present and immediate future school needs; (3) the increasing cost of education per pupil and the possibility of reduction of this cost; and (4) the possibility of maintaining such a standard as is desired by the community without increasing the school tax rate. For the Committee has assumed that what the community wants, rather than. what some individual or board thinks it should Have, is the controlling fact-the purpose of this report being to make the facts known which are necessary to an intelligent consideration of the problem as it really exists.
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