Norwood annual report 1932-1935, Part 34

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


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1932-1935 > Part 34


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A claim was made by the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company in the sum of $948.00 as a so-called cancellation charge, repre- senting the amount of the expense involved in making certain proposed changes in two induction regulators and claimed to be necessary to market the same at the present time, which regulators had been ordered from its subsidiary on May 8, 1931 together with four others which were delivered and paid for in 1931. The claim was based upon the indicated refusal of the Town through its Municipal Light Department to accept delivery of these remaining regulators.


Upon the advice of this department after negotiation, and upon it ap- pearing that these regulators could be used and would be needed in the Municipal Light Department in the near future, the claim was withdrawn, and a satisfactory arrangement, approved by the Selectmen, for accept- ance and delivery of the regulators, was made on the terms of the original


269


contract, through payment of the amount therefor, as stipulated in the original contract, and thereby a saving in expense to the Town resulted.


Mr. Louis N. Severance made claim for damages for personal injuries resulting from an alleged defective street condition. After investigation by this department and on its advice a compromise settlement of the claim, approved by the Selectmen, was made by the payment of the sum of $78.50 following a release given.


Mrs. Marion J. Bolduc inade claim against the Town for damages for personal injuries resulting from alleged defective street condition. After an investigation and a medical examination and report a compromise settlement was authorized by the Selectmen on the advice of this depart- ment through the payment of the sum of $150.00 upon release given by the claimant and her husband.


Mrs. Margarct M. Crimmins made claim against the Town for damages for personal injuries resulting from alleged defective street condition. After an investigation and a medical examination and report, the Select- men authorized a compromise settlement, as advised by this department, in the sum of $400.00, which was paid upon receipt of a release from the claimant and her husband.


Six appeals were taken to the State Board of Tax Appeals from the refusal of the Board of Assessors to grant abatements of taxes levied in 1932 after hearings given on applications filed, and following decisions made by the Assessors sitting as a Board of Review. The appeals were brought by the following property owners, namely,


1. Ona Vasiliauskas, filed July 13, 1933


2. Roger McGrath, filed August 18, 1933


3. Carl A. Johnson, filed August 18, 1933


4. Bird & Son, Inc., filed November 27, 1933


These four appeals are now pending for hearing upon the petitions filed and answers made in behalf of the Board of Assessors;


5. Arthur T. Nelson, Trustee, filed January 18, 1933, which appeal was dismissed by agreement on July 18, 1933 without additional abatement made, and


6. Hollingsworth & Vose Company, filed February 3, 1933, which appeal was dismissed by agreement on October 9, 1933 without abatement ınade.


Michael Donahue Compensation Claim: Mr. Donahue, an employee of the Public Works Department, was injured in the course of his employ- ment on June 21. He made claim for additional workmen's compensation for an injury sutained while employed by the Town at an earlier period on the ground that the later injury caused an aggravation of the earlier onc. After investigation the situation was brought to the attention of the Industrial Accident Board, with the request, that an examination be made,


270


and a report secured from a disinterested physician, appointed for the purpose by that Board. This course was followed, and as a result the repair of the injury was undertaken at the expense of the Town, as author- ized by the Selectmen, in the manner approved by the Industrial Accident Board.


Michael J. Curran Compensation Claim: Upon information received by this department, Mr. Curran made claim for workmen's compensation as an employee of the Town because of a recurrence of an old injury as to which compensation had been given to October 11, 1930 and the claim has received the direct attention of the Selectmen.


General


Other matters, as to which attention was given, are briefly stated under the headings of the respective departments immediately concerned with the same.


Selectmen


Coasting Regulations-Advice.


Nichols Street Extension-betterment assessment-Advice.


Everett Street-Construction situation Re O'Toole property-Advice.


Reserve Police Force questions-Advice.


Fire Department regulations-Report on draft presented.


Board of Public Welfare-Opinion as to extent of authority of Selectmen to supervise action as to policy and generally as to conduct of affairs.


Town Meeting procedure in respect to action by Selectmen-Advice.


Duties questions-Advice generally.


Status of contracts made under emergency conditions-Advice.


Wines and Malt Beverages legislation (Chapter 120 Acts of 1933)- Advice.


Order for action under legislation (Chapter 120 Acts of 1933) drafted. Status of Selectmen's records-Advice.


Action with respect to allowance of second account of trustees under Anna M. Day will-Advice.


As to payment to Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company for interest in poles under 1910 agreement on discontinuance by Company of use of poles-Advice.


New legislation as to publication requirements of Town By-Laws- Advice.


Authority of Selectmen to adopt as Water Commissioners certain pro- posed regulations requiring use of a certain type of water pipe in water- takers premises-Opinion.


Motor Bus transportation questions, particularly as to extent of con- trol by Selectmen of such transportation in and out of Norwood from and to points out of State north of Boston-Opinion.


271


Proposed changes in Zoning By-Law with respect to area along the new Boston-Providence Turnpike-Advice.


Articles for special town meeting as to acceptance of Civil Service Laws with respect to town employees generally and effect of favorable action- Advice.


Removal from office of General Manager Bingham-Advice and papers prepared for use Re situation and action, as requested.


Option to sell former East School premises to members of Norwood Post Veterans of Foreign Wars-Advice.


Option in alternative forms drafted with opinion rendered.


Finance Commission


Budget Re expense items and litigation expense situations-Advice.


Motions under articles in warrants for adjourned annual and special town meetings.


Bingham case expense questions-Advice.


School Committee


Vocational school appropriation-Advice through Superintendent Grant.


Appropriation action as to use of Junior High School activities by out- side agencies-Opinion through Superintendent Grant.


Industrial education expense appropriation questions-Opinion through Superintendent Grant.


Separate appropriation for vocational tuition charges questions -- Opinion through Superintendent Grant.


Drummey salary questions-Advice through Superintendent Grant.


Right to recover from pupils and parents textbooks or the value of same -Opinion through Superintendent Grant.


Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes


Foreclosure of tax title liens-Advice as to petition and action.


Day Trustees account-Advice as to approval and action.


Duty to pay a particular bill under warrant approved by Selectmen- Advice.


Norwood Estates, Inc. tax lien situation-Advice.


Foreclosure of tax liens-Action in Land Court as to various liens, in- cluding attention to petitions and filing and incidental matters as to pro- ceedings, also withdrawal of certain petitions filed upon payment of amounts of tax liens.


Board of Health


Garbage contract bond questions-Advice.


Flavin et als. complaint vs. Whittemore Coal Company for alleged soft coal nuisance-Attendance at hcaring and advice, correspondence and conferences with counsel and arranging for disinterested expert advice.


272


New call for proposals for garbage collection contract-Prepared draft and advice given.


Clinton garbage contract-Draft prepared, attention Nickerson bid and objections questions, advice given.


Planning Board


House Bill No. 990 (Boston-Providence Turnpike-East Cross Street Overpass)-Advice.


Amendment of existing Zoning By-Law with particular reference to the new district along the course of the Boston-Providence Turnpike-Advice.


Existing Zoning By-Law-Amendments drafted and articles for town meeting warrant Re same, opinion rendered.


Establishment of building lines along super-highway-Advice.


Building By-Law Committee


Advice to Chairman Re report to Town.


Article for special town meeting warrant Re report drafted.


Final draft of proposed code reviewed.


Board of Assessors


Gammell Trust, party to be assessed-Advice.


Decisions of Board of Tax Appeals reviewed for guidance.


Status of Friend Realty Trust tax list paper.


Action Re tax abatement questions-Advice.


Notices to applicants for 1932 tax abatements drafted-Hearings at- tended.


Settlement First National Bank of Boston tax appeal application.


Holliston Mills and Plimpton Press tax abatement applications situation -Advice.


Conferences with expert Re certain tax appeals.


Lack of authority to consider certain applications for 1932 tax abate- ments-Opinion.


Bird & Son, Inc. tax abatement application for 1932-Hearings attended, views taken, papers and reports Re plant and appraisals reviewed-Advice Re abatement granted, correspondence and attention to appeal to Board of Tax Appeals from abatement granted and answer filed.


Hollingsworth & Vose 1932 tax appeal-Answer prepared. Attention to agreement and dismissal and closing case.


Nelson, Trustee, 1932 tax appeal-Attention to papers and to answer and to dismissal of appeal by agreement and to incidental matters.


Attention to various 1933 tax abatement application papers, advice, conferences, papers reviewed and notices prepared.


Board of Public Welfare


Guardianship funds questions-Advice.


Old Age Assistance questions-Advice.


273


Right of landlord to evict tenants who are recipients of aid where land- lord has not paid taxes on property-Opinion.


Right to compel son to aid mother who is receiving mother's aid- Opinion.


Action to secure support contribution in aid case-Opinion.


General welfare questions-Advice.


City of Boston and City of Worcester relief claims-Advice and attention to papers.


Various claims against Cambridge and Brookline investigated and advice and correspondence.


Questions Re action against parents on refusal to contribute to relief expense of son-Advice.


Fence Viewers


Division fence dispute between property owners-Advice, papers ex- amined, attendance at hearing, conferences with counsel for parties, view taken and papers prepared.


Fire Department


Rules and regulations for conduct of department-Original draft studied and revised; new draft prepared and conferences with Chief Earle Re same and action to be taken.


Use of building for painting motor vehicles and application of State regulations as to garages-Advice to Chief.


Leave of absence and vacations questions-Advice to Chief.


Status of Deputy Fire Chief-Advice to Chief.


Rights and duties of Chief in the matter of bills and orders-Advice.


General Manager, Clarence A. Bingham


Coasting regulations-Advice and re-drafting.


Right to require special police supervision of public dances by private parties in State Armory building-Advice.


Department budget questions-Advice.


Oil burner contract status-Advice.


Use of 1933 incidental expense appropriation in General Manager's Department-Advice.


Status under suspension order in removal proceedings-Advice.


General Manager, William C. Kendrick


Pending matters in respect to departments where of mutual interest and as to duties generally-Advice.


Bird & Son, Inc. proposed indemnity agreement required on issue of license for steam line and power lines across Pleasant Street-Advice; draft prepared and report on same.


Bill of Sale proposed to town by American Telephone & Telegraph Company of Massachusetts-Advice relative to approval of instrument as to legal form.


274


Application of By-Laws as to bids in certain types of contract-Advice. Industrial situation questions -- Advice.


Proposed appointment of Town as agent by General Electric Company for sale of electric lamps-Advice and contract form studied- Opinion rendered.


Liquor Control legislation -- Advice Re action.


Town Clerk and Accountant and Clerk of Selectmen


Use of school grounds for playground purposes-Advice.


Soldiers burial questions-Advice.


Regulations under 1933 beverage law as to club licenses-Advice. Amusement licenses and regulations questions-Advice.


Licensing certain public amusements, also regulations with respect to sales of wines and malt beverages in clubs-Drafts of action prepared.


Industrial situation questions-Advice and report on law and action permissible.


Proposed extension of Pleasant Street situation and action-Advice.


Public ways situations as to Federal aid-Advice.


New liquor control legislation-Chapter 373 and 376 Acts of 1933 -- Advice.


Preparing drafts of papers for licensing sales of wines and malt beverages.


Action under National Recovery Act and Massachusetts Emergency Finance Act-Advice.


Connolly injuries as Workmen's Compensation-Advice.


Extension of Pleasant Street-Advice.


Action as to acceptance of Anna M. Day Trustee gift fund applicable to Chapel at Highlandview Cemetery-Advice.


Liquor Control legislation and licenses and fees questions-Advice.


Proposed expert committee plan relative to Nahatan Street Extension to secure highway-Advice.


Petitions to County Commissioners as to footway through railroad location connecting with Cedar Street in South Norwood and as to altera- tion by widening of Upland Road at Clapboardtree Street -- Advice and revising drafts and petitions.


Rental basis of East Side School property abandoned for school purposes -Advice.


Refund of title certificate on tax refund questions-Advice.


Appropriation questions-Advice.


Recount questions-Advice.


New oil heater contract questions-Advice.


Action required as to notices of new lay outs -Advice.


Granite Street extension lay out and awards-Advice.


Duties as Town Clerk and as Town Accountant -- Advice.


School Committee questions-Adv.ce.


Financial situation and note loans required for 1933-Advice.


275


Wage contract claim (Hayes)-Advice.


Workmen's Compensation case situation-Advice.


Extent of control of Sunday Sports and games-Advice.


Obligation on part of Town Engineer to furnish information to Insurance Company on its request with respect to question of encroachment of certain platform on street location-Advice.


Everctt Street discontinuance questions-Advice.


Status on re-employment of former employee who had received com- pensation with respect to waiver of rights in case of new injuries-Advice.


Data reviewed and advice given as to required proposal loan certificate under National Industrial Recovery Act.


Data for Federal loan in welfare situation-Advice.


Employment in Cemetery Department as to compensation for injury and action and as to status where no compensation is sought-Advice.


Action on complaint of adjoining land owner of blasting operations by a contractor, also information regarding bond of contractor-Advice.


Miscellaneous-Unclassified


Proposed purchase of portion of Civic public playground premises for headquarters building by American Legion Post No. 70 questions- Advice.


Proposed gift of land by Charles S. Bird, Jr. and formal vote-Advice, also drafted form of gift.


Reserve police force status-Conferences with State Department of Civil Service and investigation of action in various other towns with ex- amination of their rules and regulations.


General reviewing and revising some drafts of motions under articles in town meeting warrants and preparing other drafts.


1934 annual town meeting warrant questions relative to nominations and election procedure-Advice.


Prepared reports of Legal Department and Selectmen for 1932.


Attention to new State Legislation affecting municipalities.


Attention to bills before Massachusetts Legislature affecting towns and particularly Norwood.


Examination with Sergeant Barrett of certain boulders along street linc with a view to advising of possible danger to travel and correction of situation-Advice was followed.


Accident to employec of Municipal Light Department-Advice as to · investigation and report.


Attention to National Industrial Recovery Act and Massachusetts Emergency Legislation in application to Norwood situations.


Conclusion


The expense to the Town involved in the settlement of claims litigated and unlitigated, except as to the Drummey case, was not of such an un- usually large amount as to call for particular comment. As to the Drum-


276


mey case, the claim was an inheritance from some six years earlier, and the Town had benefit fairly proportionate to the settlement made.


.


The immediate outlook as to claim settlement and litigation expense for the yea. 1934, if a forecast may be attempted, is reasonably satisfactory as no pending legal matters suggest any considerable outlay for such purposes, unless it may be called for in defending the pending tax appeal cases and like cases which may be brought during the year as to which expense the department of the Board of Assessors must deal.


The thanks of this department are extended to all who dealt with it for their consideration and helpful interest.


Respectfully submitted,


JAMES A. HALLORAN, Town Counse'


Norwood, Massachusetts January 31, 1934.


277


REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH


The Board of Health submits the following report for the year 1933:


At the annual Board Meeting the following officers were chosen: Charles L. Lynch, M.D., Chairman; John A. Shannon, Inspector of Plumbing; Willis H. Hoyt, Milk Inspector; John A. Shannon, Agent; Katherine E. Kingman, Public Health Nurse; Dorothy L. Bemis, Clerk.


The various activities of the Board were carried on in the usual way. In March, 1933, Willis H. Hoyt resigned as Milk Inspector. On March 15, 1933, Henry W. Newman was appointed to fill the vacancy. On July 1, 1933, Mr. Newman resigned and on August 1, 1933, Dr. F. X. Maguire was appointed to fill this vacancy.


During the year, as you will note by the chart below, there were an un- usually large number of Scarlet Fever cases in the Town. The majority of cases were light, however, and through the co-operation of the school authorities and the doctors of the Town the situation was kept under control.


The following is a table of reportable diseases:


Chicken Pox


Mumps


Diptheria


Scarlet Fever


German


Measles


Measles


Typhoid Fever


Tuberculosis


Cerebro


Spinal


Meningitis


Infantile


Paralysis


Lobar


Influenza


Whooping


Tetenas


Dog Bite


Septic Throat


Total


1919


14


11


9


2


19


1


16


500


602


1920


5


29


48


5


9


3


37


85


135


1921


8


10


64


1


29


6


20


146


1922


34


17


142


8


19


24


1


238


1923


36


24


23


10


24


111


1924


31


102


11


1


20


41


206


1925


56


138


224


13


17


1926


13


75


25


4


1


9


7


8


4


1


11


114


1930


14


6


5


9


2


4


12


13


2


23 26


2


21


14


205


1932


6


2


2


9S


-


102


-


13 9


1


4


8


19


1


8


255


1933


79


7


1


12


1


3


9


2


1


1


116


Report of Katherine E. Kingman, Public Health Nurse:


There were forty-six clinics held in 1933. Three hundred and ninety- five patients attended the clinic. Twelve new cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed and found positive, eight were adults and were found having pulmonary tuberculosis, four being children having hilum tuberculosis, or the beginning of tuberculosis, such cases as these in children are of great importance and should be cared for and trcated, to make them free of the disease so when they reach adult life there is no reason why it should develop into pulmonary tuberculosis.


These four children were treated at a sanitorium for eleven months, and


1931


28


1


2


24


25


36


8


11


9


62 250


1929


9


4


3


18


3


5


2


16


32


2


45


448


1927


6


1928


2


13


217


2


10


1


27


2


137


141


Pneumonia


Cough


278


returned home in excellent condition. The children now will be examined regularly at this clinic to make sure their health is still in perfect condition.


Nine hundred and thirty-six home visits were made during the year, the purpose of this is to make sure the people who have had the disease are receiving the proper follow-up care, and who make a visit to their own physician, or some clinic or hospital at least once in six months or a year as the case may need.


Dr. Griffin is at the Board of Health rooms every Thursday night at five o'clock, excepting one month during the summer, also in emergency he will see patients at his sanatorium in Sharon if the family doctor decides the case cannot wait until the regular day. This is all done free of charge for the patient.


Nearly all our cases are recommended by a doctor, or some hospital. In turn the patient's report is given to their own doctor. No treatments are given here, it is purely a diagnostic clinic.


The sanatoriums to which our patients are sent are Norfolk County, Westfield, North Reading and Lakeville. We also have available Sharon Sanatorium for the children if there is a vacancy. This is done through the generosity of Dr. Griffin.


Report of T. J. Curtin, Dental Clinic:


Following shows the work of the Dental Clinic for the year 1933:


Public


Parochial


Number of children examined


2276


608


Number not needing attention


455


108


Number needing attention


1821


500


Number completed at Clinic


818


42


Number incomplete Public


78


10


Parochial


Permanent Filling


691


Permanent Filling


34


Temporary Filling


2216


Temporary Filling


191


Permanent Extraction


27


Permanent Extraction


4


Temporary Extraction


832


Temporary Extraction


55


Cleaning


772


Cleaning


44


Adults


11


Permanent Extractions


63


The Milk Inspector, Dr. F. X. Maguire, reports the following:


A total of 307 samples of milk and cream have been examined for butter fat, total solids and keeping qualities. In all instances samples were above the requirements. These examnations include not only samples of milk that are being sold by the producer but also milk from farms that are whole- saling milk to the larger plants for consumption in Norwood.


Regular monthly inspections are being maintained of all premises where milk is produced.


279


I find a spirit of co-operation, everyone is anxious to maintain a high standard. Copies of regulations for handling milk have been distributed to stores.


The Inspector of Plumbing, John A. Shannon, reports that during the year 1933 he had made 117 inspections in the Town of Norwood.


Respectfully submitted,


CHARLES L. LYNCH, M.D., Chairman, THOMAS H. O'TOOLE, JR., M.D., HARRY A. SHANNON.


280


BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


The Norwood Board of Public Welfare submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1933.


After eighteen years of appreciative service to the Board of Public Welfare, Mrs. Jennie F. Fales resigned the office of Chairman on March 1, 1933. Mrs. Cathryn L. Foster was appointed to fill the vacancy on May 12, 1933. The Board organized as follows: Mr. M. Joseph Roache, Chair- man, Mr: Paul Bernier, and Mrs. Cathryn L. Foster. The Visitor, Mr. Leslie J. Latham, was appointed Agent for the Board on August 14, 1933. On November 20, 1933 Miss Daisy M. Hill was appointed Visitor.


The Federal Emergency Relief Administration commenced in November to send to the Board food commodities at different intervals which were for local distribution, and consisted of 1500 pounds of salted pork, 25 bushels of apples, 240 dozen eggs, 1100 pounds of butter, and 750 pounds of dry beans. These articles did not reduce the Welfare budget, but were surplus commodities to be given in addition to the weekly food allowance in Welfare families.


The Civil Works Service was organized in December 1933 to give em- ployment to some one hundred unemployed women. The project for Norwood was sewing, and the articles made by this group were turned over to the Welfare Board for distribution. The articles received up to Decem- ber 31, 1933 were:


Diapers


166


Nightgowns


Bloomers


Medium


13


Small


7


Large


1


Medium


19


Panties


Slips


Small


5


Small


22


Sheets


51


Medium


12


Kimonas


Large


10


2-year


7


Pajamas


Infants'


16


Medium


7


A detailed schedule of the kinds and numbers of cases aided in 1933; listed by months is shown below :


Tem- porary


Mothers' Aid


Tem- porary Aid


Aid Board in Unem- ployment Family


Treatment


Hospital Total


Jan.


18


59


95


17


10


11


210


Feb.


19


54


105


20


9


11


218


Mar.


19


57


112


19


9


11


227


Institu- tional


281


Tem-


Tem- porary Aid Unem-


Board in


Institu- tional


Mothers' Aid


porary


Aid


ployment Family Treatment Hospital Total


Apr.


17


59


111


19


9


10


225


May


17


58


101


19


9


9


213


June


18


57


76


21


9


7


188


July


17


58


57


20


9


2


163


Aug.


17


51


42


23


9


1


143


Sept.


17


49


47


22


9


0


144


Oct.


17


48


48


21


9


1


144


Nov.


17


48


55


25


9


2


156


Dec.


17


39


28


26


9


1


120


The reduction in the number of cases shown in the table between Novem- ber and December was caused by 32 cases being put to work on C. W. A. projects.


Respectfully submitted,


M. JOSEPH ROACHE, Chairman, PAUL I. BERNIER, L. J. L., CATHRYN L. FOSTER.


282


BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE


The Norwood Bureau of Old Age Assistance submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1933.




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