USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1951-1953 > Part 53
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117
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
Advice with reference to provisions of new sub division control law in its relation to Board of Health approval of plans.
Attention to petition of plumbing inspector for writ of mandamus, Norfolk Superior Court.
Advice with reference to settlement in matter of City of Boston claim for reimbursement for hospital expenses for alleged Norwood settled case and filing answer in suit brought by City of Boston.
Contributory Retirement Board
Advice with reference to withdrawal of application for involuntary retirement application by department head.
Advice with reference to restrictions in deed to Neponset Street area. of member entitled to benefits under workmen's compensation act and procedure in such case.
Planning Board
Advice with reference to expenses incurred in connection with publication of notices of hearings.
'Advice with reference to procedure in the matter of establishment of exterior lines.
Advice with reference to restrictions in deed to Neponset Street area.
Advice with reference to release of surety bonds and form of bond.
Advice with reference to agreement of contractor to complete ways and instal- lations prior to building.
Advice with reference to procedure in filling vacancy caused by death of board member.
Advice with reference to applicability of zoning by-law area requirement to lots shown on plan recorded prior to adoption of area requirement.
Advice with reference to approval of sub-division plan by prior board and absence of time limit on period approval effective.
Advice with reference to requirement of approval of subdivision plan filed in Registry of Deeds prior to effective date of subdivision control in town and from which lots had been sold and were held in ownership separate from remainder of subdivision.
Board of Public Welfare and Agent
Advice with reference to application of General Laws chapter 132 section 18.
Attention to matter of Boston v Norwood suits for reimbursement and filing of neither party agreement.
Suit brought Middlesex Superior Court in matter of enforcement of obligation of child to contribute to support of parent.
Suit brought Norfolk Superior Court for general relief furnished decedent and notice of claim filed in Probate Court.
118
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Building Inspector
Advice with reference to interpretation of building code provisions with relation to use of designated material.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Advice with reference to payment for expense of operation of automobile for transportation of equipment.
Finance Commission
Advice and preparation of motions offered under appropriation articles at town meetings.
Assessors
Advice with reference to application of General Laws chapter 59 section 5 to property held in name of trustee.
Advice with reference to statutory exemption from tax of parent of person who lost life in service in Korea.
Airport Commission
Conferences in preparation for hearing before Civil Aeronautics Board in Washington in connection with E. W. Wiggins Airways, Inc. petition for recon- sideration, appearance and statement at hearing with William C. Kendrick, member of the Commission.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS C. FOLEY Town Counsel
-
119
REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER
REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER
To the. Honorable. Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby transmit detailed reports of the various departments over which the General Manager has administrative control.
Although it appears that the building program through the New England area is slowing down, Norwood has continued to grow at a rate above the average. I am happy to report that the department heads have kept ahead of the situation and I want to thank the Police Chief, the Town Engineer, the Superin- tendent of Public Works, the Superintendent of the Municipal Light Department, the Superintendent of Recreation and the Superintendent of Cemeteries and all of the other officers and town employees for their splendid spirit of cooperation.
The pumping equipment which was installed at Buckmaster Station was in full operation during the past year. We installed the new pipe line from the Westwood Station to our Standpipe and were able, with some restrictions, to deliver some water every hour of the day. We were very sorry to have to impose the restrictions and we hate to inform you that they will probably have to be imposed again this year unless we are lucky enough to have an unusually wet spring and fall which will keep the ground water high in the vicinity of our Westwood Station. Our own staff and our consulting engineer are working full- time on the problem. The Selectmen have negotiated during the past year with the Metropolitan District Commission and have made application to join the Metropolitan Water Supply System. Due to problems within the Metropolitan System, it will be at least two years before we can be connected to their system. In the meantime, we are doing everything we can to cause our residents as little inconvenience as possible.
Our Highway Maintenance and Sidewalk Programs have been carried on in a larger scale than usual and we find great satisfaction in the compliments we have received concerning the sidewalk program and the new program of repairing and blacktopping the roads. This work will continue and we expect to carry out an even larger program in 1954.
The 4160 KV Program has been completed in the Municipal Light Department along with a large amount of underground improvements. The materials for the expansion of the Short Street Station are now on order and we expect during the year to make excellent progress in the expansion of our power distribution facilities.
We have carried out an outstanding recreation program in the Town. We are among the pioneers in a Golden Age Program. This program was especially well attended and we now have over 50 elderly persons who are daily patrons of friends getting such pleasure out of our program. We also opened up a new playground near Richland Road last year and with the growth of the Town and the large number of children, the responsibility and work load of our Recreation Department is constantly increasing but Superintendent Ready seeins to be equal our Golden Age Program and it would do your heart good to see your elderly to the challenge and is working out fine programs within the limits of the appropriation.
The work load in the Engineering Department was unusually heavy during the past year and Mr. Thompson has done an excellent job of keeping up with
120
TOWN OF NORWOOD
the situation and getting the projects ready. Despite the loss of one of his assistants, he is gearing his department to complete the large number of projects with which he is now faced.
During the past year two more patrolmen were added to our permanent force and considering the large number of new residents and new streets that have to be patrolled etc., Chief Folan has done a good job in Town protection.
During the past year a new system of insurance coverage on public buildings was adopted and a sound plan put into operation by an insurance group appointed by the Manager which is made up of representatives of practically all of the local insurance agencies. They are making a further study of all of the town's insurance requirements and are getting up-to-date appraisals on all of our buildings and reporting them to the Manager. This past year they completed the public building coverage. This year they are working on a study of our casualty policies and as soon as I get a report, I will put it into effect. I will give you a further report on this in my 1954 report.
In closing I want to publicly thank the members of my immediate staff, that is, Mr. McAuliffe, my assistant, Miss Gallazzi, my secretary, and Mrs. Joseph, her office associate, for the intelligent assistance they gave me during the past year.
I look forward to 1954 as a year of progress for our Town.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN B. KENNEDY, General Manager
REPORT OF CLERK OF PURCHASES
Mr. John B. Kennedy General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The total amount of purchase orders issued in 1953 was 2330 which shows an increase of 242 over the previous year.
In connection with each and every order numerous telephone calls, letters and other means of communication were utilized in order to ascertain proper competitive prices, delivery dates and other pertinent information.
In all but emergency cases, the spirit of competitive bidding was used to the fullest extent in order that the Town purchases could be made at the lowest possible prices, provided quality, service and delivery were comparable. Local vendors were always contacted first in order to give them the opportunity to do business with the Town.
During the year deliveries on all materials improved considerably with deliveries on copper and steel products being made in 2-3 weeks in comparison with 6-8 months in 1952.
With the increase of available materials and the keen competition among all the vendors the Town should benefit even greater in the year to come.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN J. MCAULIFFE Clerk of Purchases
In Retirement
MARTIN J. NAUGHTON entered the service of the Town of Nor- wood Light Department in 1925 as a chauffeur. He became a lineman in 1927. He served the Town of Norwood well and faithfully until his retire- ment July 1, 1953.
In Memoriam
LL. S. NAVY
CRESENZO CHULLY was born in Dedham on September 23, 1919. He was appointed a groundman July 14, 1941 and shortly after joined the armed forces and served between 1942 and 1946. He was reinstated a groundman on November 4, 1946 in which position he served the Town of Norwood well until his untimely death on September 5, 1953. He will be long remembered by his fellow associates.
121
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT
Mr. John B. Kennedy General Manager
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as Superintendent of the Municipal Light Depart- ment for the year 1953.
I am pleased to report that after having served as Superintendent of this department for three years that one of the most important projects has been com- pleted, that was the conversion of our electric transmission system to 4160 volts. The program necessary to complete this job was carried out smoothly by our own employees without necessary shut downs or errors in judgement. I was most pleased by the performance.
We have continued our domestic hot water heater control program which has helped us to keep our cost of electricity from the Edison Co. at a minimum.
Contracts have been let out for the rebuilding of the Guild Street transformer vault and plans underway for further strengthening our distribution system around the center of the Town due to heavy increases in power consumption in this area.
Necessary steps were taken toward immediate expansion of the South Norwood Sub-Station with further development of this load distribution center in view in the not too distant future.
Our electric power unit costs from the Boston Edison Co. in terms of cents per kilowatt hour decreased for the second consecutive year due to our exceptionally high use factor, that is to say, kilowatt hours consumed in respect to demand, which was due to our domestic hot water heater control and consumption by our com- mercial customers at off peak hours. The Town of Norwood purchases electric power at the present time at a very enviable rate.
The electric power supplied by the Boston Edison Co. increased by nearly twenty per cent in 1953 over 1952 and circumstances point toward an appreciable increase in 1954.
Various minor programs which were planned for 1953 were carried out and there is much to be done in 1954, in order to maintain our facilities and install new and heavier apparatus such as transformers, cables and switchgear that we may be able to supply power at the ever increasing demand.
I offer the following statistical data relative to the operation of the Light Department for 1953.
122
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Millions of K.W.H.
5
10
15
20
25
30
1915
1920
1925
1930
1935
1940
yearly from 1916 to 1953 inclusive.
Amount of Electric Energy purchased
1945
.
1950
1955
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT
123
Cost per Kilowatt . Hour.
.005
.01.
. 015
. 02.
1915
1920
1925
1930
1935
1940
1945
1950
1955
Boston Edison Company.
Energy purchased from the
Average annual Kilowatt cost of
124
TOWN OF NORWOOD
New Secondary Services Underground
2 New Services Pole Extensions
3 25 ft. Steel Poles
450 Ft. No. 6 Copper Wire
600 Ft. 2/0 Copper Wire
19 35 Ft. Poles
1 40 Ft. Pole 2 45 Ft. Poles
Pole Extension - Private Property
4 30 Ft. Poles
5 - 30 Ft. Poles
5 35 Ft. Poles
4 - 35 Ft. Poles
3 45 Ft. Poles
5 - 40 Ft. Poles
Transformers Installed
Transformers Removed
6 - 75 KVA
3 - 75 KVA
6 - 50 KVA 7 -- 371/2 KVA
1 -20 KVA
35 -- 25 KVA
6 - 15 KVA
18 - 15 KVA
11 - 10 KVA
17 - 10 KVA
8 - 71/2 KVA
3 - 71/2 KVA
6 - 5 KVA
1 -5 KVA
3 - 3 KVA
Fire Alarm Extension 5 - New Boxes 750 Ft. No. 6 Wire 9025 Ft. No. 8 Wire
1100 Ft. No. 14 Twin Cable
The following meter work was accomplished:
New Meters Installed 417
Meters Replaced 317
Meters Discontinued 15
Meters Discarded 167
Complaints Investigated 343
Wire Inspections 1968
Wire Permits 657
Of the new meters installed 132 were time clock combination for "F" Rate. Of the meter replacements 27 were time clock combination for "F" Rate.
Primary Extension Secondary Extensions
11,875 Ft. No. 2 Copper Wire 17,690 Ft. No. 2 Copper Wire
24,485 Ft. No. 4 Copper Wire 19,765 Ft. No. 4 Copper Wire
28,724 Ft. No. 6 Copper Wire 27,704 Ft. No. 6 Copper Wire 3,210 Ft. 2/0 Copper Wire
75 Ft. 2/0 Copper Wire
40 Ft. 3/0 Copper Wire
100 Ft. No. 4 Rubber Covered Wire
3,950 Ft. No. 6 Aluminum Wire
100 Ft. 4/0 Copper Wire
400 Ft. No. 4 Rubber Covered Wire 310 Ft. No. 6 Rubber Covered Wire
100 Ft. No. 4/0 Rubber Covered Wire
Underground Secondary Cables 200 Ft. No 2 Copper Wire
165 Ft. No. 4 Copper Wire
5 30 Ft. Poles
Pole Renewals
9 - 25 KVA
In Retirement
PATRICK J. FLAHERTY retired in April, 1953 from his duties in the Cemetery Department of the Town of Norwood.
His record of faithful work in the public service covers a period of 23 years. Beginning in the Public Works Department he came to work in the Cemetery Department in 1941, where he worked until his retirement.
We thank Mr. Flaherty for his loyal service and wish him a long and happy retirement.
125
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT
Street Light Extension
New Secondary Services 286 New Services
12,620 Ft. No. 6 Copper Wire
1,200 Ft. No. 8 Copper Wire
90 Ft. No. 6 Rubber Covered Wire
47 New Fixtures Added
3 New Mercury Fixtures Added
Applications for Service 1,014
Requests for Discontinuances 947
Purchase Requisitions 308
Deposit Refunds Issued
361
Estimates for Underground Services 2
Purchased Energy
Short St. Sub-Station 6,245,214 K.W.H.
Central St. Station 21,589,000 K.W.H.
Total for Year 27,834,214 K.W.H.
Increase of 19.23% for the Year or 4.490,747 K.W.H.
Average Cost per K.W.H. for the Year $.0136
Statistics
Energy used for Station Power and Lighting 24,519 K.W.H. Energy used for Fire Alarm System 2,438 K.W.H.
Street Lights were illuminated approximately 3,960 hours, 39 minutes using 775,574 K.W.H.
Respectfully submitted, EARLE D HARDY, Superintendent Municipal Light Department
REPORT OF CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Mr. John B. Kennedy General Manager Town of Norwood, Mass.
Dear Sir:
The annual report of the Cemetery Department for 1953 is submitted herewith.
The preparation of Section 45 was continued. Franklin Avenue was completed. This consisted of about 450 lineal feet of roadway, partly sixteen (16) feet wide and the rest eighteen (18) feet wide. Also one (1) catch basin was built and connected to the existing drain. The roadway was scraped to subgrade, then brought to grade with eight (8) inches of crushed gravel. This was sufficient gravel as the road has a rock foundation averaging three (3) feet in depth. Two
126
TOWN OF NORWOOD
applications of oil were put on, sanding after each coat. The Franklin Avenue job was all done by the Public Works Department.
The result is an excellent piece of roadway which adds tremendously to the appearance of the area thru which it runs.
It is with pleasure that we record here our gratitude to the Public Works Department for their cooperation in the completion of this project.
Two new sections of single graves were opened up and marble markers with numbers set on each grave. Setting of lot bounds in section 48 was completed. More lots were laid out in section 47. In connection with this work, we built 150 feet of bituminous concrete walks.
In 1953, we took care of 203 burials and built foundations for 57 monuments.
Respectfully submitted, LOUIS J. D'ESPINOSA, Superintendent
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Mr. John B. Kennedy General Manager Norwood, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit the report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1953.
Personnel
Chief Mark F. Folan
Lieutenant James M. Murphy
Sergeants
Thomas H. McNulty James F. Lyden
Martin J. McNulty Henry F. Breen
Patrolmen
John S. Conroy John H. Kelly
Francis T. Riley
James E. Quinn
George W. Sanborn Valentine W. Balutis Uno C. Carlson
William E. Lydon
David V. DeCosta Richard J. Towne
William J. Flaherty
Albert M. Bishop Nicholas J. Connolly Frank L. Walsh Joseph F. Paquette Edward P. Murphy Joseph G. Breen Arthur J. Groh John J. Flaherty, Jr. Dermod F. O'Dea John J. Wall William F. Costello William J. Travers, Jr.
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
127
Temporary Intermittent. Officers
Frank J. Miloszewski
Joseph P. Flaherty
Michael J. O'Leary, Jr.
James J. Thomas
William J. Spierdowis
Leo J. McInerney Nicolino Destito Charles C. McDonough James W. Kelly George J. Hawley
Arrests
Accosting
3
Adultery
2
Assault and Battery
4
Assault with Intent to Rob
4
Assault with Intent to Rape
1
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
1
Attaching plates to M.V. without authority
2
A.W.O.L.
1
Breaking and Entering
4
Disturbance
7
Drunkenness
87
Larceny
7
Larceny of Motor Vehicle
2
Leaving Scene of Accident
1
Lewdness
3
Lewd and Lascivious Person
1
Mental Patients
16
Motor Law Violations
31
Non-Support
10
Operating Under the Influence of Liquor
14
Operating Negligently
4
Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle
3
Operating Unregistered Motor Vehicle
3
Operating Without a M. V. License
I
Receiving Stolen Goods
2
Runaway Boys
2
Using Motor Vehicle Without Authority
9
Violation of Probation
1
Disposition of Cases
Committed to House of Correction
7
Committed to State Farm
2
Committed to State Hospital
15
Continued Cases 25
10
Dismissed
1
Filed
36
Fined
67
Not Guilty
6
Probated
6
Released
54
Suspended Sentence
6
Turned over to Military Police
2
Delivered to Other Departments
128
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Miscellaneous Duties
Accidents reported and investigated
361
Accidental death
1
Ambulance calls attended
455
Buildings found open secured
547
Cases investigated
1169
Death by accident (auto)
3
Defective streets reported
85
Defective street lights reported
299
Defective water pipes reported
25
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
109
Dogs killed by Police
7
Funeral escorts
148
Lodgers at Police Station
14
Lost children returned to parents
41
Mental patients cared for
16
Missing persons reported
12
Money escorts
774
Sick and injured assisted
52
Suicides
1
Summonses served
324
Suspension of Motor Vehicle License
57
Vacant homes checked
108
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, General Manager and the members of the other Town Departments for their cooperation with the Police Department.
Respectfully submitted, MARK F. FOLAN
Chief of Police, Norwood, Mass.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Mr. John B. Kennedy
General Manager
Town of Norwood, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit the annual report for the Dept. of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1953.
Number of units tested 849
Number of units sealed 816
Number of units adjusted 172
Number of units not sealed
6
Number of units condemned
27
Fees collected and paid to town $451.90
During the course of supervisional inspections, there were a total of 1061 spot check reweighings of food commodities sold or put up for sale: 708 were found correct, 291 were found overweight, and 62 were found underweight.
In n K etirement
WILLIAM C. JANKOWSKI was appointed a Special Police Officer in April, 1931. A Regular Patrolman April 1936, promoted to Lieutenant, June 1951, and served the Town of Norwood faithfully until his retire- ment March 3, 1953.
In Retirement
EDWARD A. FLAHERTY was appointed as assessor by the Select- men on March 15, 1927 and served until his resignation on January 15, 1953.
He served as Chairman of the Assessors from May 12, 1936.
The Town of Norwood wishes to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Flaherty for his loyal service to the Town during his many years of em- ployment and wish him a happy and long retirement.
129
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES
This phase of the work is a most demanding one because of the ever-present problem of human element, determining whether made by design or carelessness.
Due to the high bracket cost of this most important item of food, a fraction of an ounce represents an appreciable expenditure and is essentially important to both buyer and seller. Cooperation has been highly satisfactory in this respect, safeguarding the rights of each insofar as accuracy of quantity was concerned.
I wish to thank and express my appreciation for the cooperation of town officials, businesses and industries, who have assisted me in the performance of my duties this past year.
Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK F. BROWN Sealer of Weights & Measures
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
Mr. John B. Kennedy
General Manager
Town of Norwood, Mass.
Dear Sir:
The following is the annual report of the Department of Building Inspector for the year 1953:
Estimated
No. permits
Cost
New dwellings
148
1,457,400.00
Dwelling alterations
60
65,150.00
Private garages
38
41,750.00
Commercial buildings
16
142,950.00
Manufacturing buildings
6
30,000.00
Manufacturing alterations
1
18,000.00
Minor out buildings
9
4,900.00
Repair fire damage
1
3,000.00
School addition
1
307,000.00
Hospital addition and alterations
1
333,000.00
Convent addition
1
33,000.00
Buildings moved
2
Buildings razed
4
Totals
288
$2,436,150.00
Fees collected for permits
$3,190.00
Fifteen (15) duplex dwellings are included in item one, making a total of 163 family accomodations.
All necessary inspections on buildings for which permits were issued, were made.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY J. CRONAN Building Inspector
130
TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The Board of Assessors herewith submit their annual report for the year 1953 together with a statement showing comparison of tax rate recapitulations for the years 1952 and 1953.
A table showing the comparison of valuations, tax rates, and taxes assessed over the past years is attached herewith as a supplemental report.
Organization
On December 9, 1952, Edward A. Flaherty, an assessor since April 1, 1927 and Chairman of the Board since May 12, 1936, submitted his resignation to the Selectmen to be effective January 15, 1953.
On January 21, 1953, William J. Dalton, an assessor since February 5, 1932, was elected Chairman of the Board.
On January 26, 1953, Harold T. Young, was appointed as an Assessor by the Selectmen to fill the unexpired term ending April 1, 1954.
On March 24, 1953, Sture Nelson was reappointed as an Assessor by the Select- men to serve for the term of three years ending April 1, 1956.
Appellate Tax Board Cases
On January 2, 1953, an appeal was taken before the Board by Mary M. DeQuattro on the 1952 valuation of real estate at 481-489 Washington Street. An appeal on the 1951 valuation was already before the Appellate Tax Board. Follow- ing a settlement, appeals of both years were withdrawn on October 26, 1953.
On March 30, 1953, appeals under informal procedure were taken before the Board by the National Shawmut Bank of Boston, as Co-Executor, on the 1952 valuation of real estate at 718-722 Washington Street and 724-726 Washington Street, and these appeals had not been heard by December 31, 1953.
On April 1, 1953, appeals under Formal Procedure were taken before the Board by Atlantic Properties, Inc. on real estate on Endicott Street and Washing- ton Street for the year 1952 and these appeals had not been heard by December 31, 1953.
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
6792 motor vehicles and trailers were assessed for the year 1953 and excise in the amount of $148,223.38 was committed to the Collector of Taxes. The 1953 rate for motor vehicles was $50.42 per thousand.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM J. DALTON, Chairman STURE NELSON HAROLD T. YOUNG
TABLE OF AGGREGATES OF POLLS, PROPERTY, AND TAXES
Assessed under Date of May 1, for the Following Years: 1872, 1875, 1880, 1885, 1890, 1895, 1900, 1905 Assessed under Date of April 1, for the Following Years: 1910, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1930
Assessed under Date of January 1, for the Following Years: 1935, 1940, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953
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