USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1936-1938 > Part 16
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A new F. W. D. four wheel drive line truck was purchased to replace the old line truck which the Department has had for several years and which was a used truck at the time of purchase. This new unit is equipped with material and equipment at all times, in readiness for any emergency, repair or construction job. Its operation has been very satisfactory.
Meter and Inspection Division
Three hundred and nineteen (319) wiring permits were issued. In all cases, permits are not issued until the wiring meets the specifications of the National Electrical Code. Four hundred and one (401) customers' complaints were investigated for the Billing Department. Other duties taken care of by this division were installing of meters, disconnecting and restoring services, voltage tests on customers' premises, and investigating of customers' service interruptions.
Physical Data
Poles set:
35' Wood 83
40' Wood . 4
45' Wood . 2
19' Concrete 6
-
95
63
Replacing unsound and broken poles on public streets
54
Replacing unsound and broken poles on private property 3 Extensions on public streets . 25
Extensions on private property
7
Ornamental (Concrete) 1
6
-
95
Line Wire
Secondary installed
54,196 ft.
Secondary removed.
15,856 ft.
Primary installed .
16,715 ft.
Primary removed .
29,198 ft.
Street Light installed
7,186 ft.
Street Light removed
1,300 ft.
Total.
78,097 ft. 46,354 ft.
Total feet extension
31,743 ft.
Underground Cables
Secondary installed
915 ft.
Secondary removed .
225 ft.
Primary installed .
5,401 ft.
Primary removed
2,330 ft.
Street Light installed.
1,882 ft.
Street Light removed.
3,000 ft.
Total feet
8,198 ft.
5,555 ft.
Total feet extension
2,643 ft.
Underground Ducts
Fibre installed
165 ft.
Steel installed
236 ft.
Total duct feet extension
401 ft.
Distribution Transformers
Installed
Removed
K. W. Capacity
Total K. W. Capacity
No
K. W. Capacity
Total K. W. Capacity
2
2
4
2
1
2
2
3
6
1
2
2
7
5
35
3
3
9
2
7를
15
14
5
70
7
10
70
4
72
30
8
15
120
6
10
60
7
25
175
1
15
15
1
20
20
3
25
75
35
425
35
283
No.
Total added transformer capacity-142 kilowatts
64
Services Installed/
23
Secondary-overhead
7
Secondary-underground .
1
Primary-underground .
-
Meters Installed
Single phase lighting
83
Single phase power .
40
Three phase light and power
3
Total installed .
126
Active meters December 31, 1936.
5,024
Description of Public Street Lamps Multiple Lamps
150 Watt
200 Watt
300 Watt
400 Watt
Total C. P.
965
6
1,632
18
7,938
6 (mercury)
7,680
Total Candle Power Multiple Lamps
18,215
Series Lamps
100
250
400
600
1000
1500
C. P.
C. P.
C. P.
C. P.
C. P.
C. P.
Total C. P.
620
62,000
127
31,750
161
64,400
119
71,400
38
38,000
1
1,500
Total Candle Power Series Lamps
269,050
Total Candle Power all Street Lamps
287,265
Number of Street Lamps
1,101
Burning Hours .
4,015 hrs. 35 min.
Kilowatt Hours Consumed .
708,963
1769 broken and burnt out lamps were replaced during the year.
Fire Alarm, Police Signal and Traffic Control
The Central Fire Alarm Office at the Municipal Light Plant being in- stalled under a P. W. A. project is nearing completion. By February 1937, the fire alarm system will be working through the new office. When the final cutover is made from the old equipment at the Central Fire
Primary-overhead .
2
33
5
65
Station to the new office, there will be five box circuits instead of three as at present. The new central office equipment was built and installed by the Gamewell Co. of Newton, Mass., and is the most modern apparatus made. Other than replacing the whistle machine at the Winslow Plant on Endicott Street, and the renewal of wire on Lenox Street, there has been very little maintenance and no additions to the fire alarm circuits.
The Police Signal System has operated very satisfactorily; the majority of the trouble calls were due to relay adjustments in the police telephone boxes.
A new timer was installed the first part of the year on the Washington Street Traffic Signals. Since that time, we have had no trouble. There have been only two service calls on the vehicle actuated traffic signals.
Again I would like to express my appreciation to you and the various Town Officials for the cooperation shown this Department, and also to the employees of this Department for their continued support and loyalty.
Respectfully submitted,
C. C. CHURCH, Superintendent
66
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
Mr. W. C. Kendrick
General Manager
Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Kendrick :
I herein submit the following as the annual report of the Inspector of Buildings of the Town of Norwood for the year ending December 31, 1936:
No. Permits
Estimated Value
New Houses (Without Garages)
12
$ 61,750
New Houses (With Garages)
17
117,800
New House Cellar
1
325
New Barn
1
200
New Milk House
1
50
New Poultry Houses
8
660
New Pumping Station
1
90,000
New Bakery
1
10,000
New Restaurant
1
10,000
New Greenhouse
1
1,200
New Filling Stations
2
1,800
New Garages
27
6,625
Additions to Garages
8
545
Addition to Filling Station
1
2,800
Additions to Factories
14
49,104
Additions to Residential Buildings
85
56,675
Additions to Non-Residential Buildings
21
13,025
Minor Additions (Without Cost)
7
207
$422,559
Number of Inspections during 1936
928
Number of Inspections during 1936 on 1935 Jobs
128
Total Number of Inspections
1056
Respectfully submitted,
Issued
F. M. DOUGLASS, Building Inspector
67
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Mr. W. C. Kendrick General Manager Town of Norwood, Mass.
Dear Sir:
The following scales, weights and measures were tested and sealed during the year 1936:
Sealed
Not Sealed
Condemned
Platform Scales Over 5,000 lbs.
28
Platform Scales 100 to 5,000 lbs.
97
Counter Scales Under 100 lbs.
58
Spring Scales 100 to 5,000 lbs.
14
Spring Scales Under 100 lbs.
79
Computing Scales Under 100 lbs.
70
Person Weigher (slot) Scales
14
Prescription Scales
13
Apothecary Weights
74
Metric Weights
70
Liquid Measures
25
Gasoline Pumps
6
Stops on Pumps
30
Gasoline Meter Systems
68
Kerosene Pumps
5
Yard Sticks
130
Power Machines
6
The following inspections were made:
No. Tested
Found Correct
Found Under- weight
Found Over- weight
Beans
48
41
1
5
Bread
62
58
4
Butter
40
36
1
3
Charcoal (in paper bags)
10
10
Coal (in paper bags)
15
14
1
Coal (in transit)
6
4
2
Confectionery
12
12
Dry Commodities
54
54
Dry Goods
8
8
Flour
24
20
1
3
Fruits and Vegetables
18
14
-
4
-
Avoirdupois Weights
487
68
Lard
10
10
-
Liquid Commodities
16
16
-
-
Potatoes
48
40
3
5
This is a complete report of the scales, weights and measures I have tested during the year of 1936.
Sincerely yours,
HARRY M. KING, Sealer of Weights and Measures
69
REPORT OF CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Mr. William C. Kendrick
General Manager
Town of Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir: ,
I submit herein the annual report of the Cemetery Department for the year ending December 31, 1936.
As in previous years, this department has completed the usual work, namely that of interments, maintenance, construction, foundations and private work.
In addition to the above, the following avenues were oiled and sanded: Main Avenue, Washington Avenue, Circle Avenue, Holy Cross Avenue, St. Catherine Avenue, St. Mary Avenue, St. Paul Avenue and St. James Avenue.
The following new avenues have been graveled and bound with heavy oil: Bethany Avenue, Andrew Avenue, Angelus Avenue and part of Calvary Avenue.
Under the W. P. A. Project No. 4343 and No. 11223, sections 47 and 48 were dug over to a depth of from four to five feet below grade. With stone removed from these sections, the walks and avenues were built. This work is in progress and will be carried on in 1937.
Under Project No. 9572, namely, the Garden Plot, work in preparation of grading the same for park purposes and beautification of cemetery grounds has been done by W. P. A. workers. This work is incompleted and will be carried on in 1937.
One hundred and thirty-five interments and five removals were made during the year.
I wish to express my appreciation to the town officials for their co- operation and interest shown this department.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. SMITH,
Superintendent, Cemetery Department
70
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The Board of Trustees of the Morrill Memorial Library submit the following report for the year 1936.
The circulation for the year was slightly less than in 1935. The percent of non-fiction read was the largest in the history of the library, a most gratifying situation. Statistical reports do not show the use of magazines and newspapers, a fine collection of which may be found in the reading room.
During the summer months the Division of Public Libraries at the State House offered, to the young people throughout the state, certificates for reading and reviewing good books taken from the lists as complied by the Division. A certificate of honor was offered for reading twenty books of which five were non-fiction. One hundred and twenty-two young people joined the club and ten received honor certificates. The award of these certificates took place at a special meeting held Saturday, October 3, Mr. John J. Cronan of Boston, well known for his ability as a story-teller, entertained the group.
The Trustees of the Dedham Public Library extended an invitation to the Trustees of the Morrill Memorial Library to take part in the Tercen- tenary celebration of the founding of the town. The invitation was accepted and it was decided to exhibit pictures of our library from its beginning, as the Jabez Chickering church library down to the present Morrill Memorial Library. The pictures, eight in number, giving both exterior and interior views, are considered very fine.
In order to assist the teachers in reading for a course of instruction, given in Norwood, the library acted as a clearing house, with books from Harvard and Boston Universities supplemented by professional books from school and private libraries. This collection was placed at the dis- posal of all teachers in public schools.
The general condition of the library building has been good throughout the year. Few minor repairs were needed.
Gifts of books, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets and flowers have been received and gratefully acknowledged.
At the election held in January 1936, Miss Mary E. Williams and Mr. Richard D. Northrop were re-elected to serve for three years.
Respectfully submitted,
W. W. EVERETT, Chairman MARY E. WILLIAMS, Secretary, MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, A. MARION SWAIN, RALPH W. TAYLOR, RICHARD D. NORTHROP
71
-
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Board of Trustees:
The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1936, 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
15,579
Assessed valuation
$21,250,190.00
Terms of use
Free for lending; free for reference
Number of agencies
4
Number of days open in 1936
303
Number of hours open each week
66
Number of staff
7
Increase
Number of volumes at the beginning of the year
47,488
Number of volumes added by purchase
1,678
Number of volumes added by gift
25
Number of volumes at the end of the year
49,191
Use
Fiction
Non-fiction
Foreign
Total
Adult
61,522
15,698
444
77,664
Young adult
12,060
1,447
13,507
Juvenile
9,867
3,813
13,680
Balch School
2,573
Callahan School
3,577
Shattuck School
5,807
Winslow School
3,931
Total number of books circulated
120,739
Number of pictures lent
1,035
Finance
See Report of Town Accountant.
Registration
Adult
Young Adult
Juvenile Total
Number of borrowers registered in 1936
238
39
267
544
Total number registered
3,428
730
717
4,875
72
Books Added to the Library
Adult
Young Adult
Juvenile Total
General works
37
21
58
Philosophy
15
15
Religion
10
3
Sociology (includes fairy tales)
71
3
65
152
Philology
3
3
Natural science
25
6
9
40
Useful arts
48
8
9
65
Fine arts
61
6
3
70
Literature
85
5
19
109
Description and travel
65
7
14
86
Biography
119
3
15
137
History
55
8
11
74
Fiction
381
182
318
4,881
Total
975
241
487
1,703
Gifts
Books, magazines, newspapers and pamphlets have been received from the following:
Mr. H. H. Archibald
Atlantic Monthly
Mrs. Alice Blanchard
Charles Scribner's Sons
Miss Fannir Borowski
Chemical Foundation
Mr. Howard Hunt
Child Life
Mrs. J. R. Jones
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Mr. Eugene Murphy
Japan Society
Mr. Edmund H. Sears
Literary Guild
Mrs. Lydia G. Wentworth
New England Sanitarium
Mr. William T. Whedon
Norwood Messenger
Alexander Legge Memorial Committee
Tiot Lodge, I. O. O. F.
American Liberty League
United Fruit Company
Anonymous
Woodrow Wilson Foundation
Ship model, Mr. Berger Johnson
Doll, Mr. W. W. Everett
Flowers have been received from the following:
Mrs. Robert Brown
Miss Gertrude Williams
Mr. Mahlon Perry
Miss Maude A. Shattuck
Mrs. Otis D. Swain
Members of the staff
73
ANNUAL REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
Selectmen Harry B. Butters, Chairman Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sirs:
I submit herewith in summarized form the twenty-eighth annual report of the conduct of the Legal Department of the town and covering its activities for the year 1936.
As in past years the principal service has been of an advisory character in many instances through written opinions furnished to the following departments and officials, namely, Selectmen, School Committee, Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, Finance Commission, Board of Health, Board of Assessors, Board of Public Welfare, Planning Board, General Manager, Town Clerk and Accountant, Registrars of Voters and Inspector of Buildings.
In addition service was rendered as requested or as voluntarily under- taken, when it seemed advisable, in the form of attendance at hearings and conferences and views taken, drafting and revising various instru- ments and court activities.
As appears from the itemization which follows, the service rendered as in the past years dealt with a variety of essential problems and questions and covered a wide field of municipal activities. A detailed account of the service, arranged chronologically in departmental order, has been prepared and placed in the files and is available for reference purposes.
Litigation and Claims
Charles P. Pond, et al vs. Norwood (Flora M. Pond, executrix).
Flora Pond, et al vs. Norwood: The status of these cases with respect to disposition, by trial or otherwise, remains as stated in report for the year 1935. Due in part to the illness and death of Gladwin M. Nead, Esquire, Attorney for the principal parties petitioner and in part because the cases were not reached for trial, no attempt has been made to negotiate with respect to a possible compromise settlement of the cases without trial although the Selectmen have indicated a willingness to give con- sideration to the situation whenever it seems desirable to this Depart- ment that negotiations should be undertaken.
Norwood vs. Medway: This was a suit brought in the Superior Court for Norfolk County and entered on the first Monday of February 1936, in behalf of the town against the town of Medway, for reimbursement for relief furnished to persons alleged to have settlements in Medway. A settlement was reached while the case was pending for trial based upon which a judgment was entered for the town of Norwood in the sum of
74
$1,400.00 without costs on July 9, 1936 and which judgment was satisfied by the payment of that amount.
Norwood vs. Braintree: Mention was made in the report for last year of the pendency of a claim against the town of Braintree in a substantial amount. On this claim suit was brought by writ issuing out of the Superior Court for Norfolk County on February 11, 1936 and returnable in that Court on March 2, 1936 to recover the amount paid to the Norwood Hospital for hospital care of an accident patient having a settlement in the town of Braintree. Suit was brought only after attempts to secure a settlement of the claim had failed. While the case was pending for trial negotations were renewed with the result that an agreement for settle- ment was reached for the payment of the entire amount claimed to be due and judgment was entered on October 20, 1936 in favor of Norwood in the sum of $897.00 damages and $6.75 costs upon which execution issued and which was satisfied by payment of the amount due with interest by the town of Braintree on January 11, 1937.
Norwood vs. Cambridge: Suit was brought against the City of Cam- bridge by a writ issuing out of the Superior Court for Norfolk County on June 29, 1936 and returnable on the first Monday of August 1936 to re- cover the amount of the claim of Norwood for aid furnished to persons having a Cambridge settlement. While this action was pending for trial a settlement was reached by the terms of which the entire amount of the claim was recognized and thereafter, namely, on October 22, 1936 judg- ment for the town in the sum of $512.57, without costs was entered and the judgment satisfied by payment.
City of Boston vs. Norwood: Suit was brought by Boston against Norwood by a writ issuing out of the Superior Court for Suffork County on December 15, 1936 and returnable on the first day of March, 1937, in an action of contract. While the declaration in the case will not be filed until the return day yet it has been ascertained that the suit is brought to recover on claims for relief furnished to various persons alleged to have Norwood settlements in the total sum of $28,498.00. It is the belief of this department, based upon inforination received from the Norwood Board of Public Welfare through Agent Latham, and from preliminary information received from the officials of the City of Boston, as to the names of the alleged recipients of aid and the alleged periods when aid was given, that a majority of the claims are outlawed by the specific statutory period of limitation of action and /or that such alleged recipients had no Norwood settlement.
Norwood vs. Westwood: This is a suit brought against the town of Westwood by writ which issued out of the Superior Court for Norfolk County on October 3, 1936, to recover the sum of $130.84 expended by Norwood for temporary aid and old age assistance rendered to a recipient claimed to have had a settlement in Westwood which settlement, in ne- gotiations for payment of the claim prior to suit brought, was disputed.
75
While this suit was pending for trial, through conferences with counsel, the claim was recognized and settlement of the same with interest and costs was agreed upon and payment will be made in the early part of 1937.
Robert T. Barr, et al vs. Harry A. Shannon, et al: This was a bill of complaint in equity filed in the Superior Court for Norfolk County on September 11, 1936 by a group of taxpayers of Norwood, therein named, against the members of the Board of Health of Norwood as such in which the complainants prayed that the respondent members of the Board of Health be enjoined and restrained from expending any money or incurring any obligation under the terms of a contract with Coleman McDonough of Canton for the collection and removal of garbage in the town of Norwood for the three year period ending August 31, 1939, as more specifically set forth in said bill, and to enjoin and restrain the Town Treasurer, made a party respondent for the purpose, from expending or paying any money of the town on account of said contract and that the acceptance of the bid of McDonough be declared illegal and void and an unlawful exercise of power by the Board of Health. McDonough was allowed to appear as a party respondent and was represented by counsel.
Demurrers and answers were filed in behalf of the respondent members of the Board of Health and Town Treasurer. The demurrers were heard supported by briefs of the respective parties and were sustained by the Court on the grounds that the complainants had not stated such a case as entitled them to any relief in equity against the respondents and that the general charges or averments as to the action of the Board of Health in awarding the contract to McDonough were without supporting allegations of fact and were, therefore, insufficient to sustain the bill and to entitle the complainants to any relief in equity against said respondents or any of them. Thereafter on motion, a final decree was entered on November 24, 1936, ordering the bill of complaint dismissed with costs to the re- spondents.
Norwood vs. Joseph and Chiara Caspignaria: As stated in the annual report for 1934, a final decree was entered by the Court in this case con- taining an order for contribution of a definite weekly sum by Mr. and Mrs. Caspignaria to the expense of the town for the hospital care of a minor son so long as the town was under such expense. By reason of the failure and refusal of these parties to make such payments for a considerable period and after persistent attempts to secure payment of the arrearage had proven futile it became necessary to file in the Superior Court for Norfolk County a petition against these parties for attachment for con- tempt which was granted after hearing in such form that in consequence, being found of sufficient ability, the parties paid the arrearage to the town in the amount fixed by the Court.
Donahue (Workmen's Compensation) Claim: On or about December 8, 1936, Joseph Donahue filed through counsel with the State Department of Industrial Accidents a claim under the Workmen's Compensation Act
%
76
for compensation for a personal injury alleged to have been sustained by him in July 1936 while in the employ of the town. The town has denied liability and the case is pending for hearing before the Industrial Accident Board subject to prospective negotiations for disposition of the claim otherwise.
Town of Norwood Petitioner: On August 8, 1936 a petition was filed by the Town Treasurer in behalf of the town through this department with the Land Court to register the title, secured through decree for the foreclosure of tax liens, to land with building thereon on Railroad Avenue, known as the Sullivan property. The purpose of registration is to make the property more saleable through a registered title. Sufficient progress has been made to warrant the statement that the title will be registered in the near future.
Claims for reimbursement for relief furnished to recipients in the form of public assistance or mothers' aid or old age assistance who were settled in other municipalities have had appropriate attention with results as follows:
Norwood vs. City of Everett: Settled in full by payment of $276.67.
Norwood vs. Town of Medfield: Settled in full by payment of $40.00.
Norwood vs. City of Medford: Settled in full by payment of $299.87.
Norwood vs. Town of Norfolk: Settled in full by payment of $114.00. (Suit brought not entered.)
Norwood vs. City of Newton: Settled in full by payment of $21.00.
Norwood vs. City of Attleborough: Settled in full by payment of $92.35.
Norwood vs. City of Boston: Settled in full by payment, with other claims, of $60.00. (Suit brought withdrawn.)
Norwood vs. City of Brockton: Settled in full by payment of $22.00. Similar claims pending are as follows:
Norwood vs. City of Boston: Suit brought January 1937.
Norwood vs. City of Chicopee: Suit brought January 1937.
Norwood vs. City of Newburyport: Under negotiation for settlement.
Norwood vs. Town of Dedham: Under negotiation between respective public welfare departments.
Tax Lien Foreclosure Cases
Petitions filed in the Land Court in behalf of the town by Town Treas- urer and Collector of Taxes Sullivan for the foreclosure of tax liens with respect to various properties as detailed in the respective petitions, pending on January 1, 1936, or filed during the year and status of the same are reported as follows:
Norwood vs. A. L. Atwood, et al (No. 4896), filed July 21, 1934. Peti- tion withdrawn December 21, 1936, by reason of redemption of tax lien.
Norwood vs. A. L. Atwood, et al (Nos. 6160 and 6161) filed May 28, 1935. Foreclosure decree entered July 6, 1936 as to No. 6160. No. 6161 is pending.
77
Norwood vs. Walter E. Bailey, Jr. et al (No. 6162) filed May 28, 1935. Pending.
Norwood vs. John Chubet, et al (Nos. 6163 and 6164). Foreclosure decrees entered July 6, 1936.
Norwood vs. Mathew J. Concannon (No. 6167). Foreclosure decree entered July 6, 1936.
Norwood vs. George Fongallaz (No. 6168). Foreclosure decree entered July 6, 1936.
Norwood vs. Joseph Welch, et al (No. 6170). Foreclosure decree en- tered September 19, 1936.
Norwood vs. Lawrence F. Hoar (Nos. 8356 to 8361, both inclusive). Petitions filed May 23, 1936 and withdrawn December 1, 1936, by reason of redemption of tax liens.
Norwood vs. Cora B. White (No. 8363). Petition filed May 23, 1936 and withdrawn November 28, 1936 by reason of redemption of tax lien.
Norwood vs. Alfred L. Atwood (Nos. 8362, 8364 to 8369, both inclusive). Foreclosure decrees entered December 12, 1936.
Norwood vs. Frederick A. Hartshorn, et al (No. 8369). Petition filed May 23, 1936. Pending.
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