USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1930-1932 > Part 67
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Sewerage System now totals 28.68 miles.
Drains
The following list of drains were added to the system, which now totals 15.77 miles, with 541 Catch Basins and Drain Manholes.
per
Foot
198
Street
Length 92'
Estimate
Cost
Cost per Foot
Size
Water St. at R. R. Bridge
$ 199.69
$2.16
5""
Hill St. Extension and Mountain Avenue
870'
$2,800.00
1,791.91
2.06
12 & 8"
Garfield Ave. Extension
1,122'
2,100.00
2,310.15
2.06
12"
Oliver and Rock Streets
465'
800.00
1,000.73
2.151
12"
Tremont Street
486'
900.00
994.43
2.046
10"
Cedar Street
(Four catch basins)
58'
312.99
6 & 8"
Concord Avenue
418'
889.92
2.129
12""
Short and Morse Streets
627'
1,096.55
1.75
12'
Granite Street
157'
449.13
2.86
12"
From the culvert at the Corcoran Property on Rock Street two lines of 42" concrete pipe (96 ft.) were laid across the street, where two lines of 36" concrete pipe were continued through Clark Swamp for a distance of 1660'. Here two manholes were constructed and from there to the railroad 1566' of pipe was laid. It was planned to tunnel under the railroad tracks to Broadway, but after the tunnel had proceeded through solid ground for a distance of twenty-eight feet we ran into a fill of loose ashes and gravel. As there was no way to control this material from settling ahead of the tunnel and the vibration from passing trains caused settlements, the Railroad Company insisted that work be stopped until they could put proper shoring under the tracks.
Water Division
Eight hydrants were replaced. Five of these were on account of being struck by automobiles * the other three were old type hydrants that were leaking badly. There were forty-three service leaks repaired and three leaks in the mains.
Pumping Stations, Pumping Machinery and buildings are in very good condition.
* (The town secures reimbursement for damage on these hydrants.) The following extensions were made to the system:
Cost
Street
Size
Length
Estimate
Cost
per Foot
Hill Street
6"
215'
$ 600.00
$ 332.99
$1.55
Cleveland Street
253'
1,200.00
438.23
1.73
Franklin Street
6"
744'
969.47
1.30
Highview Lane
309'
900.00
671.79
2.17
Sumner Street
6"
493'
1,163.53
2.36
2,014'
$2,700.00
$3,576.01
199
Operating Record at Water Pumping Stations
Station
Days
Hours
Gallons Pumped
Ellis
365
3,565₺
230,830,000
Westwood
365
2,535
149,265,000
Total
730
6,100}
380,095,000
Monthly Consumption in Gallons
Month
Ellis Station
Westwood Station
January
21,360,000
8,965,000
February
20,310,000
7,700,000
March
22,220,000
9,145,000
April
14,350,000
15,155,000
May
12,600,000
18,415,000
June
11,440,000
21,000,000
July
18,800,000
16,765,000
August
24,730,000
11,440,000
September
23,560,000
10,290,000
October
22,290,000
10,335,000
November
19,740,000
9,765,000
December
19,430,000
10,290,000
230,830,000
149,265,000
Total Gallons Pumped 1932, 380,095,000.
Water Pumped in Previous Years
1926
493,814,375 gallons
1927
428,230,000 gallons
1928
416,875,000 gallons
1929
387,820,000 gallons
1930
418,015,000 gallons
1931
411,230,000 gallons
The day on which the greatest amount of water was pumped was August 16, 1932-1,345,000 gallons.
The week during which the greatest amount of water was pumped was the week of July 16 to July 21 when 9,050,000 gallons were pumped.
Miles of Water Mains January 1, 1933-44.06.
Water pumped from both stations registered by Venturi Meters.
Number of Services in use January 1, 1933 2679
Number of House Meters in use January 1, 1933 2725
Number of Shop Meters in use January 1, 1933 47
Total Number of Hydrants 424
Seventeen water services were renewed and twelve new services were added to the system. Twenty new meters were set.
200
Forestry
The following is a list of work done by the Forestry Department:
One hundred eighty-four trees were pruned.
Twenty-eight young American Lindens were pruned for future shape.
Eleven trees, where limbs extended over private houses were pruned to permit sunlight and to prevent damage to houses.
Fourteen trees were removed, including the stumps. Nine of these trees were killed by illuminating gas, one by drought, caused by ledge under soil, three decayed and in dangerous condition and one tree was obstructing a driveway.
Fifteen young Norway Maples were purchased and planted.
Five trees were transplanted on account of street widening.
Two trees required rod bracing to prevent splitting.
All town trees were sprayed, including Parks and Schools.
All private property trees that could be reached from the street were sprayed.
Under brush along side of roads was also sprayed.
A survey of the town was made and all gypsy and satin moth eggs were painted. Brown Tail Moths were gathered and burned.
Respectfully yours,
JOSEPH E. CONLEY, Superintendent of Public Works.
201
ENGINEER'S REPORT
Mr. C. A. Bingham, Town Manager, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as Town Engineer for the year 1932.
Taking plans, deed descriptions, construction plans, assessment plans, lines and grades and final measurements were furnished for the following jobs:
Street Layouts and Widenings
Cedar Street between Washington Street and Railroad Avenue. Garfield Avenue between Adams Street and Monroe Street. Hill Street Extension. Mountain Avenue Extension.
Highland Street Extension.
Dean Street and Pleasant Street, 4 corners.
Drains
Cedar Street Clark Swamp Granite Street Concord Avenue Oliver and Rock Streets
Short and Morse Streets Water Street Hill Street Garfield Avenue Tremont Street
Sewers
Hawes Brook
Morse Street Prospect Street Mountain Avenue Extension
Hill Street Extension
Highview Street Washington Street St. John Avenue Metropolitan Connection
Construction plans, lines and grades were furnished for the following jobs:
Neponset Street surfacing. Washington Street sidewalk, Tremont Street to Town Line. Cedar Street sidewalk, Chapel Street to railroad. Linden Street sidewalk. Washington Street sidewalk between Granite Street and Town Line. Prospect Street sidewalk. Cemetery extensions.
202
Miscellaneous Work
Town maps showing sewer, water highways and sidewalks brought up to date.
Assessors' plans.
Sewer assessment plans.
Sidewalk assessment quantities.
Water valves located and plotted.
House connections plotted.
Estimated costs on new construction.
Cemetery plan finished.
Plotting 1932 burials on lot plans.
Alteration plans in municipal building.
Building survey for assessors.
Estimating costs of sewer and water connections to new houses.
Proposed locations of. new streets around cemetery.
Information to engineers, contractors, Telephone Co. and Metropolitan Sewer Commission.
1933 town maps.
Town charts.
Miscellaneous plans showing connections to new highway.
Pole location surveys for Light Department.
Accident surveys.
Hydrant location surveys.
Street lines relocated.
Plans to eliminate sewer pumping station.
Respectfully submitted,
A. W. THOMPSON, Town Engineer
:
i
203 .
REPORT OF LIGHT DEPARTMENT
Mr. C. A. Bingham,
Town Manager,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
After going through another year of dull business, it is a pleasure to say that we had a small gain in our output. This makes the Light Depart- ment's 1932 out-put largest in our history.
During the past year we have lost the Street Railway business, starting June 12, when the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway discontinued its trolley car service.
We have continued the rearranging of our commercial and street lighting circuits, which results in much better service given to our people.
The Department has replaced ninety-four poles, added thirty-four new poles and four and one-half miles of commercial and street lighting wires.
General Data
December 31, 1931
December 31, 1932
Gain
Lamps on Lines
126,463
131,125
4,662
Meters in Use
4,576
4,695
119
H. P. of Motors
4,269
4,484
215
Street Lighting
Traffic and
Fire Alarm
C. P. C. P. C. P. C. P. C. P.
Total
40 & 60
60 250 400
600
1000
Candle Power
7,360
550
32,980
144
36,000
186
74,400
116
67,600
34
34,000
Tota C. P. on Streets
1,169 Street Lamps burned 3,916 hours.
Electric Inspection and Meter Division
Inspection was made of all new work and changes of wiring, approved all meter locations and changing of customers' services when necessary.
Testing, checking, numbering and filing all records of meters.
252,340
139
. 204
Cutting out and reconnecting of meters for vacancies and nonpayment. Removing and installing of meters.
Investigated all complaints for the Billing Department.
Issued three hundred and fifty wiring permits during the year. It was necessary to rewire several old jobs of wiring during the year.
Fire, Police and Traffic Signal Division
No additions or changes have been made during the year. The systems are all in good working order and we have had little trouble during the year.
Review of Twenty-Five Years
In 1907 the Municipal Lighting Plant installed its lighting system. On August 15, 1907, the first electric street lights were turned on with 10 arc and 211 incandescent lamps.
On September 1, 1907, the commercial lighting service was turned on with 1 meter installed at the house of the late William F. Baker, 80 Vernon Street. This was followed later with Perley Thompson's drug store and then James Folan's shoe store. From then on they gradually increased until January 31, 1908, the end of the fiscal year at that time. We had, in five months, brought our connected load up to 71 meters and 68 H. P. of motors and had a profit and loss surplus of $254.49 from the first five months of operation.
On January 31, 1910, two years later, our growth was more rapid; we had increased our meters to 271 and horse power of motors to 247. Street lights were 10 arc and incandescent lights 426 and we had a profit and loss surplus of $3,125.14.
Three years later, January 31, 1913, the business had grown to 738 meters and 1,088 H. P. of motors and a profit and loss surplus of $16,859.65.
The growth has continued from 1913 until 1932. We have 4,864 meters and 4,484 H. P. of motors and 1,030 street lights with a profit and loss surplus of $222,306.61.
It may be interesting to the citizens to know that in the past eleven years cash appropriated from the department has amounted to $300,878.93 which has been used toward the tax rate. Also in lieu of taxes the depart- ment has paid into the treasury $97,692.26.
For the first eleven years the town paid the department no money for its street lighting; this and the difference paid the department the past fourteen years, if purchased from outside as in the towns surrounding Norwood, means a saving to the town of over $250,000.00 Another saving which our people have enjoyed is that our rates for light and power have been lower with about another $200,000.00 saved.
An important item is that the plant cost nearly $555,000.00 and could no doubt have been sold in 1928 for nearly three times its cost and not one dollar of it came from the tax payer-every dollar has been earned by the department.
205
During this period the net gain above mentioned totals $1,398,571.19, this figure including the plant cost plus savings.
Today the plant is one of the most up-to-date, is in the best operating condition of any in this section and is giving the people good service.
The department has no debts. All debts, depreciation, improvements and extensions have been made from past earnings.
Respectfully submitted,
F. S. BARTON, Superintendent Municipal Light Department
203
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
Mr. C. A. Bingham,
Town Manager, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Bingham:
I herewith submit the following as the annual report of the Inspector of Buildings of the Town of Norwood for the year ending December 31, 1932:
No. Permits Issued
Estimated Value
Single dwellings
6
$ 26,500
New garages
31
6,280
New poultry houses
10
535
New store
1
20,000
New addition to factory
1
4,000
New greenhouse
1
500
New gas station
1
600
Additions to residential buildings
79
30,163
Additions to non-residential buildings
28
25,705
Minor additions without cost
3
Total
161
$114,283
Number of inspections during 1932
965
Number of inspections during 1932 on 1931 jobs
278
Total number of inspections
1,243
Respectfully submitted,
F. M. DOUGLASS, Building Inspector
207
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Mr. C. A. Bingham,
Town Manager, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Bingham:
I herewith submit the following as the annual report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures of the Town of Norwood for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1932:
Sealed
Condemned
Platform Scales over 5000 lbs.
18
-
Platform Scales under 5000 lbs.
55
2
Spring Scales over 5000 lbs.
7
1
Spring Scales under 5000 lbs.
65
Counter Scales under 100 lbs.
52
Computing Scales under 100 lbs.
113
Personal Scales
22
Prescription Scales
12
Apothecary Weights
72
Avoirdupois Weights
335
Metric Weights
43
Gasoline Pumps
53
Quality Stops
130
School Scales
10
Yard Measures
153
Liquid Measures
22
Leather Measures
4
Vehicle Tanks
17
Oil Jars
10
Kerosene Pumps
10
-
Meters
4
Total
1207
3
The following inspections were made:
Number of each Tested
Found Correct
Found Over- Weight
Found Under- Weight
Sugar
45
40
5
Flour
50
46
4
Fruit and Vegetables
30
20
10
Butter
40
40
-
-
Bread
60
48
12
-
Coffee
20
18
2
-
208
Number of each Tested
Found Correct
Found Over- Weight
Found Under Weight
Rice
15
10
5
Lard
8
8
Tapioca
12
12
Raisins
8
8
Prunes
6
6
Confectionary
30
28
2
Meats and Provisions
25
20
5
Coke in bags
26
26
Coal in bags
25
22
3
Coal in transit
25
18
3
4
Kindling wood in bags
15
15
Dry Goods
6
6
Marking bread
35
35
Food in packages
60
60
Milk jars
40
40
Ice Cream containers
20
20
Paper and Fibre cartons
18
18
Wholesale milk cans
20
20
Ice Scales
25
25
Pedlars license
30
30
Gasoline Pumps
20
20
-
Vehicle Tanks
8
8
Totals
722
667
41
14
-
-
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY M. KING, Sealer of Weights and Measures
209
REPORT OF CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Mr. C. A. Bingham,
General Manager,
Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Cemetery Department for the year ending December 31, 1932.
As in previous years, the department has done the usual kind of work, namely, interments, maintenance, construction, foundations, and private work.
The department, with the help of the unemployed, has turned over more land than was turned over in one year since I have been in charge. We have dug over 5243 square yards of earth at a depth from three to five feet, graded and seed the same; built 1955 square yards of avenues with four inches of macadam surface; gravel walks (4' and 6') covering 690 square yards; laid 767 feet of two-inch water pipe and 320 feet of twelve- inch drain pipe, and built eight catch basins. Shrubs were also set out and a large tract of land was plowed and harrowed and this will be seeded in the spring,-all this work being done with the cooperation of the Public Works Department in sections 43, 44 and 55.
One hundred and fifty-five interments and three removals were made during the year.
Twenty-one lots and forty-one single graves were sold during the year 1932.
For the Old Parish Cemetery, we would recommend that the front and back avenues be dressed over.
We will need loam for grading the single grave section in the Protestant division.
As the men are entitled to two weeks' vacation each year, I believe there ought to be extra money appropriated to take care of this, instead of having it taken out of the regular appropriation.
GEORGE A. SMITH, Superintendent
210
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Norwood:
During the past year the same high standard of service, which has characterized the Morrill Memorial Library for many years, has been rendered to the citizens of Norwood.
In these days of continued economic stress, the Library has furnished great comfort and mental stimulus to those who, through no fault of their own, have found time hanging heavily on their hands. It is most gratify- ing to the Trustees, to learn that the Library has taken so important a place in the lives of our townspeople.
A very noticeable increase in circulation is shown in the records. The total circulation for the year 1932 is 133,893 volumes-an excess of 12,482, or a ten per cent gain over the 1931 figures.
In January, Mr. Arthur Allen was elected to the Finance Commission, thus making a vacancy of the Board of Trustees of the Library. Mr. Richard D. Northrop was elected the sixth member of the Board. In the reorganization of the Board Mr. Willard W. Everett was chosen Chairman and Miss Mary E. Williams, Secretary.
The presentation to the Library, of fine historical maps and pictures by Mr. Charles E. Houghton was greatly appreciated and duly acknowl- edged by the Trustees. These are to be called The Charles E. Houghton Collection of Historical Data. It is Mr. Houghton's intention to add to this collection, from time to time, both by his own contributions and those of his friends.
Through the kindly cooperation of the Trustees of the Congregational Church with the Trustees of the Library, the error made in surveying the land for the Plimpton Wing was rectified by the purchase of a small strip of land for the sum of $200.00.
At the request of the Sons of Veterans, property consisting of books, records, flags, relics, etc., of the George K. Bird Post of the G. A. R. of Norwood, is stored temporarily in the Library until such time as the Sons of Veterans may wish to preserve this valuable collection elsewhere.
In spite of extra work incurred by the heavier circulation in the library, and no automatic increases in salaries as customary, the Library staff willingly contributed 2% of its salary to the Unemployment Fund, for six months of the year.
211
During the year the library has received many gifts which have been duly acknowledged. The Trustees wish however again to tender their sincere appreciation to the donors at this time. A list of the names of these donors is given in the statistical report of the librarian.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLARD W. EVERETT, Chairman, MARY E. WILLIAMS, Secretary, RALPH W. TAYLOR, A. MARION SWAIN, MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, RICHARD D. NORTHROP.
212
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 Memorial Library
Town
Norwood
Name of Librarian
Jane A. Hewett
Date of founding
1873
Population served
15,049 (census of 1930)
Assessed valuation
$26,660,266.00
Terms of use
Free for lending; free for reference
Total number of agencies
5
Number of days open in 1932
303
Number of hours open each week
66
Number of staff
6
Increase
Number of volumes at the beginning of the year
40,015
Number of volumes added by purchase
2,118
Number of volumes added by gift
17
Total number of volumes at the end of the year
42,150
Number of magazines and newspapers currently received
80 titles
99 copies .
Use
Fiction
Non-fiction
Foreign
Total
Adult
68,506
14,565
514
83,585
Juvenile
29,614
6,537
36,151
Balch School
3,939
High School
293
Shattuck School
4,661
Winslow School
4,838
Deposits in other schools and the Fire Station
426
Total circulation
133,893
Pictures lent
4,300
Finance
See report of the Town Accountant
Registration
Adult
Juvenile
Total .
Number of new borrowers registered-1932
260
373
633
Total number registered
3375
1755
5130
213
Books Added to the Library in 1932
Adult
Juvenile
Total
General works
25
0
25
Philosophy
12
1
13
Religion
3
3
6
Sociology (includes fairy tales)
48
147
195
Philology
3
1
4
Natural science
21
16
37
Useful arts
21
29
50
Fine arts
26
4
30
Literature
78
47
125
Description and travel
35
34
69
Biography
119
24
143
History
37
23
60
Fiction
769
609
1378
Total
1197
938
2135
Gifts
Books, magazines, maps, photographs, etc., have been received from
Hon. Frank G. Allen
Miss Maude A. Shattuck
Mr. Herbert Bainton
Mr. H. F. Sinclair
Master George Barr
Mr. Frank Smith
Miss Clare Benedict
American Relief Association
Mr. Charles E. Houghton
C. Francis Jenkins, Inc.
Mr. Frank Keen
City of Newton, Massachusetts
Mrs. L. C. Marshall
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Mrs. George H. O'Brien
United States Government
Respectfully submitted,
JANE A. HEWETT, Librarian
214
ANNUAL REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
Selectmen,
Peter J. Feeney, Chairman, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sirs:
The report of the Legal Department for the year 1932, being the twenty- fourth annual report, is submitted in the following abbreviated form, supplemented however, by a detailed account of the service rendered arranged in departmental order and placed in the files and available for reference purposes.
Advice was furnished through written opinions and conferences and assistance was rendered in such form as was required or found desirable during the course of the year to the Selectmen, Finance Commission, School Committee, Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, Board of Health, Board of Public Welfare, Board of Assessors, Trustees of the Morrill Memorial Library, General Manager, Town Clerk and Accountant, Public Works Department, Fence Viewers and Building By-Law Com- mittee. Independent attention was given to claims and litigation. The activities of the department covered a wide range of matters of varied character, with action taken deemed appropriate and found to be necessary or desirable. During the absence of the Town Counsel on leave, on account of illness, Honorable Clifford B. Sanborn was appointed and acted as Special Town Counsel, with respect to matters referred to him for advice and other action by several of the departments.
Litigation and Claims
On December 9, 1931, a suit in equity was brought in the Superior Court for Suffolk County by the Metropolitan Crushed Stone Company against Thomas Smith, Jr., and James A. O'Brien, of Fall River, doing business as the Smith Construction Company, the parties with whom the Town entered into a contract on July 15, 1931, for the construction of a widening and relocation of Winter Street with the Standard Accident Insurance Company as surety on their bond as security for the proper performance of the contract. The purpose of the suit as stated in the Bill of Complaint was to establish the petitioner's claim as a lienor creditor of Smith and O'Brien for materials and labor furnished in connection with the work with right for other lienor creditors to join in the case. The Town of Norwood and the Insurance Company were joined as parties respondent to reach monies due from the Town to Smith and O'Brien under the con- tract and the interest of the Town in the bond of the Insurance Company. Various other claimants have joined in the suit, more complete details of which were set forth in the annual report for 1931. This suit is pending for hcaring.
215
On February 23, 1932, a petition was brought in the Superior Court for Norfolk County by Charles P. Pond and others against the Town for the assessment of damages for the taking of an easement in land by right of eminent domain for the extension of Nichols Street, as a public way, and as to which taking no damages were awarded. An answer was filed in behalf of the Town and the case is pending for trial.
On March 28, 1932, Catherine Dillon brought an action of tort in the Superior Court for Norfolk County for personal injuries alleged to have been sustained in consequence of a defective condition claimed to have existed in Nahatan Street. After investigation the case was settled by compromise with the approval of the Selectmen following negotiations and a release was taken.
Alfred W. Tanneyhill, being dissatisfied with the award of damages made, prepared for filing in the Superior Court for Norfolk County a petition against the Town for the assessment of damages for the taking by right of eminent domain of an easement in land owned by him for the purpose of an alteration by widening of a portion of Central Street, but a compromise settlement, approved by the Selectmen, was made with Mr. Tanneyhill and the interested mortgagee and the petition was not filed and a release was taken upon the agreed payment being made on March 22, 1932.
On May 24, 1932, an action at law in contract was brought against the Town in the Superior Court for Norfolk County by James J. Drummey for a balance alleged to be due for labor and materials performed and furnished, with extras in the way of additional work and material, in con- nection with a grading contract, so-called, at the new high school in the sum of $8,976.00 and interest thereon from July 20, 1927. The Town has answered denying liability and the case is pending for trial.
James Curran made claim in 1931 for workmen's compensation because of personal injuries alleged to have been received while working for the Town in 1930 and arising out of and in the course of his employment. The claim was heard in 1932 by the State Industrial Accident Board and by agreement a final settlement of the claim was made for a lump sum compensation, with the approval of the Industrial Accident Board, after careful medical examination and report as to character and extent of the injuries, and payment made under appropriate papers filed and by order of said Board, dated April 8, 1932.
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