USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1926-1931 > Part 56
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
JAMES V. DONOVAN, RAYMOND L. MASON,
Auditors.
Norfolk, ss. January 22, 1932.
Subscribed and sworn to before me:
JAMES E. FOLEY,
Notary Public.
TOTAL WATER COLLECTIONS OF YEAR 1931
Braintree Highlands
$1,293.05
Meter Rates
14,650.11
Meter Rental
1,173.75
Fixture Rate
3,643.98
Broken Hydrants
184.75
Sale of Old Boiler
35.00
All Other
311.28
$21,291.92
165
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
Due Jan. 1, 1932 :
On Levy 1929
$89.34
On Levy 1930
909.65
On Levy 1931
3,361.41
$4,360.40
JOHN B. McNEILL, Collector of Water Rates.
STATEMENT OF JOINT ACCOUNT
Cost of new Boiler $3,255.00
Repairing Pump 4,272.76
$7,527.76
1/2 paid by Holbrook
3,763.88
1/2 paid by Randolph
3,763.88
$7,527.76
$7,527.76
Resetting Boiler
732.50
Piping new boiler
257.00
Piping old boiler
114.49
Paid by Holbrook
$1,103.99
Resetting boiler at Pumping Station :
One new lower half front in- cluding 2 corner sections,
front of steel plate rein- forced with angle irons, 2 new fire doors, frames and liners, 2 new ash pit doors and frames, 2 Arch plates, 4 Cheek plates and 1 Bed Plate
$686.30 186.20
Tube Cleaner
Paid by Randolph
$872.50
166
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Joint Account-Paid by Holbrook
Engineer
$1,980.00
Coal
1,884.18
Paint and lumber
66.25
Payrolls
387.40
Repairs (J. E. Holland)
57.54
Supplies
12.67
Flowers
10.00
Amount paid by Holbrook
$4,398.04
Joint Account-Paid by Randolph
Labor-Payrolls
$1,432.33
Superintendent's Salary
390.00
Use of Truck
60.00
Coal
1,953.01
Oil, Waste and Packing
188.02
Insurance
320.03
Valves
113.58
Fittings
38.48
Freight and Express
15.90
Suction Hose
18.13
Chlorine
84.15
Telephone
64.15
Lighting
13.03
Building repairs
30.59
Trucking account, broken
mains (Hired dump truck)
14.00
Gauges
11.23
Boiler repairs
46.20
Lunches for Laborers on brok- en main job
23.10
Use of Compressor
84.58
Hardware, Lanterns, etc.
36.30
Gas and oil
2.40
Cement and Lumber
5.85
Traveling Expenses
1.00
167
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
Charts
1.98
Gate Box Extension
1.40
Lead
5.25
All other
20.93
Amount paid by Randolph
$4,975.62
SUMMARY OF JOINT ACCOUNT
Paid by Holbrook
Equipment account-joint
$4,867.87
Joint account Operation 4,398.04
Total paid by Holbrook
$9,265.91
Paid by Randolph
Equipment account-joint
$4,636.38
Joint account Operation 4,975.62
$9,612.00
Less Cash received for Old
Boiler
35.00
Total Paid by Randolph
$9,577.00
Total Joint Account $18,842.91
One-half to be paid by Holbrook $9,421.45 One-half to be paid by Randolph $9,421.46
Amount owed by Holbrook to balance joint account $155.54
168
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
RECORD OF PUMPING
To the Water Commissioners of Randolph and Holbrook: The following is the record of pumping for the year 1931:
Gallons Pumped
Daily Av.
Lbs. Coal Burned 54,000
Lbs. Daily Av.
January
19,458,620
648,620
1,800
February
19,850,755
661,691
49,200
1,640
March
19,854,725
661,824
57,900
1,930
April
18,120,005
604,000
52,100
1,736
May
20,864,993
695,499
60,200
2,006
June
21,319,018
710,633
62,500
2,083
July
24,514,174
817,139
70,400
2,346
August
20,606,705
686,890
134,500
4,483
September
21,669,000
722,300
142,100
4,736
October
21,564,273
718,809
105,600
3,520
November
14,720,371
490,679
44,700
1,490
December
15,502,250
516,741
45,600
1,520
238,044,889
661,235
878,800
2,407
Largest day's pumping-August 6, 1931: 1,458,120 gallons.
Largest week's pumping ended August 7, 1931: 7,- 481,913 gallons.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM L. SAVAGE,
Engineer.
169
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
RULES AND REGULATIONS
The following regulations, until further notice, shall be considered a part of the contract with every person who uses water:
1. All applications for use of water must be made at the office of the Water Commissioners, and state fully the purposes for which it is intended to be used. Water will not be introduced to premises except on the written application of the owner thereof, or by a duly authorized agent. The property will in all cases be held responsible for the water rates.
2. All persons taking water must keep their water pipes and fixtures in good repair and protected from the frost at their own expense .. They will be held liable for all damages resulting from their failure to do so. They shall prevent all unnecessary waste, and water shall not be left running to prevent freezing. The Water Commissioners or their agents may, from time to time, ascertain the quantity of water used, the manner of its use, and whether there is any unnecessary waste. They and their agents shall have free access to the premises supplied, to examine the apparatus, and if any fixtures are found not to be in good order, they shall direct them repaired, and if not repaired within two days the water shall be shut off and not let on again until such repairs are made, and the sum of two dol- lars paid for shutting off and turning on the water.
3. The occupant of any premises, when unneces- sary waste of water occurs, shall be liable to a fine of two dollars for the first offence, and four dollars for the second offence during the same year, and shall be notified thereof in writing; and if such waste is not prevented and the aforesaid paid within two days from
170
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
the time when the said notice is given, the water shall be shut off the premises, and shall not be again let on for the same occupant until the waste be stopped and the fine paid, together with an additional sum of two dollars for shutting off and letting on the water, and in case of a third or subsequent offence the water shall be shut off, and shall not again be let on except by a vote of the Water Commissioners and the payment of such fine, not exceeding ten dollars, as the Water Commissioners may impose.
4. Any person supplied with water shall not al- low another to take water from their fixtures without the written permission of the Water Commissioners. If any tenant having no fixtures, has any use of such fix- tures, full rates will be charged for such use by each tenant.
5. All parties using water in stables, for horses or other animals, will be charged scheduled rates for the same, whether it be carried by hand or through hose.
6. All persons using water for building purposes are required to obtain a permit from the Water Com- missioners before taking water from any faucet or fix- tures connected with the water works, and all water takers are warned not to let any party take water from their premises until they show a permit from the Water Commissioners. Any person furnishing water in vio- lation of this section will be subject to a fine of not less than five nor more than twenty dollars, and if the same when levied is not paid within three days from the time when the notice thereof is given, the water will be shut off from the premises and will not be let on again until such fine is paid.
7. All fixtures and water closets and urinals must be of a kind and quality approved by the Water Com-
171
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
missioners, also a vacuum valve must be installed on all pressure range boilers connected with the system.
8. No person shall in any case be allowed to open any fire hydrants except by a written permit from the Water Commissioners; but the Engineers of the Fire Department shall in all cases have control of hydrants at fires and for practice.
9. The Commissioners reserve the right to restrict the use of hose or fountain, to shut off the water in all cases when it becomes necessary to make extensions or repairs, or for violations of any of the regulations, or whenever they deem it expedient.
10. The regular rates for the use of water shall be payable in advance on the first days of January and July of each year, except where water is supplied to manufacturers by special agreement. In all cases of non-payment of the water rates within ten days after same is due, as well as for any violations of these rules and regulations, the supply will be shut off, and pay- ment of the amount due, and payment of two dollars for shutting off and letting on the water.
11. The Water Commissioners reserve the right to change the water rates at any time except in cases of dwelling houses and established special rates.
12. For business requiring large quantities of water, and all supplies not enumerated in the tariff of rates, special rates will be made.
13. Parties using water for manufacturing or do- mestic purposes can erect hydrants on their grounds or standpipes in their building to be used only as a protec- tion against fire without additional charge for water.
14. All applicants for the introduction of service pipes to premises are required to make written applica- tion therefor at the office of the Water Commissioners.
172
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
And in no case will the main be tapped more than once for the same premises, unless the additional ex- pense is borne by the owner.
Charged as follows :
The following water rates are established until further notice :
No connection made with the main for any pur-
pose for less than $6.00
Dwelling Houses
Occupied by one family, for the first faucet
6.00
Each additional faucet to be used by the same family 2.00
Two or more families occupying one house, one faucet for all, each family 5.00
One faucet for each family 6.00
For first bathtub 5.00
If used by more than one family in same house, each family 4.00
Each additional bathtub
2.00
For first pan or self-acting watercloset 5.00
If used by more than one family in same house, each family 4.00
Each additional pan or self-acting water closet
2.00
In no case shall the charge for the use of water by a private family, exclusive of hose and stable, be more than 20.00
Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, emptying into the same basin, only one charge will be made for both.
Laundry tub 3.00
173
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
Boarding Houses and Hotels
First faucet
$10.00
Each additional faucet
3.00
First bathtub 10.00
Each additional bathtub
3.00
First pan or self-acting water closet 10.00
Each additional pan or self-acting water closet
3.00
Private Stables
First horse $5.00
Each additional horse
3.00
Each cow or ox 1.00
Livery, Express and Boarding Stables
For the first four horses
12.00
From five to twelve horses, each
2.00
The above prices to include water for wash- ing carriages.
Offices, Stores, Markets, Barber Shops, Restau- rants. When used for ordinary purposes, same as for dwelling houses.
Building purposes. Each cask of lime or cement .05
Hose
For sprinkling streets, washing windows and similar uses, 1/4-inch nozzle, to be used only on premises and street opposite, not ex- ceeding two hours per day for six months in the year 5.00
For any use not herein enumerated, special rates will be made.
Meter Rates payable at Time of Reading.
174
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
For not over 133 cubic feet average per day, per 100 cubic feet .23
For over 133 cubic feet and not exceeding 266 cubic feet average per day, per 100 cubic feet .19
For over 266 cubic feet average per day
.15
Provided that in no case where a meter is used shall the annual charge be less than $7.00.
Meters may be supplied by the Water Commis- sioners, for which annual rental will be charged as follows :
Size 5/8-inch
$1.00 per year
Size 3/4-inch
$1.00 per year
Size 1-inch
$4.00 per year
Size 2-inch
$6.00 per year
All needed repairs, damages by frost and heat ex- cepted, will be made at the expense of the town.
JOHN B. McNEILL, RICHARD F. FORREST, FRED D. DRISCOLL, Water Commissioners.
175
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Planning Board
Your planning board has held semi-monthly con- ferences since the March, 1931, town meeting, and we feel has accomplished much work in its advisory ca- pacity. The principal objective of the board has been a more orderly development of the community. As one of the features of this orderly development, legislation was set into motion at the special town meeting, held in the late fall, to establish setback lines, in accordance with Chapter 82, Section 37, of the General Laws. It is the recommendation of your committee that setbacks be first effected on North and South Main Streets, from the Quincy to the Avon line. Your planning board is now making a detailed study of the situation.
Your planning board attempted to secure a five- foot setback before the erection of the First National's Branch Store, on North Main Street, to make it uniform with other comparatively new buildings on this street but, having no authority by law to compel the setback, was unable to bring this about by negotiation. This is regrettable, inasmuch as building laws are not retro- active.
Your planning board, knowing that there was a problem of drainage at the above-mentioned location, spent much time in conference with the board of health and referred all questions from the agent for the own- ers of the building relative to drainage to the board of health.
We also surveyed the situation at the Corner of Cottage and North Main Streets, realizing, of course, that we were powerless to effect a different condition
176
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
at that point without the necessary legislation, but having in mind that, when zoning laws may be adopted by the town, wider and rounded corners of North Main and Cottage Streets will be made and the present "bot- tle neck" eliminated.
After a thorough study of the town, we recom- mend an ad interim zoning law be adopted as a protec- tion to our home and areas, and as a means of bringing increased revenue to the town. Zoning laws, we feel, not only make for a more attractive, but for a more prosperous, town.
Your planning board also recommends that work on the assessor's map be continued and that a substan- tially larger appropriation than last year be made for this purpose.
We recommend the filling in of the unsightly hol- lows near the sidewalk on the Northeasterly side of the Stetson High School grounds. Your board has al- ready supervised the construction of the walk from the street around the Stetson High School Building, in ac- cordance with the vote at the last town meeting.
There have been many matters which have been referred to the planning board for furtherance, which were not strictly within our scope of work, but as they were of a helpful character, we were glad to assist. For instance, on request of a citizen of the town, we wrote for, and were granted, better train service from the Holbrook Station (used extensively by Randolph citizens) to Boston.
On account of our wish to have appropriations at the next town meeting held to a minimum, with the re- sultant of lower taxes, we are not asking for a greater
177
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
appropriation to meet current expenses than that of last year-$150.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. MADDEN, JOHN E. KELLEY, EDGAR B. COLE, JESSIE C. DUNBAR,
HELEN M. HANEY, HENRY N. CORP, ERSKINE H. COX, EUGENE L. MCAULIFFE, JAMES A. MULLEN.
178
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of Randolph :
The School Committee submits herewith its report for the year ended December 31, 1931. In the present report the Committee follows the custom of other years, namely, omitting detailed information that properly be- longs in the reports of other school officials.
I. EDUCATION
During the past year the Committee has been deeply interested in improving educational standards in all schools. It was deemed a matter of utmost im- portance that our schools should be provided with sound courses of study, that class rooms should be well equipped, and that teaching should be brought to the highest possible level of efficiency.
From grade school through high school our courses of study will be found satisfactory. The practical adoption in the grade schools of the Boston School Syllabus has given us a fully approved course of studies, and, in addition, it has meant a uniformity of courses which was heretofore lacking. Equally bene- ficial results followed from the establishment, in Sep- tember 1931, of a system of supervision in the grade schools. The principals of the Prescott, Belcher and Devine Schools are now actually supervising the work of their teachers. A marked improvement in teaching efficiency and a higher grade of work on the part of the pupil have been noted since this system was put into operation. The Committee feels very certain that the grade schools today are in better condition than ever.
179
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
The courses of studies in Stetson High School meet with the requirements of the institutions of higher learning including the State Normal Schools. Scholas- tic standards are being observed, and the principal and his teachers are co-operating with the school officials to improve the standing of the school. Two urgent needs of the high school,-more class room space and more teachers,-were met this fall by the removal of three seventh grade classes to other buildings and by the em- ployment of two additional teachers. The laboratories of the physics and chemistry departments have re- ceived much needed equipment, and the school library has been supplemented by some one hundred sixty new volumes, so that it now offers valuable material for collateral reading and research. The volumes added and those still to come cover the fields of Literature, Languages, History, Government, Civics, Economics, Geography, the Sciences, Business Administration and Commerce.
A course in Domestic Arts was inaugurated in the fall of 1931 with most gratifying results. This course will be expanded as fast as conditions warrant. For the present, however, it will include instruction in sew- ing only.
Under the head of Education, mention may be made of the question of district superintendency and its ability to meet satisfactorily our needs. The Commit- tee feels that the time has come when Randolph should have its own Superintendent of Schools. With a school enrollment of approximately 1,600 pupils, with a staff of 53 teachers, and with 7 buildings in operation, it is impossible for a district superintendent to give us the attention we need. It is plain from the above that there is work enough in Randolph to engage the entire attention of one man. Under normal conditions the Committee would move for local superintendency in
180
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
1932. In view, however, of the continued depression, it seems advisable that action be postponed until such time as it appears the town is ready to assume the added expense that local superintendency will involve.
II. BUILDINGS; EQUIPMENT, ETC.
As a result of the Committee's efforts the past two years, the school buildings are in good condition. At present it appears that minor repairs only will have to be undertaken during the year 1932.
All schools are fully equipped with texts and other classroom equipment. A special investigation into the text and equipment situation in November 1931 re- sulted in an expenditure of approximately $3,800.00 which brought our supplies and equipment up to pres- ent requirements.
The buildings now in operation will probably be adequate for school needs for the year 1932-1933. Thereafter it is believed another building programme will have to be considered. The Belcher and Prescott Schools can accommodate but few more pupils. In- deed the Belcher School is taking care of its present enrollment only through continued use of the portable building. The Committee hopes that the day is not far distant when the portable building can be abandoned.
III. SCHOOL FINANCES; THE BUDGET FOR 1932
During the past year it has been the policy of the Committee to watch its expenditures carefully. When- ever it was practicable to purchase on the basis of bids, purchase were so made. So, substantial repairs were let out on the basis of bids. Discounts were taken whenever possible. All this has meant a substantial saving to the Town. The Committee has also installed
181
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
a system of purchasing and accounting that undoubt- edly will effect many economies. For the year 1931, notwithstanding the opening of two new schools, the Committee has kept well within its budget, returning to the Town Treasury a sum in excess of $4,500.00.
In preparing the budget for the year 1932, the Com- mittee is not unmindful of the problem with which all municipalities are faced today, namely, the problem of revising budgets in a downward direction. In 1932 we shall feel the full force of the cost of maintaining two new schools,-one a ten-room building. We shall hardly. be able to reduce the number of teachers, since the enrollment for the coming school year will be greater, as it now appears, than that of the current year. Nevertheless, the Committee is asking for school expenses for the year 1932 the sum of $103,000.00 as against $106,000.00 for the year 1931.
The Committee also feels obliged to ask for a spe- cial appropriation of $181.36 to meet unpaid bills of the years 1929 and 1930. For these bills the present committee assumes no responsibility whatever. They were incurred prior to the present administration. The town has received the benefit of the goods furnished or services rendered, and it seems only proper that the bills should be paid.
In conclusion, the Committee wishes to thank all who, during the past year, have made their contribu- tion to the cause of education in Randolph. It also takes this occasion to express the hope that citizens generally, and parents particularly, will take an active interest in the conduct of our schools. After all, the schools belong to our citizens, and if they are to endure, it will be only because of the interest our citizens take in them. The Committee, therefore, welcomes inquiry
182
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
and constructive criticism, and hopes sincerely that it will have many occasions to profit from this kind of cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. O'KEEFE, Chairman, CHARLES R. KILEY, W. FRANK AMES,
The School Committee.
183
NINETY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE MINORITY MEMBERS OF THE RANDOLPH SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1931-1932
On nearly all important school issues the minority members of the Randolph school committee have failed to agree during the past year with their numerically superior associates. We condemn the conspiracy, or agreement, of three members to vote as a unit at the dictation of their leader. The motives which led the mem- bers who thus conspired are not obscure, nor are they creditable to the town of Randolph which the commit- tee represents. Smart practice has no place in the con- duct of school affairs. The assumption by one member of nearly all the duties and prerogatives of the superin- tendent of schools is a grave error, and when this mem- ber of the committee instructs teachers to disregard the suggestions of the superintendent, and to come to him in any emergency, he is spreading rank disloyalty and suspicion throughout the entire school system of the town. The minority members are of the opinion that one member of the school committee ought not to constitute himself the virtual principal of the high school, outlin- ing its policies, and even administering discipline in the class room. In this way we have an educational dic- tator of our schools, who combines the duties of the school committee, of the superintendent of schools, and also those of the high school principal. To put it in an- other way, it has come to this,-that the school com- mittee of Randolph consists of one member who is legally upheld by a three to two constant vote.
We are of the opinion that the alarming shortage of text-books during the months of September, October and November, was entirely unnecessary.
The minority members favor the re-election of teachers before the close of the school year. This is only fair to our teachers who wish to begin their vaca-
184
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
tion with the assurance of a position for the year to come; it is the practice of school committees every- where.
The election of teachers in 1931 was deferred to July 9, on the pretext by the chairman that he had not examined the plan books. This, in our opinion was a frivolous excuse. No report of his struggles with the plan books was made on July 9. We are of the opinion that it is the duty of the superintendent to inspect the plan books.
We find that Randolph is not paying salaries which command any particular respect in other com- munities; certainly our salaries are not high enough to enable us to win good teachers from other school sys- tems. We favor as liberal salaries as the circumstances demand, and as high as the financial condition of the town warrants. Salaries should be paid at regular dates which are thoroughly understood by our teach- ers; any irregularity in such payments leads to mis- understanding, and sometimes to great inconvenience. When one of our teachers is offered a position else- where, we favor giving the matter careful considera- tion with a purpose to keep the teacher in Randolph if advisable. A teacher who has a good record here is a valuable asset to the school and ought to be retained.
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.