Norwood annual report 1932-1935, Part 13

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1932
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1450


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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