USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1915 > Part 2
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While it was the most expensive year in the history of the Department, the character of the work performed combined with the improved industrial conditions, give basis for a hope that 1916 will prove less burdensome.
We are confronted, however, with crowded conditions at the City Home that appear to require an early addition thereto, conforming to suggestions from the State Board of Charity. Plans and specifications of this addition have already been drawn, estimates obtained, and all will be submitted for your consideration very shortly.
School Department
Growth in the School Department measures to a very large degree the growth of a community, and Attleboro certainly has reason to consider its increase in school population little short of remarkable.
It is shown nowhere more strikingly than in the high school, the interest in which has undoubtedly been stimulated by the new building and the addi- tion of equipment and practical courses of instruction. An enrollment of 256 in 1909 increased to 305 in March, 1914, when the new high school opened, and according to latest figures is 410,-in other words, an increase in the past two years of more than twice that of the preceding five years. While to prophesy in these times is rash, I venture to state that by the fall of 1918 an addition to the new high school will have to be under way, so that we should have this in mind in arranging our financial obligations in the years just ahead. It is creditable to parents and pupils alike that this modern educa- tional plant has so strongly appealed to them, and it represents a tremendous influence in the life and growth of the city.
It is manifest that the current needs of this department merely to take care of the normal increase in the school population, mean a considerable addition to our annual budget.
Health Department
The work of this department has been noticeably more extended and thorough during the past year, but your attention is called at this time to two particular features thereof as especially worthy of commendation and encouragement. I refer to the tuberculosis clinic, in the conduct of which the health officer was assisted both by the Anti-Tuberculosis Society and the Attleborough Hospital, and the satisfactory beginning made in expert ex- amination and test of our milk supply.
The detailed report of the chemist of the health department should be read by every consumer, and the facts indicated thereby should cause milk consumers to encourage dealers in clean milk by patronizing such-decreasing business will soon discourage those who do not or will not try to conform to the standard-indeed, several have already gone out of business.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Recreation
Those of you who have observed the use and enjoyment of Capron Park during the past year will be in hearty accord with my opinion that no money which the city expends returns better dividends than the appropriation for this particular purpose, and that the tax payers will not begrudge a small but needful addition to the amount raised from general taxation for this purpose.
We are required by the terms of this gift to appropriate at least $2000 per annum in addition to the income from the Capron Fund, which can be relied on to provide about $1500 annually. A total of $4000 could be used judiciously and effectively in caring for Capron Park, indeed, such an amount is well nigh imperative if its appearance and advantages are to be maintained.
The introduction of supervised play-grounds has more than justified itself, and this innovation drew heavily on the regular Capron Park appro- priation, which was not increased over former years to meet this particular feature. The temporary arrangements on the East side worked out very satisfactorily, but we should consider not only the question of a permanent location in that section of the city, but also a small annual appropriation therefor as this work was carried on during the past year entirely by private subscription, a continuance of which cannot be assured.
I am heartily in accord with the suggestion of the Park Commissioners that we make a tardy though very slight recognition of the generosity of Mr. Joseph Finberg and expend $100 on the playground bearing his name at the junction of Park and Bishop Streets.
Public Library
Our public library is everywhere recognized as unusual in its equipment and in the character of its work, and for its development we are indebted to a very marked degree to the efficient and capable services of Miss Eugenia M. Henry, whose attainments attracted attention elsewhere and have drawn her into a larger field.
While mindful of her contribution to the library's growth and usefulness and deeply regretting her departure, yet it has been our good fortune to secure in her place, one of Attleboro's own daughters, who has had special training for this work and has already demonstrated her ability, seconded by a com- petent corps of assistants, to make the library of increased value to the com- munity.
The contemplated branch in South Attleboro has not as yet been opened, but it is recognized as a highly desirable extension of the library's sphere of service, and plans under consideration to this effect should be consummated at an early date.
PUBLIC WORKS
Sewer Department
One of the most aggravating and baffling problems which we have had to contend with during the past year, has been the straightening out of the sewer assessment proposition. What has appeared in the press from time to time relative to special legislation obtained at the State House, action by the Council in apportioning assessments, and legal procedure by the City Solicitor, gives but a glimpse of the detail that has been involved in reaching a proper adjustment, which, I am happy to say is now well nigh concluded.
This opportunity is welcomed of making public acknowledgement of my appreciation of the long, arduous hours of voluntary labor devoted by Miss Elsie M. Dearborn to the task of reconciling both the town and city financial records of the sewer assessments.
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ANNUAL REPORT
It is decidedly unfortunate that there is not some method of requiring abuttors to connect with the sewer system before it seems necessary, from the standpoint of health, to make this demand. As it operates at present, although in every case where streets have been repaired the abuttors were first notified of this intent and requested to connect with the sewer, yet several have held off, resulting in more expense to the city and more expense to the individual-for the latter eventually has to bear the expense of putting the highway into condition and maintaining it for six months.
Water Department
Attention to the size of water mains in certain sections of this city is essential, else we are likely to have a repetition of the experience at the Holden Street fire of last year, and the Mulberry Street fire of two years ago, with possibilities of more disastrous results.
Our supply of water, and the pressure is ample, but in certain sections of the city the volume of water delivered at the hydrant is inadequate, owing to the size of the supply.
Our street pipe plans, showing the size of the pipe should be verified, as it has been demonstrated that those now on file in the department are not always to be relied upon. For instance, as a result of the investigation of the Holden Street fire above mentioned it was found that a 6 inch main is laid in front of the Sheffield residence on North Main Street, whereas, the street plan indicates a 10 inch pipe at this place.
A detailed recommendation of the necessary changes, with the expense involved, has been prepared by the Superintendent of Public Works with the aid of the Chief of the Fire Department, and will be submitted to the Council for consideration at an early date.
Highways
There seems to have been a widely prevalent impression that existing conditions, no matter of how long standing, and for which there is reason for complaint, should be adjusted the first year of this administration.
This is particularly true of our streets. Each section, very naturally perhaps, expects that its wants and needs shall have immediate attention regardless of what the other demands may be upon the department, and apparently not realizing that it is both financially and physically impossible to correct all the causes for complaint.
There is no disposition on the part of the city officials to neglect or ig- nore any particular locality. In fact, I have had constant evidence all through the year of the desire to make what we have to spend go just as far as it can possibly be made to, for the greatest good of the greatest number, giving ear always to demands or complaints whatever their nature may be.
No money expended by a municipality is more open to the criticism of waste and extravagance than that which is laid out on its highways. The results of money used in this department are so open to the inspection of every citizen that very often it happens that lack of economy in other public expenditures, not so apparent to the public eye, is overlooked.
It has been my policy to keep very closely in touch with the work of the highway department during the past year, and the opinion here expressed that the year closes with our streets in reasonably satisfactory condition, indeed real progress of more than transitory nature made in the care thereof, is buttressed by the unbiased comments of many who have occasion to make the most use of our highways.
It does not appear needful to go into details at the present time except to call attention to the fact that the main ways of egress from the city ap- pear to be in good condition with the exception of Park Street from the San- itarium to Briggs Corner and one side of North Avenue, and also to remind
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ANNUAL REPORT
our citizens that two fairly important problems of drainage have been taken care of; first in the erstwhile swamp-hole at the junction of Park and Emory Streets, and secondly, Fifth Street now properly drained from the high school elevation and the descending streets in the rear.
To my mind one of the most pleasing features of the work in this depart- ment is the development along practical lines of some of our local young men who have had technical training.
It is clear to anyone familiar with conditions on certain unaccepted streets or portions thereof that these should receive attention from the city just as soon as the abuttors comply with the equitable requirements estab- lished by the Municipal Council during the past year relative to the prep- aration of such streets for acceptance.
In my opinion careful consideration should be given this year to the possibility of establishing a method of street sprinkling or dust laying assess- ment such as prevails in a number of Massachusetts municipalities. The burden on each abuttor is comparatively small but it is manifest to anyone that a fair adjustment of this expense would assess it at least in part on those directly benefited thereby, and not depend upon general taxation for this particular service which does not reach a very considerable number of property owners.
Reports from 18 municipalities of this state indicate that 14 levy such a tax, varying from 11/2 cents to 10 cents per front foot, according to size, construction and location of street and cost of application. Obviously it will require the exercise of very careful judgment in devising and executing such a plan.
I requested the Superintendent of Public Works, when submitting his report, to outline as far as possible, and at the same time estimate the ulti- mate cost of, all prospective work that has been considered during the present and previous years, giving serious attention to the problem of relaying and extending water pipes in order to increase both supply and fire protection, to make some definite recommendations as to surface drainage, which is one of the large problems ahead of us, also to include our probable bridge require- ments, which were forcibly brought to our attention this year in the condi- tions found at Deantown and Tiffany streets,-emergencies requiring im- mediate attention and expenditures not contemplated nor even thought of at the beginning of the year. We have already had specific data as to the cost of paving the so-called "loop," and also the probable cost of widening South Main, Mill and Union streets, which should have attention before any move is made toward a permanent pavement in these localities.
All these figures are submitted at this time as practically a survey of what the city must to a large extent provide for in the years immediately ahead. It is our problem just now to determine where, when and how we shall make a beginning.
Obviously, very much of this work is of such a permanent nature that commonly accepted standards of municipal financing would pass a consid- erable portion of the burden on to posterity, but I re-assert my belief ex- pressed a year ago that posterity will have pressing demands for all muni- cipal improvements that it can well care for.
Advocacy of a raise in the tax rate is not a popular move. It would be a great deal easier for this administration to so finance municipal require- ments as to make a favorable showing this year both as to expenses and tax rate, but I am inclined to commend to the judgment of the Council and the opinion of our fellow citizens, who, at first thought, might not favor such a procedure, the wisdom of adopting and not merely talking about, a pay-as- you-go policy in this year 1916.
The addition of 90 cents to our tax rate, after caring for imperative current requirements which are quite likely to involve a small increase in the rate this year owing to the apparent improbability of a normal increase in valuation, would give us on our present valuation approximately $20,000
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ANNUAL REPORT
to use in municipal improvements of a semi-permanent or permanent nature, and not increase our bonded indebtedness nor interest charges.
Financed on a serial bond or note plan extended over ten years we should have spent at maturity of these obligations 22% more than the cost of the work involved,-extended over twenty years-42%. In other words, if we should borrow $20,000 for ten years at 4%, payable $2,000 per annum, we will have paid at maturity $20,000 principal and $4,400 interest, a total of $24,400,-if borrowed for twenty years at the same rate, the total interest charges would amount to $8,400, or a total expenditure on the part of the city of $28,400 for improvements costing $20,000.
A continuation of the pay-as-you-go policy, always keeping in mind that around $20 is about the maximum figure that we ought to consider as a tax rate, would materially reduce from year to year our interest obligations amounting at present to over $50,000 per annum, or nearly ten cents of every dollar we spent last year.
Our present tax rate of $19.20 per thousand, is less than that of any other city in the state anywhere near our size with the exception of Beverly, and the latter's low rate of $16.20 is accounted for by its unusually high valuation of over $44,000,000, occasioned largely by the United Shoe Ma- chinery Company, and the number of wealthy residents it attracts as a sum- mer place. The valuation rates of other cities referred to are as follows:
Valuation
Rate
Woburn
$12,923,854
$24.50
Melrose.
18,970,000
23.70
Revere.
23,421,350
23.60
Leominster.
13,763,095
22.00
Gloucester
26,229,746
21.60
Marlboro.
11,000,160
21.50
Newburyport
12,217,950
21.00
Medford.
31,019,150
20.80
Northampton
18,795,651
20.20
Beverly
44,700,189
16.20
It may be well to remind you that Attleboro's present valuation is $22,374,610.
It is manifestly very easy to draw erroneous conclusions, either favor- able or unfavorable, as the case may be, from the comparison of valuations and tax rates, and it is obvious that the treatment of Attleboro's problem of municipal expenses must be considered almost entirely from the stand- point of Attleboro's peculiar requirements and needs, having always before us, however, the very definite and fixed policy of scrupulous care and econ- omy in municipal borrowings. Our present financial status in the eyes of the outside world is most excellent; otherwise, we could not have gone into the market, as we did recently, and borrow for six months in anticipation of taxes at a rate slightly in excess of 2 1-6% per annum. In considering the work of the various departments for the present year, I conclude as I began with the all important question of finance.
Thus is presented to you in somewhat hurried and brief detail the con- ditions that appear to confront us at the opening of Attleboro's second year as a city. We face this year with more courage and enthusiasm than we felt a year ago at this time, for the industrial situation,-which was then a mat- ter of grave concern, and which has troubled us not a little during the past year, one of the most, if not the most, depressed in the history of this com- munity,-is undeniably much improved. We caught a vision in the closing months of 1915 of what we confidently hope is to be the outcome of the new year, which opens with very tangible evidences of business prosperity in our midst.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Our industrial development is still constantly in mind even with the ap- proach of more nearly normal times in our principal product; numerous prospective new industries have been thoroughly investigated during the past year with the result that but one so far has seemed to offer encouraging possibilities and just at present determined efforts are being made to establish this here on a sound and substantial basis. It may be well to reiterate at this time some sentiments expressed a year ago to the effect that local in- vestors cannot be attracted by speculative manufacturing enterprises and are not philanthropically disposed to assist outside propositions which have not already demonstrated their worth in some degree and whose sponsors are not prepared to furnish financial evidence of their faith in the project. There is more than many appear to think in the suggestion that some of our energy along these lines should be devoted to encouraging and strengthening such industries as we already have in our midst.
I cannot conclude my remarks this evening without giving renewed expression of my deep appreciation of the unfailing spirit of harmony and co-operation that has characterized your body during the past year in its relations with the chief executive office of the city. Rarely is it given to an individual to be accorded the support with which you have favored me in practically every suggestion that has been advanced during the past year. Considered in the light of the conflicts between Council and Mayor in various cities that are set forth on numerous occasions in the public press, our ex- perience here has been an exceptional one worthy of note, and I am very glad to make this public acknowledgment of my obligations to you.
The prospect of another year's service in company with you, having in view only the best interests of the city of which we are justly proud, main- taining its civic and industrial vigor, scrupulously careful of the expenditure of its funds and endeavoring to place it high on the roll of Massachusetts municipalities, is inviting and full of possibilities for effective accomplish- ment.
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ANNUAL REPORT
TREASURER'S REPORT
To His Honor the Mayor, and the Municipal Council :-
Gentlemen :-
I herewith submit the annual report of the finances of the City of Attle- boro, for the year ending Dec. 31, 1915, together with a statement showing the amount which the city is within the debt limit, a classified statement of the debt, and the amount of interest and debt to be paid in 1916.
1919
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1915:
Revenue. .
$18,117.06
Non-Revenue 38,921.80
Revenue Receipts.
1,102,727.78 183
$57,038.86 $1,035,930.96-
7 7.797. 78 $1,092,969.82
Revenue Payments . $1,039,195.72
Non-Revenue Payments 38,916.24
$1,078,111.96
Cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1915:
Revenue.
$14,852.30
Non-Revenue .
5.56
$14,857.86
$1,092,969.82
Debt Statement.
Gross City Debt, Dec. 31, 1915.
$1,468,300.00
Tax Notes issued during the year.
423,500.00
$1,891,800.00
Paid on above debt during the year.
474,300.00
Gross City Debt, Dec. 31, 1915.
Less Sinking Fund Assets :- - Water Department. General Department. . Sewer Assessment Invest- ment Fund.
$132,112.47 65,136.70
108,977.25
$306,226.42
$1,111,273.58
Net City Debt, Dec. 31, 1915
$1,417,500.00
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ANNUAL REPORT
The total Debt is as follows :- Water Bonds:
4% Bonds due Jan. 1, 1919. . $20,000.00
312% Bonds due Apr. 1, 1921. . 20,000.00
312% Bonds due Jan. 1, 1921. . 10,000.00
4% Bonds due Oct. 1, 1922. .
25,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1923 . .
35,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1924 . . 40,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1926. . 25,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1927 . . 10,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1928. . 13,000.00
312% Bonds due July 1, 1929 15,000.00
312% Bonds due July 1, 1930
12,000.00
312% Bonds due Apr. 1, 1932 30,000.00 4% Bonds due Oct. 1, 1933 . . 30,000.00
4% Bonds due Oct. 1, 1934 . . 20,000.00
31/2% Bonds due Mar. 1, 1935
100,000.00
312% Bonds due Nov. 1, 1935 4% Bonds due Apr. 1, 1916- 1934
38,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1916- 1918
5,000.00
4% Bonds due Jan. 1, 1917- 1919 5,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1916- 1928. 28,500.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1929- 1940
24,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1916- 1930
15,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1916- 1941
29,000.00
$599,500.00
Sewer Bonds,
4% Bonds due July 1, 1916- 1925. 4% Bonds due July 1, 1916- 1927. 4% Bonds due July 1, 1916- 1938 4% Bonds due July 1, 1925- 1932
$65,000.00
60,000.00
37,000.00
50,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1932- 1940
50,000.00
4% Bonds due July 1, 1928- 1942 75,000.00 4% Bonds due Oct. 1, 1916- 1941 84,000.00
$421,000.00
4% Highway Bonds due June 1,1916. 40,000.00 312% School House Bonds due Nov. 1, 1920. 30,000.00
4% Fire Engine Station Bonds due May 1, 1916- 1920 19,000.00
50,000.00
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ANNUAL REPORT
4% High School Building Bonds due Aug. 1, 1916- 1932 148,000.00
Time Notes:
Bliss School House, 4%, due May 1, 1916-1919. $20,000.00
Tiffany School House, 4% due May 20, 1916-1918. . 15,000.00
$35,000.00
Tax Notes:
Notes dated Sept. 17, 1915 and due Mar. 17, 1916, discounted at 2.59%. . . . $50,000.00
Notes dated Dec. 20, 1915 and due June 20, 1916, discounted at 2.27%. $50,000.00
Notes dated Dec. 28, 1915
and due June 28, 1916,
discounted at 2.17% . . . . 25,000.00
$125,000.00
$1,417,500.00
Less Sinking Funds,
$306,226.42
$1,111,273.58
Amount of debt authorized by Special Laws and not subject to the debt limitations.
Water Bonds
Sewer Bonds
$599,500.00 421,000.00 125,000.00
Anticipation of tax notes.
$1,145,500.00
Less Water Sinking Fund and
Sewer Assessment In
vestment Fund
$241,089.72
$904,410.28
Net debt, subject to debt limitations. $206,863.30
Debt limit, (212% of the average valuation for the past three years) . . . . Borrowing capacity Jan. 1, 1916.
$527,079.75
$320,216.45
Classified statement of debt and amount to be paid on debt and interest during the year 1916.
Amount Jan. 1, 1916 Principal
Interest
Water Bonds.
$599,000.00 $11,000.00
$22,615.00
Sewer Bonds.
421,000.00 18,000.00
16,560.00
School House Bonds.
30,000.00
1,050.00
High School Building Loan.
148,000.00 9,000.00 5,920.00
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ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Engine Station Bonds.
19,000.00
3,800.00
684.00
Highways Bonds
40,000.00
40,000.00
800.00
Time Notes:
Bliss School House
20,000.00
5,000.00
700.00
Tiffany School House
15,000.00
5,000.00
500.00
Tax Notes
125,000.00
125,000.00
Discounted
$1,417,000.00
$216,800.00
$48,829.00
FRANK I. BABCOCK, City Treasurer.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council :-
I herewith submit a statement of the Deborah Starkey Fund:
Balance in Fund, Jan. 1, 1915
$985.33
Received interest from City of Attleboro, 14.67
Received interest from in-
vestment in Attlebor-
ough Savings Bank to
Oct. 1, 1915. 12.50
$1,012.50
Balance in Fund, Jan. 1, 1916, on deposit in Attlebor- ough Savings Bank. $1,012.50
FRANK I. BABCOCK, Treasurer.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council :-
I herewith submit a statement of the receipts and disbursements of the Water Loan Sinking Fund and General Loan Sinking Fund of the City of Attleboro for the year 1915, together with a table showing investments held by the same.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK I. BABCOCK, Treasurer.
WATER LOAN SINKING FUND.
Cash Account. Receipts.
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1915 ... Interest on investments. . Interest on deposits.
$924.48
$5,476.28
36.71
City of Attleboro Water Bonds paid July 1, 1915. 2,000.00
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ANNUAL REPORT
First National Bank of Attle- boro, certificate of De- posit at 4%. Mortgage note dated Dec. 16 1914
3,000.00
1,000.00
Yearly appropriation for Sinking Fund. 10,000.00
Transfer of investments to General Loan 'Sinking Fund. 4,450.00
25,962.99
Disbursements $26,887.47
Disbursements.
City Treasurer of Attleboro, note dated Mar. 24, 1915 and due Nov. 24, 1915 at 4%
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