USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1923-1927 > Part 75
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On September 7 notice was received from State Fire Marshal Neal of the Department of Public Safety that an appeal from the action taken by the Selectmen in granting the lieense above mentioned had been taken through a petition filed by Francis J. Foley and other objectors and that a public hearing would be held by him on this request on September 9, 1926. This hearing was held and the objections presented at the hearing were taken under consideration and the matter is still pending before Fire Marshal Neal for decision.
Stone Crusher Plant
It was determined on January 13 after consideration of the matter by the Finanee Commission and upon its recommendation following a study of the cost of operation of the stone erusher plant that this plant should be operated for a limited period during the year 1926, and to the extent only of providing a supply for emergency purposes, and that the expense of maintaining the existing location should be kept as low as possible.
It was directed also that crushed stone needed for general construction work should be purchased.
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Parking Regulations
On April 21 regulations were adopted on the recommendation of the General Manager requiring vehicle parking on the westerly side of Washing- ton Street from Railroad Avenue to Walpole Street to be at an angle of approximately 45° to the curbing and vehicle parking on the easterly side of Washington Street to be parallel with the curbing.
It was voted on October 26 following the report by the Town Manager regarding the parking situation in the vicinity of the Norwood Civic As- sociation that no parking of vehicles be permitted after 6.00 p. m. on Winter Street from Linden Street to Washington Street.
Litigation and Claims
The suit brought against the Town in 1925 by Miss Mary E. Oldham growing out of the discontinuance of electricity service to her dwelling house has been disposed of in a manner satisfactory to both parties. An agreement was filed in court which had the effect of dismissing the case without expense to the Town upon the restoration of the electricity service through use of the right of way premises, the title to which had been in ' dispute as indicated in the report of the Selectmen for 1925. The amicable adjustment of the differences between Miss Oldham and the town officials as to what should be done in the situatior was made possible by the action of Miss Oldham in obtaining title to the fee in the right of way premises. There was no admission at any time that the Town was not justified in the course that it took or that the Town was liable in damages for what was . done. In closing the correspondence as to this matter the Selectmen stated that they had been willing at all times to give to Miss Oldham the service desired provided they could do so in a way which would not involve the Town in any difficulty with others as they were advised was then possible.
Alfred L. Atwood, being dissatisfied with the amount, viz .: $1500 awarded to him as owner for damages for the taking by right of eminent domain for public school purposes of a certain parcel of land fronting on a proposed street shown as Cleveland Street, filed his petition in the Superior Court for Norfolk County on April 27, 1926, for a jury to assess his damages.
The Town Counsel was directed to represent the Town in this litigation which is still pending. The award made appears to the Selectmen to be adequate, but it is now for a jury to decide what amount should be paid to Mr. Atwood.
Various claims against the Town had consideration and investigations and reports by the General Manager as to them were required and re- ceived. Action was taken in all cases with the advice of the Town Counsel and his Department was directed to handle such matters in such manner as would protect the interests of the Town. In certain instances such as
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the Keohane land damage claim where the award was increased, and the Maguire claims for personal injury and property damage, compromise settlements were approved and made where it appeared that it was proper and just to take such action.
For more detail as to these matters than appears elsewhere in this report, reference is made to the report for 1926 of the Town Counsel.
Rates for Electricity
By action taken at a meeting held on March 16 the following prices for electricity were established, namely:
"A" Rate
First 500 kilowatt hours each month, 9 cents per kilowatt hour.
On all bills in excess of one ($1.00) dollar per month paid within fifteen days of date of bill, a discount of 2 cents per kilowatt hour.
Next additional kilowatt hours in excess of 500 each month, 5 cents per kilowatt hour (with no discount).
"B" Rate
Demand hours-15 cents per kilowatt hour.
Excess hours-4 cents per kilowatt hour.
Demand to be figured on a basis of 360 demand hours per year and at a uniform monthly demand of 30 demand hours per month.
All services furnished on "B" rate must be paid within fifteen days from the date of bill. Failure to do so will be deemed a cause for terminating · the existing contract in which case the "A" rate will be substituted therefor.
Power Service
All existing rates and contracts to continue except that on all bills for energy furnished after April 1, 1926, the surcharge of ten per cent on demand and energy charges is discontinued, discount provision of five per cent on total bill also to be discontinucd on all bills for electric energy furnished after April 1, 1926.
Honorable Frank Aldrich Fales
The following resolution was adopted on December 28 upon the receipt of official notice from the Finance Commission of the death of their fellow member.
Whereas, Honorable Frank Aldrich Falcs, a member of the Finance Commission for the past eleven years, a former Selectman for over twenty ycars, who had also served the Town in several other official capacities, departed this life on Friday, December 24, 1926, at the age of seventy-eight years:
Now, Therefore, be it Resolved that the Town of Norwood has lost an eminent public servant whose efficient and faithful service for upwards of forty years has materially aided in the development and progress of the town, an official whose interest in its affairs was remarkablein itsconstancy
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and vigor, a man of marked political and business ability who was always ready to answer to the call for service and whose personality has left an impress on its activities which it will be difficult to exeell. It was fortunate that he was given an abundance of such useful years. His death is mourned by his fellow-officials and by the citizens generally.
Be it Further Resolved that this testimonial to his high standing and pro- nounced worth be extended on the records and that a copy be sent to his. widow, Mrs. Jennie F. Fales.
Miscellaneous
After conference on March 9 with representatives of the School Com- mittee, Planning Board, Women's Community Committee and South Norwood Business Men's Association relative to additional land for Charles W. Eliot Park, it was voted that a committee be appointed to report to the Selectmen and Finance Commission on the question of the desirability of securing additional land in the vicinity of the Park, and as to whether the proposed appropriation of $2500 in the budget for 1926 should be ex- pended for the purchase of additional land or for the improvement of the land already owned. The following were appointed to membership in said Committee, viz .: Fred R. Ellis, Harold W. Baker, Eli D. Chamberlain, Frederick A. Cleveland and Lucile W. Riemer.
On June 15. this committee reported recommending that the budget allotment of $2500 for the improvement of the park should be used to meet the expense of carting fill from the new filter beds and of spreading the same. The committee also recommended that an option on a parcel of land adjoining the park be secured, provided the land could be purchased at a reasonable figure.
After conference with the Finance Commission it was agreed with respect to the Police Department that the maximum salary to be paid to patrol- men should be increased to $2000, but the minimum should remain at $1600.
Applications were made on March 23 for licenses for motion picture theatres to be located on land fronting on Memorial Park, so-called, and on land fronting on Washington Street respectively. As to the application relating to the Memorial Park frontage location it was indicated that the Selectmen looked with favor on granting a license and that on completion of the proposed building, favorable consideration would be given to a formal application.
Following a report from Engineer Thorpe on October 11 with respect to the surfaeing of proposed streets and upon his suggestion that it was desirable that it be required as a condition of acceptance of new streets which had been constructed by the owners of the property through which such streets passed, that water mains shall be installed prior to the placing
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of finished surfacing, it was Voted that in all cases of the development of private property by the owners thercof and the laying out of private ways for public use wherever it appears upon the construction of such private ways that the Town will be called upon to accept such private ways as public streets, a condition be imposed that the owner or owners of land through which such private ways pass shall install at their own expense water mains of a suitable size before surfacing of such proposed streets is completed.
A communication was received on November 9 from the Clerk of the Selectmen of Westwood stating that the attention of the Selectmen of Westwood had been called to the pond in Westwood from which Norwood was taking its water, because the wells of all the owners of property around the pond had gone dry.
The letter also containcd the following question: "Do your rights allow you to make this condition possible and whether or not the Water Com- missioners of Norwood are willing to stop pumping until water can be had in these wells?"
It was voted that the Selectmen of Westwood be informed that the Town of Norwood was entirely within its rights in taking water from Buckmaster Pond as it had been doing, but the Selectmen do not, how- ever, undertake to pass upon the condition of the wells referred to, and that they be further informed that it was the intention of the Selectmen to stop pumping from Buckmaster Pond as soon as the work of painting the standpipe was completed, the exact date being somcwhat dependent upon the weather.
At the meeting held on November 30 consideration was given to plans for the proposed development of the Chandler lot on Pleasant Strect and it was determined that Miss Chandler, the owner of the property should be notificd that the Selectmen were agreeable to recommending to the Town that action be taken which would result in locating the exterior lines of a proposed private way for public use, which would be an extension of the proposed Garfield Avenue as now shown on plan for the develop- ment of land owned by Alfred L. Atwood, and that she should be notified also of the amount that the Selectmen were of the opinion would represent a fair and just compensation to her for a release to the Town of all damages on account of the easement which the Town would acquire for highway purposes and laying out and constructing of such extension of said pro- posed Garfield Avenue and for the fee title in a triangular plot of land containing about 4,176 square feet and owned by her lying northerly of said proposed Garfield Avenue, easterly of a proposed extension of Clevc- land Street and southerly of land of the Town of Norwood.
A notice was received on November 9 from the State Department of Public Works, Division of Highways, that it had assigned to the Town
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F. W. D. Truck No. 223 for the work of snow removal on certain of the main highways between Westwoed and Walpole, the same to be called for on November 26. The General Manager was instructed to receive this equipment.
At the suggestion of the Finance Commission by letter received on November 23 a petition to the County Commissioners to widen Washington Strect by relocating the lines of this highway between Railroad Avenue and Prospect Street was prepared and presented. The County Com- missioners pursuant to law ordered a hearing to be held on this petition on, January 11, 1927.
Consideration has been given to the desirability of assuring to the Town for the next five years at least an adequate supply of water and an in- vestigation by the General Manager of the quality and quantity of the supply available in certain districts was ordered by action taken on No- vember 23.
Following an investigation made by the General Manager, as instructed . he reported on August 17 that in his opinion the overflow from certain manholes connected with the sewerage system was due to the fact that a large number of cellars were so arranged that the ground water was con- veyed directly into the sewerage system, and he requested the support of the Selectmen in enforcing the regulations relating to sewers which pro- vide that no ground or roof water shall be allowed to enter the sewer mains.
It was voted upon consideration of this report that the General Manager be authorized to use any funds appropriated for sewer maintenance to remedy the conditions complained of and be directed to enforce the existing regulations relating to the situation.
A public hearing was held on August 31 on the application of Herbert Singleton and Coleman J. Coyne for a license to conduct and maintain a garage to keep, store and sell gasoline on the premises numbered 94 Market (now Central) Street. The petitioners stated that they intended to erect a building of cement block construction about twelve feet in height with pitched roof at a distance of about three feet from the Town property line and to house thirty-five automobiles. On September 27 a special meeting was held at which the views of town officials who would make use of the Municipal Memorial Building soon to be erected were obtained, and which views were unfavorable to the use proposed for this adjoining property. Upon further consideration of the matter on September 28 it was voted not to grant the license sought.
On September 15 it was voted to adopt the layout for the development of Memorial Park as shown on a plan submitted by the General Manager and prepared by Landscape Engineer Shurtliff.
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On September 28 a conference was held with the Planning Board as to the new draft of the proposed zoning by-law.
On October 19 on report of the General Manager it was voted that permission be given to install for demonstration purposes certain traffic control signals on Washington Street, the property of Crouse-Hines Con- pany and that the General Manager be authorized to state to that Com- pany that if on a fair test the signals proved to be satisfactory the Select- men would recommend that an appropriation be made sufficiently adequate to purchase such equipment.
William P. Nickerson presented claims for water damages to the cellar portion of his apartment property on Chapel Street which he stated were due to the flooding of Elks Park for skating purposes. The claims were for the cost of repairing the heating apparatus in 1924 amounting to $126.56 and for damages amounting to $50 during the winter of 1925-26.
Without admitting liability for the conditions mentioned, a satisfactory adjustment of these claims was made through an understanding with Mr. Nickerson that a main drain would be laid out and constructed through his premises, and that his claims were to be released.
On July 13 sewer assessment levies were approved and ordered to be committed to the Collector of Taxes for collection.
Because of general complaint on account of the nature of the firework exhibition at the Carnival held on Saturday, July 17, the following resolu- tion was adopted and ordered to be made known to the Chief of the Fire Department, namely:
"All permits issued after July 21, 1926, for the exhibition of fireworks shall contain the express condition that no loud noise-producing fireworks shall be exhibited in the Town of Norwood, and all exhibitions of fire- works shall begin not later than 11.00 P. M. legal time."
It was voted that the General Manager should see to it that the spirit . as well as the letter of this resolution should be observed and that in case of violation of the conditions of any permit issued by the Chief of the Fire Department for an exhibition of fireworks, demand be made for the sur- render of the permit and the exhibition be stopped forthwith.
The sale of pop-corn and refreshments on town property at band con- certs during the summer season of 1926 by the American Legion Auxiliary to Norwood Post No. 70 was authorized.
A license of the third class was granted on February 16 to Gerald L. Hawkins as a retail druggist under the provisions of Chapter 138, General Laws, to sell intoxicating liquors for medicinal, mechanical and chemical purposes only, and to such persons only as shall certify in writing the use for which it is required.
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On June 15 it was voted that signs be posted on the parkway between Bond Street and Hoyle Strcet giving notice that trucking was prohibited in the parkway as it was to be used exclusively by pleasure vehicles.
On June 29 the General Manager was authorized to cause the present wooden poles to be removed and underground cables to be installed on Nichols Street from Elliot Street to provide electricity for the new Senior High School building.
On July 6 it was voted that the Boston Post cane be tendered by the Chairman to Mr. Michael Folan of 126 Cottage Strcet as the oldest living resident.
At a meeting held on March 30, 1926, it was voted with respect to future extensions of water mains, that a guarantec be required of a payment of ten per cent yearly of the estimated cost.
On June 22 it was voted that a contract be made with the Norwood Band for a series of eight concerts to be given at the bandstand during the usual summer period, and that the Band be given permission to sell tags.
At a meeting held on April 6 consideration was given to the matter of the proposed development of the district south of Winter Street and west of Nichols Street at the request of Mr. George F. Willett. On April 21 the Selectmen sitting as the Board of Survey conferred with the Planning Board and considered plans submitted by the Norwood Housing Association, Inc., as to this district.
Upon the suggestion of Norwood Post 70, American Legion as to the disposition of German war trophies, two of the smaller pieces of the group were placed at Highland Cemetery near the memorial.
With respect to the reconstruction of that portion of Walpole Street between Chapel Strect and Washington Street by resurfacing with cement concrete, an agreement was entered into by the Town with the State De- partment of Public Works, Division of Highways on May 18.
In furtherance of this project an appropriate petition was presented to the County Commissioners to relocate that portion of the strcet for such reconstruction work.
On June 8 it was voted that in the opinion of the Selectmen that portion of Market Street between Washington Street and Nahatan Strect was no longer required for a town way, and that the Town be requested to take action to discontinue the same, but for the purpose, however, of locating such portion as a public park. The Town having voted to discontinue such portion of the street in order to permit the same to be laid out as a public park, the Selectmen adopted on June 15 an order of layout and lo- cation of said portion for a public park and caused the same to be filed and recorded.
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On August 31 it was decided that with a view to prevent the dumping of garbage in the future at the town dump location on Lenox Street that the hours when the dump could be used for proper purposes by the public should be regulated and that an attendant should be in charge to supervise such use.
Upon information furnished by Mr. James J. Drummey that he had available from 2000 to 3000 cubic yards of fill by reason of the grading of the new Senior High School building on Nichols Street, which he offered to the Town for delivery at the Charles W. Eliot Park at 60c a yard, it was voted on August 31 that Mr. Drummey be authorized to deliver to said Park premises 2000 cubic yards of fill at the price named as it appeared that the matter had been taken up with the Finance Commission and that it favored the same.
The purchase by the Town from Emily C. Fisher et als. of certain land for school, highway and playground purposes as authorized and directed by action of the Town Meeting held December 28, 1925, and in exercise of the option given by said owners, was completed in June, 1926, by the delivery of a duly executed deed which was recorded in the Norfolk Registry of Deeds. As a condition of such conveyance an agreement was entered into by the Selectmen in behalf of the Town with Troop I (Somerville, Massachusetts) Boy Scouts of America with respect to the temporary occupation of a portion of the premises by said Troop with its camp build- ing and the removal therefrom of the building owned by the Troop or its purchase by the Town under certain conditions set forth in the agreement.
Approval and delivery of deeds for lots in Highland Cemetery had at- tention as the occasion required.
Warrants for the payment of bills were regularly approved.
Budget requirements for the various departments under the control of the Selectmen were considered and determined.
Approval of various note issues and of sales of notes was given from time to time as required by law.
Grand and traverse jurors were drawn from time to time upon notice as required by law.
Soldiers' relief payments were authorized.
Warrants for the Annual and for Special Town Meetings containing articles with respect to matters to be considered were prepared and the meetings so called were duly held thereunder.
List of citizens qualified for jury service was prepared.
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Election officers were appointed for service at the Annual Town Meeting and at the State Primary and State elections.
Relocations were granted with respect to poles, wires and equipment of the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company and Eastern Massa- chusetts Street Railway Company upon their applications for.
Written objection was submitted to the Division of Highways, Depart- ment of Publie Works with respect to applications for permits to maintain illuminating advertising signs on roofs of buildings located on Washington Street.
Various water main extensions were granted.
Certain licenses which had been granted were revoked, including a Sun- day sales license and a junk collector's license.
Transfer of certain licenses were approved.
Attention was given to the valuation of town property with respect to the insurance situation.
Fred H. Hartshorn being disabled and past the age of 65 years and having been in the employ of the Town for more than 35 years, was upon his re- quest retired on pension, as permitted by law, by action taken February 16.
The bond of Harold W. Gay, Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes with the American Surety Company of New York as surety in the sum of $50,000 covering his liability as Treasurer and as Collector of Taxes was approved on June 2, the same being acceptable to the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, and the Board of Assessors were duly notified.
Consideration was given at the request of Mr. George F. Willett to the question of placing wires of the electric light system in underground con- duits. An investigation and a report by experts was obtained together with an estimate of the expense involved, with the result that such change was deemed inadvisable at the present time, particularly in view of the large expense involved.
Various conferences were held from time to time throughout the year with the Finance Commission, Planning Board, Board of Health, School Committee, the Municipal Memorial Building Committee and other town officials.
Conclusion
It is hoped that the foregoing resume of the activities of the Selectmen for the year 1926 not only will acquaint the citizens in a fairly compre- hensive way with all important matters which called for attention, but also will bring a general appreciation of the varied and extensive character of
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the Town's business that the Selectmen in the various capacities in which they act are called upon to supervise and carry on.
It is certain that the problems of the Town with which the Selectmen must deal are steadily increasing in number and importance, and your Selectmen ask the support, confidence and cooperation of all citizens in the consideration and solution of these problems in such a manner as will serve the best interests of Norwood
Advantage is taken of this opportunity to express appreciation of the fine spirit of association and helpfulness shown by our fellow-officials.
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