USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1932-1937 > Part 53
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Fines
782.98
Grants and Gifts
504.22
General Government
339.79
Health
645.72
Charities reimbursement
15,113.09
Old Age reimbursement
9,702.89
Soldiers Relief reimbursement
1,125,63
Schools
5,720.22
Water Dept.
23,461.91
Interest
6,585.03
Miscellaneous
176.84
$115,262.96
Total expenses
$393,147.31
Less total income
115,262.96
Amount to be raised
277,884.35
101
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Less credit Sec. 23-
Chap. 59- $7,414.08
Less Polls (2,059
@ $2.00) 4,118.00
11,532.08
Net amount to be raised by taxation $266,352.27
TOTAL VALUATION
Real Estate-buildings
$4,090,850.00
Real Estate-land
1,268,600.00
Personal
639,475.00
$ 45
Total valuation $5,998,925.00
Total valuation-computed at
$266,352.27
$44.40 per thousand Information contained in the table of aggregates.
Number of persons, partnerships and
corporations assessed on real estate 2629
Number of persons, partnerships and corporations assessed on personal estate 116
Number of male polls assessed
Value of assessed stock in trade
$38,850
" " live stock 31,325
" " machinery
568,300
"
all other assessed tangible
personal property
1,000
Tax rate per thousand dollars of valuation
$44.40
Number of horses assessed
47
"
" cows assessed 191
" neat cattle other than cows 2
" swine assessed 1400
102
2059
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
" dwelling houses assessed 1915
"
" acres of land assessed (estimated) 5850
fowl assessed 8175
"
" automobiles assessed 2382
Amounts committed to Tax Collector on 1937 levies.
Real and personal January levy $266,352.27
Poll Tax-January levy
4,118.00
Real and personal December levy 419.58
Poll Tax-December levy
84.00
$270,973.85
Motor Vehicle Excise committed May 24th $5,591.63
Motor Vehicle Excise committed
Aug. 30th 5,950.37
Motor Vehicle Excise committed
Nov. 29th
1,108.39
Motor Vehicle Excise committed
Dec. 30th
123.66
12,774.05
$283,747.90
EXEMPTIONS AND ABATEMENTS
Some confusion was occasioned this year in con- nection with applications for statutory exemption of real estate taxes, because of a sincere desire on our part to conform to statute law in the consideration and deter- mination of eligibility for exemption. In order that the situation might be clarified and understood by all, we
103
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
would like to bring to the attention of the citizens cer- tain existing requirements which are absolutely neces- sary in the granting of exemptions and abatements.
First, all applications for exemption under the so- called widow's clause, and the disabled veteran's and Spanish War veteran's clauses of Section 5, Chapter 59, of the General Laws, must be in writing on a form approved by the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, which form can be secured at our office. The information called for on the form must be supplied in full, and the application is subscribed to under the penalty of perjury. The application must be filed with our board each year, on or before October 1st of the year to which the tax relates. Any applica- tions presented after such date cannot be accepted. The property must be occupied by the applicant, and his or her status on taxing date each year is one of the deciding. factors.
Second, the same requirements of filing date also ap- ply to all requests for abatement of real estate taxes be- cause of overvaluation.
Third, male persons above the age of seventy years on taxing date must be listed by the assessors, but are exempt from the payment of a poll tax.
Fourth, Section 1, Chapter 60A, of the General Laws, referring to motor vehicle excise tax reads in part as. follows: "The tax assessed under this section shall not be less than two dollars, and no abatement under this section shall reduce the tax collected to less than two dollars." Another part of the same section reads: "For the purpose of this tax the value of each such motor vehicle shall be deemed to be the value as determined by the commissioner of corporations and taxation." We quote
104
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
the foregoing by way of explanation of our inability to grant reductions requested by some taxpayers. In assess- ing each car we have used the value specified by the commissioner in a book he furnishes for the purpose. All applications for abatement must be in writing on an approved form within six months of the date of sale or transfer of a car, but in no case later than January 31st of the year following the year of the tax.
The above noted requirements are not set up as an action of our board, but are in conformity to statute law, and will be adhered to in fairness to all concerned.
REVALUATION
In accordance with the vote of the citizens at the special town meeting heid on May 24th, your board of assessors has completed a very thorough and compre- hensive survey of all of the real estate in the town. We have inspected approximately three thousand par- cels of land, including about twenty-five hundred build- ings, and have recorded on cards especially prepared for the purpose sufficient information to enable us to place a fair and honest value on each individual parcel. In the case of buildings we made a record as to age, size, number of rooms, condition, type, side additions, as well as the interior improvements of heat, floors, plumbing, lighting, etc. As to the land we noted its physical con- dition, location, frontage, availability and surroundings. We commenced the work the first part of July and com- pleted our inspection about the middle of December,
actually visiting every piece of property in the town. At the present writing we are engaged in transcribing our notes into actual figures, and anticipate the completion of the entire project about May 1st. We are making our computations on the basis of a definite system of re- placement value less depreciation, and are giving full
105
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
consideration to all known factors which enter into a. proper assessment of real estate. We are using the very best judgement at our command in placing each assess- ment, guided by a sincere intention to be fair and honest, and are absolutely not permitting any political, racial, religious or any other kind of consideration to enter our work.
While we have called this project "Revaluation" we. feel that its proper title is "Equalization," since our- entire effort has been directed towards perfecting a sys- tem of assessment which will honestly distribute the burden of taxation in our town on the basis of fairness. and equality.
MAPS AND PLANS
Under the provisions of the vote of the town at: the above mentioned special town meeting, in which we were authorized to completely map the town, we have received a number of new plans covering portions; of the town not previously mapped. The new plans are a distinct advantage, and have been of considerable' assistance in our work of assessing, showing actual boundaries of all property, thereby eliminating any guesswork as to the exact area of each parcel, and pro- viding a complete record of the present owner. We have- on file in our office the original tracing of each of the. new plans, together with similar tracings of each plan: furnished the town in previous years.
It is our earnest hope that in the absence of a reg -- ularly employed engineer that our department will be granted an annual appropriation which will permit keep -- ing all the plans up to date. There have been many divisions of property in the districts mapped during the past several years, and there will doubtless be some:
106
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
changes occur in the areas represented by the maps being received now, and inasmuch as there is a considerable investment involved in our map purchases to date we feel that in the interest of economy and accuracy it is advisable and essential that these maps be kept up to date annually, and we believe that it can be done with only a slight expense to the town.
We have striven throughout the year to systematize ·our work, and have instituted many changes which we feel tend to modernize our equipment and procedure. We have installed a modern, cross reference system of cards, giving us an accurate and complete description of each individual parcel of land, including all buildings thereon, with full reference to its location, lot number, deed reference, map and plan number, present record owner, previous owner, date of transfer, which will be a permanent record for the town. Other changes have been made which we hope will enable us to keep pace with the ever increasing details and work of the office.
Because of the vast increase of population in the town over the past ten to fifteen years, with the accom- panying increase in the number of buildings, additional registration of automobiles, records to be maintained, re- ports to be issued to other town departments, as well as the commissioner of corporations and taxation, there has been such a great amount of additional detail work added to our department that it should no longer be considered as part time work. In the interest of better service to our taxpayers, many of whom call at our office during each day of the week, seeking information or adjustments to which they are entitled, the prompt handling of considerable mail correspondence, the fur- nishing of data to prospective purchasers of home sites or business locations here, the compilation of required reports without delay, we feel that there should be at
107
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
least one of our members on duty throughout regular business hours each day. Then, too, there are so many new regulations and statute laws being enacted, affect -- ing assessing work, that it should be considered a matter of economy and protection to the town to enable at least one of the assessors to devote full time to the work. We hesitate to recommend any action which might result in any additional burden to the taxpayers, and will continue to do our utmost in the performance of our various duties. We do, however, wish to acquaint the citizens with our problems, in the belief that they will give full recogni- tion to the needs of our department.
In concluding this report we desire to express our sincere appreciation to the taxpayers, and to the other town departments, for their very kind and generous co -- operation.
Respectfully submitted by
RAYMOND E. LYONS FRANK. F. TEED JAMES P. DUFFY
Board of Assessors,
108
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Report of the Collector of Taxes
To Citizens of the Town of Randolph:
I herewith respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1937:
1935
Poll, Personal and Real Estate Taxes: Outstanding, uncollected Jan. 1, 1937 $37,678.26
Credits and collections during 1937 37,678.26
1936
Poll, Personal and Real Estate Taxes:
Outstanding, uncollected Jan. 1, 1937
92,216.99
Tax Titles Disclaimed
444.89
92,661.88
Collections and credits during 1937
59,067.60
Balance January 1, 1938
33,594.28
Excise Taxes:
Outstanding uncollected Jan. 1, 1937
2,682.99
Collections and credits during 1937
2,354.41
Outstanding January 1, 1938
328.58
109
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
1937
Poll, Personal and Real Estate Taxes:
Two commitments-July and December 270,973.85
Collections and credits during 1937 158,433.44
Outstanding January 1, 1938 112,540.41
Excise Taxes:
Committed May 24, Aug. 30, Nov. 27,
and December 30 12,774.05
Collections and credits during 1937
9,782.56
Balance outstanding Jan. 1, 1938
$2,991.49
I would like to state regarding above report that about 86 per cent of the 1936 taxes and 52 per cent of the 1937 taxes have been paid, which considering the lack of work and general hard times shows I believe, a splendid co-operation on the part of the people.
CLARA F. KENNEDY
Tax Collector
110
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Report of the Trustees of Turner Free Library
TRUSTEES 1937
Seth T. Crawford
Frederick E. Knebel
Mrs. Mollie F. Howard
Joseph D. Wales
President
Vice-President
Treasurer Secretary
Charles F. Blakely
Harold W. Macauley Martin E. Young (Selectmen of Randolph Ex-Officiis)
Frank W. Belcher
Mrs. Sallie W. Crawford
Benjamin P. Crowell
Herman W. French
Arthur H. Holbrook
William H. Leavitt
Raymond L. Mason Albert C. Wilde
111
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Randolph:
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of the By- Laws of The Turner Free Library, this report, for the calendar year 1937 and being the sixty-second annual report, is submitted, showing the condition of the trust consisting of the building, library, and funds, together with the reports submitted to the Trustees by the var- ious committees as seems of general interest.
The Library Committee reports that the books, charts and furnishings are in good condition and that all books belonging to the library are accounted for by the Libra- rian.
The Building Committee reports a number of items of repairs, including painting, during the year. It is gratifying to note that the aggregate of all items charged to the Town's appropriation of $700. came to only $578.15, which resulted in a saving to the Town of $121.85. In the light of past experience as to the need of current repairs and as to the occurrence of unforeseen emergencies, the trustees ask an appropriation of $500. for the year 1938 to cover the cost of such repairs to the exterior and interior of the building and to its fix- tures and furnishings as may from time to time be necessary. During 1937 the Library grounds were greatly improved by the installation of a semi-circular drive- way and cement walks and grass plots. This work was done through a Works Progress Administration appro- priation and has not been entirely completed. It is hoped that it may be completed during the present year.
The Librarian's report shows an increase over the preceding year both in the number of new books added to the Library and in circulation, with an increase in
112
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
the number of borrowers' cards issued. The trustees wish to record their appreciation of the gift of books from the late Mrs. Charles Mitchell and from Mr. Erskine H. Cox and of the Asa Palmer French Memorial, all of which are referred to in the Librarian's report. The magazines purchased with the income of the fund estab- lished by Mr. Cox in memory of Mrs. Ethelwyn M. C. Cox have throughout the period since the establishment of the fund proved a very helpful and worthwhile addition to the Library's means of service.
During the year Mr. Frank W. Belcher resigned the office of treasurer after giving the Library many years of faithful and painstaking service in that capacity. For- tunately, he still remains a trustee. He was succeeded as treasurer by Mrs. Mollie F. Howard.
The trustees desire to express their thanks for the loyal and efficient work of the librarian, Miss Eunice L. Belcher, and her assistants, Mrs. Ellen P. Henry and Miss Helen Elden, and of Miss Barbara Hill, who became a member of the Library staff after Miss Elden's resigna- tion, and of the janitor, Mr. John T. Moore. The trustees were very sorry to lose Miss Elden's services.
A copy of each of the following reports is hereunto subjoined: the report of the Librarian; the report of the Treasurer showing the investment of the funds and the receipts and expenditures of the library; and the report of the Finance Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
SETH T. CRAWFORD President, Board of Trustees.
Randolph, Mass., January 26, 1938.
113
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN OF
TURNER FREE LIBRARY
To the Trustees of the Turner Free Library:
I have the honor to submit the annual report of the Librarian for the year ending December 31, 1937.
The Library has been open to the public 302 days.
There have been 375 books added the past year, 274 purchased and 101 gifts, making the accession number 34,398.
The circulation is larger than last year, 29,993 books. having been loaned, and 1296 magazines. Borrowers' cards issued, 317.
Among the gifts received were several volumes from. the late Mrs. Charles Mitchell:
Twelve volumes - Waverly Novels
Twenty
Bulwers Novels of Romance
Fifteen
Beacon Lights of History
Four " Maine Coast Romances
Fifteen " Stoddard's Lectures
Eighteen
Balzac's Works
From Mr. Erskin H. Cox, "Fourscore Years of Sport" by Kendall. We also have Mr. Cox to thank for the follow- ing magazines given by him in memory of Mrs. Ethelwyn. M. C. Cox: "Readers Digest", "World Wide", "Flower Grower", and "Time".
We have added to our list of magazines, "The Amer -- ican Home" and "Time".
114
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
In accordance with the provisions of the Asa Palmer French Memorial, we received from the Yale Press, "Colonial Period of American History" by Charles M. Andrews, an engraving of the Capital at Washington by Louis Orr, also the privilege of purchasing a limited selection of books at half price.
In February Miss Helen Elden resigned to take a position in Boston. We regretted her going, as she had shown great ability. We have secured Miss Barbara Hill as a helper, and she is taking much interest in her work.
The Librarian wishes to thank Miss Henry and Miss Hill for their help and loyalty, also the Trustees for their co-operation and interest.
Respectfully submitted,
EUNICE L. BELCHER, Librarian.
115
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF . THE. TREASURER
To the Trustees of the Turner Free Library:
In compliance with the requirements of the By-Laws, I hereby submit the annual report of the Treasurer of the Turner Free Library:
There has been a depreciation of $503.00 in the nor- mal income of the funds the past year, seven companies having omitted or reduced some of their interest or dividends.
Income Receipts
Turner Fund
$499.22
R. W. Turner Fund
586.41
Remaining Funds
208.11
Brockton Gas Light Company
433.34
Fines and Collections
163.38
Randolph Savings Bank Dividend
39.00
Randolph Trust Company Savings Account Dividend
15.96
1,945.42
Balance Income January 1, 1937
Checking Account
741.72
Randolph Savings Bank
1,300.00
Randolph Trust Company
639.82
2,681.54
$4,626.96.
Disbursements
Books
443.52
Periodicals
15.00
Rebinding Books
41.83
116 .
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Librarian
649.98
Assistants
416.70
Janitor
300.00
Electricity
235.88
Safe Deposit Box Rent
10.00
Fuel
239.75
Printing
14.00
Telephone
19.69
Insurance
41.48
Supplies
2.04
Sundries
30.73
Repairs
3.40
Charges, Turner Fund
4.25
Charges, R. W. Turner Fund
.83
Charges, Remaining Funds
41.73
$2,510.81
Balance Income January 1, 1938
Randolph Trust Company Checking Account
176.33
Randolph Savings Bank
1,300.00
Randolph Trust Company
639.82
2,116.15
$4,626.96
The Turner Fund is invested in:
Par
Book
1 Pere Marquette R. R. Co. bond,
4% - 1956
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
2 Pere Marquette R. R. Co. bonds,
5% - 1956
2,000.00
2,000.00
3 Pere Marquette R. R. Co. bonds,
5% - 1956
300.00
300.00
3 Union Pacific R. R. Co. bonds, 4% - 1947
1,500.00
1,500.00
117
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
1 American Tel. & Tel. Co. bond,
51/2 % - 1943
1,000.00
1,017.50
1 Boston Terminal Co. bond, 31/2 % - 1947
1,000.00
1,040.00
10 shares Consolidated Edison Co. of N. Y.
None
902.16
10 shares Consolidated Edison Co. of N. Y.
None
None
33 shares Union Pacific R. R. Co. pfd.
3,300.00
3,300.00
Deposit in Randolph Savings Bank
1,324.82
1,324.82
$11,424.82
$12,384.48
The Royal W. Turner Fund is invested in:
3 Philadelphia Co. bonds, 5% - 1967 $3,000.00
$2,946.00
2 Indianapolis Power and Light Co. bonds, 5% - 1957
2,000.00
1,924.00
2 Chicago Rock Island & Pacific R. R. 4% - 1934
2,000.00
1,799.27
5 New York Tel. Company bonds,
41/2 % - 1939
5,000.00
5,000.00
2 Rio Grande Western R. R. Co. bonds,
4% - 1949
2,000.00
1,596.01
2 Green Mountain Power Co. bonds, 5% - 1948
2,000.00
2,100.00
20 shares California Packing Corp.
None
1,247.32
10 shares Illinois Central R. R. Co.
1,000.00
1,162.74
10 shares Southern Railway Co.
1,000.00
1,067.41
2 shares N. Y. Central R. R. Co.
200.00
200.00
1 share N. Y. Central R. R. Co.
100.00
107.00
2 shares Consolidated Edison Co. of N. Y.
None
150.00
2 shares Consolidated Edison Co. of N. Y.
None
None
1 share California Packing Corp.
50.00
None
Deposit in Randolph Savings Bank
384.34
384.34
$19,734.34 $20,889.75
The Remaining Funds are invested in:
2 Atlantic Coast Line R. R. bonds,
4% - 1952
$2,000.00
$2,090.00
40 shares First National Bank
500.00
2,455.00
Deposit Randolph Savings Bank
561.25
561.25
$3,061.25
$5,106.25
118
10 shares N. Y. Central R. R. Co.
1,000.00
1,205.66
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
CHANGES IN INVESTMENTS
Turner Fund
Randolph Savings Bank, withdrawn
Bought 1 bond Boston Terminal Company Loss in Par Value $40.00
$1,040.00 1,040.00.
Royal W. Turner Fund
Sold 2 bonds Brooklyn Manhattan Transit Company $2,100.00
Deposited in Randolph Savings Bank 2,100.00
Randolph Savings Bank, withdrawn
2,100.00
Bought 2 bonds Green Mountain Power Company
2,100.00
California Packing Corp.
Received 1 Preferred share as extra dividend 50.00
Gain in Par Value $ 50.00 Gain in Book Value 277.50
Remaining Funds
Sold 5 bonds Boston Elevated Railway
$5,106.25
Bought 40 shares First National Bank 2,455.00 2 bonds Atlantic Coast Line R. R. 2,090.00 Deposited in Randolph Savings Bank 561.25
$5,106.25
Loss in Par Value $1,938.75 Gain in Book Value 106.25
Bills Paid by Town of Randolph Under Town Appropriation of $700.
John T. Boyle, Painting
$ 25.00
Dykeman Electric Co., Wiring and Fixtures
382.54
A. G. Squire, Repairs
3.90
Carl Haefele, Repairs
110.00
R. E. O'Brien, Repairs
8.46
Casper H. Martin, Painting
16.25
John R. Boothby, Repairs
18.60
George Mellon, Repairs
8.00
F. J. Curran, Repairs
5.40
$578.15
Respectfully Submitted
MOLLIE FORBES HOWARD,
Treasurer
119
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
To the Trustees of the Turner Free Library:
Your committee has audited the accounts of the Treasurer for the year 1937 and found them correct. All moneys received have been duly accounted for and no moneys have been paid out except upon vouchers properly approved. The committee has examined also, the securities representing the investment of funds of the Library and has found them to be intact and as represented.
Respectfully submitted, RAYMOND L. MASON Chairman
Randolph, Mass. January 17, 1938.
120
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Report of the Board of Health
The health of the town, with reference to contagious disease, has shown a marked improvement over that of other years, due to the operation of several factors the influence of which we are now feeling. For instance Diphtheria is now a rare disease, and we predict that in a few years the student of medicine will find it difficult to supplement his textbook study with a few actual cases of this disease. Under the aus- pices of this board all children of pre-school age were invited to participate in the benefits of the Diphtheria clinic recently held in the Town Hall and in the N. R. C. C. Hall.
The number of persons availing themselves of this privilege (i. e. a life-time immunity) is not a proper index of the number of persons who have been thus immunized, because the modern mother is beginning to have her baby immunized by her family doctor at a very early age. It is estimated that fully 90 per cent of all children in our town 4 years of age or older have been immunized.
The Chadwick follow up clinic for T. B. contacts, children reacting to the skin test for T. B. or showing enlarged glands in the space between the lungs, has placed such children under regular supervision, and as far as our finances permit and having in mind the lim- ited capacity of the hospital, these children have been given the benefit of the summer camp at the Norfolk County Hospital. But for the whole-hearted assistance
121
ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
of the local chapter of the Red Cross this board would not have been able to care for some of these children. Of course if our finances permitted it would be ideal to send many more worthy cases to this camp, but as it is we are obliged to send those children, who, thru the fine co-operation of the School Nurse and the Vis- iting Nurse, are considered to be the most urgent cases. The benefits of this short period of camp-life must be observed to be appreciated.
The number of Scarlet Fever cases has been con- siderably less than in some recent years. Measles, of one type or another, Mumps, Whooping-cough and Chicken Pox are always with us, and only a small per- centage are seen by a physician. There is an unfortunate tendency to regard these as only the natural heritage of children and not requiring medical attention. It should be borne in mind that the complications of these diseases such as kidney glandular infection, and Broņ- chial Pneumonia, one visit by your doctor would re- sult in a much better understanding of these things and prevent the spread of these diseases.
Due to expert medical supervision and pasteuriza- tion of milk, only one case of Typhoid Fever appeared in our midst. The source of this infection was not our com- mon water supply and could not in any way be traced to any article of food offered for sale in our town.
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