USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1932-1935 > Part 33
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11,750,000
August
35,910,000
15,090,000
20,820,000
September
34,755,000
12,220,000
22,535,000
October
35,680,000
16,560,000
19,120,000
November
28,140,000
19,790,000
8,350,000
December
27,765,000
19,530,000
8,235,000
384,665,000
225,670,000
158,895,000
3
Railroad Avenue
300'
1
Heaton Avenue
290'
36"
Rock Street from Main Drain
443'
12"
-
252
Greatest amount pumped or used was on August 2. .... 1,375,000 Gallons Greatest amount pumped or used any week, July 30, to August 5
8,780,000 Gallons
Supplied to Distributing Mains during Year . .384,565,000 Gallons
Amount passed through Service Meters during Year . . 233,565,000 Gallons 44.06
Number of Hydrants at end of Year .
422
Total Number of Services in use at end of Year 2697
Number of Meters in use at end of Year. 2790
House Meters 2743 Shop Meters 47
Operating Record at Water Pumping Stations, 1933
Station
Days
Hours
Gallons Pumped
Ellis
361
35361
225,670,000
Westwood
355
2763}
158,895,000
716
6300
384,565,000
Water Pumped in Previous Years
1926
493,814,375 Gallons
1930 418,015,000 Gallons
1927
428,230,000 Gallons
1931
. 411,230,000 Gallons
1928.
416,875,000 Gallons
1932 380,095,000 Gallons
1929.
387,820,000 Gallons
Moth and Forestry
203 Trees were pruned. 10 Trees ineluding the stumps were removed, and several trees were braced with iron rods. 12 Young Norway Maples were planted. All trees were sprayed. Moth eggs were creosoted and Brown Tail Moths were burned.
Respectfully yours,
JOSEPH E. CONLEY, Superintendent of Public Works
Miles of Mains at end of Year
253
ENGINEER'S REPORT
Mr. W. C. Kendrick, General Manager, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as Town Engineer for the year 1933.
Taking plans, deed descriptions, construction plans, assessment plans, lines and grades, and final measurements were furnished for the following jobs :
Streets
Granite Street
Myrtle Street
Franklin Street
Pleasant Street Extension
Chapel Street and Washington Street Widening
Sewer Extensions
Northview Avenue
Sunset Avenue
Roxana Street
Belmont Street
Washington Street at Mylod Street
Elm Street
Tannery to Walpole Street
Drains
Washington Street
Pleasant Street
Clark Swamp Drain to Broadway
Chapel Street at Subway Lenox Street to Neponset River
Hillside Avenue
Franklin Street
Construction plans, lines and grades were furnished for the following jobs:
Phillips Avenue Retaining Wall
Cemetery Extensions
Pleasant Street Sidewalk
Endean Playground
Callahan School Playground
Shattuck School Playground and Driveway
Fisher Street Extension
Metropolitan Sewer Connection to eliminate Pumping
C. W. A. Projects
Central Street Curbing and Sidewalk
Miscellaneous Work
Studies for Nahatan Street Extension
Plotting of burials Plans for new pole locations for light department
254
Plans showing new water gate locations Plotting sewer and water main extension for 1933 Assessors' maps Building survey for assessors Estimating costs on new construction and C. W. A. Projects
Respectfully submitted,
A. W. THOMPSON, Town Engineer
255
REPORT OF LIGHT DEPARTMENT
Mr. W. C. Kendrick, General Manager, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
It is with great pleasure that I submit herewith the report of the Mu- nicipal Light Department for the year ending December 31, 1933.
After a check on our output of electric energy for 1933, I find we gained over our 1932 output, which was the largest in the history of the plant.
The increasing appliance load is the cause for a large per cent of the gain, although our power load is holding up very well.
During 1933, in addition to our regular maintenance work, we increased the size of some secondary mains, which improved the voltage for our consumers.
The Department has replaced one hundred and four poles, added three new poles, and three and one-half miles of commercial and street lighting wires.
The Department has also added one 3000 K. V. A. transformer at the Station, which will give the Town ample transformer capacity for many years to come.
General Data
December 31, 1932
December 31, 1933
Gain
Meters in Use
4695
4796
101
H. P. of Motors
4484
4562
78
Street Lighting
Traffic and
Fire Alarm
60
100
250 400
600
1000
Total Candle
40 and 60 Watt
C. P. C. P.
C. P. C. P. C. P. C. P.
Power
139
7,360
326
19,560
230
23,000
148
37,000
186
74,400
116
67,600
34
34,000
262,920
Total C. P. on Streets
1179 Street Lamps burned 3943 hours.
256
Electrical Inspection and Meter Division
Inspected all new wiring.
Approved all meter and service locations.
Tested, checked, numbered and filed all records of meters.
Cut out and reconnected meters for vacancies and non-payment.
Removed and installed meters.
Investigated all complaints for billing department.
Issued 360 wiring permits.
This division still shows progress in requiring old jobs of wiring to be re- wired to comply with Code Regulations.
Fire, Police and Traffic Signal Division
The majority of Fire and Police Boxes have been painted during the year.
One Fire Alarm Box (No. 13) was replaced because of defects caused by lightning.
We have had no serious troubles with these signal systems during the year.
No additions have been made.
FREDERICK S. BARTON
We (the employees of the Electric Light Department) record with great sorrow the death on July 31, 1933 of Frederick S. Barton, who was appointed Superintendent of the Electric Light Department July 15, 1907 and served the Town as a faithful, efficient and conscientious public official for over twenty-six years.
Respectfully submitted,
C. C. CHURCH, Superintendent
257
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
Mr. W. C. Kendrick,
General Manager, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Kendrick :
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, 1933:
No. Permits Issued
Estimated Value
Single dwellings
13
$ 67,225
Two-family dwellings
1
5,000
Private garages
27
5,415
Gasoline station
1
300
Poultry houses
ยท 4
215
Sheds
3
2,725
Store
1
1,000
Storage warehouse
1
1,200
Greenhouse
1
1,500
Color Building
1
4,000
Crusher Plant
1
4,000
Remodelling on housekeeping dwellings
87
33,144
Remodelling on non-housekeeping dwellings
26
27,550
Minor additions without cost
2
-
Totals
169
$153,274
Number of inspections during 1933
748
Number of inspections during 1933 on 1932 jobs
218
Total number of inspections
966
Respectfully submitted,
F. M. DOUGLASS, Building Inspector
258
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Mr. W. C. Kendrick, General Manager, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Kendrick :
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 December 31, 1933:
Sealed
Condemned
Platform Scales over 5000 lbs.
16
2
Platform Scales under 5000 lbs.
50
1
Spring Scales over 5000 lbs.
12
Spring Scales under 5000 lbs.
56
Counter Scales under 100 lbs.
44
Computing Scales under 100 lbs.
102
Prescription Scales
10
Personal Scales
18
Avoirdupois Weights
441
Apothecary Weights
28
Gasoline Pumps
32
Metric Weights
12
Quality Stops
110
Yard Measures
154
Leather Measures
6
Liquid Measures
25
School Scales
6
Oil Jars
30
Vehicle Tank
12
Kerosene Pumps
11
Meters
22
Totals
The following inspections were made:
Number of Each Tested
Found Correct
Over- Weight
Under- Weight
Meat and Provisions
25
20
5
Flour
50
50
-
-
Sugar
47
42
5
Bread
60
48
12
Rice
15
10
5
Tapioca
12
12
Butter
40
40
-
-
1197
3
-
259
Number of Each Tested
Found Correct
Over- Weight
Under- Weight
Fruit and Vegetables
30
20
10
Raisins
8
8
Lard
12
12
Coffee
40
24
14
2
Prunes
8
8
Confectionary
40
36
4
Groceries and Liquids
30
25
5
Coke in Bags
30
30
Coal in Bags
28
26
2
Coal in Transit
28
22
2
4
Kindling Wood in Bags
18
18
Marking Bread
40
40
Dry Goods
8
8
Food in Packages
60
60
Milk Jars
44
44
Ice Cream Containers
20
20
Paper and Fibre Cartons
20
20
Wholesale Milk Cans
20
20
Ice Scales
25
25
Pedlar's License
30
30
Gasoline Pumps
20
20
Vehicle Tanks
8
8
Totals
816
746
57
13
.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY M. KING, Sealer of Weights and Measures
260
REPORT OF CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Mr. William C. Kendrick,
General Manager,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Cemetery Department for the year ending December 31, 1933.
As in past years the usual kind of work was done, namely, interments, maintenance, construction, foundations and private work.
With the additional $2,000 that was transferred from the Reserve Fund and money secured from the Civil Works Administration, we were able to dig over 24,500 square feet of land to the depth of four and one-half to five feet. This section of land as yet is not graded, however, some portion will have to be graded this coming year to take care of future requirements in this section.
One hundred sixty-three interments and six removals were made during the year.
Thirty-three (33) lots and thirty-six (36) single graves were sold during the year 1933.
The Department, due to the aid received from the C. W. A., was able to give employment to a large number of men for which I wish to extend my thanks to the officials who were responsible in securing this allotment of funds.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. SMITH, Superintendent
261
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The following report of the Trustees of the Morrill Memorial Library is submitted for the year ending December 31, 1933.
The reading room is constantly occupied by lovers of good reading, who find it well stocked with the leading popular and classical magazines and newspapers. Much favorable comment is heard from the reading public concerning the library staff whose members are always ready to give as- sistance whenever it is requested.
The circulation for the year, the largest in the history of the library is 137,040 volumes.
The Norwood Woman's Club, through its Doll Committee, has pre- sented another doll cabinet, now placed in the Children's Room. This makes possible a much more artistic display than heretofore.
In connection with the story-telling period in the children's room on Saturday afternoons, some of the stories told have been illustrated in a miniature theater, planned and executed by the children's librarian and her assistant. Here are shown scenes from books, the object being to create interest in the better class of reading. First was shown Little Red Riding Hood, then the Story of Christmas, and Alice in Wonderland. During Book Week there was depicted a scene from Young Fu the book winning the Newberry medal in 1933. The number of children attending the story hour reaches as high as sixty.
Considerable trouble and damage has been experienced on account of leaks in the roof. It has been necessary to employ a mason to make the needed repairs. The Norwood Civil Works Administration Board put through a project for the library in the form of pointing up the masonry with lead wool and whitewashing the basement walls. The amount con- tributed by the library was limited to $375.00.
At a meeting of the Trustees on November 27, 1933, it was suggested to propose a C. W. A. project for the library-to take the form of a new Boys and Girls library to be built in the attic of the Plimpton Wing, with a story-telling room made out of the present south attic, capable of seating a hundred or more children. This work would necessitate a new stairway through the northwest corner of the Wing and a new entrance doorway at its foot. It would also necessitate a fire escape exit through the original roof of the library into the present children's room, this passage serving also as a fire exit from the latter, which it does not now possess. The pro- duction of preliminary plans for this project was placed in the hands of the Administration Committee of the Trustees.
262
During the year the library has received gifts of books, magazines and flowers as noted in the statistical report of the Librarian. The Trustees thank the donors in sincere appreciation of their kindness.
Respectfully submitted,
W. W. EVERETT, Chairman, MARY E. WILLIAMS, Secretary, MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, A. MARION SWAIN, RALPH W. TAYLOR, RICHARD D. NORTHROP.
263
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Board of Trustees:
The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library, for the year 1933, arranged according to the form recommended by the Ameri- can Library Association.
Name of Library
Morrill Memorial Library
Town
Norwood
Name of Librarian
Jane A. Hewett
Date of founding
1873
Population served
15,029 (census of 1930)
Assessed valuation
$25,669,296.00
Terms of use
Free for lending; free for reference
Total number of agencies
5
Number of days open in 1933
301
Number of hours open each week
66
Number of staff
6
Increase
Number of volumes at beginning of year
42,150
Number of volumes added by purchase
1,767
Number of volumes added by gift
16
Number of volumes at the end of the year
43,933
Number of magazines and newspapers currently received
77 titles
111 copies
Use
Fiction
Non-fiction
Foreign
Total
Adult
75,989
15,223
402
91,614
Juvenile
26,346
6,128
32,474
Balch School
3,153
High School
65
Shattuck School
5,461
Winslow School
4,186
Other Schools and Fire Station
87
Total
137,040
Number of pictures lent
4,045
Finance
See report of the Town Accountant
264
Registration
Number of new borrowers registered in 1933 Total number registered
Adult 285
305
590
3113
1285
5130
Books Added to the Library in 1933
Adult
Juvenile
Total
General works
56
0
56
Philosophy
15
0
15
Religion
1
0
1
Sociology (includes fairy tales)
50
74
124
Philology
1
0
1
Natural science
11
19
30
Useful arts
24
23
47
Fine arts
52
10
62
Literature
68
34
102
Description and travel
52
23
75
Biography
107
17
124
History
35
15
48
Fiction
564
535
1095
Total
1036
747
1783
Gifts
Books and magazines have been received from
Mrs. Oliver J. Barr
Miss Eleanor Probert
Miss Clare Benedict
Mrs. James Shumaker
Miss Alice Bentley
Mr. George F. Willett
Miss Clara Capen
Anonymous
Miss Bessie Chisholm
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Mr. John Jacob Hoff
United States Government
Mr. K. K. Kawakami
United States Shipping Board
Flowers have been received from: Mrs. C. E. Blanchard, Mrs. Walter F. Foss, The Norwood Garden Club.
Respectfully submitted,
JANE A. HEWETT, Librarian
Juvenile
Total
265
ANNUAL REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
Selectmen,
Peter J. Feeney, Chairman, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sirs:
The report of the Legal Department for the year 1933, being the twenty - fifth annual report, is submitted in the following abbreviated form, with a view to desirable economy, but supplemented, however, by a detailed account of the various activities, arranged both in chronological and de- partmental order, placed in the files and available for reference purposes. The service rendered was principally of an advisory character through written opinions furnished, attendance at and participation in hearings, and assistance given in such other form as was required or found to be desirable during the course of the year to officials as follows: Selectmen, Finance Commission, School Committee, Planning Board, Board of Health, Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, Board of Assessors, Board of Public Welfare, General Manager, Town Clerk and Accountant, Fence Viewers, Chief of Fire Department, Building By-Laws Committee, and Board of Appeals under the Zoning By-Law.
Independent attention was given as well to claims and litigation. The activities of the department were as varied in character and covered as wide a range of matters as in past years, but its conduct called for more constant attention and involved in certain respects more important results and required a greater expenditure of time than in any former year.
Litigation and Claims
Litigation
Metropolitan Crushed Stone Company, Petitioner vs. Thomas Smith, Jr. et al, Respondents: A suit in equity brought in 1931 in the Superior Court for Suffolk County, in which the Town of Norwood was joined as a party respondent, and detailed in the report to this department for the year 1932 and as pending for hearing at the beginning of the year 1933. The purpose of the suit was to establish the petitioner's claim as a lienor creditor of Smith and his partner, doing business as The Smith Construction Company, for materials and labor furnished in connection with the work of widening and relocating Winter Street from the Westwood line easterly, and in which suit various other claimants joined. The case was referred to a Master, and hearings were held, and a report filed in a form satis- factory to the Town and to the Standard Accident Insurance Company, surety to the Town on the bond of the contractors given as security for the proper performance of the contract. The Master's report contained . findings establishing the claim of the petitioner and several other claimants, but left certain questions open for decision by the Court. After a hearing
266
on the report, it was confirmed and certain additional claims were allowed with respect to which the Master had reported the facts without making findings. The case is ripe for a final decrce, and negotiations are in prog- ress with certain of the claimants which, if satisfactorily concluded, will permit a final decree to be entered and the case disposed of without an appeal, which will otherwise be taken by the Insurance Company to the Supreme Judicial Court. The Town in practical effect occupies the position of a stakeholder and relies upon the bonds which it holds as se- curity for indemnification against loss, and it is the expressed intention of the Insurance Company to meet all claims, not already met by it, that may be payable under the final decree. It is expected with reasonable certainty that the suit will be closed with all allowed claims paid by the Insurance Company as surety, when the final decree is entered, which should occur during the early part of the year 1934, or later if an appeal is taken to the Supreme Judicial Court, which appeal, however, is not probable. This department participated in the preparation of the case, including attendance at all hearings, and cooperated with the counsel for the Insurance Company in the conduct of the same.
The Town was summoned as alleged trustee in four separate actions at law brought by certain creditors of the contractors for work done and ma- terials furnished, as to three of which suits the Town has been discharged as trustee, and, as to the remaining suit, it is expected that a discharge will be secured, because there were not attachable funds held by the Town, when process was served upon it.
Charles P. Pond, et al vs. Norwood: A petition brought in the Superior Court for Norfolk County against the Town for an assessment by jury of damages for the taking of an eascment in land by right of eminent domain for the extension of Nichols Street as a public way, and for which taking no damages were awarded. This case was reported as pending for trial at the beginning of the year 1933. It has been prepared for trial, which may be had during the year 1934, unless disposed of otherwise.
James J. Drummey vs. Norwood: An action of contract brought on May 24, 1932 against the Town in the Superior Court for Norfolk County to obtain payment of a balance alleged to be duc for labor performed and materials furnished, with extras, by way of additional work and material, in connection with a grading contract, so-called, at the New Senior High School, being in the sum of $8,976 and interest thereon from July 20, 1927, and reported as pending for trial at the first of the year 1933. This suit was settled by compromise agreement, with the approval of the Selectmen, for the sum of $5,000 on May 5, 1933 and a relcase obtained. The settlement was made on the recommendation of the Senior High School Building Committee, and on advice after due consideration of the facts, from this department, that the defence was largely technical in character and would probably involve an appeal by one or both of the . parties to the Supreme Judicial Court whatever should be the outcome
267
of the jury trial in the Superior Court, and that it was a reasonable and desirable compromise under all the circumstances, in view of work done and materials furnished, as to the liability for which, and the value thereof, said committee and Mr. Drummey had been unable to come into agree- ment through negotiations held in past years.
Clarence A. Bingham vs. Norwood: This was an action at law in con- tract brought against the town on June 2, 1933 in the District Court of Northern Norfolk by Mr. Bingham to obtain payment of the sum of $45.24 which he claimed was due him by way of salary for the period in the month of May following his reinoval, namely, from May 27 to May 31, 1933 and on the ground that his removal was illegal and that the salary should be paid to him. In view of the judicial position held in that Court by the Town Counsel and as recommended by him, the services of George A. Mclaughlin, Esquire, an experienced Boston attorney, were engaged by the Selectmen and he was appointed special counsel to appear and defend the suit, but without expense to the Town, on the proposal of the Town Counsel that he would meet, as he did, this expense personally. Attorney McLaughlin appeared and filed a motion to dismiss the suit, which was heard and allowed by the Presiding Justice of the Court, and the case thus terminated.
Henry Richards (minor) by his parent and next friend, Joseph Richards: Action at law in tort brought against the Town on August 14, 1933, in the Superior Court for Norfolk County for personal injuries resulting from an alleged defective street condition. An answer was filed, and the case was prepared for the jury trial demanded. Thereafter, through negotiation with the attorneys for the plaintiff, and in the light of an investigation and expert medical examination and reports, a compromise settlement of the case was authorized by the Selectmen on the advice of this depart- ment, in the sum of $450, which was paid upon an execution issued on an agreed judgment and upon the delivery of a satisfactory release.
Norwood vs. Robert E. Brown: This was an action at law in contract brought by the Town on March 24, 1933 in the District Court of Northern Norfolk, to recover for damage to town property, resulting from the neg- ligent operation by Brown of his automobile, following a collision with another car on Washington Street near the intersection of Cottage Street. The suit was brought only after attempts to collect the amount of the claim without litigation had failed. Howard V. Knight, Esquire acted as counsel for the Town, without expense to it, because of the judicial position in the Court held by the Town Counsel. Through negotiations a com- promise settlement with the Insurance Company representing Brown was made on June 20, 1933 for the sum of $85 which was paid to the Town. This settlement had the approval of the Selectmen and was recommended by this department.
City of Worcester vs. Norwood: Action of contract brought in the Superior Court for Worcester County on July 26, 1933 to recover an
268
amount expended for welfare relief furnished to certain persons who had settlements in Norwood.
On advice given by this department to the Board of Public Welfare, after investigation made, that liability existed, the case was settled without trial for the amount of the claim in the sum of $411.00.
Mrs. Eva Braverman vs. Norwood: A petition brought, as owner, against the Town in the Superior Court on August 5, 1932 for the assess- ment of land damages alleged to have been sustained through the widening of Winter Street. A motion, filed by the Town, to dismiss the petition was allowed on March 27, 1933, upon it appearing that the action should have been brought against the County of Norfolk, by the County Com- missioners of which, the land taken for the widening was made. Claims
Claims were made against the Town by several persons for damages for personal injuries alleged to have resulted from street conditions as to which, following investigation, liability was denied upon advice of this department.
Liability for a property damage claim presented to the Town was denied without further action being taken.
A claim was presented by the Boston Heating Company based upon an alleged contract under which payments in accordance with the terms of such contract were sought. Following investigation made, and upon advice given by this department that although the contract as such was not legally enforceable, benefits under the contract had been obtained by the Town, a satisfactory settlement in the sum of $797.00 was made with the approval of the Selectmen.
The claim of Mrs. Mary Cashman, owner, for damages in excess of the award made for the taking of an easement by right of eminent domain in her land through an alteration by widening at the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Nichols Street, received consideration and an opinion was rendered with respect to the same by this department.
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