Norwood annual report 1927-1929, Part 31

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1927
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1016


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1927-1929 > Part 31


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Litigation


Pelham Suits


These cases are actions of tort for personal injuries and property damage alleged to have been sustained in an automobile accident on Dean Street in October, 1926, and require proof by the Plaintiffs of the defective con- dition claimed and were referred to in the report made last year as pending at the beginning of that year. They have not been reached for trial but should be disposed of during the year 1929 by trial. Counsel for the Plaintiffs submitted a compromise offer of settlement which could not be entertained. Opportunity has been given, however, to these parties to show in advance of trial that liability may be found to exist as the only


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basis upon which a compromise settlement would be considered and could be justified.


Dana Suits


Myer Dana of Brookline filed in the Superior Court for Norfolk County on January 12, 1928 five petitions. These petitions which are now pending recite that betterment assessments were levied on certain described parcels of real estate in Norwood of which he is owner and that he petitioned the Selectmen for an abatement of the assessments which was refused and, being aggrieved by the refusal, requests that the value of the benefit and advantage to the several estates occasioned by the improvements to which the assessments relate be determined and that assessment be made by a jury. There are three parcels involved. As to two of the parcels there were both park and street improvement assessments. As to the third parcel there was an assessment for street improvement only. The land in question is in the vicinity of the Town Square so-called. Mr. Dana claims that the assessments are excessive. The Memorial Park con- stitutes one of the improvements referred to while the new streets and changes in existing streets in the Town Square constitutes the other im- provement. The total assessment amounts to $3210.00. The several as- sessments were levied after careful consideration by the Selectmen and under the advice of competent experts and in the opinion of the Selectmen and such experts are just and fair. Therefore, the suits are being defended by this Department under the direction of the Selectmen and should come to trial in 1929, unless otherwise disposed of. Through counsel Mr. Dana has recently offered to settle the suits by a compromise which calls for the payment of substantially the full amount of the original assessment. While the compromise offer has been rejected in the form presented, yet it is probable that a settlement will be reached early in 1929 upon counter- terms proposed by the Selectmen through this Department.


Moneikis Suit


Anthony Moneikis of Brockton brought suit against the Town in the Superior Court for Norfolk County on October 24, 1928, in the form of an action of tort for false arrest and imprisonment with damages stated in the sum of $25,000.00. This Department advised the Selectmen that no liability could be established against the Town even though the alleged acts upon which the suit was based could be proved. As a result of con- ferences between the Attorney for Mr. Moneikis and the Town Counsel the suit was abandoned, and the writ was filed for non-entry in the court on December 11, 1928. Moneikis, however, brought a new action of tort on December 7, 1928, for the same cause and in the same amount against Chief of Police William H. Sullivan, in his individual capacity. The writ in this suit is returnable on January 7, 1929, and at the request of the Selectmen this Department is undertaking the defense of Chief Sullivan with respect to it.


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Claims


Various claims against the Town received attention as presented of which the following deserve passing consideration:


James H. Ritchie


A claim based on the existence of an alleged contractual right to supervise as Architect the construction when undertaken of an auditorium for the completion of the Junior High School Building. This contract claim is denied.


Manuel D' Almeida


A claim for damages for land taken in Pleasant Street widening about 1905. On investigation it was found that no liability existed entirely apart from the fact that lapse of time would be a complete defense.


Mrs. William Welch


A claim for personal injuries received by Mrs. William Welch based upon an alleged defective sidewalk condition. This claim could not be entertained because the statutory requirements with respect to notice and which are conditions precedent to the creation of liability and which cannot be waived were not complied with.


Other claims of minor character were handled direct by the General Manager under such advice from this Department as was requested.


Certain claims made in behalf of the Town had attention of which the following may be mentioned:


Peter J. Qualtiori, Boston


Damage to fire truck on July 4, 1928, through collision with automobile operated by Qualtieri. Suit was brought against him in the Municipal Court of the West Roxbury District in Boston and settled before trial by the payment of the full amount of the claim, viz .: $33.50 and costs.


Michael F. Connors, Boston


Minor damage to town automobile through collision on July 1, 1927, with an automobile operated by Connors. Amount of claim $38.80. Suit was brought and is now pending against Connors in the Municipal Court of the City of Boston. The case should be disposed of by trial or otherwise in the near future.


Legislation


Extension of South Metropolitan Sewerage System in the Valley of the Ne- ponset River


The legislation recommended to the Legislature of 1927 in the special report of the Department of Public Health relative to the extension of the South Metropolitan Sewerage System in the Valley of the Neponset River was referred by that Legislature to the session to be held in 1928.


Against strong opposition from some of the communities directly and


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indirectly interested, particularly, Boston, the proposed legislation in modified form was favored and enacted into law as Chapter 384 Acts of 1928 as amended by Chapter 397 Section 6, Acts of 1928, thereby admitting the towns of Canton, Norwood, Stoughton and Walpole to the South Metropolitan Sewerage District.


This Department assisted the officials of Norwood and other towns sup- porting the legislation through conferences, advice, attendance at various legislative hearings, attention to financial and other questions involved and the solution of the same. The success which attended the efforts of the proponents of this legislation is attributable to a very large extent to the careful preparation, the thorough knowledge and untiring service of Mr. James E. Pendergast as Clerk of the Selectmen, whose marshalling of facts and efficient presentation not only made the results obtained possible, but also gained for Norwood in particular and the towns in the valley, which are benefited, generally financial conditions and terms which mean a saving over other conditions and terms demanded by those opposed, of very large sums of money.


The service which Mr. Pendergast rendered was of such outstanding character as to merit the appreciation and gratitude of every Norwood citizen.


Layouts and Taking


Attention was given to the necessary legal formalities including orders and notices with respect to the laying out of certain new streets and main drains and the orders of taking of easements in land for such purposes as follows, viz .:


New Ways


Fairview Road


Vernon Street Extension


Lincoln Street Extension


Maple Street Extension


Beacon Park Road


Hawthorn Street


Main Drains


Drain leading from Washington Street easterly through land of the Norwood Press, Inc.


Drain leading from Walnut Avenue southerly 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.


Drain leading westerly from Washington Street through a proposed ex- tension of Cedar Strect and a proposed strcet sometimes known as Youngs Avenue and through land of Michael Cofsky.


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Chapter 197 Acts of 1914-Town Charter Act


In compliance with the direction contained in the action taken on March 28, 1928, under Article 2 of the annual town meeting warrant to the effect that the Town Counsel should furnish all officers of the Town with copies of the Town Charter so-called and indicate to them the provisions which apply to the conduct of their respective offices, this Department on April 4, 1928, communicated in writing with the following named officials and called attention to the provisions of said Act so applicable, namely:


Selectmen, Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Town Physician, Inspector of Animals, Registrars of Voters, Fence Viewers, Inspector of Buildings, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Board of Relief, Town Clerk and Accountant, Morrill Memorial Library Trustees, School Committee, General Manager, Chief of Fire Department, Town Planning Board and Finance Commission.


Miscellaneous


The following matters which received attention appear to be of sufficient importance to warrant a place in this report in the brief form stated. They relate largely to advice given for the guidance of various officials in the performance of their extensive and varied duties.


Selectmen


Assistance by Norwood Fire Department to the Town of Canton and form of action vote drafted and letter prepared by same.


Jitney practices by unlicensed vehicles.


Proposed Bond Street Boulevard.


Legislation with respect to the extension of the Metropolitan Sewerage System in the valley of the Neponset River.


Dana Betterment Assessments.


New General Manager situation and action.


Right of Selectmen to fix salaries of General Manager and certain other officials.


Medway-Dedham 'Motor Bus Line, Inc. bond protection.


Public character of records and kindred questions.


Fire Department questions.


Sclectmen's duties.


Cemetery control questions.


Action as to school sites. Park locations as to Bird gift.


Change of name from "Overseers of Poor" to "Board of Public Welfare."


Appointment of Building Inspector pro tempore.


Delegation of purchase of supplies by Selectmen to School Committee as to School Department.


Right to expend funds for out of State trips by General Manager without a special appropriation therefor.


With respect to course as to land damage questions in Washington Street widening.


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As to notice and hearing required on part of Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Co. for alteration of track location on Washington Street. Junk Dealer's license questions.


Duties of General Manager as to purchase of supplies for outside de- partments.


Selectmen's report and review of their records.


Duties at State election.


As to articles for special Town Meeting Warrant re Park System land and Junior High School Building addition.


Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Co. as to track relocation work in the Washington Street widening.


Fire Department supervision questions.


Procedure as to fixing salaries of General Manager, Assessors, and Town Clerk and Accountant.


Finance Commission


Peabody Fund Co-operative Plan.


Duties reprinting budget.


Duty of Chairman to participate in the conduct of the Board of Appeal under the Building and Zoning By-Laws.


Requirements of the provisions of law as to purchase of supplies.


Sewer System assessment questions.


Data for motions under various articles in Town Meeting Warrants.


Board of Health


Action in respect to contagious disease care.


Journeyman and master plumber questions.


Health regulation questions.


Proposed regulations as to isolation cases, particularly as to minors.


School Committee


Pupil expulsion and exclusion questions.


Lease of Norwood Civic Association property questions.


Action as to feeble minded pupils.


Action as to child of school age unable through illness to attend school. School Building program questions and articles for Warrant.


Motions under articles in special Town Meeting Warrant.


Civic Association situation re property proposals.


Planning Board


Action at special Town Meeting re Bird land transfer proposal and other matters in Warrant.


Joint activities as to playgrounds and other matters.


Re amendment of zoning by-law and drafting appropriate article for purpose.


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Board of Assessors


General questions. (Clerk Pendergast.)


Board of Relief


Action as to support obligations of wife and children on account of Town charge.


Relief problems.


General Manager


Morrill Memorial Library Building repairs.


Icy sidewalk accident. (Curran claim.)


Norwood Gas Co. claim and counter claim.


(The foregoing as to Mr. Thorpe.)


Various Matters.


(a) Status of gas mains and wire conduits in streets.


(b) Hearings on tree removals.


(c) Hearings as to pole locations.


(d) Police Department policies and police appointment questions, and Civil Service Situation.


Welch accident claim.


Light Department bills regulations and changes.


Town Inspector questions.


Regulations as to card parties. License of Public Amusements.


Abbott contract security questions.


Board of Survey regulations and street acceptance specifications.


Charter change suggestions.


Portable amusements regulations.


Forbes proposed deed as to Prospect Street and Upland Road Corner.


Proposed by-law regulating Hackney carriages and Taxi Cabs.


Amendment to zoning by-law as to vision clearance.


Action re land adjoining Buckmaster Pond by purchase or taking. Lewis electricity service.


Various claims including Nash, Rosner, Cantor and Burrill.


Pole rights questions as to Telephone Company obligations.


Keating (Guaranty Construction Company of Shirley) contract and re- quirements as to payment of bills on account of Washington Street widen- ing work and action in the situation.


(The foregoing as to Mr. Bingham.)


Town Clerk and Accountant Clerk of Selectmen


Building Inspector questions. Special Town Meeting petition requirements. As to land taken for taxes. Situation as to erroneous assessment.


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Effect of acceptance of Section 48, Chapter 31 General Laws relative to fire sources.


As to Chief of Fire Department.


Application of Civil Service Law to Police Department.


Salaries situation.


Drain easement in Folan property.


Town Charter action questions.


Preparation of orders of taking.


Sewer mains in Beacon and Park Streets as to reimbursement and as- sessment situation.


Questions relative to delegation of duties by Selectmen.


School lunch receipts and incidental questions.


Filing plans with orders of taking.


Sidewalk cost assessment questions.


Notices to land owners as to orders of taking, also as to effect of release with respect to drain taking.


Town Square betterment assessments.


Town liability as to injured workmen.


Draft forms of releases for land takings.


Board of Survey regulations questions.


Questions under Section 19 of the Zoning By-Law.


Duty to record as Town Clerk papers in the nature of notices of con- ditional sales contract.


Release deed as to takings of Norwood Housing Association, Inc. prop- erties.


Form of article for Warrant relative to removal and sales of certain town buildings.


Buckmaster Pond protection situation.


Betterment assessments apportionment questions.


Recording questions.


Vendor's license situation as to hardware sales.


Transient vendor's questions.


Parker Hardware Company bankruptcy merchandise.


Building Inspector


Prospect Street building permit and zoning by-law violations.


Questions re zoning by-law and permits issue.


Decisions of Board of Appeal on questions asked as to zoning by-law variance and decision.


Application of zoning by-law as to driveway situation.


Advice re old outstanding permits as to action relative to calling in same.


Memorial Municipal Building Committee


Articles for special Town Meeting Warrant.


Morrill Memorial Library Building Committee


Re Architect's contract, also Crane Construction Company contract as to library building addition alterations and repairs.


231


Junior High School Building Committee


Re situation as to permit requirements and repairs and dealings with State Inspector.


Proposed contract papers considered and changes suggested.


Opinion to Architect re additional provisions in proposal feature of con- tract papers.


Advice to Architect as to form of notice to bidders of additional time to submit bids.


General


Re report to Town Meeting of Special Committee. (Mr. Houghton.)


Terrill settlement release and other questions.


Annual Town Meeting Warrant articles and votes under same.


Standard Oil Company of New York right of way deed acceptance.


May bankruptcy.


Myer Dana suits Re betterment assessments.


Town Counsel report for 1927.


Law Re status of Chief of Fire Department upon acceptance of Civil Service statute.


Preparation articles and votes as to Special Town Meeting Warrants.


New street orders of taking questions.


Betterment assessment orders of taking and entry questions.


Trial preparation Pelham cases.


King vs. Lyons papers.


Dickowicz Claim.


Summary Town Counsel activities re 1928 report.


Indemnity agreement Norwood Hospital with Town Re Washington Street occupation.


Conclusion


No comment other than has been stated above appears to be necessary with respect to matters pending in the department at the beginning of the year 1929.


The confidence and consideration shown by all town officials with whom this department has had dealings are gratefully acknowledged and particu- larly.that of Clerk Pendergast who has furnished assistance and informa- tion as generously as in the past.


Respectfully submitted,


JAMES A. HALLORAN, Town Counsel.


232


ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR 1928


To the Citizens of Norwood:


During the past year the work of the Library has continued in general along the lines of other years. The statistics regarding circulation will be found in the report of the Librarian. It will be noted that in spite of shut- downs, totaling about four weeks, necessitated by the alterations and re- pair work at the Library, the circulation has still shown an increase over the preceding year of, 8240.


The most important happening during the year has been the construc- tion of the new Annex, built by means of the bequest of the late Alice H. Plimpton, and the repairs which have been made in the main building, all this work being under the supervision of the Library Building Committee appointed by vote of the Town Meeting early in the year.


The work has been completed except for a few minor details and the Annex is in use. Books of fiction are now placed in the main Library, while in the Annex are found works of non-fiction, bound volumes of magazines, etc. With the completion of the Annex the accumulation of books can be taken care of for years to come.


As a whole the plant is in excellent physical condition, though there is still some work to be done during the coming year.


Cooperation with various schools in the Town has continued during the past year with even greater success than in previous years.


With the opportunities afforded by the new plant, it is the desire and expectation of the Trustees that the Library may prove more and more useful to the citizens of the Town.


Respectfully submitted,


JULIA A. MCCARTHY, WILLIAM T. WHEDON, Chairman, WALTER BLAIR, Secretary, A. MARION SWAIN, W. W. EVERETT, MAUDE A. SHATTUCK


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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 Library


Morrill Memcrial Library


Town


Norwood


Name of Librarian


Jane A. Hewett


Date of founding


1873


Population served


15,000 (approximate)


Assessed valuation


$27,463,000.00


Terms of use


Free for lending; free for reference 4


Total number of agencies


Number of days open in 1928


279 in adult department


283 in juvenile department


Number of hours open each week


66


Number of staff


6


Increase


Number of volumes at the beginning of the year


31,378


Number of volumes added by purchase


1,506


Number of volumes added by gift


168


Total number at end of the year. .


33,052


Number of magazines currently received.


90 titles


106 copies 4


Number of publications issued each year


Use


Fiction


Non-fiction Foreign


Total


Adult.


41,156


9,314


367


50,837


Juvenile.


23,763


8,294


32,057


Balch School


4,500


High School


1,330


Shattuck School.


3,162


Winslow School


5,486


Deposits in other schools.


1,034


Total circulation


98,406


Number of pictures lent.


5,610


Finance-See Report of Town Accountant.


Registration


Adult Juvenile Total


Number of new borrowers registered-1928.


221


399


620


Botal number of registered borrowers.


2584


1821 4405


234


Books Added to the Library in 1928


Adult


Juvenile Total


General works


29


1


30


Philosophy


14


1


15


Religion.


10


5


15


Sociology (includes fairy tales)


45


119


164


Philology


2


1


3


Natural science.


14


32


46


Useful arts


41


34


75


Fine arts


26


16


42


Literature.


90


59


149


Description and travel.


77


24


101


Biography


120


40


160


History


39


24


63


Fiction


429


382


811


Total


936


738


1674


Gifts


Books and pamphlets have been recovered from


Mrs. John Bowron


Commonwealth of Massachusetts


Mrs. L. C. Marshall


Mr. Frank Mooney


Dr. E. C. Norton


ยท Congregational Church, Norwood Hispanic Society of America Ladies Auxiliary A. O. H., Norwood New Republic Incorporated


Mr. John Richardson


Miss N. Dorothy Shumaker


Rev. L. G. van Leeuwen


New York Association for Improv- ing the Condition of the Poor


United States Government


Magazines have been received from


American Polish Chamber of Commerce Mrs. L. C. Marshall Miss Maude A. Shattuck


Mrs. Kinsley Dunbar


Mr. William T. Whedon Respectfully submitted,


JANE A. HEWETT, Librarian.


-


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


OF THE


TOWN OF NORWOOD Massachusetts


FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1928


237


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


School Committee 1928


Frederick A. Cleveland, Pleasant Street, term expires 1930.


Arthur S. Hartwell, 90 Winter Street, term expires 1930.


John J. Riley, 66 Prospect Avenue, term expires 1931. Charles J. Rich, 67 Beech Street, term expires 1931.


Christine L. Probert, 11 Marion Avenue, term expires 1929.


Julia R. O'Brien, 4 Railroad Avenue, term expires 1929.


Organization


Dr. Frederick A. Cleveland. Chairman


Irene R. Vose Secretary


Standing Committees


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


Finance Committee: Mr. Rich, Mr. Riley, Mrs. Probert.


Janitors, Schoolhouses and Grounds: Mr. Riley, Mr. Rich.


Fucl, School Books and Supplies: Mrs. Probert.


Appointments: Mrs. Probert, Miss O'Brien.


Committee Meetings


The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held at the School Committee Rooms, Junior High School, at eight o'clock p. m., on the second Thursday of each month.


Superintendent of Schools


Leonard W. Grant, 155 Winslow Avenue. Telephone, Norwood 0975-M.


The office of the Superintendent of Schools is at the Junior High School, and is open from 8.00 a. m. until 5.00 p. m. every day except Saturday, when it is oren from 8.00 a. m. until 12.00 m. Telephone Norwood 0133.


Clerks


Irene R. Vose, 24 Rosemary Street. Telephone, Norwood 0623-R. Elizabeth Zurba, 49 Saunders Road. Telephone, Norwood 1155-W.


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SCHOOL CALENDAR


1928-1929


First term begins September 5, 1928, ends December 21, 1928 16 weeks Second term begins January 2, 1929, ends February 15, 1929 7 weeks Third term begins February 25, 1929, ends April 12, 1929 7 weeks Fourth term begins April 22, 1929, ends June 21, 1929 9 weeks


First term begins September 4, 1929, ends December 20, 1929 16 weeks


Holidays


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


No School Signal 2-2


Repeated at 7.15 a. m. No forenoon session for any school.


+ Repeated at 7.45 a. m. No forenoop session for first six grades.


Repeated at 12.15 p. m. No afternoon session for any grades below the Senior High School.


Repeated at 12.30 p. m. No afternoon session for first six grades.


Repeated at 6.15 p. m. No session for evening school.


239


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


At a special town meeting in 1928 the School Committee presented for . the consideration of the voters "A Two Year Construction Program to Meet the School Needs Until 1933."


At a subsequent meeting held June 15, 1928, it was voted to appropriate $175,000 to meet the first step in this program, namely: an addition to the Junior High School.


The second step called for construction of two six-room elementary schools on the east side of the railroad and a classroom bay on the Senior High. The statement was made that the carrying out of this program would meet the school needs until 1933 when if the Town continues to grow at the present rate additional facilities should be at hand.


Through a study of Tables I and II the School Committee would like to show that the completion of such a program, unless unusual growth occurs in the population, will take care of the needs until 1933 and probably for a longer period of time and that the only possible additional need before 1935 would be still more classrooms for the Senior High.


The following deductions are made from a study of the figures under Table II, vertical column under December 1, 1928. In arranging the following considerations, we are starting at the top of the system, namely: the Senior High School and following the school population figures down- ward.




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