USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1936-1938 > Part 39
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Attention to decree with accompanying papers in case No. 9920 (Alfred E. Anderson).
Preparation of drafts of deeds for parcels of land to Cassidy and Atwood.
Attention to petition for cancellation of existing certificate of title in case No. 6166 as to Chubet registered land and prepared petition for new certificate after decree of tax lien foreclosure. Attention to order from Land Court Re Chubet for new certificate of title.
Attention to tax appeal data for petition for new certificate as to Ameri- can Glue Company registered land and attention to motion for general default in the case.
Conference with Mr. Januskevic Re case No. 10649 and attention to motion for default in the case.
Attention to decree from Land Court and accompanying papers Re tax lien foreclosure case American Glue Company land.
Attention to data in files as to Norwood Estates, Inc. foreclosure decree of January 8, 1935, and preliminaries in tax lien cases No. 4122, etc.
Attention to tax lien foreclosure decree Folan cases No. 9922.
Attention to papers Re status of tax lien foreclosure cases.
Attention to action as to Land Court case No. 10642, Deeb land.
Hyman Miller Land Court case No. 10641 notice-Conference with Clerk Pendergast. Various conferences Re Miller tax lien case.
Attention to motion for default in case No. 6162 (Bailey, et al).
Attention to papers from Land Court Re decree in Atwood case No. 9921.
Land Court case No. 10642, Deeb,-Conferences and correspondence with Attorney Crowley and Tax Collector Sullivan.
Attention to default motion Re Haley case No. 10646.
Attention to decree in case No. 10645, Staszevic.
Attention to action Re certain pending cases in Land Court and Title Examiner's data Re same.
Attention to decrees and notices Re Cases No. 10644, Thomas and No. 10647, Paquette.
Attention to withdrawal of appearance and answer of Attorney Crowley in case No. 10642, Deeb, and to motion for general default Re same.
Attention to decree in Haley Land Court case No. 10646.
Attention to Land Court papers in case No. 10643, Atwood, and to correction of omission in Haley decree No. 10646, and to correction by Land Court of notice of disposal.
Attention to notice of recording Re redemption of title on pending case No. 6162, Atwood, with respect to tax lien.
Attention to various petitions and notices and general default motions Re Land Court cases and conferences with Title Examiner.
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Finance Commission
Advice Re fireman status as to automatic pay increases questions.
Conference with Finance Commission and others Re questions relating to location of parks and securing public playgrounds including course of procedure and rights and duties of Park Commissioners.
Board of Health
Conference with State Board of Health and study of statutes Re opinion as to right to compel innoculation of dogs against rabies, also study Re restraint of dogs with respect to rabies control. Opinion as to right to require dogs to be vaccinated and as to right to control rabies.
Court action Worcester vs. Norwood Re claim for hospital care for Norwood settled case-Investigation, advice and settlement.
Jurisdiction with respect to inspecting and granting permits to local beauty parlors in light of provisions of Chapter 428 Acts of 1935 as amended - Opinion following study.
Jurisdiction and its exercise by Board of Health in the distribution of circulars, papers and the like on the streets of Norwood-Law study and advice.
Course of action with reference to transfer of reserve funds for expense of health clinic, including request to Finance Commission for reserve funds for public health clinic physician's expense-Law study and advice.
Provisions of Chapter 322 Acts of 1937 with reference to care of pre- maturely born infants-Advice and law examined.
Alleged smoke nuisance and complaint vs. American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company plant operation-Attendance at hearings as to two petitions for action with respect to removal of American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company plant from existing site as a noisome trade. Advice as to situation.
Action on petitions for regulation of trade or employment under Chapter III, Section 143 General Laws-Advice as to form of letter. Attention to preliminary statements Re situation and taking statements of various petitioners. General advice as to developments.
Barr et al vs. Shannon et al-Attention to execution for defendants' costs in the case and to payment thereof in satisfaction of execution, thus concluding case.
Board of Assessors
Attention to papers in Norwood Civic Association tax appeal, prepared and filed answer in formal procedure, reviewed law Re right of exemption of real estate of charitable corporations, conferences. Attendance at conference with Commissioner Long, Mr. Willett and others, the Board of Assessors Re case and future situations with respect to taxes under development program. Conference with Mr. Creelman and examined law Re right of Tax Commissioner to authorize abatement of uncollected taxes with particular reference to Norwood Civic Association.
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Advice Re land assessment apportionment application as to course of action.
Study of papers as to restrictions proposed as to certain land affecting taxation.
Board of Public Welfare
Conference with Agent Latham and advice given with respect to nu- mcrous claims and welfare questions, including examination of the law, investigations, advice as to course of action and court action as to general and hospital relief and old age assistance, also advising Re set up of bond and mortgage on account of old age assistance.
Advising Re duty or right of Board of Public Welfare to pay poll taxes of old age assistance recipients in lieu of abatement by Board of Assessors.
Law examined and advice given as to regular procedure with respect to commitment of person in relief status found to be insane and at present under temporary commitment at Foxborough State Hospital.
General advice as to Board of Public Welfare duties.
Advice as to when cause of action accrues in relief cases-Attention to relief situation and action as to Massachusetts Hospital School pupil.
Conferences and study of papers Re mortgage amount and form in old age assistance case and as to other relief matters.
Conferences with Agent Latham, review of claims. Conferences with Assistant Corporation Counsel of Boston in charge of litigation and with officials of Boston Overseers of Public Welfare. Attention to pleadings in case of Boston vs. Norwood and filing action in Norfolk Superior Court, filing appearance and answer in the case of Boston vs. Norwood. Atten- tion to data prepared by Agent Latham for the purpose of defense of Boston case and prosecution of Norwood case. Boston case removed from Suf- folk Superior Court to Norfolk Superior Court by agreement of counsel on motion filed.
Attention to Boston claims not involved in pending litigation.
Planning Board and Zoning
Change in Zoning By Law by amendment to control loam removal for sale thercof and as to incidental questions-Conference and advice to Chairman Mahony.
Form of action with respect to control of loam stripping for commercial purposes by zoning or other by law action-Conference and advice to Clerk Pendergast.
Study of Newton ordinances as to loam stripping control-Advice to Clerk Pendergast Re Zoning By Law amendment and form of article for special town meeting warrant proposing amendment to Zoning By Laws.
Duty with respect to petition to amend Zoning By Law-Law examined and advice to Clerk Pendergast and Chairman Mahony.
Application of Zoning By Law to jurisdiction of Appeal Board to con- sider request for permit to rebuild in general residential district-Law examined, advice to Clerk Pendergast.
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Course of action as to proposed new residential business zoning district and report to Planning Board; also as to adverse report by Planning Board on petition to change a residential district to a business district and as to law governing new street construction (limited) as to sidewalks and as to extent of construction-Advice to Clerk Pendergast.
Set up of Zoning By Law amendment as to new residential business district and procedure questions-Advice.
Revising draft of amendment Re loam and sod removal and advice.
General Manager
Changes in set up of deed from Bird & Son, Inc. for St. Joseph Avenue "turn-around"-Advice.
Attention to revised draft of Bird & Son, Inc. deed and certification of authority to execute same.
As to Newton Zoning Ordinance submitted Re stripping of loam, etc .- Advice.
Conferences and advice with respect to various claims.
Study of papers and advice as to extent of right to control purchases for Fire Department.
Opinion rendered on authority to control requisition directions with respect to purchases for other departments, namely, authority to control form of requisition for supplies for other town departments and extent of same.
Applications of provisions of Section 17 of By Laws with respect to distribution of circulars and other printed matter on Norwood streets.
Guffey Coal Act, so-called-Review and copy submitted and advice Re application of Act to coal contract bids.
Bolster land title registration of property fronting on Walpole Street and Nichols Street Extension, Land Court notice petition and plan with respect to possible action by town-Advice.
Coughlin application for statutory vacation as laborer-Law examination and advice.
Course of action required by law with respect to expense bills in Work- men's Compensation cases.
Authority of Building Inspector to order repair of a certain broken ceiling in dangerous condition-Advice.
Action with respect to O'Toole bid Re street material-Advice.
Liability of town where permit issued for erection of theatre marquee over sidewalk and protection of town by way of indemnity bond or in- surance-Opinion as to same also street signs, awnings, etc.
Jurisdiction as to removal of ragweed menace on Nahatan Street and duty Re same on inquiry of Board of Health-Opinion rendered.
Opinion to General Manager as to conduct of "Beano" games by Com- pany G. Massachusetts National Guard on basis of being a "civic" or- ganization. Law examined.
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Attention to Attorney General's opinion Re conduct of game by military companies in armories.
Status of G. Company Associates-Conferences, law examined as to extent of right to be licensed to conduct "Beano" games and opinion to General Manager.
Town Clerk and Accountant and Clerk of Selectmen
Form of option for purchase of meadow land for additional water supply -Attention to papers and advice.
Advice Re article for special town meeting warrant accepting convey- ance of land at Saint Joseph Avenue from Bird & Son, Inc.
Attention to matters in connection with annual town meeting and con- ference Re same.
Form of presentation of argument as proponent at Legislative hearing on House Bill No. 1030 relative to the study by the State Department of Public Health of the advisability of changing the course of and deepening the Neponset River in Norwood to point at Route 1 highway crossing- Conference and advice.
As to notice and liability with respect to truck damage claim for street defect-Conference and advice.
Course with respect to addition to residence structure in South Norwood to avoid Zoning By Law violation-Conference and advice.
Attendance Legislative hearing on Neponset River Survey Bill so-called.
Attention to papers, conference and advice as to course of action Re extension of options on lands through Purgatory Brook section for pro- tection of water system and as to form of article in special town meeting warrant.
Drafting extensions of options to purchase lands of owners in Purgatory Brook section for protection of water system.
Examination of statutes and conference Re State Housing Board.
Conference Re School Committee questions and advice Re school salary appropriation questions.
Conference Re review and revised draft of articles for special town meeting warrant.
Set up of proposed By Law dealing with restraint of dogs-Advice.
Vacation rights of employees who hold firemen and public works de- partment positions.
Conferences and reviewing and revising drafts of motions under article for special and annual town meeting warrants.
Conference Re taking of land for protection of water supply and taking view of samne.
Assignment of Sparrow school pupil transportation contract and school pupil transportation rights in general-Conference and advice.
Conference Re accident reported in the nature of fall on steps of Munici- pal Building.
1
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Bond and mortgage requirements with respect to Old Age Assistance, particularly as to requirement of wife joining in mortgage security-Advice.
Situation and course of action as to certain Board of Assessors matters- Conference.
Right to make a taking of land for prospective street purposes-Con- ference.
Order of taking from Winslow Brothers & Smith Company for play- ground purposes with particular reference to line along brook-Conference and advice, also conference Re said boundary with respect to including or excluding the bed of the brook.
Reviewing and revising drafts of special town meeting warrant articles- Law examined Re same and conferences held and advising as to questions with respect to action under articles in special town meeting warrants.
Insurance of Civic playground property and Junior High School audi- torium as to public liability-Conference.
Conference as to whether blasting operations must be licensed (Fire Marshal permit required but no Selectinen's license).
Exchange of town land Garfield Avenue and Pleasant Street for land of Hellsten at Grant Avenue and Monroe Street under Article 1 of warrant for special town meeting of July 12, 1935-Conference and advice as to exchange.
Conference and study of drafts of orders of taking for Roosevelt Avenue and Garfield Avenue and attention to changes.
Revising drafts of orders of taking of Hellsten land and Gammell land for street easement purposes and report.
Opinion relative to pensions for public school janitors and town laborers following examination of law.
Prospective town meeting action in the situation as to Berwick Road construction and tannery and Civic Association lands-Conference.
Status of William H. Connor's resignation as Finance Commissioner and action as to vacancy-Advice.
'Revising draft of warrant for special election to fill vacancy in Finance Commission and conference Re same.
Conference Re special election town meeting warrant and election pro- cedure.
Boyden fuel oil tank petition situation-Conference.
Action to secure report with recommendations as to Zoning By Law amendment relative to loam stripping, etc .- Advice.
Right of School Committee to make three year contract for pupil trans- portation without annual appropriation-Conference.
Law examined Re requirements as to bond and certificate with respect to school pupil transportation contract.
Right of an employee of the town to hold office of Finance Commissioner -Conference.
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Use of private hall for meeting for Spanish Government war assistance purposes-Conference.
Situation as to proposed request of Board of Health to Finance Commis- sion for funds to meet public health clinic expense-Conference and advice.
Right of town to appropriate for transportation expense for .Federal relief workers-Conference including advice as to application to Finance Commission and its action in providing a further fund by transfer from reserve fund to meet transportation expense of Norwood citizens engaged in Federal Relief employment outside of Norwood.
Advice Re certain Old Age Assistance situation and action.
Right to require a bond with permit to erect a marquee-Conference.
Examined statutes, conference and advice as to license questions under Alcoholic Beverages Law as amended in 1937 and in particular interpre- tation of provisions of Section 17 as amended.
Welfare questions-Conference.
Attending conference with Clerk at office of Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission with its Clerk Re license questions.
Conference Re draft of statement with respect to alcoholic beverage licenses grantable for 1938 and revising draft.
Conference Re questions relative to status of town liability with respect to new streets laid out and only partially wrought:
Conference Re course of procedure with respect to action under certain provisions of Town Charter.
Building Inspector
Advice Re course of action in situation at South Norwood as to con- tinuance of Building By Law violation.
Advice Re refusal of building permit to applicant as to Washington Street property.
Fire Department (Chief Earle)
Advice in existing situations with respect to fireman's request for addi- tional compensation for present and past three years.
Conference with Chief Earle, Building Inspector Douglass and applicant for building permit as to situation Re refusal of permit as to Washington Street property.
Special Committee on Peabody Trust
Conference with Clerk Pendergast Re developments and action by special committee.
Conference with Chairman Cleveland Re status of committee activities and course of action.
Conference with committee and Dr. Davis, consultant and study of Williamson report.
Study of petition of committee to Trustees of Fund Re location school in Norwood.
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Various conferences with Dr. Cleveland and reviewing and revising draft of petition.
Examination with Dr. Cleveland and Clerk Pendergast of possible school sites.
Drafted alternative articles for special town meeting warrant authoriz- ing legislative petitions by committee.
Attention to letters and final forin of article for special town meeting warrant and motion authorizing Peabody Fund Committee to seek appro- priate legislation.
Contributory Retirement System
Study of 1936 and 1937 legislation Re system.
Conferences with James E. Pendergast, Contributory Retirement Board inember Re various questions (Chapter 290 Acts of 1936) and earlier Acts as to pensions.
Assisting in revised set up of drafts of forms for use under Contributory Retirement System.
Reviewing amendments Chapter 336 Acts of 1937.
Attendance at meetings of City Solicitors and Town Counsel and City Auditors and Town Accountants Committees Re Contributory Retirement System questions.
Review of bulletins and revising drafts of bulletins.
Comment on questions raised by officials of other municipalities.
Buckmaster Pond and Other Water Supply Matters
Course of action Re pollution situation as to Buckmaster Pond water supply as developed by letter from State Department of Public Health.
Conferences, correspondence and study of law Re course of action with respect to approval by State Department of Public Health of proposcd taking for protection of water supply of lands in Norwood adjoining present ownership of water supply lands. Reviewed and revised draft of order of taking of lands, etc. Attention to form of releases and revising set up of same and deeds by such land owners, also conference as to payment of damages for land taken.
Conference Re articles in special town meeting warrant relative to the application of by laws with respect to contract through bidding as to pro- posed water survey by expert engineer.
Conference with James E. Pendergast Re settlement with Mr. and Mrs. Dillon for land taken.
Conference with General Manager Re course of action with respect to alleged violations of rules and regulations of State Department of Public Health applying to protection of Buckmaster Pond from pollution.
Advice Re criminal action against property owner under State Board of Health regulations as to pollution of pond supply.
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Miscellaneous
Attention to draft of Bill for work on Neponset River and conference . with Representative Mutch, Clerk Pendergast and House Counsel McNally.
Board of Tax Appeals and Appellate Tax Board decisions-Review.
Study of Legislative Bulletins and Bills.
Review of new legislation affecting towns, etc.
Preparing data for and dictating first and final drafts of Town Counsel report for 1936.
Attention to reports of decisions received from Commissioner Long.
Review of Appellate Tax Board decision in Forest Hills Hospital, Inc. case.
Conference with Judge Bolster Re pending case of Pond et al vs. Nor- wood.
Conferences and correspondence with other town counsel Re municipal problems.
Attention to Law Department budget for 1938 and reporting same.
Redrafting proposed article and by law as to restraint of dogs.
Review of decisions as to loam removal. Conference with Clerk of Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County and Superior Court for Middle- sex County Re court action as to loam stripping case of Hall vs. Garden City Gravel Corporation (No. 10469 Middlesex Superior Court) and prepared memorandum as to injunction granted (Sudbury case).
Conclusion
With respect to the situation at the end of the year as regards claims and litigation involving the town, the comment made at the end of the year 1936, as contained in the annual report for that year, is applicable. Excluding from consideration the pending suit of the City of Boston against the town, involving claims in the substantial sum of $28,498.00, as to which reference is made elsewhere in this report, the situation is favorable with no disturbing factors.
As to the Boston suit, however, developments during the year appear to justify my statement of last year that recovery against the town in any sum which even approximates the amount claimed is not to be expected.
The uniform confidence and consideration extended by the Selectmen and the other officials and employees of the town as in past years and particu- larly the great co-operation, whether necessary or otherwise, shown by Clerk Pendergast and General Manager Kendrick, with respect to the conduct of this department, are deeply appreciated and gratefully ac- knowledged.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. HALLORAN, Town Counsel
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Norwood Board of Public Welfare submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1937.
The care of poor and indigent people in the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts dates back to Colonial days and this State has been a leader in the enactment of laws and regulations for the proper care of people in need. Suitable provisions for the aid of those in need has been accom- plished by the establishment of different divisions in the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare and by the local Boards of Public Welfare in the various cities and towns throughout the State.
The methods of administering relief in the present day is much different from those of years ago when the daily life of the average citizen was less complex. The service needed in the cases today is made up not only of the problem of seeing that the necessary elements of relieving the imme- diate distress are supplied but that the family problems including those of all the members arc dealt with and some plan and help provided.
The year of 1937 has been one of more than average activity for the Board of Public Welfare. The general cross section of the cases relieved and supported during the past year has been consistent with those of the previous several years. There seems, however, to be a tendency on the part of the younger employable heads of families and of single persons to apply too readily for relief and expect that the town treasury is a source of an unending supply of funds. Other individuals are prone to apply for aid too soon after being laid off from work apparently lacking the fore- sight to provide for a necessary reserve when they were employed. The mismanagement of the weekly wage in some families of low incomes and the spending of too great a percentage of their earnings on personal pleasures that are not conducive to economic self preservation also tend to increase the number of those who apply for aid.
The local Board of Public Welfare has endeavored at all times to render aid in a fair and impartial manner giving help only to those that were in need and relieving their distress according to the best judgment of the Board and to the laws governing the administration of relief, having in mind at the same time that the funds for this assistance must come from the taxpayers of Norwood.
The report and table listed below represents all types of cases receiving Public Welfare, including Aid to Dependent Children (formerly known as Mothers' Aid).
Total number of cases being aided December 31, 1936. 132
Total number of cases aided in Norwood during the year 1937:
- Having settlement in Norwood. 201
Having settlement outside of Norwood. 19
91
Having settlement in Norwood but aided elsewhere 37 Having no settlement
36
Total 293
Of the above total of 293 cases the following were aided for the first time in the ycar 1937:
Having settlement in Norwood 39
Having settlement outside of Norwood
7
Having no settlement.
8
Total
54
Total number of cases being aided December 31, 1937.
181
A summary showing the monthly total of types of cases active at the end of each month during the year 1937 is shown below
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