USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1939-1941 > Part 9
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May 16-Harry F. Howard, Francis J. Doran and Eileen J. Folan, board of public welfare.
May 23-Edson J. Eckhardt and Gordon F. Woodbury, members advisory committee on public playgrounds.
June 13-Mary D. White, acting clerk of board of selectmen.
June 27-William C. Kendrick, temporary soldiers' relief agent.
June 27-Martin F. Lydon, inspector of buildings to fill vacancy caused by retirement on July 1 of Forrest M. Douglass.
August 28-Peter J. Flaherty, member board of health to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Harry A. Shannon, for period ending January 15, 1940.
September 19-Mary D. White, member board of registrars of voters in performance of duties of assistant town clerk during continued illness of James E. Pendergast, town clerk.
November 14-Walter A. Blasenak, temporary town accountant during continued illness of James E. Pendergast, town accountant.
November 21-Cyrus C. Church, inspector of wires. Resignation of John P. Crowley, member advisory committee on public playgrounds ac- cepted on May 2, 1939.
There were also appointed election officers for the annual town meeting and for special town meetings, various special police officers at large and at particular premises including all schools and special schools, various sworn weighers, measurers of bark and surveyors of lumber.
Miscellaneous Licenses and Permits
From time to time on application therefor and report thereon licenscs and permits were granted for various activities as permitted by law as follows, namely:
Licenses
Common victualers and transfers of same; Sunday amusement; pool rooms; bowling alleys; junk collectors; public amusements; roller skating rink; golf driving range; lodging houses; intelligence offices; fruit and vegetable stands; sales of frozen desserts, fruit, ice cream, confectionery, frozen mix and soda water on the Lord's Day; Class I licenses for sale and exchange of second hand motor vehicles and parts; Class I licenses for
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purchase and sale of second hand motor vehicles; Class III licenses for purchase, sale, exchange or assembling second hand motor vehicles or parts; taxicabs; business and private garages; keeping, storing and sale of volatile inflamable fluid, fuel oil, and other petroleum products, after hearings held.
On application made Louis Flemure and C. B. Armour, licensed to conduct a golf driving range on premises owned by Thomas U. Mahony, Frederick A. Cleveland and Vega Baking Company situated on State Highway, Route 1, beginning April 19, 1939, and for remainder of year on the following terms, namely: Local license $10 with a fee of $2 for each day said driving range is licensed to operate on the Lord's Day, the same to be in addition to the license fee required by the Department of Public Safety. For further details reference is made to the records.
Permits
Dances; carnivals; field days; public meetings; concerts and sales at band concerts; public street parades; conduct of poppy drives on streets; tag days; free public flower show; free public art show; outdoor drill exhibition; Christinas party and dance.
On May 2, permit for erection of a new sign replacing existing sign in front of the building of the Vega Baking Company on State Highway, Route 1, as recommended.
On May 9, after public hearing held permit granted to Municipal Light Department to erect and maintain poles and wires on Winfield Street, northerly side, between Oliver and Fuller Streets.
On June 20, following public hearing held on petition granted permission to New England Telephone and Telegraph Company of Massachusetts to place and maintain buried cable, manholes, handholes with the wires and cables therein, markers and other fixtures in Nichols Street, south- westerly from Berwick Place; permission also granted to place and main- tain buried cable, etc. in a new town way westerly from Nichols Street and southerly of Senior High School as accepted at a town meeting (through Article 6) of July 12, 1935; to place and maintain buried cable, etc. in Berwick Place between Walpole Street and Nichols Street.
On June 20, following public hearing permit granted to Municipal Light Department to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes with wires and cables to be placed therein on Berwick Place, approximately 1,640 feet in northeasterly side between Walpole Street and Nichols Street; also to locate pole with necessary wires and fixtures on the northeasterly side of Berwick Place approximately 34 feet from Walpole Street.
On August 22, permit granted to Saint Catherine's Church to erect a banner across Washington Street in front of the Rectory for its field day, a bond having been filed.
On October 17, permission granted to Charles L. Donahue representing Progressive Municipal League for the use of Social Hall at Civic Building
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of evening of October 18 and for use of Memorial Hall thereafter on first Monday of each month from 7:30 to 10:00 P. M.
On December 12, permission granted on application of Mrs. Riemer and others of the Woman's Community Committee for use of Social Hall at Civic Building on every Friday evening beginning December 15, 1939, and continuing to May 3, 1940 for the purpose of holding dances, gaines and forums.
Numerous public hearings were held from time to time as required by law upon various petitions for licenses, permits, locations, lay outs and the like, which it does not appear to be necessary to detail in this report. For further details reference is made to the records.
From time to time various pole and conduit locations were granted through orders of location signed following hearings thereon.
All citizens who desired to be heard with respect to alleged grievances or other matters were given full opportunity to present the same where hearings were sought, even where in some instances such inatters were not proper subjects for action by the Selectmen, and thereafter such matters so heard had due consideration.
Orders of Taking
On February 21, the following orders of taking of easements for sewer purposes were adopted, namely:
Section "A" running from main drain to Gay Street.
Section "B" running from Gay Street to Cross Street.
Section "C" running from Cross Street to Rock Street.
On February 21, there was also adopted an easement or right of way for sewer purposes between Rockhill Street and Stone Circle.
On October 31, an order of taking of an easement or right of way for sewer purposes was adopted, being eight sections "A" to "H" inclusive between Lenox Avenue and Lenox Street.
Transportation and Related Matters
On February 7, transportation schedules for week days were submitted by the General Manager showing available possible transportation facilities to and from Norwood.
On February 14, a conference was held relative to transportation with representatives of the Greyhound Line and representatives of the New England Transportation Company, and a communication was also re- ceived fromn Counsel for the Railroad Company.
On February 21, a conference was held with the Superintendent of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company, Westwood Division, on the matter of improved transportation between Boston and Norwood.
On June 20, Chairman Houghton reported a conference with repre- sentatives of the New England Transportation Company and that they had agreed to petition the State Department of Public Utilities for per-
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mission to operate bus service to and from Norwood, provided the Select- men would request said company to submit such petition, and it was so voted.
On June 20, it was voted that Chairman Houghton be authorized to contact any and all other mediums of transportation seeking all possible methods best suited to the town and its citizens on all routes to and from Norwood.
Billboards and Signs
At a conference held on January 3 with Mr. Mitchell of the Donnelly Advertising Company as to that company's billboards on the superhighway, attention was directed to the billboard near Dean Street as constituting an accident hazard also as in violation of the zoning by-law, and reporting an appointment to be sought with Mr. McCarthy, Director of the Division of Outdoor Advertising.
Notice was received from the Department of Public Works, Division of Outdoor Advertising of the application of John Donnelly & Sons to main- tain a billboard on U. S. Route 1 E/S Providence route, facing northerly and north of Neponset Street. It was voted to protest granting of a permit and to request the Division to cooperate with the Selectmen in the matter of restricting the use of billboards on Route 1.
On January 10, a copy of the rules and regulations of the State Depart- ment of Public Works, Division of Outdoor Advertising, and a copy of the law relating to advertising signs and devices within public view were sub- mitted to the General Manager, and it was voted that after conferring with Attorney Roger Swain, who was interested in the subject matter, a draft of proposed legislation be prepared to be submitted before closing date, which would result in giving to towns control of the issue of permits for the erection of billboards within the limits of the respective towns.
A petition was also signed covering proposed legislation with respect to amending the present law relative to permits for erection of billboards.
On January 17, it was reported that a bill on proposed billboard legis- lation had been filed, and generally its purpose is to amend the present law to the effect that cities and towns may further regulate and restrict bill- boards or other devices within their respective limits by ordinance or by- law, to prohibit billboards or other devices in any section of such town, provided said ordinance, by-law or regulation or restriction did not annul or relax the rules or regulations established by the Public Works Depart- ment.
On January 24, it was voted that the Town Counsel be requested to represent the Selectmen at any public hearing which may be held with respect to petition of Selectmen for amendment of the existing law relative to billboards and advertising devices.
On January 31, the General Manager reported as to billboards and as to a conference held with the Director of the Division of Outdoor Advertising of the State Department of Public Works submitting a map showing the
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location of existing signs and billboards generally on Route 1. Following discussion it was voted with respect to the renewals of sign locations identified by application number named that the Town Counsel appear at a hearing to be held on February 6 and register objection to granting renewal for reasons stated, also voted that the General Manager and the Chairman of the Selectmen attend the hearing.
On February 7, the Town Counsel reported as to attendance at hearing by the Department of Public Works on billboard application.
On April 25, it was voted that the Department of Public Works, Division of Outdoor Advertising be requested to withhold granting of a permit on application of the F. H. Birch Company of Boston until opportunity be given to the Selectmen to appear before the Department at hearing, and that the Selectmen disapprove of the granting of application.
On May 23, the Chairman reported with respect to the billboard situa- tion that the Donnelly Advertising Company had requested an oppor- tunity to confer with the Board.
On June 7, a conference was held with representatives of the Donnelly Advertising Company and the general policy of the company with respect to billboard locations and construction was discussed. On June 7, as to the three billboards which had been ordered removed, a committee of three was appointed to confer with the Donnelly Advertising Company and reach a decision. It was agreed in behalf of the Company that in the future it would adhere to and respect the zoning laws of the town as to district and set back, and before seeking a permit from the Department of Public Works for billboard locations in the town the Company would take up the matter of location with the General Manager so that he could acquaint the Selectmen, the understanding being that the Company would not go ahead without the approval of the Board.
Unemployment Relief, W.P.A. Projects and Related Matters
On January 3, following receipt of a communication from the Board of Public Welfare through Agent Latham it was voted that a letter be directed to Acting Director Cottell of the Unemployment Division of the W.P.A. requesting that consideration be given to the suggestion offered by Agent Latham that the reduction in W.P.A. employment with respect to dropping of employees by reason of age (sixty-five years) be made gradually rather than abruptly and that employees who are to be dropped, who are over sixty-five years, be at the rate of two each month, and on January 10, it was voted that the local Bureau of Old Age Assistance be requested to give the matter attention with a view, following investigation, as to men not eligible for old age assistance and so certified to a possibility of such men being continued in employment on W.P.A.
Formal notice under date of February 27 was received stating that on Monday, March 13, W.P.A. project workers will receive their last weekly payment for employment and that the first payment on a two-weekly basis
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will be made on Wednesday, March 28, and regularly thereafter checks will be received on every second Wednesday.
On April 11, a reduction was reported of twenty-three on the town's W.P.A. quota and that the number of persons employed on projects in Norwood as of April 11 was one hundred and seventy-three.
On February 28, approval was given to an arrangement made by the General Manager for the transportation of additional P.W.A. men for use on a fire hazard project in the town of Walpole following request of local P.W.A. Engineer for fifty-three men from Norwood's certified list, the period of time to be covered being two weeks representing eight working days, transportation cost to be between $25.00 and $30.00 a day and to be charged to the appropriation for relief of unemployment.
On April 4, on report of the status of W.P.A. sewer job docket No. Mass. 1514F, it was voted that the General Manager proceed with formal applica- tion to the Public Works Administration for approval of extension of trunk line sewer from Lenox Avenue to the end of section constructed by Public Works Department from Pleasant Street to the corner of Lenox and Nahatan Streets as recommended.
On April 11, transfer of funds appropriated under town meeting action through Article 16 for providing cooperation with the Federal Govern- ment in unemployment and other relief was authorized as recommended as follows:
1. Pipe drain from main drain through Dr. Cleveland's prop- erty to East Rock Street $5,000.00
2. Drain in Washington Street southerly of Morse Street and including Upton Avenue, Rockhill Street and Stone Circle 2,500.00
3. Granolithic Sidewalks 1,200.00
4. Hawes Brook Swimming Pool 1,800.00
On May 2, approval was received from the Emergency Finance Board with respect to the borrowing of $16,000.00 under authority of Acts of 1939, Chapter 72, the proceeds of the loan to be used to meet the appro- priation made for the town's share of W.P.A. project and the sale of Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes of notes of indebtedness for said amount approved and notes signed.
On May 2, it was voted to transfer $125.00 from the funds appropriated for the relief of unemployment to the N.Y.A. Recreational Project as. needed if the N.Y.A. Program is to be continued as an outdoor program for the year 1939.
On May 9, the recommendation was approved for restoring with respect to P.W.A. docket No. 1515F, Water Tower Project, the items of a chain link fence for the protection of property and safety to children and the electric liquid level transmitting system for determining at all times the height of water in new tank, the total cost of the fence to be approximately $1,500.00 of which the P.W.A. would pay 45% and the town 55%. As to
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the transmitting system the total cost of transmitter and two receivers would be $770.00 of which P.W.A. would pay 45% and the town 55%, or $423.50. In addition the necessary work by the Municipal Light Depart- ment for connecting up the receivers and transmitters would cost approxi- mately $275.00.
On May 9, it was reported that twelve additional men had been laid off by the W.P.A. administration causing a further reduction in the quota.
On June 13, a report was received from the General Manager of the completion of the construction of the new trunk line sewer under P.W.A. project No. 1514F.
On July 11, the General Manager reported on the National Youth Administration activities that the N.Y.A. has again placed in operation a recreational project that will supplement the regular town financed super- vised playground activities and reported also that the N.Y.A. was con- sidering a new program the principle being to place young men in regular town departments where they might learn some special line of work which would be of value to them in securing private employment and that he had discussed the program with Superintendent Conley of the Department of Public Works and Superintendent Church of the Municipal Light Depart- ment who had agreed to accept certain boys for such purpose as more fully detailed in said report and without any liability on the part of the town in connection with such employment and recommended was approved.
On July 11, the General Manager reported on W.P.A. employment that last week there were one hundred sixty-three people employed on W.P.A. projects in Norwood and that during this week the number was reduced by eleven by reason of a reduction in quota and six people secured private employment, or a total decrease of seventeen, making at present one hun- dred forty-six employed and that under the new W.P.A. program the men will be required to work one hundred twenty hours a month and that under it they will be required to work five six-hour days per week.
On August 8, with respect to N.Y.A. Works project under which boys were to be assigned to certain town departments to gain experience in certain lines of work, receipt of a letter was reported from the District Supervisor of the N.Y.A. for Massachusetts to the effect that the N.Y.A. boys are covered by W.P.A. Compensation Division in case of injuries or accidents, which occur on the project.
On September 5, approved as recommended in General Manager Kend- rick's report submitting P.W.A. Federal Art Project, a showing of art work through the use of Memorial Hall in the Municipal Building from October 12 to 22 inclusive.
On September 26, the General Manager reported the approval by the Federal Works Agency of amendatory application for an extension of P.W.A. project docket No. Mass. 1514F which will permit of extending trunk line sewer from its present terminus at Lenox Avenue to the junction of Nahatan and Lenox Streets, approval being given with the understanding
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that there will be no extension of the approved project completion date which is January 6, 1940.
On October 31, received and acted upon General Manager Kendrick's report as to P.W.A. docket No. Mass. 1514F contract. The General Manager who also submitted a tabulation of bids received and opened on October 28 stated that the lower bidder was Charles Struzziery of Roslin- dale, Massachusetts, and recommended that the contract be awarded to him in the form of a resolution which was adopted, and relates to award of contract No. 2 for the construction of field line trunk sewer after approval of same by Regional Director of Federal Works Agency, P.W.A. the amount of bid being $20,968.50 the same being conditional upon filing with the General Manager a proper surety bond for completion of the work which bond is to mect approval of Federal Works Agency P.W.A. On November 7, the General Manager reported approval of the contract by the P.W.A. and that Struzziery had started work on the contract on November 7.
On October 31, the General Manager reported as to transfer of funds for W.P.A. project and that over-drafts had occurred on certain W.P.A. projects and that none of these projects are in operation at the present time and there will be no further commitments against these projects be- cause they have been terminated but in order to offset these over-drafts on the accountant's books the Selectmen are requested to authorize a transfer of amounts indicated from appropriation for cooperation with the Federal Government for relief of unemployment to the projects referred to and it was so voted.
The General Manager reported with respect to W.P.A. projects referred to in his report of April 11, at which time the Selectmen approved of transfer of funds with understanding that further transfers would be necessary at a later date and stated amounts now required to offset over- draft and provide funds to complete these projects are East Rock Street drain $2000.00, Washington Street drain $900.00, cement sidewalks $4500.00 and requesting approval of transfer of said sums from the ap- propriation for cooperation with the Federal government for relief of un- employment to said projects which were authorized.
Transfer authorized also from the same account to meet over-draft in the N.Y.A. recreation project and in like manner for W.P.A. grave marker project small over-draft, and in like manner transfer of $850.00 from general appropriation to offset over-draft and to provide further funds on woman's sewing project.
On November 28, the General Manager reported with respect to W.P.A. project, cleaning and repairing library books, stating that the Librarian of the Morrill Memorial Library with the approval of the Library Board of Trustees had requested that a project be submitted to W.P.A. for approval of cleaning and repairing library books such application calling for an allotment of $13,500.00 from Federal Government for labor, and specifying
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that amount of $1,920.00 as the sponsors funds and the cost of materials necessary for the project estimated at $228.76 of which amount approxi- mately $91.50 would be needed for materials up to April 1, 1940 and further stating there were no funds available in library appropriation for this pur- pose and if the project is approved the money required would of necessity be transferred from the general appropriations for cooperation with the Federal Government in the relief of unemployment. It was then voted to approve this project and to instruct the General Manager to submit the same for approval to the W.P.A.
Licenses-Alcoholic Beverages
On application transfers of licenses were granted from time to time and thereafter approved by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
On June 28, on motion voted with respect to hours during which licensees may sell all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises, local regula- tions be temporarily suspended as to sales on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4 permitting sales on the night before the holiday and on the morning of the holiday up to 1:00 o'clock, A. M.
On December 26, voted with respect to closing hours on New Year's Eve that licensees under Section 12 with respect to alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises be allowed to keep premises open on New Year's Eve until 1:00 o'clock, A. M. January 1, 1940.
On December 7, license fees for the sale of alcoholic beverages for the year 1940 were established in the same amounts as were in effect in the year 1939, namely:
Section 12:
All Alcoholic Beverages to be Drunk on the Premises
Common Victualers and Innholders $500.00
All Alcoholic Beverages to be Drunk on the Premises Commercial 500.00
Fraternal 250.00
Wines and Malt Beverages or Both to be Drunk on the Premises 400.00
Malt Beverages Only to be Drunk on the Premises
Fraternal Clubs 100.00
Section 15:
All Alcoholic Beverages Retail Store Package
Not to be Drunk on the Premises 500.00
Wines and Malt Beverages Retail Store Package
Not to be Drunk on the Premises 300.00
Malt Beverages Only Retail Store Package
Not to be Drunk on the Premises 200.00
Section 30A:
All Alcoholic Beverages Registered Pharmacist Package
Not to be Drunk on the Premises 300.00
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Special licenses were granted for the sale of wines and malt beverages between hours limited and subject to conditions stated to persons and for dates as follows:
Malt Beverages Only
June
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Andrew Venskus, Holman Hall. (Voted May 29.)
July 30 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Willett Pond premises. (Voted August 8 by ratification.)
August 5 Anthony Malacinsky, Lithuanian Hall, 13 St. George Avenue. (Voted August 8 by ratification.)
September 10 Bennie Palleiko, Lithuanian Hall, 13 St. George Avenue. (Voted August 22.)
September 29 Paul Weta, Vice President, Keistutis Benefit Association, Lithuanian Hall, 13 St. George Avenue. (Voted Sep- tember 26.)
October 15 Julius Aukstolis, Norwood Lithuanian American Citizens Association, 13 St. George Avenue. (Voted October 3.)
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