USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1927-1929 > Part 44
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Total quantities to check contractor's payments
Quantities to be assessed against abutters Split up in yardage of walk, crossing and apron
Curb Setting
Exact length of curved curbing has to be figured Lines and grades on all curbing set
Ground elevations have to be run on ground and stakes set four or five feet apart and grades figured
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Street Acceptances and Corner Takings
Rummaging through various plans for information as to what has been accepted and location of lines so that street layouts may be tied in with other layouts. As so many of our plans are compiled plans, we have to check up on the ground.
Computations (in case of curved layouts considerable time is spent on them)
If previous plans have been filed by owners, it is necessary for us to check their figures
Splitting streets into parcels according to owners
Writing technical part of deed
List of holders of mortgages on property Trips to registry at Dedham
Plans on tracing cloth and making extra blue prints
Cemetery
Measuring drives for budget estimates
Plans for new sections
Laying out new sections Lines and grades for drives
Lines for lot boundary stones
Measuring new work after it is finished Driveways for job costs and records Ground dug over and seeded
Plotting new sections on large map
Plotting all burials on tracing cloth and on copy in file at Town Clerk's office
Assessors
Building survey
Field measurements of all new buildings
Computations in office to get area and cubic contents
Plotting on assessors' sheets
Assessors' Maps
Plotting changes from copies of deeds
Collecting copies of new developments and split ups
Erasing old lines and inking new lines
Deciphering what some of the deeds mean when no plan is filed Additional plans for tax appeals, etc.
School Department
Guild School appraisal, conferences with insurance adjusters and en- gineers for fire loss adjustment Laying out High School diamond and drains Laying out Elliot Park grading Work at Fisher School lot
Laying out Shattuck School grading
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Forestry Department
Street lines for new tree plantings
Fire Department
Hydrant and water main plans
Electric Light Department
Street lines for new pole locations
Preparing plans for improvement of department's property
Getting out blue prints for pole and wire systems
Building Inspector Department
Assigns numbers to all new houses
Field work necessary to get correct locations of houses
Street lines (when question of correct setback arises)
Some inspections with Building Inspector
Miscellaneous Work
Fire Alarm Maps Proposed garage rear Fire Station
Separate accident plans for Police
Large map of accident locations
New Town plan
Plans for proposed parkways
Miscellaneous plans for Planning Board-proposed parkways, etc.
Buckmaster Pond plan.
Town property plan
Granolithic sidewalk Town plan
Plans on proposed work at Water-Dean Streets
Plans on work around filter beds
Information to outside engineers as to street lines and sewer and water connections, etc.
Plans showing location of outside underground structures Gas mains and telephone conduits
Plans and lines for retaining walls on Washington Street
House numbers for individual owners
Appearance at court on cases involving accidents or tax matters
Charts for various reports
Miscellaneous information for Gas Company, Contractors and Real Estate men
Respectfully submitted,
A. W. THOMPSON, Town Engineer.
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REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN FOR THE YEAR 1929
The Selectmen submit the following annual report for the year 1929. There were held forty-seven regular meetings and one special meeting. At the annual meeting held on January 21, 1929, Edmund G. Dalton and Arthur J. Forrest were re-elected Selectmen for the ensuing three years term and duly qualified.
The organization for the year was perfected on January 22, 1929 by the unanimous re-election of Thomas B. Mulvehill as Chairman and James E. Pendergast as Clerk. Mr. Pendergast was reappointed State Aid and Soldiers' Benefit Agent and Soldiers' Burial Agent. Clarence A. Bingham continued to hold the office of General Manager.
Appointments during the year werc made as follows:
January 2. John J. Hannigan, Forest Fire Warden for the year 1929. Approved by State Forestry Department on January 9, 1929; reap- pointment.
January 8. Clarence A. Bingham, Local Moth Suppression Superintendent for the year 1929. Approved by State Forestry Department on January 21, 1929; reappointment.
January 22. Walter H. Hobson, Town Fish and Game Warden, reap- pointment for one year to January 1, 1930. Approved by Department of Conservation, Division of Fisheries and Game on January 15, 1929.
February 26. Willard W. Everett, Frank B. Coughlin and Mrs. Amy Waldheim, an advisory committee with respect to the Tercentenary Celebration. Committee enlarged on April 23 by appointment of John Cotter, Edward A. Flaherty, Maud Hartshorn, Milton H. Howard, Mary Murphy and Louis Orent.
March 6. Philip W. Riley, Member of Playground Advisory Committee to fill vacancy caused by death of Dr. Harold G. Metters.
March 12. Albert Fales, Inspector of Animals. Approved by Director of Division of Animal Industries on April 1, 1929, for term ending March 31, 1930; reappointment.
April 9. Patrick J. Lydon, reappointed Assessor for three years from April 1, 1929, subject to confirmation by Tax Commissioncr. Approved April 12, 1929.
April 9. Francis J. Foley, Charles E. Houghton, and General Manager Bingham, Advisory Committee relative to further development of Memorial Park.
April 30. The following appointments were made for the term of one year beginning May 1, 1929, viz .: Jennie F. Fales, Mary G. Millett, Board of Public Welfare, reappointments.
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April 30. William H. Sullivan, Pound-Keeper and Dog Officer, reap- pointment.
April 30. William J. Barrett, J. Irving Reid, and Thomas C. Lydon, Field Drivers, reappointments.
April 30. Austin L. Maddox, and John J. Flaherty, Fence Viewers, reap- pointments.
April 30. Dr. George Klein, Town Physician, reappointment.
April 30. James A. Halloran, Town Counsel, reappointment.
April 30. Forrest M. Douglass, Inspector of Buildings, reappointment.
April 30. Walter S. Bagley, and Thomas C. Lydon, Constables, reap- pointments.
May 14. Joseph Roache, Member of Board of Public Welfare for year ending May 1, 1930, in place of John R. Parker who refused reappoint- ment.
May 14. Richard A. Murphy, Member Police Force under provisions of law relating to civil service.
May 14. Chester B. Heritage, Fence Viewer, term ending May 1, 1930. Mr. Heritage tendered his resignation through letter dated October 21, 1929 on account of removal from the town and on November 4, 1929 Guido A. Stuntzner was appointed in place of Mr. Heritage.
September 10. Charles J. Prescott, Francis J. Foley and Clarence A. Bingham, Advisory Committee with respect to advancing the matter of a new Federal Post Office Building for the Town.
December 3. William Dunn, Dog Officer for thirty day period at request of Dog Officer Sullivan with compensation as law allows.
There were also appointed from time to time various measurers of wood and bark, measurers of leather, measurers of lumber, sworn weighers and special police officers, also election officers for the annual town meeting.
On December 30, 1929 the resignation of Police Officer John F. Lee was received and accepted with regret.
Licenses or permits were granted from time to time to various persons for the conduct of certain lines of business after due consideration and in the manner required by law as follows:
Common victuallers; pool room; innholders; lodging house; junk collec- tor; public amusement; employment agency; public halls; collection of newspapers, magazines and waste paper; keeping, storing and selling gasoline, motor oils and kerosene; second-hand furniture; Class 1 license to purchase, sell and exchange second-hand motor vehicles; Class 2 license to purchase, sell and exchange used motor cars and parts; Class 3 license for the purchase and sell of motor vehicles; Sunday entertainment; main- tenance of private garage; sale of ice cream, confectionery, fruit and soda water on the Lord's Day; peddling fruit and vegetables in Norwood; Class 3 licenses to Gerald L. Hawkins (Clark's Pharmacy) and to Jeremiah M. Nash (A. F. Brown Company Pharmacy) respectively, for sale of alcohol in accordance with requirements of law; maintenance of automo-
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bile repair shop and garage; motor bus operation by Fred. W. Pierce for Pierce Bus Lines between Norwood and Walpole, subject to the same condi- tions as imposed in 1928; parade by Templar Commandery No. 48 Knight Templars on March 31, 1929; American Legion Post No. 70 for sale of pop- corn at band concerts during 1929 season; dance by Norwood Council Knights of Columbus.
Action by way of recommendation to the State Director of Standards was taken with respect to certain applications for licenses to peddle in other localities in the State which were referred by the Director for con- sidcration and report.
On April 30th James M. Folan and Thomas H. Hayden were licensed to be public auctioncers for one year and on May 21st Charles F. Weisul was also licensed a public auctioncer.
Litigation and Claims
Cottage Farm Bridge-Apportionment of Cost
An attempt was made to subject the town to an assessment for a portion of the cost of the Cottage Farm bridge so-called presumably because Norwood is now included in the South Metropolitan Sewerage District. This attempt was opposed through the Town Counsel on the ground that no special benefit resulted.
The Commissioners appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court to make the apportionment on the basis of the benefits levied no assessment upon Norwood and their report was confirmed.
Claims
Claims some of which involved litigation including those pending at the beginning of the year had consideration and were dealt with as follows:
Myer Dana-Petitions in the Superior Court for Norfolk County seeking abatements of betterment assessments, as reported in 1928. A com- promise settlement was reached through a waiver of the comparatively small interest items and the payment of the full amounts of the original assessments, viz .: $3210.00 completed on January 26th.
For further statement reference is inade particularly to the report of the Town Counsel.
Keating-Washington Street Widening Contract. On report from General Manager Bingham that the work required to be performed by Philip J. Keating, doing business under the name Guaranty Construction Company, under contract made on July 31, 1928 for the widening of Washington Street northerly from Railroad Avenue and reported in 1928, had been satisfactorily completed and the final estimate had been received from the Department of Public Works, it was voted on April
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16th, 1929 to approve the work as completed in accordance with the terms of the contract. Certain disputed claims for the payment of sums in addition to amounts included in the final estimate were made by Keating which together with certain counter claims made by the Town were settled by compromise on a reasonable basis. The amounts thus in dispute were not large. The Town became involved however in extensive litigation brought against Keating by various creditors, many of whom elaimed that they held liens and the funds payable to him under the contract were subjected to trustee process in equity and law. While much of the litigation has terminated yet some suits are still pending and some funds remain in the Town treasury subject to court order or to direct settlement by the parties interested in the litigation. The principal suit was that of H. E. Fletcher Company against Keating which was brought by a bill of complaint in equity in the Superior Court for Middlesex County and in which a Master was appointed who reported after hearings that the net amount due from the town to Keating was $7437.51 being the adjusted balance held after various monthly payments had been inade during the progress of the work. The Master also reported claims established against this fund in the sum of $4681.09 which together with $54.90 costs were subsequently paid under execu- tions issued to the respective creditors entitled to the same and the suit was dismissed as to the town. The balance on hand payable to Keating is $2701.52 and is held as above stated.
Richard S. Leary-On July 25th claim was made by this party through notice given for injuries sustained through alleged defective condition of the sidewalk on Washington Street bordering on the Town Square so-called, about opposite the Norwood Post Office. After investigation a compromise settlement was approved on August 28th for the sum of $60.00 which was subsequently paid and the claim released.
Annie E. Curran-On August 22nd a claim for personal injuries was made by this party through notice given resulting from an alleged defect in the sidewalk on Wheelock Avenue. After investigation and upon recommendation this claim was settled by the payment of the sum of $500.00 through approval given on November 19th, and a release taken.
Johanna A. Smith-On October 10th a claim for personal injuries was made by this party, through notice, resulting from an alleged defective condition of Walpole Street. This claim was investigated and on rec- ommendation a settlement was approved for the payment of $45 which was made and a release taken.
Walter Lappin-A notice was received under date of November 16th from this party making claim for injuries alleged to have been received through falling into a trench in front of the Norwood Library. An investigation indicates that the town is without liability.
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Eva H. Pelham, George W. Pelham-After due consideration and upon it appearing that a compromise scttlement of the suits brought by these parties could be made by the payment of the sum of $850.00 and in the light of the substantial expense involved in the trial of the cases, upon recommendation it was determined that a settlement on the basis indicated was desirable and it was accordingly authorized on October first and thereafter the amount was paid and releases taken.
The foregoing claims were referred to the Legal Department and had in addition the attention of the General Manager's Department.
Claims of minor character in favor or against the Town were referred to the General Manager for attention.
Passenger Transportation-Street Railway and Motor Bus
The importance of good passenger transportation facilities between Norwood and other points particularly Boston has been fully appreciated. The facilities should be safe and adequate and the rates of fare should be reasonable. The character and extent of the service must of necessity be governed by the financial return obtained by those rendering the service. Whether the service desired can be furnished and maintained is to be determined in the last analysis by the patronage given.
In 1928 a license to operate motor busses between Norwood and Canton was granted to Homer A. Perigny, but early in the ycar 1929 it was learned as the result of a notice to him that he did not intend to act under the license and he has not done so.
With respect to the street car service action was taken on January 2, 1929 through inquiry of General Manager Cummings of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company as to improvement of service following which a conference was held with Mr. Cummings on April 2nd during which he indicated that the cost of operating the two truck type of car would be 85% in excess of the cost of operating the type now in use and further indicated as his opinion that motor coach transportation is not a satisfactory substitute for street railway service.
On July 9th a conference was held with Gladwin M. Nead, Esquire, a member and representing the Transportation Committee of the Norwood Chamber of Commerce, Mr. John Bock, representing the Selectmen of Walpole and Mr. Percy D. Chamberlain representing the Transportation Committee of Dedham. Mr. Nead stated that the representatives from the Towns of Dedham, Westwood, Norwood and Walpole were of the opinion that motor coach service should be furnished the four towns from the Boston line and that the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Com- pany should be given the first opportunity to furnish such service.
On July 23rd a further conference with the officials of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company was held at which figures were submitted showing the amount of the investment in the existing Norwood
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Division, the receipts for 1928, the wages paid and the cost of service over a period of years. It was pointed out that the Public Trustees who were operating the system were charged with the obligation of furnishing ser- vice on the cost basis determined by law.
On September 3rd and again on September 10th further consideration was given to the problem with particular reference to an impartial survey or investigation as to the character of future service whether street car or motor coach or both and the expense of same.
On November 26th a conference was held with the Transportation Committee of the Norwood Chamber of Commerce.
On December 10th Mr. Baldwin representing the New England Trans- portation Company appeared and reviewed the restrictions imposed by the original and existing license granted to that Company to operate through Norwood and stated that the officials of his Company believed that the time had come for and his Company was ready to furnish motor coach transportation between Norwood and Boston, but before any step could be taken by the Company it would be necessary that the Selectmen cancel existing restrictions and permit the matter of the issue of a certificate of convenience to be placed before the Public Utilities Department and if the restrictions were removed the Company was ready to go forward with the matter.
On December 17th Fred. W. Pierce, representing the Pierce Bus Lines presented a formal application for a license to operate motor busses in Norwood over Walpole Street, Washington Street and Upland Road en route between Norwood and the Boston Line and the Forest Hills Elevated Terminal Station.
On December 30th formal application was received from Percy D. Chamberlain of Dedham for a license to operate motor busses from the Norwood-Westwood Line to East Wapole on Washington Street,-the application giving the time and fare schedules. proposed. On the same date Vice President Cummings and Superintendent Schroeder of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company conferred upon invita- tion of the Selectmen and stated the position of the Public Trustees with reference to motor coach transportation in place of street car service and indicated that they would be willing to participate in a public discussion of the question of the continuance of the use of street railway cars and of the alternative service by the use of motor coaches.
To inform the citizens of the developments and situation and in aid of a proper consideration of the several applications for licenses and change of license, the Selectmen determined to hold an open meeting in Memorial Hall early in January, 1930, to which the representatives of the various parties interested in furnishing transportation would be invited and re- quested to present their views respectively. It is desired to arrive at a proper solution of the transportation problem as it affects Norwood in a manner which will promote the best interests of the town and will deal fairly with existing and future service.
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Street Widenings, Orders of Taking and Various Assessments
On January 15th an order of taking was adopted with respect to the following new ways which were laid out and accepted by the Town as reported at the Special Town Meeting held on December 27th, 1928, as follows, viz .:
An Extension of First Street, to be known as First Street.
An Extension of Second Street, to be known as Second Street. An Extension of Third Street, to be known as Third Street.
Gay Street running westerly from Third Street Extension. Joy Street running northerly from Gay Street.
Oolah Avenue running westerly from Washington Street.
Berwick Place running westerly from Walpole Street.
On April 2nd an order was adopted for the assessment of betterments on Cleveland Street and a warrant was issued committing such assess- ments to the Collector of Taxes.
On April 23rd an order was adopted for assessments for the extension of the sewer system in Oolah Avenue.
On April 30th an order was adopted for the reconstruction of certain existing sidewalks and that reasonable amounts not exceeding one-half the cost be assessed on abutting estates, with respect to the following locations, viz .:-
Central Street, East side, Railroad Avenue to Central Fire Station.
Chapel Street, South side, from Winslow Avenue to a point about 100 feet east of Savin Avenue.
Highland Street, West side, Pond Street to Eliot Street.
Nichols Street, abutting property of Ernest May.
Prospect Avenue, North side, Nichols Street to Fulton Street.
Railroad Avenue, North side, Washington Street to Prospect Street. Walpole Street, East side, Washington Street to Winter Street.
On November 4th it was voted with respect to sidewalk assessments made subsequent to January 1, 1930, where curbing in the form of granite or cement is installed at street intersections in connection with the construc- tion of permanent sidewalks that one-half the cost of the curb so installed be pro rated against the several properties involved and abutting on such sidewalk and that with respect to the installation of edge stone where original installation involves an entire block or blocks between street inter- sections, one-half the cost of such installation be assessed upon the prop- erties abutting.
On July 24th various alterations by widening were made at street inter- sections and were reported to the town at a Special Town Meeting held on August 2nd, and thereafter, namely on August 29th, an order of taking
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with respect to such alterations was adopted and later were filed for record in the Norfolk Registry of Deeds which alterations are as follows:
Central Street at intersection with Railroad Avenue.
Walpole Street at intersection with Endicott Street.
Cottage Street at intersection with Nichols Street.
Winslow Avenue at intersection with Douglass Avenue.
Winslow Avenue at intersection with Walnut Avenue.
Winter Street at intersection with Walpole Street. Walpole Street at intersection with Beacon Street.
Railroad Avenue at intersection with Prospect Street.
Railroad Avenue at intersection with Fulton Street. Lincoln Street at intersection with Winter Street.
Florence Avenue at intersection with Prospect Street. Pleasant Street at intersection with Summer Street.
Linden Street at intersection with Guild Street.
Maple Street at intersection with Cottage Street.
Wheelock Avenue at intersection with Cottage Street.
Miscellaneous
On February 26th information was received through Clerk Pendergast that a Bill, being House No. 816, was pending in the Massachusetts Legisla- ture by the terms of which Norwood and other towns in the Neponset River Valley would be incorporated into the Metropolitan Parks District and that the Bill had been heard and favorably reported by the Committee on Metropolitan Affairs and at an early date thereafter would be heard by the House Committee on Ways and Means. If this Bill became a . law it would place on Norwood which has no. Metropolitan Park land a heavy financial burden for years to come. The legislation was sought on the ground that Norwood and these other towns were in the Metropolitan Sewer Distriet.
A special committee was appointed consisting of Chairman Mulvehill, Mr. Charles J. Prescott, Mr. Francis J. Foley and General Manager Clarence A. Bingham, to appear at the hearing before the House Committee on Ways and Means in opposition to the proposed legislation and to take such further action as might seem desirable to make the opposition of the town effective.
The committee enlisted the active cooperation of the officials of other towns interested and had the valuable assistance of Clerk Pendergast.
At the hearing on the Bill held by House Committee on Ways and Means on March 6th the opposition was strongly presented and thereafter the committee made a report "ought not to pass", which resulted in the rejec- tion of the Bill by action of the House of Representatives on March 11th, 1929.
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The Sunday Sports Act so-called, was accepted by the voters by ballot taken at the annual town meeting held January 20, 1929.
On April 16th it was voted that the provisions of law with respect to Sunday Sports be strictly enforced and that all persons conducting such sports be required first to obtain a license under provisions of existing law.
On April 23rd, 1929, pursuant to the authority given by Section 23 of Chapter 136 of the General Laws as amended the Selectmen adopted regulations relative to Sunday Sports as follows:
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