Norwood annual report 1936-1938, Part 11

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1936
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1104


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1936-1938 > Part 11


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70


WHEREAS, in public service as well as in private life he displayed the highest type of citizenship, marked by rugged honesty, firm convictions, fair dealing, great integrity and pronounced regard for duty and WHEREAS, he possessed a truly great though retiring Christian character and lived a noble though unpretentious life.


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in his death the town of Norwood has lost an outstanding citizen and its official family one of its oldest, ablest and well beloved members and in common with its citizens generally we mourn this earthly separation and pay this sincere but in- adequate tribute to his memory which should always be cherished and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be placed in our records, and copies signed by our Chairman and Clerk be sent to his sur- viving sister and to the Norwood Messenger for publication.


Thomas B. Mulvehill


Voted that a letter of sympathy to the family of Thomas B. Mulvehill be sent. Mr. Mulvehill served the town as Selectman from January 20, 1919 to January 19, 1931 and as Chairman from January 21, 1924 to January 19, 1931, whose sudden passing from this life on Saturday, De- cember 5, 1936, constitutes a loss to the community of one of its outstand- ing citizens.


Electric Rate Survey


On March 16, the report of Consulting Engineer Wells on his rate study with respect to Municipal Light Department with recommendation for new rates was submitted.


On March 31, an executive session was held with Superintendent Church of the Municipal Light Department and Consulting Engineer Wells rela- tive to electric service rates.


7


On April 21, a conference was held with Consulting Engineer Wells relative to the electric service rate survey.


On May 12, voted on recommendation of Chairman Butters that an advisory committee of five be appointed to consider the report on the rate survey for electric service and to report to the Selectmen with recom- mendations, the Chairman, General Manager and Town Clerk to serve as ex officio members.


On July 7, on report of the advisory committee on electric service rates survey, it was voted that the General Manager be authorized to secure the services of Consulting Expert Wells in the matter of a further report and to incur expense of approximately $150.00, such further report to be submitted to the advisory committee, which committee should make thereafter a further report to the Selectmen.


On December 22, a report dated September 22, was received from the advisory committee appointed by the Selectmen to study the report on electric rates of the Consulting Engineer and signed by Francis W. Smith, C. W. Conrad, Anthony C. DeRoma, Charles E. Houghton, Austin L. Maddox, Harry B. Butters, William C. Kendrick and James E. Pender- gast as said committee, which report recommends that the Selectmen adopt and put into effect at their discretion rates designated as follows:


Rate A-Revised report of September 28, 1936


Rate B-Revised report of December 16, 1936


Rate C-Revised report of September 28, 1936


Rate D-Revised report of September 28, 1936


Rate F-Revised report of September 28, 1936


Upon consideration of the report it was voted to adopt the several rates recommended in the report of the advisory committee, the same to be effective as of April 1, 1937, and to consider the recommendation of the committee with respect to the employment of consulting engineers to ascertain all facts regarding the manufacture of electric energy by the construction and ownership of a generating plant owned by the town.


Layouts and Orders of Taking


On March 6, the layout of North Avenue as a town way was made.


On March 24, action taken by way of petition addressed to the County Commissioners for the relocation of Pleasant Street from the Walpole line to Dean Street for the purpose of making alterations in the course of the way and repairing the same with a resurfacing in parts with bituminous macadam.


On December 29, report received from General Manager under date of December 24, that entry was made by the Public Works Department on December 16, for the purpose of reconstructing Pleasant Street from the Walpole line to Northview Avenue, in accordance with the layout of the County Commissioners of Norfolk County.


On April 14, an order of taking under the provisions of Chapter 79 of


8


the General Laws (Ter. Ed.) was adopted with respect to a lay out of an extension of North Avenue as a town way.


On April 21, approval given to plan of proposed easement for drainage purposes extending from Railroad Avenue southerly through properties of George W. and Lulu C. Thompson, Martin and Mary Donahue and others, on report that Mr. Richard Oldham had indicated that the location met with his approval and that the interest he represented would not ask for damages, and voted that an appropriate instrument be prepared to enable the town to acquire the easement.


On May 5, an order was adopted of a taking of an easement for drainage purposes in land between Railroad Avenue and property of Margaret Dunn, being the proposed easement as to which action was taken as above stated.


On May 12, a petition was presented, in which the Norwood Lodge of Elks Building Corporation joined, that a new town way to be known as Elkway be laid out with an agreement to release to the town all easements that might be necessary for the town to acquire for the purpose of laying out said way.


On July 21, an order adopted by the Selectmen acting as Sewer Com- missioners of taking of an easement or right of way for sewer purposes. in and through lands of Leonard C. Fisher of a uniform width of twenty feet and extending from a point in the westerly line of Neponset Street in a southerly direction to a point ten feet distant from the terminus of the easterly line of Winfield Street with damages awarded to said Fisher in the sum of $150.00.


Public hearing held on July 21, in the matter of the layout of a new town way to be known as Fairbanks Avenue under the betterment law, and of a new town way running generally southerly from Walnut Avenue to be known as Elkway and order of layout voted, and on proposed layout of new town way northerly from Dean Street and parallel with State Highway Route 1 on the westerly side thereof, as to which proposed layout voted notice of intention be indefinitely postponed and a plan to be pre- pared of the proposed easement in the general location shown on the plan before the hearing, be acquired under an order of taking by eminent do- main for the purpose of constructing and maintaining a water main for supplying water to a portion of the area on the westerly side of State Highway Route 1.


On July 28, an order of taking was adopted of easements for water supply purposes and for the maintenance of poles and wires for the trans- mission of electric energy as detailed in said order of taking in a parcel of land owned by Thomas U. Mahony as shown on plan and nominal dam- ages were awarded.


On July 28, the layout of Elkway as a town way was voted and layout was made on August 11.


On August 5, the layout of Fairbanks Avenue as a town way, under the


9


law authorizing the assessment of betterments, was made also the layout of an extension of Nichols Street to Brook Street, the same to be reported to the town at a special town meeting and an appropriation to be requested on condition that approval is given by the Public Works Administration as a project subject to the usual grant of P. W. A. funds, estimated cost of project being $51,000.00.


On September 1, an order of taking was adopted of land involved in the layout of an extension of Hawthorne Street as accepted by the town on August 20, and an order of taking was also adopted with respect to land involved in the layout of the Elkway as accepted by the town as a town way on said August 20.


On September 8, an order of taking of an easement for surface drainage purposes was adopted under the provisions of Chapter 79, General Laws (Ter. Ed.) in a certain parcel of land owned by the Norwood Press Com- pany and more definitely identified by a plan, the same being for the construction and maintenance of an underground system of surface drain- age, the centre line of the easement beginning at a point in the easterly line of Washington Street and being of the uniform width of twenty feet the area involved being 13,049 square feet, with nominal damages awarded. This action was taken following report by General Manager on September 1, as to the necessity of relaying certain drainage pipes in said property between Washington Street and an existing taking and recommending the installation of a thirty inch drainage pipe with estimated cost of pipe and installation approximately $2,000.00.


On September 16, an order was adopted for the taking of an easement for public way purposes in land involved in the layout of an extension of Nichols Street as accepted at a special town meeting held August 20, but said order of taking not to be recorded at the Registry of Deeds unless approval is had on the application for a Federal grant therefor on or before October 15.


On December 8, an order of assessment of betterments was adopted on account of the improvement through the laying out and construction of an extension of North Avenue completed June 27, and the same was ordered to be forwarded to the Board of Assessors for attention.


Employment Relief Projects and Activities


During the year active interest was taken and due consideration given and appropriate action had with respect to the relief employment of citizens on various projects as to which Federal and State approval was sought and in many instances obtained and where Federal and State funds as well as town funds were available for the purpose.


On January 7, the General Manager reported that pursuant to the vote of a previous meeting (December 30, 1935), the Superintendent of Public Works had been instructed to place back in employment men recently laid off in his department on the basis of working alternate weeks so that


10


the average weekly pay would be $12.00 and that such men would be employed in the construction of a sewer on Pleasant Street from Willow Street northerly and the construction of a water main on Sumner Street and as estimated money available in these appropriation accounts will provide employment from six to eight weeks.


At this same meeting approval was given with respect to welfare recipi- ents who are receiving a monthly allowance for electric light service and persons who are employed on relief work including W. P. A. workers of an allowance of cash discount upon electric light bills even though the discount period had expired at the time of payment but on terms as to payment thereafter as stated in the recommendation approved.


Approval also given to National Youth Administration recreation project which will provide employment for ten recreation instructors for a period of two and a half months.


On January 21, in the matter of the employment by the town of W. P. A. workers on snow removal, brought up for consideration by Chairman Butters, it was unanimously voted that, when men who are employed on W. P. A. projects are requested to furnish labor in the form of removal of snow from public ways on and after January 2, 1936, they shall be com- pensated in an amount per hour from the appropriation for snow removal as will be equivalent together with the hourly compensation on W. P. A. projects to the rate paid employees in the Public Works Department.


On the same date action taken by the Massachusetts State Association of Selectmen at a meeting held on January 14, with respect to the adminis- tration of Federal relief projects in Massachusetts was endorsed.


On January 28, report was received that the National Youth Adminis- tration recreational project had been approved.


On February 4, consideration was given to a report on a development plan for White Mike's Field, so-called, in the light of preliminary plans submitted by Arthur A. Shurcliff.


ยท On February 11, it was voted to request the Finance Commission to give favorable consideration to the transfer of $1,000.00 from the reserve fund as a part of the town's contribution towards a material cost of $5,- 822.00 on W. P. A. project covering the installation of a surface drainage system in Nichols Street.


On the same date the question of payment to W. P. A. employees with respect to the removal of snow during the storm of January 19 was dis- cussed and it was voted that such employees who were engaged on snow removal on January 22, whose compensation had not been paid by W. P. A., should be paid from the appropriation for snow removal provided said employees would agree to reimburse the town for the amount paid for that day's work when and if they received the same from W. P. A. funds and that the Chairman and General Manager be authorized to take up further with proper W. P. A. officers the question of securing the payment


11


of such funds, also the desirability of greater support and cooperation on the part of W. P. A. authorities with local officials.


On March 3, consideration was given to the schedules of the E. R. A. and W. P. A. expenditures for material and labor for 1935 and a forecast of labor and material costs for W. P. A. projects from January 1 to June 30, 1936. Also voted that the Selectmen recommend that the sum of $2,000.00 be appropriated for the improvement of White Mike's Field Playground, the same to be available as the town's contribution on a W. P. A. project or, if Federal funds are not available, that any sum appropriated may, if the Selectmen so determine, be expended for such improvement.


On the same date the recommendation of Soldiers' Relief Agent Pender- gast for a continuance for one week of the agreement whereby advance payments were granted subject to reimbursement to veterans on soldiers' relief and employed on W. P. A. projects was approved.


On March 10, report was received that the Finance Commission had voted the transfer from the reserve fund of the sum of $1,000.00 to be applied against the material costs on the W. P. A. Nichols Street project.


On March 24, approval given to a new development plan of the White Mike's Field Playground area as prepared by Mr. Shurcliff.


On March 31, voted to request the Finance Commission to transfer from the reserve fund the total or balance required to meet the material and equipment rental cost on the following W. P. A. projects, namely: Cement sidewalks; Pleasant Street widening; Nichols Street drain; except that as to the Nichols Street drain, the necessary funds be taken from existing appropriation voted at the annual town meeting and that, as to cement sidewalks, the General Manager be authorized to request the Finance Commission to provide so much of the amount as may be neces- sary, after taking into consideration the possibility of using for this purpose a part of the funds appropriated for permanent sidewalks at the adjourned annual town meeting.


On the same date approval given to request to Finance Commission for transfers from the reserve fund for the following projects, namely: Paint- ing woodwork, Junior High School building; Painting at Shattuck School building; Painting and plumbing at Winslow School building.


On April 7, it was reported that the Federal Emergency Administrator of Public Works had approved contract document for a W. P. A. project relative to the Central Fire Alarm Station equipment and a building ad- dition to house the same and to revision of existing fire alarm signal system from three circuits to five circuits and that bids are to be opencd as advertised on May 2.


On May 12, conference was held with the Finance Commission at which it was indicated that a town meeting be held at an early date if necessary in order to provide further funds to be available for public works employ- ment and at which various projects were discussed and at which conference the Finance Commission informed the Selectmen that the proposed ap-


12


propriation for sanitary and surface drainage and extension of water main would be recommended favorably.


A further discussion was had on the question of policy of employment in the Public Works Department as to the number of persons for whom employment might be provided. The General Manager reported that the local W. P. A. Engineer had given notice that a reduction in W. P. A. personnel must be put into effect as of May 15.


On May 19, on report from General Manager that a balance of $1145.18 existed of funds made available by the Finance Commission to defray material and equipment rental cost on the Hawes Brook Swimming Pool" W. P. A. project, it was voted that this balance be expended to pay both material and labor costs for additional work at the swimming pool so that the same could be put into condition for use that season, the proposed work being the installation of a concrete slab between the two pools, two diving boards and the purchase of loam and grading of the area from the pool to Washington Street. On May 26, the General Manager reported the approval of the Finance Commission for the expenditure of $240.00 to purchase and install diving boards and install a concrete slab between the two pools at the Hawes Brook Swimming Pool.


On May 19, with respect to the Pleasant Street W. P. A. project, which included the widening of said street from Sumner Street to the Walpole line, it was voted that the Finance Commission be requested to give favorable consideration to a transfer of funds to complete the project and to take care of existing over-draft in the sum of $1,250.00 upon it appearing that, by reason of the work being done during the winter time and that more excavation was done than originally estimated, additional gravel fill was required which caused an over-draft to exist.


On May 26, a written notice was received from the W. P. A. office that a substantial reduction must be put into effect in the matter of employ- ment on W. P. A. projects It was reported also that from inquiry it developed that a more drastic reduction had been ordered in the employ- ment personnel on W. P. A. in Norwood than in any other municipality which the General Manager had contacted and that the local W. P. A. Engineer's direction to the Superintendent of Public Works to close opera- tions on the Westover project had not been complied with by the Superin- tendent and that the State W. P. A. official had agreed that the decision of what projects should be continued and what should be dropped should be left to the judgment of local municipal authorities.


On June 2, the situation was presented with respect to closing down the Westover project by W. P. A. District Office action in order to bring the Norwood W. P. A. personnel down to one hundred sixty-seven men and women, to conform to new quota, such being determined by the welfare board relative to other cities and towns in the state and the allotment made proportionately and that at the present time Norwood's quota must stand at one hundred sixty-seven but it was reported that advice had


1


13


been received by said District Office that it was within the authority of the Selectmen to determine to what projects these employees would be assigned, from which it appeared that a re-assignment would permit the Westover project to be again operated.


Approval was given to the action of the Chairman authorizing tele- graphic protest.


A general discussion followed on the question of providing employment for workers who are now without employment by reason of reduction in the W. P. A. quota and it was voted that the General Manager and Clerk submit for the consideration of Selectman Holman and Mutch, as a com- mittee, definite proposals for a temporary policy of employment with respect to employees other than those termed public works organization, and also definite projects to which such a policy of employment might be applied.


On June 9, further consideration was given to the unemployment situa- tion in view of a report from the General Manager to the effect that the permanent public works organization as estimated comprised seventy-five employees and in addition there were now being employed eleven veterans and twenty-four part time employees and that in order to provide perman- ent employment for the permanent men and veterans for the remainder of the financial year on a full time basis and for sixty men for part time on a modified employment schedule would require approximately $117,- 000.00 to be available for payroll purposes and that there was then avail- able in the maintenance and operating account $43,000.00 and in the construction items $20,100.00 and that it will be necessary to provide appropriations that will permit of the employment of labor to the extent of $43,400.00.


A suggestion was made that part time employment could be provided under alternate policies detailed and certain construction projects were suggested for consideration.


It was voted that the Chairman, Clerk and General Manager be au- thorized, as a committee, to give immediate attention to the unemployment situation on such basis as the Finance Commission might agree and en- deavor to see that as many men, who are out of employment and who would qualify as to requirements as this committee might determine, be put to work as soon as possible,


On the same date upon notice received from the State Department of Public Works Highway Engineer with reference to the tentative allotment of $25,000.00 requested under Chapter 90, that, from information avail- able, it appears that the town has appropriated but $6,500.00 towards a proposed Pleasant Street resurfacing, voted, that the Selectmen do not intend to go forward on the Pleasant Street resurfacing project and are of the opinion that by reason of the increased cost of the Washington Street resurfacing project, occasioned by the change in specifications requested by the State Engineer, an additional contribution should be


14


made to the town for this project by the State Department of Public Works.


On June 16, the special committee on employment policy in the Public Works Department with respect to persons who may be employed other than permanent employees, reported as follows:


"That the Finance Commission has agreed to approve of a diversion of funds appropriated to provide installing surface drainage in the playground property acquired by the town through gift from Frederick A. Cleveland and the committee recommend an employment policy be adopted with respect to persons other than the permanent employees in the Public Works Department whereby single men without dependents in the form of family obligations would be given employment at the rate of two days per working week and that all other persons be given employment on the basis of budgetary requirements; that it is intended that the form of budget adopted by the town Public Welfare Department is to be used in determining the requirements in each given case and that each applicant for employment is to be required to answer a form of questionnaire and that these questionnaires are to be subject to review before granting em- ployment and to be subject also to review from time to time if employment is granted and that this policy to be put into effect during the coming week."


It was voted that the recommendations of the committee be adopted and that it is to be understood that the General Manager has full authority to terminate employment in any instance if it appears that the employee is given to the use of liquor while at work on the job or if it appears that an employee is not spending judiciously the money earned.


On June 23, the further improvement of White Mike's Field Playground under appropriation made for that purpose and that use be made of men who have been placed on a part time schedule in the Public Works Depart- ment, the employment contemplated being a continuation of the work undertaken last year in the construction of a skating pond, was approved.


On the same date the General Manager reported that the first group of men were put to work on a part time schedule on Monday, June 22, start- ing the construction of a drain on Neponset Street and at the present time approximately fifty-six men who have been approved for part time work under the policy recently adopted will receive employment during the present week, two employees on a schedule of four days a week, five or six on a schedule of two days a week and the remainder on a schedule of three days a week.


On June 30, General Manager reported that information had been received fromn W. P. A. Engineer that sewer and drain projects are to be discontinued until the winter season for the reason that W. P. A. authori- ties feel that such projects can be more satisfactorily carried out in winter seasons than other types of projects.


On July 28, on report of General Manager that further funds were necessary to complete the drainage of a portion of the area at White Mikes'




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.