USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1932-1935 > Part 70
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The cruising car, which was two years old, was replaced with a new car. Our experience has shown that the repair cost on this car during the second year was greater than the replacement cost. This is readily understood when one considers that this car runs up a mileage of approximately 60,000 miles a year. I, therefore, recommend that the cruising car be traded in every year for a new car.
Captain Michael Barrett of the State Police conducted a ten weeks' course in police department procedure in a neighboring town. This school was held two nights a week and all of the men in the department who were off duty ou these nights took advantage of these instructions. Special Officer Jankowski gave instructions to all members of the department in the care and use of firearms. This training course was held at the local State Armory and was successful in improving the personnel in this phase of police work which has increased in importance during the past several years.
Public Works Department
The report of the Superintendent of Public Works makes mention of the various construction jobs and projects which were handled by this depart- ment during the year. However, I wish to call particular attention to the following projects which were of major importance.
1. The extension of Nahatan Street from Broadway to Pleasant Street with an underpass at the N. Y. N. H. & H. R.R. right of way was com- pleted and opened to travel in December. This provides direct access from the east side to the center of town and should be an incentive for land owners in that section to develop their property.
The State Department of Public Works cooperated in this project under Chap. 90 of the General Laws. Under their direction the bridge contract was awarded to Simpson Bros. of Boston, and the highway construction was handled by the Norwood Public Works Department. The bridge, finished
204
in seam-face granite, adds another structure of Gothic architecture to those of the same type already erected in the center of the town.
2. The gravity connection of our sewerage system to the Metropolitan Sewer was completed in February. This eliminated the necessity of the further operation of the sewerage pumping station, and permitted us to use the former syphon lines as mains into which it is now possible to con- nect laterals to serve the properties abutting on Pleasant Street from Dean Street to Hillside Avenue and on Willow Street and Franklin Street.
3. A centrifugal pump was installed at the Ellis Water Pumping Station to replace a triplex plunger type pump, which had been in service many years and was in need of major repairs. Since its installation early in the year, the new pump has been operating satisfactorily.
Two pieces of equipment of major importance to the proper operation of this department were replaced during the year. I refer to the purchase of a new air compressor to replace the one which had been in service 8 years and a five-ton dump body truck to replace one purchased in 1926. This has resulted in a decrease in our equipment maintenance cost in this de- partment. Additional replacements of obsolete or old equipment during the coming year will result in further savings.
Early in the year many of our water consumers were caused considerable annoyance and inconvenience by the turbid appearance and condition of the water supplied by the water department. Investigation and surveys disclosed that this condition could be attributed to and was caused by the high iron content in the water pumped into the system from the Ellis Station.
Consulting engineers who were employed by the Town to investigate and report on this condition recommended that the Town construct an iron removal plant at the Ellis Station to remedy this situation.
The cooperation of the Public Works Administration on this project was requested and secured and the Town accordingly appropriated money for the construction of the iron removal plant, on the basis that the Town would pay 55%, and the Public Works Administration 45% of the cost. The approval of the Public Works Administration for the award of this contract was secured in December and construction work on the plant will commence in January of 1936.
This plant when completed will accomplish a two-fold purpose. First, it will greatly improve the quality of the water supplied to the system from the Ellis Station, and secondly, because it can improve the quality of the water, it will allow the department to draw much more heavily than in the past from the driven wells at this station, thus increasing the potential production from this source.
Although the various accounts under the Public Works Department operated with minimum appropriations, nevertheless the usual high stand- ard of municipal service was maintaincd.
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Engineering Department
I wish to call attention to the number of engineering projects handled by this department during the year. These are itemized in the Town Engineer's report which follows. This was accomplished with no increase in permanent personnel. However, the department did have the ad- vantage of engineering assistance provided by the Emergency Relief Administration on some of these projects.
Municipal Light Department
The financial statement of this department shows a very satisfactory net revenue. While this revenue has in the past been transferred to the Town Treasury, and used to reduce the tax burden, it has been considered advisable at this time to effect a rate reduction. This rate change will be put into effect in 1936. It will be a sliding scale promotional rate which should encourage greater consumption and thus offset the decrease in revenue occasioned by the lowering of the rates.
The department statistics show a greater volume of business than in any previous year. It is of interest to note that this was handled without an increase in personnel.
The superintendent's report calls attention to the various maintenance and operating functions of the department and the new construction and extensions to the distribution system completed during the year.
Cemetery Department
The most important improvement completed at Highland Cemetery during the year was the construction of the new Administration Building. This has provided suitable office space for the superintendent, rest room facilities for both men and women, work room for the cemetery employees, storage for departmental equipment, and a vault to be used during severe winter weather when it is impractical or impossible to make burials.
The architect, John Bamber, and the ERA workmen who were assigned to this project are to be complimented on the design and appearance of this building and the good workmanship shown in its construction.
An additional improvement was the construction of several asphalt surfaced walks on the steep slope leading from the old to the new section. Further extension of this work is contemplated during 1936.
I wish to acknowledge the splendid cooperation of the Superintendents and employees of the various departments and the confidence shown by the Board of Selectmen without which the success attained during the year in all activities would not have been possible.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM C. KENDRICK General Manager
E. R. A. AND W. P. A. PROJECT EXPENDITURES FOR 1935
Name of Project
Scope of Project
Federal Expenditure for Labor $ 29,613.35
Town Expenditure for Material $ 71.60
Total Expenditure $ 29,684.95
Turning Over Ground at Cemetery
Turning over ground to an average depth of five feet and removing boul- ders to make ground suitable for burial purposes. This project is still in operation.
356.30
86.20
442.50
Clerical
Construction of a kitchen at the north end of the Swimming Pool Hall at the Civic Building for use by the American Legion Auxiliary. Provided clerical help for the local Federal Housing office and E. R. A. Administration Office.
1,188.00
1,188.00
Endean Playground Engineering
Grading playground and constructing baseball diamond.
683.00
611.01
1,294.01
Employment of engineers in the planning of projects and the field work on projects in operation.
3,748.80
3,748.80
Federal Housing
Provided personnel to operate local Federal Housing program.
4,329.80
50.40
4,380.20
Historical Data
Provided for the collection and recording of historical data of the Town of Norwood for the Historical Society.
911.20
911.20
Senior High School
Installing concrete curb at top of slope around courts, installing ad- ditional drainage, and resurfacing courts. This project is not com- pleted.
875.00
327.45
1,202.45
Tennis Courts
Westover Parkway
Construction of parkway through Westover property, northwest from Nichols Street. This project is still in operation.
16,628.21
12,541.28
29,169.49
Clearing and thinning brush and building a stone boundary wall.
1,296.75
86.86
1,383.61
Winslow School Grounds Sewing
This project employed women sewing clothing for the E. R. A. and W. P. A. Commissary. The materials (cloth) were supplied by the Federal Government. This work is continuing.
32,459.02
99.25
32,558.27
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Civic Kitchen
Cemetery Administration Building Cutting Wood for Welfare Department
Construction of a building with concrete foundation and floor, field stone exterior, and wood frame roof.
9,676.05
5,025.49
14,701.54
The officials of the airport gave permission to the Town to cut wood on their property. This wood is being distributed by the Welfare De- partment.
2,151.50
2,151.50
National Re-employment
Provided clerical assistance for the local office of this Federal bureau.
1,598.75
1,598.75
Service
Lock-up Repairs
Repairing cells, construeting new ceiling, and general repainting.
309.40
62.77
372.17
Library Alterations
Construction of toilet rooms in northerly wing which was previously unfinished.
1,435.62
997.54
2,433.16
Moth Control
Destroying and painting moth nests in wooded seetions of the Town. Repairing Roof.
2,269.60
2,269.60
Municipal Light Depart-
340.30
143.42
483.72
ment Building
Drainage Culvert
Covering open drain opposite Cottage Street from Broadway to the railroad property.
1,306.00
219.20
1,525.20
Snow Removal
Shoveling snow on publie streets.
2,573.50
2,573.50
Vernon Street Playground
Clearing wooded area preparatory to developing this property.
1,547.00
70.58
1,617.58
Willow Street Drain
Provided surface water drains, manholes, and catch basins on Pleasant Street at Willow Street.
695.50
389.73
1,085.23
Washington Street Drain
Constructing a surface water drain on Washington Street from Philbrick Street to a point just south of the Railroad Bridge. (Major items of material were supplied by the State Department of Public Works.)
4,812.00
246.00
5,058.00
Washington Strect Sidewalk
Widening on East side of Washington Street south of Short Street and constructing gutter and sidewalk.
2,933.25
1,112.88
4,046.13
Neponset Street Drain
Installing surface water drainage on Neponset Street from Pleasant Street northwesterly to Plantingfield Brook.
6,946.00
4,525.16
11,471.16
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E. R. A. AND W. P. A. PROJECT EXPENDITURES FOR 1935
Name of Project
Scope of Project
Federal Expenditure for Labor 3,483.25
Town Expenditure for Material
Total Expenditure 3,483.25
Pest Control
Destroying pest and disease harboring live trees and shrubs throughout the Town.
9,624.14
1,522.22
11,146.36
Prospect Street Drain
Installing surface water drainage on Prospect Street from end of present drain near Upland Road to Railroad Avenue.
7,777.88
3,035.60
10,813.48
Hawes Brook Swimming
Completing excavation for pool started last year and clearing and grad- ing area around pool. This project is still in operation.
10,238.22
1,431.82
11,670.04
Pool
Vernon Street Drain
Installing surface water drainage on Vernon Street Extension (250 feet). Constructing extension of Vernon Street to playground and surfacing with oiled gravel.
606.10
1,094.44
1,700.54
Cemetery Chapel
Miscellaneous painting.
106.00
12.99
118.99
Fire Station
Repairing roof, whitening ceilings, and interior painting. This project is not completed.
408.84
268.46
677.30
School Buildings
Miscellaneous painting, carpentry, electrical, and plumbing repairs and improvements at the various school buildings.
9,834.68
2,111.89
11,946.57
$173,199.51
$36,262.46
$209,461.97
€
208
436.50
118.22
554.72
Vernon Street Extension
Widening Pleasant Street from Hillside Avenue to Sumner Street and Sumner Street Intersection to full layout width and shaping gutter and sidewalk and graveling sidewalk.
Pleasant Street
209
PURCHASING DIVISION
Mr. W. C. Kendrick General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Following is a brief summary of the activities of the Purchasing Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1935:
Number of Requisitions Received
803
Number of Items on Which Written Quotations Were Received
138
Number of Orders Issued
1,091
Number of Invoices Paid
3,651
Total Amount of Invoices
$339,115.55
Cash Discounts $1,551.64
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN F. HOOD
In Charge of Purchases
210
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT *
Mr. W. C. Kendrick General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herein submit my report as Supervisor of Playgrounds for the season of 1935.
The following playgrounds were open for supervised recreation from July 1 to August 21, 1935: Balch, Civic, Elks, Endean, High School, Pleasant Park, Shattuck, White Mikes.
In addition the Morse Pond was open for supervised swimming from June 1 to September 8, 1935, and the tennis courts at the Civic from June 1 to October 15, 1935. The daily average attendance at these various centers numbered approximately one thousand.
A weekly meeting for Instructors was held on Monday mornings. The instructing personnel was composed of eight men and seven women. In addition an attendant at the Civic tennis courts was under the jurisdiction of this department.
The activities at the various playgrounds were as follows:
Baseball
Knitting
Bean Bag Games
Marbles
Block Building
Paddle Tennis
Captain Ball
Parchesi
Checker Contests
Picnics
Costume Making
Puzzles
Dodge Ball
Sand Play
Dominoes
Sewing
Dramatics
Singing Games
Drawing
Story Telling
Duck-on-the-rock
Swimming (Life Saving)
Folk Dancing
Slides
Handicraft
Sewing
Hiking
TeniKoit
Horseshoes
Tennis
Kick Ball
Track
Volley Ball
The activities listed are those to which considerable attention is given, and which fit the needs of many, instead of a few children. Games of lesser organization, such as sand box play, are used for the smaller children, while the older children concentrate on games of higher organization. The policy in regard to the activities on the playground is the guidance offered by the instructors in helping the children to organize, to cooperate, to know fair
211
play, to develop leadership, to recognize real leaders and to appreciate what Norwood is doing for them.
League Competition
Each playground sponsored four individual boys' baseball teams, com- prising four leagues: Peewees, age eleven; Midgets, age thirteen; Juniors, age fifteen; Seniors, age sixteen and over.
There was league competition for girls in baseball, volley ball and tenikoit. Each type of sport was divided into two divisions: Seniors, over 14 years of age, and Juniors, under 14 years of age.
Features Socials
Five dances were conducted by the Playground Department during the summer for the younger set of the town between the ages of fifteen and twenty. These socials marked another step in providing leisure time ac- tivity for the younger people, many of whom work during the day time.
Wonderland
Through the courtesy of the Salvation Army the smaller girls and boys of the playgrounds were able to enjoy the advantages that Wonderland Camp at Sharon had to offer. This Outing was conducted on July 19, 1935.
Old Timers' Day
During the fourth week of the season all playgrounds convened at the Civic Field and there they enjoyed a real old fashioned day. A monster parade of these youngsters dressed in clothes of the nineties was the high- light of this day. Following the parade, individual acts were presented by the various playgrounds, and in accordance with the day an old time theme was the basis of each one. To top off the day competition was conducted in old time games between the champions of the various playgrounds. These games were: Horseshoes, Checkers, Bicycle Races, Jackstones, Hop Scotch, O'Leary, Rope Skipping.
Baseball Game
During the fifth week of the season the boys were the guests of the Boston American League Team at Fenway Park. On this day the Boston Red Sox played the New York Yankees.
Guest Speaker
After watching two major league teams in action, the boys of the play- grounds were able to hear one of the players at the Civic Field on the fol- lowing day. The guest speaker was "Red" Rolfe, star third baseman of the New York Yankees. Following a most interesting talk by Rolfe, the All Star Playground Team competed with the instructors in a baseball game. The instructors proved that they were still masters of their pupils.
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Parents' Night
Many parents turned out at the various playgrounds for the Annual Parents' Night Demonstration which was held in the sixth week. In ad- dition a large group of Town officials and members of the Playground . Advisory Committee comprised the official party that visited all the play- grounds. August 7, 1935 was assigned as Parents' Night on the north side of the Town and August 8, 1935 on the south side. This was arranged so that the official party could spend ample time at all playgrounds to ob- serve the various activities.
Track Meet
The feature of the seventh week was a Track Meet which was held at the Civic Field.
Swimming Meet
On Saturday, August 17, a swimming meet was conducted by this de- partment at Morse Pond. Prizes were awarded to the winners at the meet by the American Red Cross Association. Also, on this day, certificates were awarded by the Red Cross to those who successfully passed their life saving examinations and buttons were awarded to those who successfully passed the examination for beginners in swimming.
Paddle Tennis Tournament
During the last week of the season a Paddle Tennis Tournament was held at the Civic Field with the champion double team from each Play- ground entered. There were four different classes for boys and girls. Prizes donated by the Norwood Tennis Club were presented to the winners of the various divisions.
"Farewell Night"
The playground season closed with a monster parade of the children and their gaily decorated floats led by the nationally famous Norwood American Legion Band. The parade proceeded through the business district of the town to the Civic Field, where a varied program of entertainment was presented by the children to the intense satisfaction of all those present.
After the entertainment the Balch School Playground was awarded the cup for its all-around excellency during the Playground season.
Following the awarding of the cup, many of those present visited Social Hall to view the handiwork exhibition on display there.
Twilight Baseball
The Playground Twilight League was composed of eight teams. Each team playcd twice a week. The Norwood Press, winner of the first half, were again acclaimed the league champions, after defeating the Pleasant Park Team, winner of the second half, by taking two games out of three.
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The Old Timers League consisted of four teams, and the Bellevue Boys' Club were the winners in this league competition.
Tennis
Although tennis was hampered somewhat by construction work at the High School tennis courts, a large number took advantage of the oppor- tunity of playing at the Civic courts.
Seven tournaments were conducted with one hundred and fifty partici- pating in the competition. In addition to these tournament matches, the boys and girls had an opportunity to compete in matches with the members of the Newton Playgrounds.
For the second successive year Ambrose Kelly was in charge of the tennis courts on Sunday, and also took charge of the various tournaments that were conducted during the season. Mr. Kelly was also in charge of the Tennis Club dances at Social Hall which gave a large group of the younger set an opportunity to enjoy their leisure moments.
I wish to extend my appreciation to Mr. Kelly for donating his services so generously, and also congratulate him on the most successful tennis season that he conducted.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I should like to express my appreciation for the coopera- tion shown me by the Town Officials, the members of the Playground Advisory Committee and the Playground Instructors.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. DONOVAN, Supervisor of Playgrounds
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POLICE DEPARTMENT
Mr. W. C. Kendrick
General Manager
Town of Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herein submit my annual report relative to the number of arrests and the disposition of the cases brought before the Courts during the year 1935.
Arrests Made for the Following Offences
Arson
2 Neglect of Family 14
Assault and Battery
22
Peddling Unlicensed
1
Assault on Officer
3
Promoting Lottery
1
Assault to Rape
1 Receiving Stolen Property 4
Bastardy
3
Rescue
1
Breaking and Entering and Larceny 19
Trespass
1
Driving Auto to Endanger Life 6
Town Ordinance Violation
3
Driving Auto while Intoxicated,
10 Truancy
1
Disturbing the Peace
12
Threats
1
Drunkenness
234
Vagrancy
3
Exposure of Person
2 Violation of Automobile Law 63
Gaming
10 Violation of Liquor Law
6
Larceny of Automobile
2 Violation of Probation
4
Larceny
10
Weapon Carrying
2
Fish and Game Law Violation
1
Disposition of Cases as Follows
Committed to Concord Ref. 2 Delivered to Parents
4
Committed to House of Cor.
27
Fined
114
Committed to Lyman School
2 Fined and Appealed
12
Committed to Shirley School
2 Filed
41
Committed to State Farm
16 Probated 63
Committed to State Prison
1
Probated with Suspended
Continued for Disposition
1 Sentences 36
Defaulted
3
Released 86
Discharged
2 Nol Prossed
1
Dismissed
4 Waiting
2
Delivered to Child Welfare
3
Not Guilty
8
Delivered to Other Depts.
14
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. SULLIVAN, Chief of Police
2
Shot Gun, Alien Having
215
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Mr. W. C. Kendrick General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as Superintendent of the Public Works Department for the year 1935.
During the year 1935, as in the past few years, a considerable amount of work was accomplished with funds furnished by the different govern- ment relief sources. Approximately 200 men were employed on Public Works Administration, Emergency Relief Administration and Works Progress Administration Projects. The type of men that it was com- pulsory to use, together with the stringent rules and regulations that were in force made it extremely difficult to make proper production on these projects. At times the various Government Inspectors failed to cooperate in a practical manner. However, despite these handicaps sufficient progress was made to warrant this work and the completed jobs should prove a valuable addition to the town.
A list of Government Relief Projects for 1935 is as follows:
Neponset Street Drain. A drainage system consisting of 10, 15, 18 and 24 inch concrete pipe with 14 catch basins and 7 manholes was built from Pleasant St. to the property of Albert Fales.
Washington Street Drain. First High Bridge to Philbrick Street. 18 inch concrete pipe with 6 catch basins and 3 manholes.
Prospect Street Drain. From Upland Road to Railroad Avenue. Consisting of 12 and 15 inch concrete pipe with 18 catch basins and 5 manholes.
Vernon Street Extension Drain. 250 feet of 8-inch vitrified pipe and 2 catch basins were constructed.
Vernon Street Extension Highway. 1520 sq. yds. of oiled gravel high- way was constructed.
Pleasant Street Widening. From the Morrill Ink Plant to the East Walpole Line. Trees, stonewalls and gravel banks on both sides of the street were removed. This work will continue for several more months.
Washington Street Sidewalk. Short Street to the East Walpole Line. Several large banks of gravel were removed and a gravel sidewalk with an amiesite edge was constructed. Retaining walls were also provided where necessary.
Westover Development. Two miles of roadway is under construction. Up to the present time, all trees have been removed, loam excavated and a gravel fill sct over the entire distance to a sub-grade. Also, the construc- tion of onc bridge has been completed. It will take several months for a very large force of men to complete this project.
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Metropolitan Sewer Connection. This P. W. A. Project was success- fully finished during February 1935. All sewage in the town is now flowing by gravity into the Metropolitan System. This allows the sewer department to shut down the pumping station located on Pleasant Street.
Pest Control Project. This work consisted of the removal of nests, eggs, scale et cetera on shade trees throughout the town and the destroying of wild cherry trees along the sides of the highways.
Endean Playground. Entire field graded and loamed, baseball diamond built, backstop erected and the construction of an oiled driveway completed this project.
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