USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1932-1935 > Part 13
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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
206
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 hearing.
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 publie 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- neetion 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 elaim was made for a lump sum compensation, with the approval of the Industrial Aeeident 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.
In January, 1932, Samuel Thompson made elaim for workinen's eom- pensation because of personal injuries alleged to have been received while working for the Town in 1931 as arising out of and in the course of his employment. After investigation and medical examination and report and conferences with Counsel and Industrial Accident Department an agreement was reached for a lump sum final settlement which upon hearing by the Industrial Accident Board was approved under proper papers filed and payment was made on order of said Board.
216
All rights of redemption of Aleck Hershenson from the tax title held by the Town on the parcel of land situated on Tremont Street and assessed to him were foreclosed through Land Court proceedings brought on the petition of Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes Sullivan and under a decrce of said Court, dated June 27, 1932, the title became absolute in the Town.
The personal injury claim made by Rose G. O'Brien resulting from a street accident as to which liability was, upon investigation, admitted, was settled with the approval of the Selectmen by a small compromise payment and a release was obtained.
A claim made by Philip J. Keating for a substantial amount in excess of a balance of $57.69 admitted to be due on account of his contract for the construction work required in widening Washington Street northerly from Railroad Avenue was denied and a settlement made by the payment of the acknowledged balance.
The following claims for personal injuries or property damage alleged to have resulted from street conditions were investigated and, on the advice given, liability therefor was denied, viz .: Abele; Donovan; Zim- mer, Johnson, p. p. a .; Durfee; Morrissey; Chamberlain and Seery. As to some of these claims no formal notices as required by law were re- ceived. Certain other claims were also investigated but no action became necessary as no formal notices or demands were made, no liability was found to exist, however, as to such claimants.
One claim for personal injuries for an alleged sidewalk defect is pending for compromise settlement which should be effected early in the year 1933.
General
Other matters as to which attention was given arc briefly stated under the headings of the respective departments concerned with the same.
Selectmen
American Legion Post Headquarters appropriation and other action questions.
Assessor appointment action and reconsideration questions.
Amendment to traffic rules Re stop regulation and motion for action Re same.
Day Trusteeship account-consent action.
Purchase from Norwood Estates, Inc., of land for town yard purposes- title search, report, conveyance and incidental action and questions; opinions Re same.
Erection of fence on line of taking in private property of main drain easement-opinion.
Status of dealings with Glacier Sand and Gravel Company-opinions given.
Authority of Deputy Chief Fire Department to appoint additional
217
permanent and call members and to dismiss firemen or where authority otherwise voted; opinion rendered.
Status of Deputy Chief on resignation of Fire Department Chief; opinion rendered.
Cashman land taking questions.
Lease- premises former school building Railroad Avenue to local post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and terms questions.
Compensation reduction as to town officers and employees, particularly police officers and permanent firemen salaries-procedure, hearings, con- tribution agreements, incidental and law questions and action.
Reports for year 1931 (final) and 1932 (preliminary).
School Committee
Teachers' salaries status and control also contributions, voluntary or in lieu of salaries reductions, questions-opinions rendered and papers drafted.
Authority to exclude pupil from school-opinion.
Liability of Town of Dedham for tuition of town charge pupil-opinion furnished.
Pupil discipline case-opinion furnished.
Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes
Foreclosure of rights of redemption as to various properties held by Town under tax titles-procedure and other questions.
Duty as to funds involved in suit, attached by trustee process.
Finance Commission
Legality of proposed appropriation for permanent quarters for Post No. 70 American Legion.
Salary and wage reduction questions.
Contributions by school teachers to welfare funds in other localities questions.
Board of Health
City of Newton claim as to hospital care questions-opinion furnished.
Clinton garbage contract-action Re increased compensation pro- visions-opinion furnished.
Appropriation for hospital and nursing expense and town physician situation questions-opinion furnished.
Garbage contract extension provisions questions-opinion rendered.
Board of Public Welfare
State aid case, involving Norwood and Norfolk, questions.
Right to accept gifts questions.
Status of men aided through work furnished.
Employment of men aided and right to compensation if injured ques- tions.
218
Action taken in case aided.
Duty to accept paper served by Weymouth through Constable in relief situation.
Obligation to pay Weymouth claim the amount of expense of removal to Norwood of family aided in Weymouth.
Duty to aid persons holding insurance policies and paying premiums. Opinions rendered as to the above matters.
Instrument drafted authorizing persons aided and designated for pur- pose to enter certain premises to cut and remove growing trees and timber from same, without cost or liability for damage resulting from work done.
Trustees Morrill Memorial Library
Appropriate action to acquire land from First Congregational Church in Norwood-attention to records and plans and title situation; prepara- tion of article and motion under same for taking by eminent domain for library purposes; attention to release and payment.
Board of Assessors
Appointment control questions.
Bird Trustees abatement petition law questions, and attendance at abatement hearing.
Hub Realty Company-attendance at hearing on abatement claim.
Bird & Son, inc., tax abatement hearing questions.
Fence Viewers
Advice Re duties.
Division fence controversy between adjoining land owners; advice Re course of action.
New Building By-Law Committee
Reviewing and suggesting changes in final draft of proposed new building codc.
General Manager
Right to sell Town land gravel-advice.
Disciplinary action by Chief of Police and legal status Re police officer situation-advice.
Action Re peddling situation-advice.
Motor vehicle indemnity insurance proposal.
Veterans employment preference in labor service questions; opinion rendered.
Status of Board of Public Welfare and control of functions through General Manager Department questions-opinion rendered.
Street defects (possible) situation-advice.
Situation as to electric current delivery to private premises and action to be taken-opinion rendered.
Stop signal regulation-amendment of existing traffic rules; advice Re subject matter.
219
Flaherty crushed stone order and payment situation-opinion furnished on questions raised.
Town Clerk and Accountant
Recount of State Election ballots questions.
Surety bond and certificate of Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes questions.
Welfare relief claims and Weymouth claim in particular, as to course of action.
Changes Re school teachers' contribution agreement.
Acting Fire Chief situation as to action by Selectmen.
Questions Re various contribution agreements of elective and appointive officials and employees.
Duty to record certain automobile security papers.
Control of school expenditures through appropriation.
Re action by town meeting, as to discharge of a certain committee and its effect.
Town physician situation, as to status and duties.
Duty of Selectmen as to veterans' preference in labor service.
Foreclosure of tax titles questions.
Waiver of terms, through cancellation, of Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company electric power agreement.
Drainage and water taking questions.
By-law as to retail vendors of soft drinks.
Building Inspector duties.
Fire Department regulations and statutes governing same.
Employment by Board of Public Welfare of persons aided and extent of right to do so.
Requirements as to premises used or to be used as boarding house for aged persons, Re report by Building Department.
Street lay outs and takings.
Norwood Hospital fencing obligation releasc.
Questions Re town meeting articles and motions.
Tax abatement questions.
Advice given in respect to each of the foregoing matters.
Miscellaneous
Attention to Peabody Fund situation and action in interest of location by Trustees of proposed school for girls.
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