USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1930-1932 > Part 50
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On May 14, 1931, Howland Twombly and others, Trustees under will of Charles Sumner Bird, filed a petition against the Board of Assessors of Norwood with the State Board of Tax Appeals, through which, as owners on April 1, 1930, of certain real estate located in Norwood and assessed to them and for which they paid taxes under protest on October 1, 1930, they sought to secure a reduction of the amounts assessed and for a refund to the extent of any abatement ordered following the refusal on the part of the Board of Assessors to abate any of the taxes on said properties except as to certain buildings situated on one of the parcels involved. Through Answer prepared and filed through this Department on June 9, 1931, the Board of Assessors denied that the assessments upon the several parcels of real estate except as modified by the abatement above referred to, were in excess of the fair cash values of the properties and affirmed that they were based upon the fair cash values of the properties on April 1, 1930. After preparation for hearing but before the case was reached for hearing by Agreement of Parties filed on September 24, 1931, the petition was dismissed without costs, it being agreed as the basis of dismissal that no list of the real estate described in the petition had been filed as required by the statutory notice given by the Assessors for the year 1930 and that no abatement as of right could be claimed as to the taxes assessed for that year.
General
Attention was given by way of advice and other appropriate action as appeared to be required to the officials and upon the subject matters briefly stated as follows :---
Selectmen
Right to lay out a portion only of the Nichols Street Extension of which notice of intention to owners had been given.
Charter control questions.
Municipal Light Department right to incur advertising expense.
Questions Re hearing on changes in proposed Bond Street parkway plan. Service Station license and zoning by-law application questions.
266
Proposed state highway section construction control and action ques- tions.
Course of action as to articles for special town meeting warrant.
Payment of fireman's wages while on sick leave also as to illness com- pensation.
Course of action as to Tannyhill land damages claim.
Smith Construction Company contract situation and course of action involving various questions.
Balboni land damages claims questions.
Courses of action with respect to various claims.
Use of Civic playground buildings by American Legion, Post 70, for club house activities.
Miniature Golf Courses regulations and draft revised.
Selectmen as Board of Survey
General questions as to duties.
Bond Street proposed extension procedure questions including form of advertisement as to public hearing Re changes in existing plan.
School Committee
Status and control of certain special funds.
Athletic Association funds questions.
Control through town appropriation of expenditures by School Com- mittee.
Action with respect to Peabody Trust situation.
Sale of loam at Senior High School property.
Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes
Form and approval of surety bond of Deputy Collector Lovell.
Smith Construction Company contract Re course of action as to various situations, including trustee suits.
Tax payer payment situation and action.
Board of Health
New code of health regulations, revision and publication questions.
Board of Public Welfare
Questions Re landlord's rights under notice to quit for non-payment of rent.
City of Worcester case and incidental questions.
Board of Assessors
Joint tenancy title questions Re tax assessment and abatement. Collection motor vehicle tax claim.
Appeal case before State Board of Tax Appeals on Bird Trustees peti- tion.
Application of new law as to property exempt from taxation.
267
Massachusetts Air Terminal & Arena, Inc. request as to assessments of property and title questions.
Title situation as to certain lands.
Report by Engineering Department on search of title of certain property , for assessing purposes and title questions.
General Manager
White Contracting Company bond with Maryland Casualty Company as surety questions.
Appointment of Building Inspector under proposed new by-law.
Evans Highland Cemetery Lot use controversy.
Action with respect to insurance protection of Town officers and em- ployees on account of motor vehicle accident liability.
Dangerous buildings situation and action by Building Inspector and Fire Chief.
Status as to civil service of office of Deputy Fire Chief and as to non- competitive examination for position.
Nichols Street extension grading work-attention to proposal, advertis- ing, contract and bond.
Various small claims for indebtedness to Town Re collection questions. Contract for new Ballard oil burners for school building installation.
Delinquent water accounts collection.
Action as to street accidents.
Various managerial questions.
Oaths to witness in departmental examination.
Winter Street construction contract and bond approval.
Bill-board control legislation.
Municipal Light Department advertising questions.
Miniature Golf Course regulations questions.
Action as to a certain payment and assignment situation.
Town Clerk and Accountant
Articles for warrants for annual and special town meetings and motions under articles for town meeting action.
Status of petitions for town meeting warrants.
Zoning by-law procedure questions.
Bowen Company contract and bond application as to East Side School Building maintenance, etc., when defects found.
Various claims questions.
Bond of new Treasurer.
Civil Service application questions.
Tax title and foreclosure questions.
Form of record of action as to grants of pole locations.
Action by town meeting as to sale of land obtained by purchase.
Proposal as to release by Deacons of First Baptist Church of Norwood on easement taking award payment.
268
Betterment assessment interest and duties as to tax set-up and billing questions.
Water claim situation, Bowen Company, and action.
Planning Board procedure and article for special town meeting warrant.
Redemption of tax titles from Town and amounts required for purpose. Pensioning Municipal Light Department employee questions.
Assignment of Town tax titles regulations.
Street widenings and new street lay outs and eminent domain orders of taking therefor.
Use of Town land by private adjoining occupant and basis of same.
Balboni land damages claim situation and action as to compromise settlement.
Street takings releases.
Disclosure of information as to disbursements by Board of Public Wel- fare.
Notice of accident claim (Engineering Department) questions.
Smith Construction Company contract-lien claims and other questions. Tax sale questions.
Questions Re notice to land owners of intention to lay out ways.
Marriage license issue questions.
Sewer easement takings questions.
Land damages settlement papers questions.
Election laws questions as to caucuses and ballot designation.
Petition to Land Court for foreclosure tax titles held by Town and titles and sales questions.
Question Re notice of hearing on application for permit for gasoline storage and sale.
Questions Re license procedure and zoning by-law as to gasoline filling stations.
Questions Re Nichols Street extension including that of notice to owners of lay out, procedure matters and betterment assessments and title questions and attention to order of taking.
Building Inspector
Appointment under proposed new building code.
Duties as to dangerous buildings and as to specific situations.
Action Re building by-law permit terms and zoning by-law violations.
Proposed residence garage situation and action in duty under zoning by-law.
East Side School Building Committee
Duty as to balance of funds on hand with respect to report to Town.
Senior High School Building Addition Committee
Contract and bond provisions Re architect's questions.
Article for warrant as to proposal.
Equipment and furnishings questions under town meeting article action.
269
Architect's contract questions.
Proposal to bidders.
Revision of contract draft.
Dealings with contractor, the Bowen Company.
Budget questions.
Bond and certificate questions.
Board of Registrars of Voters
Procedure with respect to protest of designation of certain nominees for 1931 election.
New Building By-Law Committee
Reviewed draft of proposed code and made and reported upon per- fecting changes; public hearing on code attended.
Junior High School Building Addition Committee
Questions Re claim of architect for fees based on grading work.
Miscellaneous
On December 22 papers from the office of the United States Attorney for the Massachusetts District relating to the requirements of the Depart- ment of the Attorney General of the United States for a title report and certificate and deed with respect to the parcel of land, fronting on Central Street extension and Guild Street, accepted by the United States Govern- ment for the site of the Norwood Post Office Building, were submitted by the Selectmen to this Department for attention and in view of the special character of the work involved, with the approval of the Selectmen, after a preliminary survey and report, were referred to Attorney Charles E. Houghton, an expert on such matters, and the search of title and prepa- ration of the report and other necessary papers are in process subject to the direction of the Assistant United States Attorney in charge.
A controversy between interested parties over location rights with respect to the Evans lot in Highland Cemetery which threatened litigation wherein the Town would be a party was abandoned so far as the Town was concerned as it was established to the satisfaction of the moving party that the Cemetery Commissioners did not exceed their authority and the Town was not concerned with the dispute.
The matter of the discontinuance of the old Town drain easement in the land of the First Baptist Church of Norwood and of payment of the award of $1000 for the new drain easement acquired in the property through a taking by eminent domain and of securing a proper release from the Deacons of the Church had attention and a satisfactory form of re- leasc was agreed upon and executed and delivered by the duly authorized officials and the amount of the award was paid and the old drain was abandoned under vote of the Town when the new drain was constructed.
Study proposed legislation and attention to new legislation affecting municipalities.
Study recent decisions on municipal questions.
270
Conclusion
The situation with respect to actual and prospective litigation as the year 1931 ended appeared to involve no substantial financial burden upon the Town in the year 1932 and is therefore cause for satisfaction.
The consideration, confidence and cooperation so uniformly extended by all officials with which this Department had dealings is gratefully acknowledged.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. HALLORAN, Town Counsel
271
REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
The Board of Health submits the following report for the year 1931 :
At the annual Board meeting the Board of Health elected the following officers: Harold L. Alden, chairman; William P. Nickerson, member of Board; John A. Shannon, Inspector of Plumbing; Dr. James J. Mulvehill, Inspector of Milk and Agent; Dorothy L. Bemis, Clerk.
The following table shows the reportable diseases for the year 1931:
Chicken Pox
Mumps
Diphtheria
Scarlet Fever
German
Measles
Measles
Typhoid Fever
Tuberculosis
Cerebro
Spinal
Meningitis
Infantile
Paralysis
Lobar
Influenza
Whooping
Cough
Total
1919
14
41
9
2
19
1
16
500
602
1920
5
29
48
5
9
3
37
85
135
1921
8
10
64
1 29
6
20
146
1922
34
17
142
19
24
1
238
1923
36
24
23
10
24
111
1924
31
102
11
1 20
41
206
1925
56
138
224
13
17
448
1926
13
75
27
2
11
9
137
1927
6
25
4
1
9
2
7
8
62
1928
2
13
217
2
10
1
4
1
250
1929
9
4
3
18
3
5
2
16
32
2
11
114
1930
14
6
5
9
2
4
12
13
2
23
45
141
1931
28
1
2
24
25
36
8
13
1
4
26
2
21
205
Dog Bite 14.
This chart shows the greatest number of Chicken Pox and Pneumonia, and Scarlet Fever cases.
The various activities of the Board have been carried on in the usual way, and reports from Dr. Curtin at the Dental Clinic, Dr. Mulvehill, Milk Inspector and Agent, Mr. John A. Shannon, Inspector of Plumbing, and Miss Katherine Kingman, Public Health nurse are as follows:
The annual report of the Dental Clinic for the year ending December 31, 1931 is hereby submitted:
The Clinic follows the same rules as are in force at the Forsythe Dental Clinic, governing the treatment and extraction of permanent teeth. The work of the clinic is concentrated on the first three grades, so that by taking care of the teeth at the earliest possible time, the greatest number is realized. Examinations are held of the three upper grades, and notices of any defects found are sent home.
8
-
-
Pneumonia
272
The clinic is available for emergency cases, Board of Relief and several patients have been treated this year. Following is the report of the clinic:
No. examined 1,409
No. needing attention 1,241
No. cases completed 721
No. cases incomplete 89
Board of Relief 2
Dr. Mulvehill, Inspector of Milk submits the following report:
During the year 1931, one hundred thirty samples of milk werc examined for fat and solid content and for number of bacteria per cc., cleanliness and keeping quality alone.
Ninety-one dairies supplying milk to Norwood were inspected and in most of these places results of the examination of the premises and cattle housed therein were found to be in a satisfactory condition.
In a few instances corrections were suggested and dairy owners readily complied with suggestions.
The Public Health Nurse, Miss Katherine Kingman, submits the follow- ing report:
38 clinic days were held during the year.
195 patients attended the clinic.
90 new patients.
550 follow-up visits were made by the nurse to clinic patients.
9 patients were sent to a sanitorium.
7 patients were found having tuberculosis.
1 Tuberculosis of the Eye patient was sent to Lakeville Sanitorium.
1 lung abscess, tubercular origin patient was sent to Braintree Sanitorium .
12 cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis report to the clinic regularly during the year. These cases are arrested.
24 Hilum cases of Tuberculosis were found in children during the year.
There has been a decrease in the attendance to the clinic and fewer cases of Tuberculosis were reported this past year owing to the establishing of two other clinics in the surrounding towns. These clinics were formed from the out-growth of our Tuberculosis Clinic. Dr. Griffin is in charge of the clinic, also, and does a fine work.
The Inspector of Plumbing, Mr. John Shannon, reports that he has made 136 inspections for the year 1931.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD L. ALDEN, WILLIAM P. NICKERSON, CHARLES L. LYNCH
273
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Board of Public Welfare submit the following report for the year 1931:
The year of 1931 was one of increased work for this Board, the Board having many added burdens and responsibilities in the performance of their duties. Welfare officers have been called upon to work increasingly in an effort to relieve and meet the problems arising from the general un- employment situation, yet realizing that Norwood is fortunate in having so many various industries that the calls for help have not increased as much as they have in many other communities.
In some cases the Board have been called upon for Temporary assistance and have adjusted matters speedily. The first time applicants have often been referred to the local well equipped agencies and charitable organiza- tions and the latter have co-operated splendidly, and have aid the Board in this respect many times.
A summary of the cases helped, the reason for, and number of people aided is listed below :
Mother's
Temporary Aid
Institutional Care 12
Children Boarded 6
Adults Boarded 6
14
48
Old or
Wage Earner
Husband in
Infirm
Unemployed 35
Sickness 5
Jail 10
Desertion
14
5
The number of cases listed above number 155, and include 214 adults and 255 children, about 30% increase over last year.
Respectfully submitted,
JENNIE F. FALES, MAY G. MILLETT, JOSEPH ROACHE
Aid
274
BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
The Bureau of Old Age Assistance submits the following report for 1931:
The Old Age Assistance Law went into effect the year of 1931 to provide aid for deserving citizens seventy years of age or older of this Common- wealth.
Applications are made at the Board of Public Welfare office and after proper investigation cases are approved by the Bureau of Old Age Assistance at the State House.
In the Town of Norwood there were 42 applications filed. Of this num- ber 27 were accepted and 15 rejected. Those rejected were for the follow- ing reasons: 5 had too large an equity in their property, 2 were non-citizens, 6 had children who were able to contribute towards the support, 1 did not have proper residence, and 1 for other reasons.
Respectfully submitted,
JENNIE F. FALES, MAY G. MILLETT, M. JOSEPH ROACHE
.
275
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT
C. A. Bingham, Town Manager, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Bingham :
The Playgrounds were operated from July 6 to August 29, 1931. The attendance for the season was larger than in previous years. This increase was seen on each playground, the total registration this year being over 1400.
The supervision of the Morse Pond Swimming Pool was a new project for this department. Not only were the swimming and diving under the direction of a life saver, but the adjoining land was turned into a play- ground. This feature added to the attractiveness and attendance at the pool. Regular leagues were entered by the boys throughout the season. This opportunity for play also relieved the congestion of the Balch Play- ground. The attendance was chiefly made up of boys, over two hundred of them being regular playground boys.
Through the cooperation of the Public Works Department, it was possible to improve the sanitary conditions at Morse Pond. It is sincerely hoped that further work along this line will be provided so that the larger numbers using the pond may be benefited.
As in former years, the inter-playground leagues in baseball and volley ball for boys and girls were carried on. These leagues were formed to give as many children as possible the opportunity to enter into competition under guidance. An addition to the program was made in having leagues within each playground. This increased the league enrollments to over three hundred children.
The tennis tournaments reached larger numbers than ever before. Seventy-two names were entered in the three classes. This activity was particularly noteworthy as it brought into the work a greater interest in adult recreation.
The Norwood Lodge of Elks gave the Playground children a Field Day. Sports were entered into by children of all ages. Over twelve hundred at- tended accompanied by interested parents, friends and the ever generous Elks. Ice cream was given to each child at the close of the games program.
Parents' night, an annual feature of our season found twelve hundred children doing their best to entertain. Plays, dances, games and tourna- ments told the visiting adults of the activities enjoyed in the regular Play- ground day. This event has steadily increased in popularity since its first introduction several years ago. It is a real neighborhood party and par- ticularly at the Balch and Pleasant Playgrounds when it is attended by hundreds of adults.
The Board of Health felt it necessary for us to postpone our final demon- stration, which was a genuine disappointment to the children; and in vicw
276
of the possible danger each playground ran its demonstration on the local ground. Hundreds of parents and friends visited the grounds. Although inclement weather necessitated shortening the programs, every child participated.
The American Legion offered their excellent band to help make the festival a real treat for the children; and although we could not accept their offer, they assured us it was good for another year, so we wait for a bigger play night to come.
The cooperation of a splendid staff of directors was the keynote to the success of the playgrounds. The never failing assistance of the various branches of the municipal offices made it possible to carry it through.
Another year Norwood's Playgrounds will probably be able to increase their scope to embrace further evening activities. At the present time, they exceed most towns of their size; but as Norwood is a leader in many phases, greater recreational opportunity for all will be seen there first.
I wish to add publicly my thanks to you for the confidence and help you have given the entire staff.
Respectfully yours,
Signed, JOSEPHINE A. COGAN, Playground Supervisor
277
REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The Board of Assessors herewith submit their annual report together with the statement of valuations as determining the tax levy for the year 1931.
Organization April 1, 1931
Kenneth Mckenzie was reappointed by the Selectmen as Assessor for the term of three years beginning April 1, 1931.
The Board organized as follows: Patrick J. Lydon was elected Chairman and Agnes M. Coughlin, Clerk.
Assistant Assessors
On March 25, 1931 George L. Banks, Robert B. Oldham, John H. Car- berry, John P. Crowley, Leslie J. Latham and James E. Roache were appointed assistant assessors by the Board under the authority of Town Meeting to serve for the period of thirty days or such shorter period as the Board of Assessors may determine.
Tax Rate for the Year 1931
On July 29, 1931 it was voted that the tax rate for the year 1931 be determined as $29.00 per thousand.
The table of tax requirements submitted herewith exhibit a comparison of the year 1930 to 1931.
It was voted that no Special Assessments be levied against individual parcels of land in the Neponset Valley for the purpose of meeting the ex- pense which the Town has been called upon to pay because no agricultural benefit can be found to exist.
Filing of Statements
The Board of Assessors wish to call to the attention of all taxpayers the responsibility placed upon each taxpayer, under the Law, the necessity of filing of statements of property taxable in each year.
The Board of Assessors are permitted to abate only as the Law directs. January 12, 1932 the following Resolution was passed:
Voted, that the following resolution relative to our late fellow member, Kenneth Mckenzie, be embodied in the records and in the annual report to the Town,
Whereas, Kenneth Mckenzie, a member of the Board of Assessors by continuous service from the date of his first appointment on March 14, 1922, died on January 7, 1932 during the fourth term of office to expire on April 1, 1934.
Be it Resolved, that we his associates, the surviving members of the Board, express our deep sorrow and our keen sense of personal loss on his
.
278
departure from this life and our appreciation of his efficient and conscien- tious service to the citizens of Norwood.
He brought to the deliberations of the Board a splendid judgment, ripe business experience and a strong sense of values and of justice.
He was always faithful and painstaking in the performance of the im- portant duties of his office. He was an intensely loyal official, firm in his friendships, and certain in constant cooperation with his associates. His worth to the Town cannot be measured by ordinary standards and his loss is correspondingly great. His exemplary private and official life has, we trust, brought its reward.
Respectfully submitted,
PATRICK J. LYDON, EDWARD A. FLAHERTY
COMPARISON OF TAX REQUIREMENTS Valuations as Assessed in Each of the Years
Appropriation by Taxation .
State Tax .
26,670.00
$1,324,956.48 28,575.00
1,905.00
County Tax . .
32,978.42
34,797.43
1,819.01
State Highway Tax.
1,007.03
$ 1,007.03
Parks Outside Metropolitan Area
375.35
375.35
Special State Tax (Old Age Assistance)
4,653.00
4,653.00
Overdraft, Abatement .. .
815.27
1,714.81
899.54
Neponset Valley Assessment
1,960.36
1,960.36
Soldiers' Exemptions .
60.00
60.00
Division of Accounts .
63.24
7,431.38
7,368.14
Metropolitan Sewer Assessment and Interest
35,416.63
36,339.28
922.65
Snow Removal Tax .
206.82
206.82
$1,417,663.70
$1,440,863.09
$24,413.24
$ 1,213.85
Estimated Receipts. . .
$ 417,818.05
$ 440,998.00
$23,179.95
Estimated Excise Tax .
27,000.00
28,000.00
1,000.00
Estimated Corporation Tax (Certified).
76,300.00
78,898.06
2,598.06
Income Tax (Certified) .
110,903.50
95,731.47
$15,172.03
Highway Appropriation Offset (Chap. 122, Acts 1931) . .
9,962.24
9,962.24
Tax on Polls ..
9,356.00
9,346.00
10.00
Special State Tax (Old Age Assistance).
4,653.00
4,653.00
-
$ 641,377.55
$ 667,588.77
Net Charges
$ 776,286.15
773,274.32
Plus Overlay Requirements
7,667.40
6,938.70
$ 783,953.55
$ 780,213.02
Valuation 1930-$27,032,881.00 at $29.00
$ 783,953.55
Valuation 1931-$26,903,879.00 at $29.00 .
$ 780,213.02
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1930 $1,318,545.93
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