Norwood annual report 1932-1935, Part 52

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


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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