Norwood annual report 1927-1929, Part 43

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


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1927-1929 > Part 43


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One Packard twin six chassis on which is mounted a steel body with a capacity of 1200 feet of 2}" hose. This car is equipped with Foam gen- erator, 1000 pounds of Fomon powder, 800 feet of 2}" hose, one four-way monitor or turret pipe, and two Foam type extinguishers.


98


One Studebaker Roadster, Chief's car. Carries one soda and acid, and one Foamite extinguisher.


One H-H inhalator with two extra tanks is kept in quarters to be used in cases of emergency; gas poisoning, drowning, smoke or electric shock.


Hose


There is in service 5,500 feet of 2}" cotton rubber lined hose, classified as follows: 4,000 feet good, 1,500 feet poor. A quantity of 22" hose should be purchased.


1,100 feet of 1}" cotton rubber lined hose, classified as follows: 850 feet good, 250 feet poor. A quantity of 12" hose should be purchased.


HOSE NO. 2 IN "EARLY NINETIES"


1,350 feet of 3" chemical hose classified as follows: 300 feet good, 1,050 feet poor. At least 1,000 feet of chemical hose should be purchased.


Personnel


The paid personnel of the department consists of a Chief and ten men. Six of these men were appointed June 16, 1929, from an eligible list estab- lished by the Civil Service, at Boston, Mass., after a competitive mental and physical examination. One of these men resigned as a member of the department after a week's service, and gave as his reason for doing so that he felt he was "unsuited to the service." Another man has been appointed from the eligible list to fill the vacancy created by this resigna- tion.


The call personnel is composed of a Deputy Chief, two Lieutenants and thirteen (13) firemen. Total department, 27 men.


99


The paid force is granted one day off in five; two weeks' vacation with pay, after one year of service, sick leave with pay, and meal leaves three times a day. Eight men are on duty daily; a watch system with a man at the desk every minute of the day and night is maintained and is split up in tricks of four hours each. The two men returning from day off are assigned to take care of the school children, morning, noon and afternoon at the crossing of Nahatan and Washington Streets. While these men


LIFE GUN PRACTICE


are on this duty, or while out to meals they respond to all alarms received or sent out on the fire whistle. All men are in quarters after 7.00 O'Clock P. M. Following is the method of response to alarms: Upon receipt of an alarm from a street box, a pumper, ladder truck and a hose tender leave quarters with all hands except the man on housewatch; one Lieu- tenant and five call men also respond to each alarm. One Lieutenant and seven men report at the fire station and make ready to respond with the second pumper, to a second alarm from the first fire, or to any other alarm which might be received while the other companies are out. Should


100


this second pump be required at the first fire, or respond to a subsequent fire, it responds with a Lieutenant, the housewatch man (as chauffeur) and five call men; two call men (familiar with the running of the third pump) are left in quarters to respond to a third alarm received while other apparatus is out of quarters. If it is apparent to the Chief that the ser- vices of the apparatus and men will be needed for any great length of time at a fire or alarm, he will arrange to keep in communication with the man at quarters, by telephone and in this way be kept informed of conditions. Upon the return of apparatus to quarters, all wet hose is removed and replaced with dry hose; this is done by all hands, the men on duty at


PREPARED FOR GAS DRILL


quarters during the absence of apparatus at a fire being informed by telephone of the number of 50-foot lengths of hose that have been used at a fire, have a similar number of lengths of dry hose ready to be put on apparatus when wet hose is removed. Since the increase in the paid force 50% of alarms have been responded to without calling on the call force, and without sounding the alarm on the fire whistle.


Improvements


The interior of the top floor of the fire house has been painted and floor covered with linoleum, and proper electric fixtures installed. The billiard room has been converted into a dormitory accommodating the six addi- tional men, and lockers have been provided in which these men place their


101


elothes and personal belongings. Punehing bag, dumb bells, boxing gloves and chest weights and pulleys have been provided to keep the men in good physical trim; and shower baths, toilets and additional wash stands have been installed; steam heating plant overhauled and every effort has been made to make the quarters comfortable. A blackboard has been set up in the sitting room and problems of pressures, gallons flow, friction loss and general fire fighting are thrashed out with the view of keeping the members up to the requirements of the modern fire fighter. During the early part of the month of May, a twin six Paekard ear was given to the department by Mr. Eugene Endicott of Sumner Street, Nor- wood. The department members removed the old body, overhauled the motor and chassis and put same in first class condition; a steel body with a capacity of 1200 feet of 23" hose was mounted on it, ear was painted and lettered and placed in serviee. This work was done by the Stewart Co. at Woodville, Mass. This ear is now in service as a Foam wagon carry- ing 800 feet of 23" hose, 1,000 pounds of Fomon powder, a Fomon generator and a four-way turret gun or deek pipe. It responds to all street box alarms and in eases where the pressure on the hydrant is sufficient to eope with fires, hose is stretehed by it and pumper is returned to quarters and placed in serviee.


Inspections


Nearly six thousand inspections of factories, tenements, stores, cellars, attics, back yards, etc., have been made by the Chief and firemen, and many fire hazards have been removed and dangerous conditions remedied.


Remarks


The apparatus of the department is in very good conditioni.


The personnel of the department is on a par with that of Cities and Towns much larger than Norwood.


The number of false alarms was increased by two over those received in 1928; these false alarms are eostly and too numerous. Full penalty of the law should be inflicted on those who are apprehended. Dump fires were too numerous; proper supervision by owners of these dumps would greatly reduee the number of fires of this kind and would leave apparatus to respond to alarms for fires where valuable property is or might become involved.


But one second alarm was necessary to be sent out during the year.


Fire Loss


The following shows the approximate fire loss for the year 1929:


Valuation of Buildings and Contents $1,191,225.00


Insurance paid, Buildings and Contents 151,163.00


This fire loss is approximate and eovers mainly the two fires in Winslow Bros. & Smith's Tannery on Endieott Street, the Norwood Furniture fire on Washington Street, and the Guild School fire on Guild Street.


.


102


In conclusion I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the Town Manager, Members of the Town Government and various department heads, the Press, and to the citizens of the Town for their aid during the year.


To the Salvation Army, Fire and Emergency Department, I also extend thanks for services rendered at the Guild School fire.


I wish also to make note of the very efficient way in which the officers and members of the department performed the duties assigned to them; for which they have my thanks and commendation.


Respectfully, JOHN J. HANNIGAN, Chief.


CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE ALARMS FOR 1929


GRASS


43.38


BUILDINGS


22.12


MISCELLANEOUS


10.20


FALSE


9.80


UNNECESSARY


5.95


AUTOMOBILES


5.55


CHIMNEYS


2.15


OUT OF TOWN


85


100 %


103


TWELVE MONUMENTS BROKEN BY HOODLUMS IN OLD PARISH CEMETERY


REPORT OF THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1929


C. A. Bingham,


General Manager.


During the year the department has done its usual work, such as inter- ments, maintenance, construction and private work. Have made 160 interments and 5 removals. Have sold 17 lots and 36 single graves.


A total of 3570 square yards on Groveland, Maplewood, Woodward, Cypress and a part of North and South Highland View Avenues were dressed over with stone and binder at a cost of 65 cents per square yard. Total cost $2330.


Improvements consisted of digging, grading and seeding 420 square yards in Sec. 43 and 44.


In Section 35 872 square yards at a depth of 4 to 5 feet has been dug over but not graded, and with 282 square yards that was dug over in 1928 will make a total of 1154 square yards to be graded and seeded, which I think is good work considering the amount of stone that had to be taken out.


For the year 1930:


Would recommend that the Main Avenue, St. Catherine, St. Mary's, St. Martin's, St. Cecelia, St. James, St. Paul and Holy Cross Avenues be dressed over with pea stone and binder, as the avenues have a good stone foundation they will not have to use stone.


104


The department will have to buy loam for Section 35 which is ready for grading.


I think there should be something done about placing a fence around the Old Cemetery and that the front and back avenues should be repaired the same as the one that was done in 1928.


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE A. SMITH, Superintendent.


105


OFFICE OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


To the Town Manager,


For the Selectmen of Norwood:


The following Scales, Weights and Measures were tested and sealed, or condemned, during the year 1929:


Sealed


Condemned


Platform Scales, over 5000 lbs.


16


Platform Scales, under 5000 lbs.


67


4


Spring Scales, over 100 lbs


19


6


Spring Scales, under 100 lbs.


51


6


Computing Scales


77


2


Counter Scales


45


Counter Scales, over 100


11


2


Personal Weighing Scales


3


1


Prescription Scales


4


1


Apothecary Scales


62


Avoirdupois Scales


425


Metric Weights


38


Gasoline Pumps


50


Kerosene Pumps


17


Quality Stops


300


School Scales


10


Yard Measures.


329


Liquid Measures


10


-


Leather Measures


6


Cloth Measures


10


The following inspections were made:


Number of each Tested


Found Correct


Found Under- Weight


Found Over- Weight


Bread


60


55


3


2


Butter


70


62


5


3


Flour


55


52


1


2


Fruit and Vegetables.


63


60


1


2


Dry Commodities


50


44


4


2


Confectionary


45


40


2


3


Sugar


50


43


3


4


Meat and Provisions


65


55


6


4


Coke in bags


30


28


2


-


I


-


-


-


-


-


106


Number of each Tested


Found Correct


Found Under- Weight


Found Over- Weight


Coal in bags.


75


65


4


6


Coal in transit .


75


49


16


10


Kindling Wood in bags


15


14


1


Grain and Feed


40


36


1


Hay


10


10


Ice


65


55


6


4


Dry Goods


25


25


Marking Bread


60


55


3


Marking Food Packages


53


Milk Jars


35


Ice Cream Containers.


25


Paper and Fibre Cartons


25


Wholesale milk cans


35


Ice Scales .


35


Peddlers' Scales


15


Peddlers' Licenses


15


During the year 1929, the business in this department has increased considerably, due of course to the many new stores, gasoline stations, and new pumps being placed in some of the old stations.


Perhaps it would be interesting to know that there are now over fifty gasoline pumps in this district which are inspected several times a year.


Respectfully submitted,


HARRY M. KING, Sealer of Weights and Measures.


107


REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR


To the Town Manager,


For 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 1929:


No. Permits Issued


Estimated Value $206,900.00


Single Dwellings


Double Tenements


5


44,300.00


Additions (including houses and garages)


165


70,673.00


New Garages


85


27,955.00


Industrial Additions


5


29,250.00


Restaurant Additions


1


2,500.00


Church Additions


2


6,700.00


Hen Houses


3,685.00


New Stores


1


8,000.00


Addition to Stores


8


4,300.00


Additions to Schools


1


155,266.00


Club Houses


1


150.00


Filling Stations


2


5,450.00


Temporary Buildings


1


200.00


New Offiecs


2


1,000.00


Paddock


1


1,200.00


ʻ 328


$567,529.00


Number of Inspections made-1265.


Number of Inspections made in 1929 on 1928 permits-241.


Total number of Inspections-1506.


The Building Inspector in behalf of Committee on new code in Building Laws of which he is a member, wishes to state that the report of the Com- mittee which will soon be rendered will solve many of the present problems.


The Building Inspection department of the Town of Norwood wishes to be of help to the home builders, owners and architects as well as to enforce the laws and invites all that wish to build or buy in Norwood, to consult with the Department where advice or information will be gladly given.


Respectfully submitted,


F. M. DOUGLASS, Building Inspector.


39


108


FORESTRY DEPARTMENT


Mr. C. A. Bingham,


General Manager.


During the year 1929 we trimmed over 500 street trees. We removed over 30 dead and dangerous trees. Planted 120 new maple shade trees. Sprayed over 3000 street shade trees. Sprayed most of the trees on private property. Painted over 3000 street shade trees. Painted trees on the private property.


We set out 120 young shade trees last year and being an exceedingly dry season some of them died for the want of water. If the property owners on the streets where young trees are set out would water them 2 or 3 times a week, it would be a great help to them.


If the shade trees could be set out inside of walk on the property owner's land, they would have a much better chance of living than they would on the outside of walk.


Respectfully submitted,


WALTER H. METCALF.


PREVENT A SPLIT OR MEND A SPLIT BY CHAIN & BOLTS, NOT BY A BAND. SEE I.


A


A DECAYED BRANCH. AS C. CUT OFF & THE CAVITY CLEANED & FILLED.


1


STUB TOO LONG FOR HEAL THY HEALING AND DECAY WORKS INWARD.


M


D


REMOVE A HEAVY LIMB BY MAKING 3 CUTS AS NUMBERED


A PRUNING WOUND MADE AS BOR E HEALING PER- FECTLY.


E


A LONG STUB LEFT. DECAY HAS SET IN & IF NOT TREATED AS AT M WILL DESTROY THE MAIN LIMB.


A WOUND FILLED UNNECESSARILY, TREATMENT AS E OR K WOULD BE BETTER.


A SOLID BAR WITH NUTS WILL HOLD A WEAKENED CROTCH, THOUGH, IN A BIG TREE, NOT SO. WELL AS A CHAIN. SEE A .


NEVER MEND A SPLIT WITH A BAND. THE TREE WILL SOON BE CHOKED, SEE A & D.


WHEN A LIMB IS REMOVED AND THERE IS SLIGHT DECAY, CLEAN OUT THE WOUND & TAR BUT DO NOT FILL IT.


A HORSE BITE OR BRUISE TO BE TREATED AS F.


TREAT A BRUISE AS H BY CUTTING OUT INJURED TISSUE, LEAVING SURFACE & EDGES SMOOTH, TAR BUT DO NOT FILL.


A. LARCE CAVITY PROPERLY FILLED WITH CONCRETE


OR ASPHALT.


G


COURTESY N.J. FOREST COMMISSION


110


REPORT OF THE NORWOOD SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS OF 1929 1


Playgrounds were operated on the Balch and Shattuck School grounds, Pleasant, Elks and the Bond Street Parks from July 1st to August 31st inclusive. The grounds were under the direction of five men, six women and a Supervisor.


The number of different children enrolled on the Playgrounds was 2707, the average daily attendance was 783. The distribution of the above averages according to districts is as follows: 290 at the Balch, 170 at the Shattuck, 144 at the Pleasant, 127 at the Elks, and 152 at the Bond.


SAND BOXES


The Municipal appropriation this year provided funds in addition to the operating expenses for maintaining and conditioning of play areas. The greatest amount of work was done at Pleasant Park where new dia- mond, sand boxes, swings and areas for small children were provided. Bubblers were placed at Bond Street and the Elks Park and the equip- ment of all the grounds kept in first class condition.


111


The program of activity varied somewhat from previous years by the introduction of airplane model work for boys. One of the directors, specially trained in this work, made it a very interesting project. The planes were made entirely by hand and were built to fly by their own power. This phase of Playground activity is one greatly advocated by the leading Playground Psychologists and we feel that Norwood has made a real start in this field. A varicd program of sports, which included boys and girls ranging in age from ten to sixteen, ran throughout the season during which over three hundred children were given the opportunity to


PARK


BASKET WORK


meet in competition of a healthful nature. Picnics were held under the supervision of the Playgrounds at Willett Pond throughout the season and were very well attended. The life guards at the Pond were of great assistance in helping to supervise this activity. It is gratifying to know that the parents of the children do not hesitate to allow them to go to Willett Pond because of the care that they know is taken of the children while bathing.


Governor Allen again proved a friend of the boys of Norwood by ar- ranging to have them visit Braves Field to witness a big-league game. A large group of boys attended and thoroughly enjoyed the special event which followed their own baseball season.


112


The closing program of the season was in the form of a Field Day held at the Elks' Park. It is estimated that about two thousand children paraded in costumes of various kinds. The line of march from the Civic to the Elks' Park was witnessed by hundreds of spectators interested in the children.


Special radio arrangement had been made and folk dancing was possible by this magnified reproducer of victrola records. All the children in line had some part in the demonstration, either in dancing, games, singing, handwork, or races. The program was arranged for the children and was


· NORWOOD .-


COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE


entirely made up of their activities. After the Playground events, the Elks served each child ice cream. It was with a feeling of regret the children left the ground, knowing that this day marked the closing of the season


The generosity of the Town in supplying further funds for this work has made it possible to have a better program than formerly and also to encourage further organization of Twilight games. The greater need for recreative leisure time is being felt throughout the town and in nearly every section, we find men anxious to have equipment at their disposal


1


113


for evening games. It has not been possible this year, but it is sincerely hoped provision can be made in the near future to have every Norwood Playground open as long as daylight permits.


Another activity the Playground has sponsored is the maintenance of the High School Tennis Courts for public use after five P. M. week days, on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Again, it is the need of greater recreational facilities that has prompted the Committee to accept this responsibility. It is suggested that another year, this also will be taken into consideration in budgeting for the summer season.


The work of the Playgrounds has been greatly assisted by the co-opera- tion of the School Department through its use of the school buildings and tenris courts.


The new program carried on has been made possible because of the forward-looking Committee which handles the work. Its confidence and support has never been lacking and the new phases of Playgrounds carefully considered before being undertaken.


It has been a pleasure to work for this Committee.


Respectfully submitted,


JOSEPHINE A. COGAN, Supervisor.


114


INSURANCE ON MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES February 1st, 1930


Estimated Values


Buildings


Contents


Junior High School


$ 487,000


$ 71,000


Senior High School (West Wing)


246,000


35,000


Senior High School (Main)


202,500


17,000


Balch School .


186,000


20,000


Winslow School


93,000


7,600


Shattuck School


82,000


6,700


Beacon School


48,000


4,700


Everett School


32,000


4,000


East School


14,000


1,400


West School .


14,000


1,400


Fisher School .


Memorial Municipal Building


378,375


12,000


Morrill Memorial Library


175,000


60,000


Fire Station


45,000


32,000


Ellis Station


48,000


500


Westwood Station .


35,000


250


Westwood Coal Shed.


1,500


Electric Light Station


31,000


30,400


Electric Light Storehouse


4,000


4,000


Sewer Station


5,000


Filter House


2,000


Lockup.


4,500


250


Stone Crusher


5,000


2,000


Public Works Shed No. 1


3,500


2,500


Public Works Shed No. 2


2,000


10,000


Public Works Shed No. 3


625


300


State Armory (Seats and Stage only) .


$2,145,000


$323,000


Note: 80% Insurance Compulsory on Buildings, 90% on Contents. $1,716,000 Buildings


291,000


Contents


$2,007,000


Total Insurance carried under a Blanket Policy.


115


INVENTORIES (January 1, 1930)


Department


Number of Different Items


Net Value


Public Works


340


$ 23,164


Fire


116


43,404


Electric Light


162


10,273


Fire and Police Telephone System


33


36,124


Traffic Signal System


14


6,400


Weights and Measures


21


662


Engineers


63


2,011


Cemetery


66


1,261


Forestry


16


1,650


Police


74


3,153


905


$128,102


(Note: Does not include Furniture in Municipal Building insured at $12,000.)


Perpetual Stock Cards are kept in Public Works and Electric Depart- ments, on which daily entries are made of all stock delivered and given out.


MUNICIPAL DESKS ARE NO LONGER LIKE THIS IN NORWOOD


116


PURCHASING DIVISION


To the Town Manager:


By referring to the chart which accompanies this report, an outline of the work covered by this department in the past year may be observed. The total number of requisitions noted covers only written requests; hun- dreds of telephone requests were also received. It is our aim to have all materials covered by our order forms and only when emergencies arise is it permissable to order materials by telephone or otherwise than by written order. We usually have sufficient time to secure prices and turn the de- partment to the firm giving the most favorable quotation. Materials have been purchased locally just as far as possible when the quality and the price were right. Much miscellaneous material, such as hardware, lumber, coal, etc. has been received locally but has not been covered by orders.


The Trade Discounts secured through centralized purchasing on munici- pal supplies during 1929 amounted to $1112.01 and the Cash Discounts for prompt payment amounted to $1727.14. The total, $2839.15, is more than double the expense of operating the department.


It is because of the thorough co-operation that exists in all the depart- ments that the purchasing department carries on so smoothly and with that same loyalty we are anticipating another successful year.


Respectfully submitted,


HELEN F. HOOD, Sect'y to Mgr. In Charge of Purchases.


DEPARTMENTS BUYING THROUGH PURCHASING AGENT AND RESULTS OBTAINED


40 CLERK & ACCOUNTANT


ELECTION & REGISTRATION


GENERAL GOVERNMENT SELECTMEN


35


9


PARKS PLAYGROUNDS


4 TREASURER


11 POLICE


FIRE DEPT. FIRE ALARM


37


LIBRARY


ASSESSORS


L


299


31


BUILDING INSPECTOR BOARD OF SURVEY


CEMETERY


PUBLIC WORKS


LIGHT 204


720 REQUISITIONS RECEIVED


PURCHASING AGENT


893 ORDERS ISSUED


94 WRITTEN QUOTA IONS RECEIVED


3361 INVOICES PAID


279 DIFFERENT FIRMS


#336808.30 TOTAL AMOUNT


$ 1112.01 SAVED BY EXTRA TRADE DISCOUNT


$1727.14 SAVED BY CASH DISCOUNT


$ 2839.15 TOTAL SAVINGS


43


HEALTH WELFARE


SEALER


118


REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEER


Mr. C. A. Bingham,


Town Manager.


Dear Sir:


I submit the following report of the Engineering Department for the year 1929. It is a short history or procedure of work being done in the Engineering Department. The various steps as they occur are listed as follows:


Water Main Construction


Estimates on cost of new construction for the budget


Field work for distances and ground conditions Office computations


Measurements and computations for job cost figures


Plotting valve locations on small plans


Measurements locating valves and hydrants in the field


Plotting and numbering hydrants and extensions on large maps (4)


Individual House Connections for Water Service


Measuring length of connection


Estimating cost of connection for deposits


Field measurements and plotting shut-offs


Sewer Main Construction


Estimates on cost of construction for budget


Field work for distances and ground conditions


Office computations


Plans for construction work Field work for elevations Office work


Lines and grades during construction


Measurements and computations for job costs


Assessment plans showing owners, frontages and areas


Plans showing size of pipe, depth of sewer and Y location for permanent record


Easement plans in case sewer goes through private property


Plotting extensions on large town maps


Extra plans for metropolitan sewer and conferences with their engineers


119


Particular Sewer


Field measurement for length of connection Estimating cost for deposits


Drains


Estimates on cost of construction for budget


Field work on distances and ground conditions Office computations


Plans for construction work Field work for elevations Office work


Easement plans if through private property


Lines and grades during construction


Measurements for job costs


Plotting information on large town maps


Street Resurfacing


Estimates on cost of construction for budget


Field work for distances and ground conditions


Plans for construction work Field work for elevations Office work


Lines and grades during construction


Measurements and computations for job costs


Plotting information on large map


Oiling record also kept


Granolithic Sidewalks


Estimates on cost of construction for budget Field and office work


Plans for construction Field and office work


Lines and grades during construction


Inspection and miscellaneous questions as they arise Measuring work when completed




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