USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1927-1929 > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
11.00
311
376
11
81
1,697
6,099
6,370
1913
3,168
5,188,050
103,660
10,348,670
15,640,380
168,996.23
10.40
340
438
12
9
106
1,622
6,122
8,336
1912
2,955
5,136,490
94,900
9,412,530
14,644,020
145,031.37
9.50
342
427
18
9
133
1,507
6,125
8,060
1911
2,956
5,453,555
83,950
8,824,960
14,362,465
135,174.39
9.00
346
399
35
57
125
1,437
6,130
3,838
1910
2,545
5,523,645
91,250
8,418,385
14,033,280
134,196.17
9.20
370
358
14
17
70
1,286
6,130
375
1909
2,287
6,026,870
91,250
7,680,945
13,799,065
121,866.05
8.50
376
328
19
11
52
1,265
6,130
400
1908
2,150
1,290,095
71,500
4,739,065
6,100,660
160,476.89
25.60
370
350
15
50
1,240
6,130
200
1900
1,670
892,595
3,584,214
4,476,809
83,922.56
18.00
397
328
1
70
20
1,069
6,151
1890
1,096
513,473
2,052,085
2,564,558
45,398.36
16.60
300
410
17
698
6,200
1880
650
456,635
1,338,428
1,795,428
22,486.32
11.80
240
382
1
415
6,231
1872
472
518,540
1,100,016
1,618,556
19,397.79
11.40
185
405
320
6,275
200
890
Estate
Bank Stock
and Buildings
201
HAROLD W. GAY, COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Charges
Collections
Abate- ments
Uncol- lected
1928
Taxes
$805,444.51
$654,402.16
$17,962.80
$133,079.55
Moth Assessment
547.35
457.20
90.15
Appor. of Sewer As- sessments
1,825.91
1,091.75
734.16
Appor. of Sewer Bet- terments
2,419.28
836.35
1,582.93
Appor. of Park Bet- terments
626.50
336.31
290.19
Appor. of Sidewalk Assessments
104.70
104.70
Committed Interest 1927
2,326.38
977.58
1,348.80
Taxes
109,937.69
72,894.39
1,210.13
35,833.17
Moth
154.80
85.90
68.90
Appor. of Sewer
736.58
464.09
272.49
Committed Interest
147.65
111.73
35.92
1926
Taxes
27,541.43
23,217.82
3,965.92
357.69
Moth
51.88
14.94
36.94
Appor. of Sewer
328.26
251.74
76.52
Committed Interest
71.54
65.43
6.11
1925
Taxes
3,729.48
889.25
2,773.40
66.83
Moth
12.50
4.00
8.50
Appor. of Sewer
23.65
5.00
18.65
Committed Interest
5.31
.58
4.73
1924
Taxes
938.93
279.56
591.75
67.62
Moth
7.60
7.60
Appor. of Sewer
9.36
9.36
Committed Interest
4.77
4.77
1923
Taxes
165.04
59.22
105.82
Moth
8.80
8.80
Appor. of Sewer
13.67
13.67
Committed Interest
6.44
6.44
Water Rates
91,387.53
73,124.28
603.40
17,659.85
Street Betterments
42,531.45
2,068.60
6,440.00
34,022.85
Park Betterments
11,205.50
1,260.00
4,350.00
5,595.50
Sidewalk Assessments
3,827.40
1,875.47
1,951.93
Sewer Apportionments
12,250.27
1,287.42
10,962.85
Sewer Assessments
9,662.12
3,995.90
5,666.22
-
202
HAROLD W. GAY, TREASURER
Cash on hand, adjusted as per audit, January 1, 1928 Received from Commonwealth of Massachusetts: $ 176,527.78
Corporation Taxes.
80,800.15
Income Taxes
91,978.88
Bank Tax
3,420.82
Street Railway Tax
512.28
Loans Issued:
In Anticipation of Revenue
600,000.00
Municipal Memorial Building
195,000.00
Premiums on same
1,281.10
Electric Light Department:
H. W. Gay, Collector
116,143.14
H. W. Gay, Fees
28.60
H. W. Gay, Treasurer
125.25
F. S. Barton, Collector
140,728.97
F. S. Barton, Prepayment Deposits
2,061.00
F. S. Barton (Collections refunded to Consumers)
223.41
F. S. Barton, Superintendent, Other Sundry Receipts
3,013.19
Cemetery Receipts
5,499.89
Interest on Perpetual Care Funds.
524.90
Interest on Deposits
3,655.25
Interest accrued on Loans
235.39
Departmental Receipts:
General Government ..
9.15
General Overhead
92.75
Town Clerk and Accountant
629.90
Treasurer and Collector
980.37
Town Office Building
424.00
Engineering
17.33
Police Department.
1,055.10
Fire Department
88.10
Forestry
146.20
Sealer of Weights and Measures
154.78
Armory
900.00
Health
433.95
Sewer Construction
105.03
Particular Sewers
4,731.91
Drain Construction
888.45
Removal of Ashes
1,326.69
Highways-General
906.73
Washington Street Widening
16,015.99
Public Welfare.
6,526.52
203
Soldiers' Benefits
$ 12.00
Education
5,814.54
Library
586.47
Recreation.
74.00
Licenses and Permits.
1,132.50
Fines
2,933.50
Dog License Fees from County
1,410.19
Refunds
797.96
Water Department
6,446.12
Perpetual Care Deposits
1,425.00
Other Trust Funds
5,379.17
Tax Titles Redeemed.
29,631.00
Taxes Collected.
751,742.40
Interest on Taxes and Apportioned Assessments
11,273.67
Sewer Assessments
7,095.90
Sewer, Entrance Fees
1,344.05
Water Rates.
73,135.28
Water Fees
359.00
Cemetery Care
908.50
Moth Assessments
562.04
Betterment Assessments
4,334.08
Sidewalk Assessments
2,064.41
Hydrant Rentals
7,500.00
In Lieu of Taxes
9,570.00
In Lieu of Taxes.
12.70
Transfer from Library Trust Funds
44,918.33
$2,427,655.76
Payments on Warrants
$2,345,932.50
Cash on hand December 31, 1928 $ 81,723.26
204
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN FOR THE YEAR 1928
January 7, 1929.
The Selectmen submit the following annual report for the year 1928:
There were held forty-seven regular and five special meetings.
At the annual meeting held January 16, 1928, Thomas B. Mulvehill was re-elected Selectman for the ensuing three years and Herbert H. Miller was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation in 1927 of Phillips Dennett.
The organization for the year was perfected on January 17, 1928 by the unanimous re-election of Thomas B. Mulvehill as Chairman, and James E. Pendergast as Clerk. Mr. Pendergast was also reappointed State Aid and Soldiers' Benefit Agent and Soldiers' Burial Agent.
The following appointments were made during the year:
January 3. John J. Hannigan, Forest Fire Warden for the year 1928. Approved by State Forestry Department on January 11, 1928; reap- pointment.
January 17. James E. Pendergast, Town Clerk and Accountant for term of three years; reappointment.
February 14. Walter H. Hobson, Town Game Warden. Approved by Department of Conservation, Division of Fisheries and Game on March 8, 1928; reappointment.
March 13. Albert Fales, Inspector of Animals. Approved by Director of Division of Animal Industries on March 19, 1928, for term ending March 31, 1929; reappointment.
March 27. J. Henry Corbett, member permanent police force, compen- sation $1800 per year.
March 23. Clarence A. Bingham, General Manager, in succession to Lewis D. Thorpe, resigned. Mr. Bingham also appointed Superin- tendent of Moth Suppression and Tree Warden.
April 3. Albert W. Thompson, Town Engineer. Vacancy caused by death of George A. Smith, as made by general manager, approved.
April 17. Joseph T. Flood and John H. Kelley, Police Officers.
April 25. The following appointments were made for the term of one year beginning May 1, 1928, viz .:
Jennie F. Fales, John R. Parker, and Mary G. Millett, Board of Relief; reappointments.
William H. Sullivan, Pound Keeper and Dog Officer; reappointment. William J. Barrett, J. Irving Reid, and Thomas C. Lydon, Field Drivers; reappointments.
205
Charles O. Littlefield, Austin L. Maddox, and John J. Flaherty (34 Granite
Street;, fence viewers; reappointments.
James A. Halloran, Town Counsel; reappointment.
Forrest M. Douglass, Inspector of Buildings; reappointment.
Alonzo N. Earle, Inspector of Buildings pro tempore.
Walter S. Bagley, Constable; reappointment.
Thomas C. Lydon, Constable.
Thomas H. Hayden and James M. Folan, Public Auctioneers; reap- pointments.
May 22. Dr. George Klein, Town Physician, effective June 1, 1928.
June 19. Letter of resignation dated June 14, 1928 from Mr. George F. Willett as member of the Town Planning Board.
June 26. Francis W. Smith, to fill vacancy in Town Planning Board, made at joint meeting with Planning Board.
July 2. Report from General Manager on resignation of John E. Colburn as Superintendent of Public Works effective August 1, and appointment of Joseph E. Conley, as successor at same salary.
August 14. Advisory Committee of Five on desirability of survey and report in the matter of parks and park system in the Town, consisting of Charles E. Houghton, representing Planning Board; Fred R. Ellis, representing Finance Commission; Herbert H. Miller, representing Se- lectmen; Dr. F. A. Cleveland, representing School Committee; and Clarence A. Bingham, General Manager.
August 14. Joseph E. Conley, Special Police Officer at large for term end- ing May 1, 1929.
October 10. Local Committee on Street and Highway Safety, Herbert J. Johnson, Eugene L. Connolly, George H. O' Brien, Carl Johnson, Edward H. Thompson.
October 24. William H. Sullivan, Chief of Police and Leonard W. Grant, Superintendent of Schools, additional members.
There were appointed from time to time various sworn weighers, measurers of wood and bark, surveyors of lumber and measurers of leather and special police officers.
Various election officers were also appointed for annual town meeting and state primary and state election meetings.
Licenses or permits were granted from time to time to various persons upon due consideration for the conduct of certain lines of business in the manner required by law as follows: common victuallers; innholders; junk collectors; second-hand furniture; pool room; Medway-Dedham Bus Line, Inc. license for transportation of passengers for hire between Norwood and Westwood; Class 1 license to sell, exchange, and assemble motor cars and parts; Class 1 license for purchase, sale, repair and exchange of second- hand motor vehicles; Third class license to purchase, sell, exchange or as- semble second-hand motor vehicles and parts; Sunday entertainment; Sales of ice cream, confectionery, fruit and soda water on the Lord's Day;
206
Garage; several licenses to operators of New England Transportation Company busses; license to peddle fruit and vegetables in Norwood; Clark's Pharmacy (May 6, 1928) sixth-class license for the sale of intoxicat- ing liquor for year beginning May 1, 1928; conduct of employment agency; New England Transportation Company motor busses renewal; Norfolk Hardware Supply Co., Inc., license to sell and store ammunition and fire- arms at 684 Washington Street; Homer A. Perigny, doing business under name Canton-Blue Hills Bus Line, license to operate one motor vehicle, capacity twenty-one persons, for transport of passengers for hire over certain streets in Norwood in accordance with schedule of fares and number of trips as set forth in petition; Pierce Bus Lines, Norwood and Walpole transportation and operators' licenses renewed; keeping, storing and selling gasoline on premises indicated; license for conduct and maintenance of a garage for the repair of motor vehicles; permit to maintain a street sign; Norwood Post No. 70, American Legion Auxiliary permit to sell pop-corn, ice cream and tonic in connection with free band concerts during season 1928; roller-skating contest permit for April 19, 1928, subject to General Manager's action; permit to Salvation Army for Tag Day on May 26; permit to Norwood Lodge of Moose, No. 1243, to play baseball on Sunday, July 29 on premises of Norwood Civic Association, no admission to be charged or collections to be taken.
Action by way of recommendation to the State Director of Standards was taken with respect to various applications for licenses to peddle in other localities in the state which were referred by the Director for con- sideration and report.
Claims and Litigation
Various claims against the Town some of which involve litigation had consideration and were dealt with as follows:
Myer Dana-Abatement was sought of betterment assessments levied on three parcels of land in the vicinity of the Town Square so-called on account of the park and street improvements and was refused as was reported last year. Mr. Dana then petitioned for an assessment by a jury in the Superior Court for Norfolk County by way of appeal from the refusal of the Selectmen to grant the abatements requested. The present status of the suits is set forth in the report of the Town Counsel.
George W. Pelham, Era H. Pelham-Actions of tort for personal injuries and automobile damage reported upon in 1927. The report of the Town Counsel indicates the status of these cases.
Mary Curran-For injuries alleged to have been sustained through a fall on an icy sidewalk in the South Norwood district. Acting on advice of Town Counsel liability was denied and her claim was directed against the owner of the premises adjoining the sidewalk and was abandoned as to the Town.
207
Louisa C. Lepper-For damages for an easement for main drain purposes taken in her land at No. 25 Beech Street. In the opinion of the Se- lectmen no damage was sustained by the location and construction of the drain.
Mrs. William Welch-Sidewalk accident claim. See report of Town Counsel for details.
Anthony Moneikis-Suit for damages for false arrest and imprisonment which was abandoned. See report of Town Counsel for details.
John Boo Abdallah-Reimbursement sought of amount expended for side- walk construction on Washington Street between Dean Street and Oolah Avenue, and adjoining his property. This claim was refused.
Some minor claims had attention and were disposed of without expense to the Town.
Peter J. Qualtieri-The claim of the Town against Qualtieri is dealt with in the report of the Town Counsel.
Fire Extinguishment-Municipal Cooperation
Through action taken by the Selectmen of Canton, Sharon, Walpole and Westwood respectively under the authority of Chapter 250 of the Acts of 1925, the fire departments of these several towns are authorized to go to the aid of the Fire Department of Norwood in extinguishing fires in Norwood when in the discretion of the respective chiefs of the fire de- partments of said towns it is advisable to do so.
In response to such action it was voted on February 14 as follows: That the Fire Department of Norwood is authorized to go from time to time as and when in the discretion of the Chief of the Norwood Fire De- partment it is advisable to do so, with due regard of the need therefor and the proper fire protection of Norwood, to aid the Towns of Canton, Sharon, Walpole, and Westwood in extinguishing fires therein in response to calls for such purpose from the Selectmen of the Towns of Canton, Sharon, Walpole and Westwood or the majority of or either of them or from such official or officials of said towns as the Selectmen of said towns may designate through written notice to the Selectmen of Norwood.
Lay-Outs and Orders of Taking
On March 20, 1928, following hearings held; the following named new streets were laid out, namely:
Hawthorn Street, Fairview Road, Beacon Park Road, Extension of Lincoln Street, Extension of Vernon Street, Extension of Maple Street.
203
On the same date the following described main drains were laid out, namely:
1. Main drain leading from Washington Street, easterly through land of Norwood Press, Inc.
2. Main drain leading from Wa nut Avenue souther'y through a private way, property of Elks Building Corporation and through other land of Elks Building Corporation to the so-called Everett Drain in land of Mary D. Murphy.
3. Main drain leading westerly from Washington Street through a proposed extension of Cedar Street and a proposed street some times known as Youngs Avenue and through the land of Michael Cofsky.
Thesc several lay-outs were filed with the Town Clerk and duly reported to the Town as required by law and were accepted and allowed at a town mccting held March 20, 1928.
Thereafter, namely, on April 25, 1928, orders of taking by right of eminent domain were adopted with respect to the various parcels of land involved in the lay-outs to the extent of the easements required for street and drain purposes respectively, and copies of such orders of taking were thereafter recorded in the Registry of Deeds for Norfolk County.
Sidewalks and Sidewalk Assessments
On June 26, 1928 suitable orders were adopted for the reconstruction of existing sidewalks with cement granolithic and providing that a reasonable amount not exceedingly one-half the cost be assessed upon the abutters with respect to the following streets:
Adams Street, east side from Railroad Avenue to Roosevelt Avenue,
Hoyle Street, southcrly,
Everett Avenue, south side,
Guild Street, south side,
Nahatan Street, south side from Fulton Street to Prospect Street, Prospect Avenue, northerly side,
Savin Avenue, westerly side Chapel Street to Melville Avenue,
Walpole Strcet, easterly side,
Central Street, Broadway westerly,
East Hoyle Street.
Copies of such orders were filed for record in the Registry of Deeds for Norfolk County as required by law.
On May 1, 1928 there was issued a Warrant committing to the Col- lector of Taxes the collection of the sum of $3243.11 by way of assessments for sidewalks reconstructed during 1927.
Street Safety Trophy
In January notice was received from the Governor's Safety Trophy Committee to the effect that the final figures in the Street Safety Contest
209
showed that Norwood had first place in Group 3 with respect to highest percentage of reduction in motor vehicle accidents on its ways and would be awarded the trophy for that group. On the invitation of the Com- mittee, Chairman Mulvehill attended the exercises held on February first at the Parker House in Boston at which the trophies in the several classes were awarded and was presented by Governor Fuller with the Norwood trophy which has been placed in the new Memorial Municipal Building.
Highland Cemetery Charges
On February 14, 1928 it was voted to adopt the following schedule of charges with respect to Highland Cemetery:
Single graves, $20.00.
Lots, $1.00 per square foot.
Interments-April 1 to December 1 (Saturday afternoon, Sundays and holidays excepted).
Opening of graves for adults, $12.00.
Opening of graves for children, $8.00.
Infants in graves and lots, $4.00.
Infants in free lot, $2.00.
December 1 to April 1.
An advance of $2.00 on each of the foregoing charges. Saturday after- noons, Sundays and Holidays, $2.00 additional to the foregoing charges.
Annual Care.
Lots up to 200 sq. ft Annual Charge, $4.00.
Lots 201-300 sq. ft. Annual Charge, $6.00.
Lots 301-400 sq. ft. Annual Charge, $8.00.
Perpetual Care Deposits.
Single graves, $25.00.
Lots up to 200 sq. ft., $125.00. Lots 200-300 sq. ft., $150.00.
Lots 300-400 sq. ft., $200.00.
Beginning 1929 bills for care to be sent in advance by April 1 of each year
New Memorial Municipal Building
The new Memorial Municipal Building was dedicated with appropriate exercises arranged and conducted by the Memorial Municipal Building Committee on Armistice Day, viz .: Sunday, November 11, 1928. The Selectmen took acceptance for the Town through Chairman Mulvehill by the formal presentation of the keys by Chairman Foley of the Building Committee. The beautiful and spacious room set apart for the Selectmen was occupied, and the first meeting was held by the Selectmen in this room on November 13, 1928.
It is already apparent that the duties of the Selectmen as well as all departments under them can be performed and the public accommodated more satisfactorily and comfortably in the new quarters.
210
Buckmaster Pond Situation
In view of the development for residential purposes of land adjoining Buckmaster Pond in Westwood as reported to the Selectmen in August, consideration was given to appropriate action to safeguard the water supply of the Town from that source against possible contamination through the use by owners of such land whether actually abutting or sufficiently close to the shore of the pond to be potentially of concern.
Inquiry was made through the General Manager as to terms upon which the land bordering on the pond could be purchased from the owners, but the prices named were not regarded as attractive.
Action was taken however, in September in the form of posting on the land near the high water mark of the pond printed copies of the rules and regulations adopted by the State Department of Health in 1921 for the protection of this water supply.
This matter will have continuing attention.
LEGISLATION
South Metropolitan District Sewerage System Extension
The Town was vitally interested in the passage of the legislation recom- mended to the General Court for 1927 for enactment into law through a special report made by the State Department of Public Health relative to the extension of the South District Metropolitan Sewerage System in the valley of the Neponset River. As stated in our report for last year the matter was referred to the next session of the legislature to be held in 1928.
Norwood was faced with the ever increasing need of additional filter beds at greater cost for its own sewerage system and a condition of the river from use by Walpole and Norwood as well as other towns down the stream which was reported by the State authorities to be remediable satis- factorily only by a large trunk line sewer to the sea, the more necessary as the river valley towns grew in population and industries.
The cost of the branch trunk line with side line to Stoughton of the South Metropolitan Sewerage System proposed by the State Department of Health to relieve the situation was estimated to be about $2,365,00.00.
It is to be remembered that the special report of the State Department of Public Health was the result of a petition to the General Court authorized at an earlier special town meeting requesting an investigation and report with recommendations as to the necessity or desirability and cost of ex- tending the South District Metropolitan Sewerage System in the Upper Neponset Valley, and granted through Resolves for 1926 No. 43.
When the matter was heard in Committee in 1927 not only were Boston, Quincy, Wellesley and Newton in opposition, but also Walpole. That the opposition might not bring about the defeat of the measure through adverse reports by appropriate committees at the session for 1928 to which
211
it was referred steps were taken to secure cooperation in support of the measure upon the part of Walpole, Canton, Stoughton and Norwood, the four towns most strongly interested. It was sought also to interest the support of Sharon, Milton and Dedham.
On January 24, therefore, a committee consisting of Chairman Mulvehill and Clerk Pendergast of the Selectmen, Chairman Prescott of the Finance Commission and General Manager Thorpe was named to arrange a definite program of cooperative action.
Conferences were held with the officials of Walpole, Canton, and Stough- ton and a general committee representing the several communities was created and a definite course of action was agreed upon and followed at the several legislative hearings held by the Committees on Metropolitan Affairs and Ways and Means. In addition to the general committee a num- ber of representative citizens appeared at the hearings and supported the measure recommended by the State Department of Health.
Norwood led the way through Clerk Pendergast who made a careful study of the various factors entering into the problem and prepared and presented briefs covering every phase of the matter going into the historic side and clearly setting forth the present and future needs and particularly the financial features as to their fairness and effect on all communities subject to assessment for any part of the cost involved.
Strong opposition came from Boston, Newton, Wellesley, Milton and Quincy and to some extent from Needham, principally on the question of the large expense involved and the manner of its apportionment. When it became evident that the legislation would have the approval of the Com- mittee on Ways and Means in some modified form the opposition aided materially by the Chief Engineer of the Metropolitan Sewerage District Commission sought to change the financial terms so as to increase very largely the payments to be made by Walpole, Norwood, Canton and Stoughton upon admission to the South District System and thereafter it was necessary to meet this form of opposition. Fortunately the attitude of the legislative committee and finally of the Governor was such that while the total expense apportioned to Walpole, Norwood, Canton and Stoughton was substantially increased, yet it imposed no undue burden judged in the light of the total cost and the benefits to be received from the legislation.
The matter reached a favorable conclusion through the act admitting the towns of Canton, Norwood, Stoughton and Walpole to the South Metropolitan Sewerage District approved June 13, 1928, and known as Chapter 384 Acts of 1928. It requires the Metropolitan District Com- mission to provide an outlet at the Norwood-Walpole town line for the sewage of the town of Walpole, and at the Canton-Stoughton town line for the sewage of the town of Stoughton and to construct a main trunk sewer or sewers through Boston, Canton, Dedham, Milton, Norwood, Sharon, Stoughton, Westwood and Wapole as the Commission may determine to be necessary to receive sewage from Canton, Norwood, Stoughton and
212
Walpole and carry it to a connection with the high-level sewer of the South ยท Metropolitan Sewerage System.
A bond issue not exceeding two million three hundred sixty-five thousand dollars is authorized to meet the expenditure necessary in carrying out the provisions of the act.
The act further provides for an entrance fee of five hundred thousand dollars to be paid in ten annual installments beginning in the year 1929 which is apportioned among the four towns on the basis of the respective valuations of the property of each as determined for the purpose of ap- portionment of state and county taxes. No assessment to meet the cost of maintenance and operation of the system will be made upon any town until the work has been so far completed as to furnish an outlet to receive sewage from such town.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.