USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1957-1959 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
Voted: By taxation, $660.00.
ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to lease for a period not exceeding five years a building or parts of build- ing for the purpose of providing suitable headquarters for Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, Norwood, Massachusetts, subject to regulations to be made by the Selectmen theerfor as provided by law, and to raise and appro- priate a sum to provide for the current year, or take any other action in the matter.
Voted: By taxation, $720.00.
ARTICLE 24. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the expense of the Commission to Promote Business and Industry.
Voted: By taxation, $500.00.
ARTICLE 25. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise by taxation or by transfer from available funds and appropriate for the purpose of meeting expenditures authorized by Section 15 of the Acts of 1956 Chapter 639 entitled "An Act to Provide for the Safety of the Commonwealth During
43
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
the Existence of an Emergency Resulting From Disaster or From Hostile Action", or take any other action in the matter.
Voted: $1,757.00 by taxation.
ARTICLE 26. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the purpose of providing workmen's compensation in- surance for town employees under the provision of General Laws, Chapter 152, Section 69, or take any other action in the matter.
Voted: By taxation, $3,510.84.
ARTICLE 27. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Christmas Decorations.
Voted: By taxation, $2,000.00.
ARTICLE 28. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for expense of Fourth of July Ceebration.
Voted: By taxation, $1,000.00.
ARTICLE 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of providing bleacher facilities for spectators attending exhibitions on the H. Bennett Murray Athletic Field, or take any other action in the matter. (On petition of the School Committee)
Voted: Indefinite Postponement.
ARTICLE 29. To see if the Town shall direct its Selectmen to prepare a division of the town into convenient voting precincts.
Voted: Motion lost.
ARTICLE 31. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the purpose of paying part of the premiums for group life insurance, accident, hospitalization, medical and surgical insurance for certain employees and their dependents under the provisions of General Laws, Chap- ter 32B.
Voted: By taxation, $35,000.00.
Meeting adjourned at 11:50 P.M.
Attest: BARTLEY W. CONNOLLY Town Clerk and Accountant
44
TOWN OF NORWOOD
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING May 23, 1957
On a warrant duly issued by the Selectmen under the date of May 7, 1957, and signed by Charles L. Rich, Harry B. Butters, James J. Drummey, Walter J. Dempsey and John A. Abdallah, Selectmen of Norwood the meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Walter J. Gotovich. The proper service of this warrant was duly attested by James E. Quinn, Constable of Norwood. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Rev. Joseph Svirskas.
All the requirements of the statutes and by-laws relating to elections and town meetings were complied with. The warrant calling the meeting was read by Town Clerk and Accountant, Bartley W. Connolly. The articles con- tained in the warrant, and the action thereunder being as follows:
ARTICLE 1. To see if the Town will vote to amend the existing zoning by-laws by addition and amendment in the manner following:
Amend Section 18, Paragraph 22 (a) as follows:
By striking out in line 3 of said Section 18, paragraph 22 (a) the word "shall" and substitute in place thereof the word "may".
Voted: To so amend.
ARTICLE 2. To consider and act upon a proposed building code, a copy of which is hereto annexed and made a part of this article or to take any other action in the matter.
Town of Norwood
-NORIVOO
ASS ...
18.72
FEB
.
.23
PROPOSED BUILDING CODE
ARTICLE 1. ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Title and Scope
(a) TITLE - This By-Law shall be known and may be cited as "The Building By-Law of the Town of Norwood."
(b) PURPOSE - For the purpose of promoting the prevention of fire and the preservation of life, health and public safety, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Norwood do hereby regulate the inspection, materials, con- struction, use the occupancy, alterations, repair moving and removal, demoli- tion and maintenance of buildings and structures within the limits of the town.
45
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
(c) SUPPLEMENTARY TO STATUTES - The provisions of this By-Law shall be supplementary to any and all statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts relating to buildings and structures; providing however that, unless specifically excepted, where this By-Law is more stringent, it shall control.
(d) EXEMPTIONS - The provisions of this By-Law shall not apply to buildings and structures owned by the United States government or the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts or by any County, nor to the construction of bridges, quays or wharves.
(e) APPLICATION - No building or structure shall hereafter be con- structed, altered, repaired, moved or demolished, except in conformity with the provisions of this By-Law.
(f) INVALIDITY - The invalidity of any one section or provision of this Building By-Law shall not invalidate other sections or provisions thereof.
Section 2. Building Inspector
(a) CREATION OF OFFICE - The office of Building Inspector is hereby created.
(b) METHOD OF APPOINTMENT - The Board of Selectmen shall annu- ally at their first meeting in May, appoint an Inspector of Buildings to serve for one year, or until his successor shall be chosen.
(c) METHOD OF REMOVAL - The Selectmen may remove said Inspec- tor for cause, after due notice and hearing, upon charges previously filed with them.
(d) QUALIFICATIONS - To be eligible for appointment, the building inspector shall have had at least ten years experience as an architect, struc- tural engineer, superintendent, or journeyman on building construction. He shall be greatly informed on the quality and strength of building materials, on the prevailing methods of building construction, on good practice in fire prevention, on the accepted requirements for safe exit facilities, and on the proper installation of elevators and other equipment for the safety, comfort and convenience of occupants. He shall be physically capable of making the necessary examinations and inspections of buildings in the course of construc- tion.
(e) OUTSIDE INTERESTS - He shall not have any interest whatever, directly or indirectly, in the sale or manufacture of any material, process or device entering into or used in or in connection with the building construc- tion; neither shall he be a building contractor.
(f) ASSISTANT BUILDING INSPECTOR: The Building Inspector, with the consent of the Board of Selectmen may appoint an assistant, who shall serve the Town during the absence or disability of the Inspector. He shall also make inspections on construction, alterations or major repairs on build- ings owned by the inspector or his immediate family. Said assistant shall receive compensation, for time spent, equal to the rate received by the Building Inspector.
46
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Section 3. Powers and Duties of Inspector of Buildings
(a) WHOLE TIME - The inspector of buildings shall devote his whole time to the duties of his office during regular business hours and shall be subject to call at any other time if required for the proper performance of his duties.
(b) RECEIVE APPLICATIONS AND ISSUE PERMITS - He shall re- ceive applications as required by this By-Law and issue the prescribed permits and certificates.
(c) EXAMINE PREMISES - He shall examine premises for which permits have been issued and shall make necessary inspections to see that the provisions of laws and ordinances have been complied with and that construc- tion is prosecuted safely.
(d) ENFORCE STATUTES AND BY-LAWS - He shall enforce all statute laws and local by-laws now or hereafter effective in the Town of Norwood, relating to the construction, alteration, repair, use and occupancy, removal, demolition, equipment and maintenance of buildings and structures except as may be otherwise provided.
(e) TOWN BUILDINGS - He shall keep himself acquainted with the con- dition of all Town owned buildings and shall make such recommendations as he deems advisable to the proper authority. He shall supervise all construc- tion, alterations and repairs required on said buildings.
(f) RIGHT OF ENTRY - He shall have authority to enter any building, structure or premises at any reasonable time as required in the discharge of his duties.
(g) RECORDS - He shall keep careful and comprehensive reports of the business of his office, retaining on file copies of all papers in connection with building work.
These shall be carefully kept for at least seven (7) years after the latest original entry therein or thereon, unless otherwise provided by law; and no such paper shall be destroyed without the written approval of the supervisor of records. (Chapter 66, Sec. 8 of the General Laws, Ter. Ed).
All such records shall be open to the public inspection at all reasonable hours, but shall not be removed from the office of the inspector of buildings.
(h) REPORTS - He shall make a report of the business of his office to the General Manager once each year or oftener if requested.
(i) CO-OPERATION OF OTHER OFFICIALS - He may request, and shall receive so far as may be necessary the assistance and co-operation of all other town officials and departments in the discharge of his duties.
(j) REVOKING OF PERMITS - He may revoke a permit issued under the provisions of his By-Law in case there has been any false statement or misrepresentation as to a material fact in the application or plans on which the permit was based.
(k) VIOLATIONS - Whenever the inspector of buildings is satisfied that any work is being done in violation of the provisions or requirements of this
47
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
By-Law, or in violation of a detailed statement or plan submitted and approved thereunder or of a permit issued thereunder, he shall serve a written notice or order upon the person responsible therefor, directing the discontinu- ance of such illegal work and the remedying of any condition which is in violation. In case such notice or order is not promptly complied with the inspector of buildings shall request the Town Counsel to take appropriate legal action.
(1) UNSAFE BUILDINGS - In connection with any dangerous or unsafe buildings or structure, the inspector of buildings, shall take such action or institute such proceedings as provided by Chapter 143 - Sections 6 to 12 of the General Laws.
(m) Any unsafe building not subject to Chapter 143 shall be made safe or shall be razed at the request of the Building Inspector.
(n) The Building Inspector may refuse a permit for a building subject to the Board of Appeal, if in his judgment said building would be dangerous to public health to adjoining property or adversly effect the valuation of other property in the same locality.
Section 4. Permits
(a) No building, structure, chimney or foundation shall be erected, con- structed, moved, demolished, altered, re-roofed or structurally repaired unless an application in writing has been filed with the Building Inspector and a fomal permit duly signed by said Inspector has been issued. 1
(b) PERMIT A LICENSE - A permit shall be a license, any violation of the terms of which shall be deemed adequate cause for its immediate revoca- tion by the Building Inspector.
(c) VOID AFTER 90 DAYS - Unless building operations are begun within ninety (90) days from the date a permit is issued, said permit shall become void, unless renewed by the Building Inspector.
(d) FORM - The forms for applications and permits shall be as furnished by the Building Inspector.
(e) APPLICATION - An application for a permit must be made by the owner, or by the architect, engineer or builder employed in connection with the proposed work, or by their agent, and shall be accompanied by two (2) sets of drawings, complete in every detail. One set of drawings must be left on file at the office of the Building Inspector.
(f) APPROVAL - The Building Inspector shall examine all applications and accompanying drawings, specifications and plot plans filed with him and, if after inspection he determines that the proposed work conforms to all pro- visions of the statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the By- Laws of the Town of Norwood, he shall within ten days issue a written permit.
He shall also approve and sign one set of drawings and specifications, which have been submitted, and deliver them to the applicant with the permit.
48
TOWN OF NORWOOD
(g) KEPT ON PREMISES - The permit, and the approved plans and specifications if any, shall be kept on the premises of the work at all times during the course of the work, and shall be open for examination to the Building Inspector.
(h) NOTICE OF STARTING WORK - The Building Inspector shall be given notice of the starting of work under a permit not later than noon of the previous working day.
(i) CERTIFICATE OF LATHING - When any building or structure here- after erected or altered is ready for lathing and plastering or sheathing, the owner or builder shall notify the Building Inspector that the building or structure is ready for his inspection. If the Building Inspector finds that the building work conforms to the requirements of this By-Law, and that the plumbing and electical installations have been approved, he shall then issue a certificate of approval stating what portions of the building may be lathed, plastered or sheathed. Until such inspection is made and a signed certificate of approval issued, no person shall lath, plaster, sheathe or otherwise cover or conceal any of the spaces between the studs, joists, rafters, framework or furrings.
(j) Any building for which a permit is issued by the Inspector shall be constructed according to the plans and specifications which have been filed with the application for said permit. No structural changes may be made except by written permission from the Inspector of Buildings. First class workmanship shall be a requisite.
(k) OTHER PERMITS - Separate permits when required for plumbing, electrical installation and other systems and devices shall be obtained from the several town and state departments having jurisdiction.
(1) WIRE INSPECTIONS - No person shall install wires, conduits, ap- paratus, fixtures, or other appliances carrying or using electricity for light, heat, or other power within or connected to any building, without first notify- ing the Inspector of Wires, in writing of the proposed installation.
(m) FEES - The Board of Selectmen shall set fees to be charged for building permits.
(n) Separate fees shall be charged for plumbing and wiring permits.
Section 5. Certificate of Occupancy
(a) CERTIFICATE REQUIRED - No building or structure hereafter erected and no existing building or structure hereafter altered or structurally repaired, shall be occupied or used in whole or in part until the Building Inspector shall have issued a certificate of occupancy certifying that such building or structure conforms to the provisions of this By-Law, and stating the purpose for which the building may be used in its entirety or its several parts. This certificate shall not be issued until approved by the Plumbing and Wire Inspectors and the Chief of the Fire Department.
(b) CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY - No building or structure for which a certificate has been issued shall have its use or occupancy changed without first obtaining a new certificate from the Building Inspector.
49
-
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
(c) TEMPORARY VACANCY OR CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP - The use of a building or premise shall not be deemed to have changed because of a temporary vacancy, or change of ownership or tenency.
(d) TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE - Upon the request of the holder of a building permit, or the Owner, the Building Inspector may issue a temporary certificate of use and occupancy for part of a building, provided that such temporary use and occupancy would not jeopardize life or property.
(e) COMPLY WITH ZONING BY-LAW - The use and occupancy of any building or structure shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Town of Norwood Zoning By-Law.
Section 6. Board of Appeal for Building By-Law
(a) CREATION - A board of appeal is hereby created. The board shall consist of three (3) members to serve without pay and shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
The Building Inspector shall not be a member of the board of appeal.
The Board shall annually elect its own chairman and clerk. The clerk shall keep permanent records of all proceedings.
(b) TERM OF OFFICE - The appointments first made shall be for one, two and three years respectively, so that the term of one member shall expire each year. All subsequent appointments shall be for the term of three years. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the Selectmen for the unexpired term.
One, appointment or re-appointment shall be made each year for a three year term commencing on May 1st. Members shall hold office until their successors shall have qualified.
(c) QUALIFICATIONS - To be eligible for appointment, each member shall be a resident of the Town of Norwood and two (2) shall have had experi- ence as an architect, structural engineer, contractor, building construction superintendent, builder or journeyman on building construction.
(d) PRIVATE INTEREST OF MEMBERS - No member shall act as a member of the Board or vote as such, on any case in which his private right or interest, distinct from public interest, is immediately concerned.
(e) CAUSE FOR APPEAL - Whenever the building inspector shall for any reason refuse to issue a permit, or when it is claimed by the applicant that the interpretation of the Building By-Law by the Building Inspector is incorrect, the owner of the building or his agent may appeal the decision within 60 days by filing a written notice of appeal with the Building Inspector together with a fee of $10.00.
(f) TRANSMITTAL OF APPEAL - Upon receipt of any written notice of appeal, the Building Inspector shall immediately transmit such appeal or certified copy thereof to the Board of Appeal and shall deposit the accom- panying fee with the Town Treasurer.
50
TOWN OF NORWOOD
(g) PUBLICATION AND HEARING - The Board of Appeal, upon receipt of notice of appeal, shall cause to be published in a local newspaper a notice of the meeting of the board and the reason for such meeting, shall notify all interested persons by registered mail of the proposed meeting, and seven (7) days after such published notice shall hold a public hearing, at which time they shall give the applicant or his representative, the building inspector or any other office or the Town of Norwood, or any other person whose interest may be affected by the matter of appeal, an opportunity to be heard.
(h) ACTION OF BOARD - After hearing all evidence presented, the board may by majority vote, affirm, annul or modify said refusal or order of the Building Inspector.
The board may dispense with and vary the application and enforcement of the Town of Norwood Building By-Law in cases which to them do not appear to be within the intent of said by-law, or in cases where a literal inter- pretation thereof would result in manifest injustice or hardship provided, that the dispensing decision shall have unanimous approval of the members of the board and shall not conflict with the spirit, intent or purpose of this by-law.
(i) NOTIFICATION AFTER HEARING - Within ten (10) days after a hearing has been held, the Board of Appeal shall notify the applicant and the Building Inspector in writing of their decision. Such a notice shall specify the variations, allowed, if any, and state clearly the reasons for rejection or approval. A copy of all decisions shall be kept on file in the office of the building inspector.
(j) ACTION AFTER HEARING - If the order or refusal of the building inspector is affirmed, then such order or refusal shall be in full force and effect. If the order or refusal of the building inspector is annulled or modified, then the building inspector shall act in accordance with the decision rendered.
(k) NEW DEVELOPMENTS - It shall be the duty of the Board of Appeal at the request of the Building Inspector, their own initiative, or upon petition of five registered voters and or property owners to hold public hear- ings: twenty days published notice of which shall be given; for the considera- tion of amendments to the building by-law and thereafter to submit to the Board of Selectmen for Town meeting action, their recommendations in regard to same.
(1) ANNUAL REPORT - The Board of Appeal shall submit to the Board of Selectmen on or before the 31st day of January of each year, a report giving a summary of all of its decisions during the pevious year together with such recommendations as it may deem advisable.
Section 7. Violations
Any person whether owner, architect, contractor or agent who shall vio- late a provision of this By-Law shall be guilty of a misdeamonor punishable by a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than one hunded dollars ($100.00). All defective or non-conforming construction shall be made to conform to these By-Laws.
51
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
ARTICLE II Definitions and Classifications
Section 1. Definitions
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this By-Law, have the meanings indicated in this section.
Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the mascu- line gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.
Where terms are not defined in this section, they shall have their ordin- arily accepted meanings or such as the context may imply.
"Alteration" as applied to a building or structure, means a change or re-arrangement in the structural parts or in the exit facilities; or an enlarge- ment, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height; or the moving from one location or position to another; the term "alter" in its ' various forms, refers to the making of an alteration.
"Apartment," means a room or a suite of two or more rooms, occupied as a home or residence of an individual, family or household.
"Approved" as applied to a material, device or mode of construction means approved by the building inspector, or by other authority designated by law to give approval in the matter in question.
"Area" as applied to the dimensions of a building, means the maximum horizontal projected area of the building at grade.
"Automatic," as applied to a fire door or other opening protective means normally held in an open position and automatically closed by a releasing device that is actuated by abnormal high temperature or by a predetermined rate of rise in temperature.
"Building," means a combination of materials to form a structure that is safe and stable, and adapted to permanent or continuous occupancy for public, institutional, residence, business or storage purposes; the term "building" shall be construed as if followed by the words "or part thereof".
"Dead load" means the weight of walls, partitions, floors, roofs, and all other permanent construction.
"Display sign," means a structure that is arranged, intended, designed or used as an advertisement, announcement or direction and includes a sign, sign screen, billboard or advertising device of any kind.
"Dwelling," means a building occupied exclusively for residence pur- poses and having not more than two apartments, or as a boarding or rooming house serving not more than fifteen persons with meals or sleeping accommo- dations or both.
"Fire Door," means a door and its assembly so constructed and installed in place as to give the specified protection against the passage of fire.
"Fire resistance rating," means the time in hours that material or con- struction will withstand the standard fire exposure as determined by a fire
52
TOWN OF NORWOOD
test made in conformity with the latest approved methods. Material or con- struction rated as "Combustible" shall not be accepted for a specified rating of over one hour. In the absence of specific performance requirements, ratings of approved laboratories may be accepted as meeting the purpose of this code. In case of dispute the minimum standards formulated by Board of Standards of the Department of Public Safety of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be used.
"Fire walls - See "Walls".
"Floor area," means a floor space enclosed by exterior walls, fire walls, or fire partitions, or by a combination thereof.
"Garage," means a building, shed or enclosure, or a part thereof, in which a motor vehicle containing volatile inflammable oil in its fuel storage tank, is stored, housed, or kept.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.