USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1932-1935 > Part 52
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One-half interest in 158 poles was sold during the year to the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company.
Twenty (20) transformers were installed and twenty-eight (28) removed. Three were burnt out by lightning and the other twenty-five (25) were removed because of overload or replacements during construction.
Description of Public Street Lamps
40
100
100 C. P.
250
400 C. P.
600 C. P.
1000 C. P.
C. P.
C. P.
1
60
4
440
626
62,600
109
27,250
71,600
115
69,000
38
38,000
1 1,500
Total C. P. 1073 Lamps burned 3981 hours and 31 minutes.
270,450
, Additional Street Lamps Installed
On Public Street, 6-100 C. P. and 4-400 C. P. fixtures.
On Guild Street Public Parking Space, 3-250 C. P. fixtures.
In Cedar Street Footpass, 4-100 watt fixtures.
Electrical Inspection and Meter Division
Meters in Use December 31, 1933, 4796; December 31, 1934, 4955.
Meter Installations for 1934
Lighting Meters
28
Appliance Meters 118
5
Water Heating Meters
Electric Sign and Traffic Lights
8
Total 159
1500
Total
Watt
Watt
C. P.
179
219
There have been 527 wiring permits issued, which is a substantial in- crease over 1933. In nearly all cases of new meter installations, decided improvements have been made in wiring and meter locations.
In some cases, at least six meters were removed from various locations throughout the buildings and located on one board in open cellars. No meter location is accepted unless readily accessible at all reasonable times.
The utmost cooperation has existed between the Billing Department and the Light Department in adjusting complaints and testing meters, et cetera.
Electric wiring has been done throughout the year for the Public Works Department, School Department and the Public Library.
A special drive was started in the late fall of 1934 for the payment of delinquent electric light bills, but was retarded during the holidays. This proved very successful in reducing the outstanding total owed the depart- ment.
Fire Alarm, Police Signal and Traffic Control
No additions or improvements have been made to the fire alarm system. With constant care the system has operated very successfully during the year.
Boxes have been tested by the Fire Department each month and defects found were repaired by this Department.
Most of the trouble occurring during the past year to the Police Signal was due to batteries. I would recommend the installation in the near future of a wet battery and charging outfit to replace the dry batteries which are so troublesome to the proper operation of this system.
The traffic control system has operated as well as could be expected from any automatic device. Troubles have been relatively few.
Lamp renewals for the three systems were 174.
In conclusion, may I express my appreciation to you and the various Town Officials for the cooperation shown this Department, and also to publicly thank fellow workers of this Department for the continued willing- ness to serve the Public and the Department at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
C. C. CHURCH, Superintendent
MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT Plant and System Statistics
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
Overhead System:
Miles of Lines in Public Ways
(Overhead)
48.12
49.02
49.70
50.10
50.90
50.50
56.50
57.5
58.25
Miles of Lines Elsewhere (Overhead)
1.60
1.60
1.80
1.80
2.10
3.50
4.50
4.5
6.84
Poles in Public Ways (Plant Owned)
1,632
1,651
1,681
767
813
178
105
108
176
Poles Elsewhere (Plant Owned)
97
97
104
69
67
76
43
43
107
Jointly Owned
442
424
424
1,321
1,418
ยท 2,075
2,204
2,204
2,232
Conduit, Feet of
21,982
21,982
24,492
24,717
28,707
29,007
29,227
29,378
29,782
Cables in Conduit, Feet of
34,295
34,295
41,400
46,954
66,673
80,913
81,833
82,631
83,442
Consumers' Meters:
Lighting Service Only
4,015
4,182
4,342
4,312
4,549
4,864
4,749
4,937
Street Lamps:
Number in Use
777
777
765
987
1,067
1,142
1,169
1,232
1,073
Total Hours of, During the Year
4,000
3,991
4,008
4,009
3,907
3,831.57
3,916
3,943
3,981
Electric Energy:
Purchased Kilowatt Hours
6,594,000
6,942,000
7,312,000
7,01,744
7,445,258
7,959,000
8,016,000
8,368,000 8,961,600
Supplied for Street Lighting
273,802
319,155
372,392
531,315
683,000
644,600
631,000
656,600
678,325
Supplied for Street Railway Use
519,127
509,168
538,680
512,771
467,480
456,342
214,363
Supplied for Metered Service
4,593,219
4,712,516
5,042,203
5,152,176
5,209,249
6,031,494
6,031,250
6,677,855 7,385,580
Used at Station
324,903
270,043
359,810
126,494
Kilowatt Hours not Accounted for
802,786
962,311
912,457
880,079
821,309
923,996
1,012,893
1,034,400
897,695
220
221
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
Mr. W. C. Kendrick,
Town 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, 1934:
No. Permits Issued
Estimated Value
New Houses
6
$32,850.00
New Diner
1
2,500.00
New Hen Houses
5
445.00
New Factories
2
6,600.00
New Greenhouses
2
1,400.00
New Garages
17
7,401.00
Additions to Garages
8
1,015.00
Additions to Residential Buildings
75
26,490.00
Additions to Non-Residential Buildings
32
20,292.00
Minor Additions Without Cost
2
Total
150
$98,993.00
Number of Inspections during 1934
754
Number of Inspections during 1934 on 1933 Jobs
265
Total number of inspections
1,019
Respectfully submitted,
F. M. DOUGLASS, Building Inspector
222
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Mr. W. C. Kendrick, General Manager, Town of Norwood.
Dear Sir:
The following scales, weights and measures were tested and sealed during the year 1934:
Sealed
Not Sealed
Condemned
Platform Scales over 5000 lbs.
25
Platform Scales under 5000 lbs.
75
2
Spring Scales over 100 lbs.
11
Spring Scales under 100 lbs.
52
Computing Scales
67
Counter Scales
35
1
Personal Scales
12
4
Prescription Scales
3
1
Weights, Avoirdupois
405
Weights, Apothecary
22
Weights, Metric
25
Vehicle Tanks
7
Liquid Tanks
9
Gasoline Pumps
6
Gasoline Meters
50
Kerosene Pumps
4
1
Quantity Stops on Pumps
90
School Scales
10
Yard Measures
135
Leather Measures
S
2
Cloth Measures
6
The following inspections were made:
Number of Each Tested
Found Correct
Found Under- weight
Found Over- weight
Meat and Provisions
28
21
7
Sugar
60
5S
2
Flour
56
51
5
Butter
40
40
Rice
15
10
5
Tapioca
12
12
Bread
48
36
12
Fruit and Vegetables
40
25
15
223
Number of Each Tested
Found Correct
Found Under- weight
Found Over- weight
Coffee
16
16
Coke in Bags .
26
26
Coal in Transit
30
29
1
Kindling Wood in Bags
16
16
Marking Bread
60
60
Dry Goods
18
18
Food in Packages
22
22
Milk Jars
26
24
2
Ice Scales
26
26
Wholesale Milk Cans
30
30
.
This is a complete report of all the inspections I have made during the past year.
Very truly yours, HARRY M. KING, Sealer of Weights and Measures
224
REPORT OF CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Mr. William C. Kendrick, . General Manager, Town of Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I submit herewith the annual report of the Cemetery Department for the year ending December 31, 1934.
As in the past years the work carried on by this department consisted mainly of the maintenance of the Cemetery grounds with construction and improvements being made in sections 49-50-51. The work in these sections consisted of digging over land, and grading and preparing for filling and top dressing. In addition to this, walks were built and filled in and are ready for surfacing. The greater part of this improvement work was carried on by funds provided by the Emergency Relief Adminis- tration, thereby giving employment to a large group of unemployed and giving this department the opportunity of preparing these sections for future use for burial purposes.
In the closing months of 1934 the project for a new Administration Building was approved by the Emergency Relief Administration. Work on this building is expected to start early in the coming year. This build- ing has been looked forward to for some years, and now that plans for construction are under way, when completed it should make a great im- provement to the Cemetery buildings and grounds.
There were 149 interments and 5 removals made during the year.
I wish to extend my thanks to the officials for their cooperation and interest in the Cemetery Department.
Respectfully,
GEORGE A. SMITH, Superintendent
225
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The year of 1934 worked many improvements in the physical condition of the Morrill Memorial Library. December found it a more perfect and serviceable public building than it was when it was presented to the town by George H. Morrill in 1898. All the improvements and repairs were made possible by an E. R. A. project to which the trustees contributed the necessary money from the Alice M. Plimpton Fund for the materials, while the town supplied the labor. This gave much-needed work to many Norwood artisans and business to local business men. Up to December 31, the amount withdrawn from the Plimpton Fund was $4,441.63.
The following new construction and improvements were completed: A Young Adult's Library and Reading Room for young people from twelve to sixteen years of age, completely furnished, decorated and equipped with an initial library of 900 fiction and non-fiction books; a Story-telling Room to be used in conjunction with the Children's Room, whereby the younger children can be instructed and amused without disturbing their com- panions or the rest of the library patrons; a new and special stairway to the Young Adults' Room; a new fire-escape exit from the Children's Room, for which there was serious need. In addition to the above the following repairs were made: all roofs were surveyed and made completely water- tight, a condition which has not existed heretofore due to lack of funds; the masonry has been pointed up with lead wool wherever necessary and is now waterproof; all window frames have been repaired and painted where necessary; the floor tiling of the main entrance has been removed and replaced by large handsome slate slabs, which should last for years; the entire cellar has been cleaned and whitewashed; the walls of the li- brarian's room have been painted and repaired; many other minor repairs in various parts of the building have been made. The Trustees are now glad to report that the general condition of the library was never better. The appearance of the library grounds has been enhanced by the planting of shrubs and evergreens on the west side, and a row of shrubs along the Walpole Street line to keep the public off the grass.
In order to give the citizens an opportunity to see all this work upon its completion, the library building was thrown open for inspection on Sun- day, October 28, from 3 to 6 o'clock. About one thousand people availed themselves of this invitation, many of whom expressed great pleasure and satisfaction with the library as it stands today.
The adult circulation of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1934, in line with nearly every other library in the country, has been less than in the previous year. This condition is regarded by national library ex- perts as one of the encouraging signs of better business conditions. During the depression years, the borrowing of library books increased each month
226
in comparison with the previous year. Unemployed citizens found com- fort in books. The lowered circulations indicate more are at work with less time for reading.
The library of the new Callahan School has been put in busy and suc- cessful operation under the direction of Miss LeCompte, who was trained in the North Attleborough Public Library. The public library has sup- plied a collection of both new and old books and cooperated with the new set-up as it has with all other school libraries. The circulation in each of these schools has increased over the 1933 figure and shows a gain in popularity with the pupils. The new room for the Young Adult has been welcomed by a good and steady attendance of Junior High School pupils.
Respectfully submitted,
W. W. EVERETT, Chairman, MARY E. WILLIAMS, Secretary, A. MARION SWAIN, RALPH W. TAYLOR, RICHARD D. NORTHRUP, MAUDE A. SHATTUCK.
227
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Board of Trustees:
The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library, for the year 1934, 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
Terms of use
Free for lending; free for reference
Total number of agencies
4
Number of days open in 1934
302
Number of hours open each week
66
Number of staff
7
Increase
Number of volumes at beginning of the year
43,933
Number of volumes added by purchase
1,673
Number of volumes added by gift
39
Number of volumes at the end of the year
45,645
Number of magazines and newspapers currently received
81 titles
97 copies
Use
Fiction
Non-fiction Foreign
Total
Adult
70,809
14,762
396
85,967
Juvenile
19,273
4,957
24,230
Young Adult (from Oct. 29)
3,180
477
3,657
Balch School
2,517
Callahan School
2,993
Shattuck School
6,302
Winslow School
5,320
Other Schools
140
Total
131,126
Number of pictures lent
3,427
Finance
See report of the Town Accountant
228
Registration
Adult
Young Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of new borrowers registered in 1934
285
20
260
541
Total number registered
3247
564
1163
4974
Books Added to the Library in 1934
Adult
Young Adult
Juvenile
Total
General works
21
9
3
33
Philosophy
11
0
0
11
Religion
6
4
2
12
Sociology (includes fairy tales)
35
7
57
99
Philology
0
1
0
1
Natural science
6
6
6
18
Useful arts
21
12
8
41
Fine Arts
15
9
3
27
Literature
53
12
24
89
Description and travel
45
15
10
70
Biography
72
20
15
107
History
37
12
16
65
Fiction
602
131
406
1139
Total
924
238
550
1712
Gifts
Books and magazines have been received from
Mr. R. C. Johnson
Mr. Arthur A. Shurcliff
Mrs. L. C. Marshall Mr. Harvey S. Firestone
Rev. C. H. Brown Women's Organization for Prohibition Reform
Miss Minnie J. Greig
Charles Scribner's Sons
Mr. Francis W. Smith
Ford Motor Company
Mrs. Robert Williamson
Norwood Grange
Leo Mulvehill
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Peter Flaherty
Anonymous
Flowers have been received from
Mr. John Anderson
Mrs. McDonough
Miss Hilda Gillette
Smith Floral Shop Peter Fisher and Son
Mrs. Otis D. Swain
Mrs. J. C. Poncelet
Respectfully submitted,
JANE A. HEWETT, Librarian
229
ANNUAL REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
Selectmen,
Peter J. Feeney, Chairman,
Norwood, Massachusetts.
Dear Sirs:
I submit herewith in summarized form the twenty-sixth annual report of the conduct of the Legal Department of the Town and covering its activities for the year 1934. As in past years, the principal activities have been of an advisory character, in many instances through written opinions, furnished to the following departments and officials, namely, Selectmen, School Committee, Board of Health, Board of Public Welfare, Board of Assessors, Finance Commission, Planning Board, Town Treas- urer and Collector of Taxes, General Manager, Town Clerk and Accountant, Fire Department, Fence Viewers, Building Inspector and Town Engineer.
In addition service was rendered as requested or as voluntarily under- taken in the form of hearings and conferences attended, title examinations made and various instruments drawn or revised. During the absence of Clerk Pendergast on a vacation leave the duties of Clerk of the Selectmen were performed.
As appears from the particularization which follows, the service rendered covered a wide field of municipal activities.
A detailed account of the various activities, arranged chronologically in departmental order, has been prepared and placed in the files and is avail- able for reference purposes.
Litigation and Claims
Litigation
Metropolitan Crushed Stone Company, Petitioner vs. Thomas Smith, Jr. et al, Respondents: The history of this case and its status at the be- ginning of the year were set forth in detail in the report for the year 1933. The final decree in the Superior Court was entered on July 24, 1934, from which an appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court was taken by the Standard Accident Insurance Company, surety on the bond given by the contractors, respondents in the suit. The negotiations in progress at the beginning of the year with certain of the parties whose claims were allowed by the final decree, and with respect to which the appeal was taken, were con- cluded satisfactorily by payments made by the Insurance Company as agreed and the appeal was withdrawn and the case appears therefore to be ended without the necessity of the Town resorting to the indemnity bonds given to it by the Insurance Company which protected the Town against loss in any event.
Jennie Purpura: This is a claim for compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act for injuries received by Mrs. Purpura while employed at the State Armory in a Civil Works Service project. The Town de-
230
fended on the ground that the claimant was not an employee of the Town and not entitled to compensation from it and that the Industrial Accident Board was without jurisdiction to award compensation. A hearing was held by a single member of the Industrial Accident Board who made a finding that the claimant was not an employee of the Town and therefore not entitled to compensation, thereby sustaining the position taken by the Town in the case. An appeal from this finding was taken to the Indus- trial Accident Board by way of review and after a hearing held by three members of the Board sitting in review, the finding of the single member was sustained and the claim was dismissed on January 23, 1935. There- after the claimant took an appeal to the Superior Court where the case is now pending for speedy hearing.
Flora M. Pond, et al vs. Norwood (2 actions): The first action is a case which was pending at the beginning of the year in the Superior Court for Norfolk County, to recover damages for an easement in land taken for the lay out and construction of the extension of Nichols Street in property claimed to be owned by the petitioners, and more fully detailed in the report for the year 1933. The only action in the case taken during the year was that of the filing of a suggestion of death of one of the petitioners, namely, Charles P. Pond, and substituting therefore the name of Flora M. Pond, Executrix of his estate.
As to the second action, on August 3, 1934, substantially the same parties filed a petition in the Superior Court for Norfolk for an abatement of betterment assessments levied by the Selectmen on remaining land alleged to be owned by the petitioners following the refusal by the Selectmen to abate said assessments on application made. An answer denying that the petitioners are the owners of the property or are aggrieved by the assessments levied has been filed. The cases are pending for trial.
Norwood vs. Joseph and Chiara Caspignaria: In March, 1934, a bill of complaint in equity was brought by the Town against Mr. and Mrs. Caspignaria to compel contribution to the expense to the Town of the care of a minor son. A compromise settlement was reached and in accordance therewith a final decree was entered by the Court containing an order for contribution in the amount and manner agreed upon and which order calls for regular payments to be made so long as the Town is under expense for the care furnished.
Claims
The claim of the Town against George H. O'Brien Transportation Com- pany was based upon property damage resulting as to a traffic beacon at the corner of Guild Street and Broadway due to the collision with it of a motor truck owned by said Company. The claim was met and settled in the sum of one hundred dollars by the insurance company whose re- sponsibility it was to defend the claim and which responsibility was recog- nized when collection by this department was undertaken.
The claim of Eva Braverman for damages based upon a cesspool situa-
231
tion alleged to have developed as a result of the alteration by widening of Winter Street was withdrawn following negotiations with her attorney, upon it appearing to his satisfaction that the Town was not responsible. The situation from the standpoint of health had the attention of the Board of Health but was satisfactorily improved without court action.
Frances L. Blanchot made claim for compensation for personal injuries and property damage alleged to have been sustained through a fall on April 29, 1934, by reason of the defective condition of the sidewalk on Vernon Street. After investigation and on advice the claim was settled by authority of the Selectmen on a compromise basis for a comparatively small sum.
The land damage claim of Mary Cashman was settled by a satisfactory compromise agreement and a release obtained.
Several claims, which it appears to be unnecessary to detail, based upon injuries alleged to have been sustained by reason of defective street con- ditions or by reason of other conditions, were investigated and on advice, liability was denied.
Certain cases are pending in which the Town was summoned as Trustee for Defendants, named therein, and as to which cases answers were filed to the effect that no funds were held. It is expected that the Town will be discharged as Trustee in these cases by agreement or otherwise.
General
Other matters as to which services rendered by way of advice or other- wise and as to which brief reference appears to be desirable are set forth in the following form under the headings of the respective departments immediately concerned with the same.
Selectmen
Review of proposed contract with the United States of America Public Works Emergency Administration Re contribution by way of grant of funds to cost of constructing sewer extension-Attention to questions in- volved and drafting form of order.
Situation as to hearings and legislative bills-Report.
Annual Report for 1933-Drafted.
Course of action as to medical aid to party injured by ice from snow plow operation without admission of Town liability-Advice.
Proposed Pleasant Strcet Extension situation-Advice.
Motions for action at town meetings-Advice and revision.
Finance Commission duties with respect to increasing budget appropria- tion figures with particular reference to certain departments-Advice.
Proposed changes in rules and regulations as to Zoning By-Law under 1933 legislation-Advice.
Liability for injury to school pupil-Advice.
Questions Re proposed taking of easement for sewer line purposes in
232
properties of Norwood Gas Company and General Printing Ink Corpora- tion-Advice.
Status of licensees who hold both alcoholic beverage and Sunday Sales licenses-Opinion.
Attention to proposed regulations under alcoholic beverage licenses- Opinion as to same and revising draft of proposed regulations and advice Re questions with respect to new draft.
Suspension of certain liquor license-Notice of action by Selectmen prepared.
Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, Re recommendations as to approval of alcoholic beverages licenses-Report with appropriate letter.
Playground Commissioners relative to occupation of Civic Playground Building premises by Post No. 70 American Legion-Advice Re action and form of same.
School Department
James Kaler accident-Advice.
Article for Annual Town Meeting Warrant Re expense for certain alterations at Shattuck School-Draft prepared.
East District Playground problem-Advice Re subject matter.
Use of school and playground lands-Advice Re questions raised.
Right to pension school building sweeper under authority given School Committee to pension school building janitors-Opinion.
Article for Warrant relative to expense of improvement at school grounds -Drafted.
Article for Town Meeting Warrant with explanatory letter as to ap- propriation for completing improvements at Shattuck and Winslow School grounds-Revised Draft.
Application of rule as to right to enter as school pupil a child becoming six years of age on March 1, 1935-Advice.
Right under Rule 60 of School Committee to pay teacher during absence on account of death of relative-Opinion.
Recreational activities on school and playground lands in the East District-Advice.
Upham claims-Review, conferences and advice.
Authority of School Committee and right to prescribe rules for tem- porary exclusion from school of pupils in whose homes others are suffering from contagious diseases-Opinion.
Finance Commission
Various questions relating to duties-Advice.
Situation as regards tax abatement applications and pending appeal cases and budget requirements-Review of situation and advice.
Rights and duties of Finance Commission with respect to Municipal Light Department and Water Department service indebtedness (un- collected bills situation)-Advice.
Course of action with respect to articles in Warrant of Special Town
233
Meeting to be held December 31, 1934, and duties and powers generally- Advice.
Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes
Day Estate Trustees Re allowance of third account-Advice and draft- ing appropriate paper.
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