USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1916 > Part 7
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93
ANNUAL REPORT
Amount of money collected by Commissioners $265.00
From an unknown source. 85.75
Total amount $350.75 Amount expended $679.70
Amount required to complete work about. $500.00
The problems of maintenance and upkeep of lawns, plantations, drives and paths varies to a considerable degree with the seasons, while the upkeep of buildings and other structures remain more or less constant. With the increased use of the Park by the public their proper maintenance becomes each year a question requiring closer study.
The City of Attleboro has but one park where other cities have several. We presume that they are no better fixed financially than Attleboro.
The popularity of the Park is increasing every year,-if the pa- tronage counts for anything. There were twice the number in 1916 than in 1915,-the patronage will increase with the attractions.
The Commissioners are laboring under difficulties owing to lack of funds. If the athletic field could have been finished last fall we could have gotten in the grass seed two or three weeks earlier. It is doubtful if it can be seeded in time to make a tough greensward when needed.
The commissioners think it would be a good idea if one member of the Planning Board and one of the Council would take a day and visit parks in other cities and see what is being done and how many men it takes to do it, and at what cost.
The tool house has been shingled and painted,-the remainder of buildings need painting.
There was a house built in one corner of the shelter, adjoining ladies' toilet, for the supervisors of the Playground to keep their equipment. Before it was built they used the grain room in the animal house which was not a proper place. The house takes up but a small space, looks all right and is much more convenient.
After paying for electric lights, supervisors, grain for zoo, fer- tilizer, upkeep of buildings, and pay for labor there is but very little left for permanent improvements. We need a special appropriation for permanent improvements.
Playground.
The Park Commissioners were fortunate in acquiring two efficient supervisors, Miss Charlotte Davenport and Harold S. DeGroat. Miss Davenport was elected to the position of supervisor for the season of 1915 and 1916.
Our boys and girls look down on the chap who does not play fair and he or she is quickly ostracized from the playground until he learns the golden rule-do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This lesson learned best of all in childhood is taken through life and will have a great bearing on the lives of our citizens of the future.
One of the Park Commissioners interviewed Mayor Sweet in re- gard to installing some playground fixtures on the Finberg Playground. Mr. Sweet was given the estimate cost and said to go ahead and have it done and have the bill sent to his office. Mr. Sweet must have paid the bill as the auditor could not produce any.
94
ANNUAL REPORT
The park department has had considerable trouble with van- dalism. There has been several trees broken down, plants pulled up, glass broken out and other mischievous acts. There will have to be something done besides talk, with some a little talking to has the desired effect, with others talking amounts to nothing. As soon as your back is turned they will repeat the same offence. The only way to stop it is to make a few arrests. The fact is the bad boys have got to be frightened in order to put a stop to it.
There are two permanent improvements the Park Commissioners are anxious to make in 1917. One is to improve the looks of the island in the lake by stoning up the outside with cobble stone laid in cement with green grass on the outside with a walk and flowers in center sur- rounding tree. It is unsightly in its present condition. There will have to be a fence around the outside to keep the ducks off, with a rustic bridge leading from drive to island, a distance of about twenty feet.
A granolithic walk leading from Pierian rustic house to zoo is very much needed. It is impossible to keep it from washing and we have to spend considerable time on it every year.
Zoo.
Mr. McNealy, curator of Franklin Park Zoo, secured a black bear for Capron Park on condition that the Park Commissioners pay the express. It arrived December 21st, 1916. It will be a great attrac- tion next summer.
The Commissioners have been asked by several people, what becomes of the animals during the winter? The monkeys are sent back where they come from-New York-as we have no facilities for keeping them. They require a warm place.
Commissioner Anderson takes charge of the bear, also peacock, and a pair of guinea hens. Supt. Bushee cares for pigeons, guinea pigs, and some of the rabbits. Mr. Finberg volunteered to take two pair to his farm, one fair of fancy and one pair of English lop-eared. The Park has six varieties of rabbits.
Attleboro, Mass., December 15, 1916.
Board of Park Commissioners, Attleboro, Mass.,
Gentlemen :-
I am now authorized to advise you that the recently completed wading pool at Capron Park is the gift of Gertrude Hunton Sweet in memory of her parents, Albert K. and Mary J. Hunton, late of Detroit, Michigan.
The only conditions attending the gift are as follows :-
First,-that it shall be named "The Hunton Pool."
Second,-that Mrs. Sweet shall be allowed to place at some suit- able point a bronze tablet bearing the following inscription :-
DEDICATED TO THE CHILDREN OF ATTLEBORO IN MEMORY OF HER FATHER AND MOTHER BY GERTRUDE HUNTON SWEET 1916.
Very truly Yours.
HAROLD E. SWEET, Mayor.
95
ANNUAL REPORT
Donations.
Clarence Richards
6 Shrubs
T. G. Hasler
3 Maples
Master Hayward Sweet
Pair of Belgium Hares
Pierian Club
Replaced a tree
Mrs. Rhind
Rabbit
James E. Blake
Load of rose bushes
Mr. King
Geraniums and astors
Mr. Vose
Plants
Mrs. George E. Hannah
Plant
The Park has had one permanent improvement of the greatest importance this year and that is the up to date sanitary wading pool, the generous gift of Gertrude Hunton Sweet, donated to the City in memory of her father and mother.
This is a concrete basin 40 x 60 feet to be filled from the city main and emptied as required into the pond. The children who have used the dirty duck pond for a bathing pool will bless the donor for such an admirable present.
The Park Commissioners desire to thank Mrs. Sweet most sin- cerely for a gift which will bring the greatest happiness to the little ones. If the citizens of Attleboro have any doubt they should visit the Park some warm day next summer.
The Park Commissioners herewith submit their report on July 4th celebration for the year 1916.
Appropriation
$500.00
$500.00
LeClair's Band
100.00
Fireworks Sales Co.
230.00
Sun Publishing Co., printing
5.25
Saart Bros. Co., loving cups.
39.51
The Robbins Co., athletic bars
17.25
Frank H. M. Grath.
5.00
E. O. Dexter, plaster paris
.65
H. S. DeGroat, miscellaneous expenses
13.85
W. J. Bucklin, starter.
2.50
Brigham Eng. Co., cups.
5.60
L. C. Balfour Co., medals.
15.00
John E. Anderson, labor and teaming.
.. 22.86
$457.47
Balance
$42.50
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96
ANNUAL REPORT
The Park Commissioners recommend that the same amount,- Five Hundred Dollars ($500) be appropriated for the 4th of July celebration for 1917. The contract for fire works was $250. but owing to the fact that there was a shortage of 20 pieces less than contract called for the Commissioners got a rebate of $20.00.
Respectfully submitted
CHARLES A. MOOERS, JOHN E. ANDERSON, . SOLON D. BUSHEE,
Park Commissioners.
Recommendation.
The Park Commissioners ask for an appropriation of $5000.00 for the year 1917.
For completing athletic field. $500
For maintenance 3500
Permanent improvements 1000
$5000
97
ANNUAL REPORT
PLANNING BOARD
To His Honor, Harold E. Sweet, Mayor, and the Honorable City Council, of Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :-
In accordance with Chapter 494 of the Massachusetts Statutes the Attleboro City Planning Board herewith submits its second annual report.
The first meeting of the Board for 1916 was held on January 21st. As the membership was the same as during the previous year the routine work at once began.
Our first recommendation of the year was :-
(That a traffic zone be established for the regulation of vehicles.) We urged this on the ground of public convenience and safety.
We were pleased to find that this recommendation had the hearty support of the Mayor and Council, as well as that of the Chief of Police and Supt. of Public Works, and at an early meeting the Council passed an ordinance creating a traffic zone along the lines laid out by this Board.
Our next work of importance was in connection with our recom- mendation in last year's report. (That Union St. be widened from Pleasant St. to Mill St.)
After various hearings had been held and several communications had been received from the Post Office Authorities in regard to the land to be taken from the Post Office Grounds the City Council finally voted that this work should be done, and plans are now under way for widening this important thoroughfare.
A general Clean Up and Paint Week was urged by the Planning Board in May, and many citizens took advantage of the opportunity to have the City's teams help with the work of carrying away the rubbish and other debris from their premises.
The help of the Public Works Dept. and the daily papers was much appreciated in this work.
This Board also worked in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce in the School Garden Work, and many fine gardens were established by the children in all parts of the City.
During the year the City Council voted an appropriation of $100.00 for the use of the Planning Board. Up to this date we have expended only $13.50, which was for printing and postage.
In September Mr. Harlon P. Kelsey, Chairman of the Massachu- setts Federation of Planning Boards, made a short visit in Attleboro, and made a tour of the City with Mr. Finberg. Later he sent a letter giving a synopsis of his views on what the City Planning Board could do to improve the City.
98 1
ANNUAL REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS.
No. 1. South Main St.
We recommend that South Main St. be widened from Park St. to Mill St. so that it will be approximately 35 ft. from curb to curb in- stead of 27 ft. as now laid out. The accompanying blue-print from the Engineer's Office shows the changes which it will be necessary to make. We feel that this work can be done now at much less expense than later when more business blocks have been erected on this street.
No. 2. City Hall.
We again recommend that land be acquired for a City Hall, and we suggest that consideration be given the following sites :-
1. That portion of the Holman Homestead property fronting on Pleasant St. and extending down Holman St. about 200 ft., thence at right angles to Emory St. This giving us a lot about 200 ft. sq. with frontage on Pleasant St., Holman St. and Emory St.
2. The property at the corner of North Main St. and Dean St. now occupied by the houses of Miss Harriet Wilmarth and Miss Clarabel Blackington. These two properties would give a frontage on North Main St. of about 200 ft. and a frontage on Dean St. of about 190 ft. Blue-prints of these sites are attached.
No. 3. Cliff St.
We recommend that Cliff St. be continued through to Hayward St. and a bridge erected over the river.
This street would be used extensively by working people going to the factories, by teachers and pupils of the High School, and by the delivery wagons of our merchants.
We are sure if this street is extended and finished it will enhance the value of the adjacent property enough to reimburse the City for the expense incurred.
No. 4. Play Grounds.
We recommend that the City purchase the Sturdy Play Ground, and the land adjacent to it. In connection with this recommendation we would call your attention to the figures in the report of the Super- visor of the Play Grounds showing a total of 16085 children having at- tended the Play Grounds during the summer.
This is an average of 223 per day. This shows the necessity of having additional Play Grounds in other parts of the City. We par- ticularly suggest that a Play Ground be located in the vicinity of Pleasant St. so that it will take care of the children in that section of the City.
No. 5. Public Comfort Station.
The necessity of a Comfort Station in this City is urgent, and we quote a few sentences from a pamphlet which the Public Comfort Station Bureau of New York has recently issued :-
"The great trouble in the Public Comfort Station problem is false modesty and false economy, which originates from a wrong concep- tion of the problem.
99
ANNUAL REPORT
The false modesty is in putting a Comfort Station in isolated spots in dense clumps of bushes, etc., where people are afraid to make use of them.
The second mistake arises from a sense of false economy. In the anxiety to secure needed Comfort Stations many advocates have rec- ommended building a small Station at a cost so small, that they never are, or never can be, real Comfort Stations.
A real Comfort Station, the kind we would recommend, must not be hidden away in a lonesome place. It must be in the open, in full view of everybody, so those who pass along can see and understand the purpose of the building.
It should not be a little, dirty, dark, cold and repellant makeshift, but a good, big, roomy and comfortable building, warm in winter and cool in summer. A Public Comfort Station from our point of view should be a real convenient station, which will take care of all the needs of a community. In this building we can have a pay telephone booth, vending machines, weighing machines, boot-blacking chair, newspaper and periodical booth, public checking stands and pay lava- tories, so a great deal of the maintenance will pay for itself. We have suggested the making of Public Comfort Stations partly self-supporting because we believe every undertaking of this kind should be self- supporting whenever possible. We should not accept the plea how- ever, that the cost, under any consideration should prevent or delay the building of a Comfort Station. If there was nothing else to con- sider but the effect on health, that alone should turn the scale in favor of a Public Comfort Station."
And we recommend that the Mayor appoint one member from the City Engineer's Office and one member from the Board of Health to cooperate with the Planning Board in locating, designing and erecting a Public Comfort Station.
No. 6. Monument Square.
We would recommend, and public safety demands, that Monument Square be laid out as a one way thoroughfare, as per attached blue- print.
The present arrangement without restrictions is dangerous both to pedestrians and vehicles.
We would suggest that part of this space between Monument Square and the Railroad Arches be utilized as a location for a Comfort Station.
No. 7. City Survey.
We recommend that the Council authorize the drawing of a set of maps, giving a survey of the streets of Attleboro in detail, as there are none at present. Such maps would be of great value in planning for the future.
No. 8. Board of Survey.
We recommend that the Council appoint a Board of Survey in accordance with provisions of Chapter 190, of the acts of 1916.
The functions of a Board of Survey are to supervise the laying out and the construction of new streets so as to properly plan for future growth and development.
100
ANNUAL REPORT
We request an appropriation of $100.00 for carrying on the work of City Planning.
In closing this Board wishes to say that all citizens are welcome at our meetings which are held on the first Tuesday of each month at eight P. M. in the Mayor's Office, and any suggestions for the im- provement of the City will receive our attention.
We wish to thank the Mayor, the Council, the City Officers, and the press for their cooperation and courtesies which they have ex- tended to us during the year.
JOSEPH FINBERG, Chairman. GEORGE A. SWEENEY, Secretary. RAYMOND M. HORTON. MILFORD E. BLISS. MRS. JOSEPHINE HAMMOND. MRS. MARY G. MULLALY.
CITY OF ATTLEBORO, MASS. PLANNING BOARD SITE FOR A PROPOSED CITY HALL
PLAN SHOWING LAND ON PLEASANT
STREET
Belonging To D. Emory Holman December 1st 1916 SCALE IN FEET 70
ST.
ST.
HOLMAN
35
35'
12€800'
8
1 Frapound Street Line
34
Holman
Emory
D
125
and
125
125
ven
Proposed City Hall Site
MOREY
House #16
House $12Z
Total Area of this Let = 30,000 sq ft. Free of this Lot with Land Deducted for Street Widenings = 25,500 sq ft.
10' 8'
125
8.
Proposed Cure Lize
250
3
ST.
Periuskat
and
35
EMORY
curé
7'
COMMON
Taunton
ST.
126
PLEASANT
Proposed Curb Line
[ Prerasad Irget Line
D.Emory Holman Residence
cure
150
Norton
House #12
#14
34'
St. R.R.
Taunton
ST FR.
CITY OF ATTLEBORO, MASS. PLANNING BOARD
PLAN SHOWING PROPOSED LOCATION OF PUBLIC COMFORT STATION IN MONUMENT SQUARE
December 1st 1916 SCALE IN FEET
.
Taunton S. R12
ST.
E
W
T And P St RR.
ST.
EMORY
040
O
C
ILNIWANOW
Curb
Grass
Walk
Watering @ Trough
SUOIPI'S
Grass
Hapesed L or Watering Trough
STATION
Arch
Grasa
STaps
PLEASANT
BR
Street
Interstate
Curb
PARK
ST.
IS NOINN
NEW YORK NEW HAVEN AND HARTFORD RR. 4+00 N
COMMON
S3
curt
whois
No
PROPOSED
COMFORT
Propose :
South
CITY OF ATTLEBORO, MASS. PLANNING BOARD
N
PRELIMINARY PLAN FOR THE PROPOSED WIDENING OF SOUTH MAIN STREET
COUNTY ST. TO MILL ST.
December 20, 1916 Scale linch - 20 feet
RAILROAD
Railroad Station
Caroline Holden et al.
Mary A Munroe
Attleboro Steam YElectric Co
DRIVE TO STATION
MAIN
SOUTH
Briggs Hotel NOTE: This buildingis todos moved back in proposed stat line
C H Eden Co Factory
Briggs Hotel Annex
Fire Station
wwversalist
Universalet Church Society
Seth and Martha Briggs
Albert A Remington
City of Attleboro
Arse h j h
ST.
MILE
TEN
RIVER
Stores
Post Office
Sweeney Block
Sanford Block
Block
PARK ST.
Area to pataken : 39013A
Arsa Ta be Maken - fot # /P
25
Mary Sweeney et al.
Albert A Remington
Factory
JEBIOKe. Co Factory
NORTH MAIN ST.
Holden
COUNTY
CITY OF ATTLEBORO, MASS PLANNING BOARD SITE FOR A PROPOSED CITY HALL
PLAN SHOWING LAND ON
ST.
Elizabeth J Wilmarth
Aura un Ph warka ded
House
Barn
58 Facketal
Clara Blackington
Elizabeth J. Wilmarth
Attleboro Young Mons Gaston Association
Have.
House
YM C.A.
19
SANFORD ST.
ST.
MAIN
ST .
NORTH
MECHANICS
Court
House
HAYWARD ST.
.
Public Library
HE Sweet
N
W-
NORTH MAIN STREET BELONGING TO
Lamise.
Clara Blackington and Elizabeth J Wilmarth December 1, 19/6 Scale -1 inch. 20 feet
A M.Everett
DEAN
104
ANNUAL REPORT
POLICE DEPARTMENT
December 15, 1916.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Honorable Municipal Council of the City of Attleboro.
Gentlemen :-
I herewith submit, for your consideration, my first report as Chief of the Police Department for the year ending November 30, 1916.
Organization of the Police Department at the close of the year is as follows :-
Chief of Police,
Edmond H. Gingras.
3
Patrolmen,
Arthur F. Gaffney, John Bora, William J. Sargeant, Edward E. Gobin,
Terence E. Flanagan, William D. Norwood, Albert E. Sears, Charles W. Balser,
Franklin Mckay.
Reserve Officers,
Raymond A. Quinley, J. Harry Musick,
Louis J. Fournier, James F. Fahey.
105
ANNUAL REPORT
During the year 1916 the Police Department made five hundred and three arrests for the following crimes and misdemeanors:
Male Female
Male Female
Assault and battery .. 13
Disturbance 35
6
Assault to rape. 2
Drunkenness 203
14
Adultery 3
Delinquent children 12
2
Auto law, violation ... 38
Evading carfare 3
Fornication 1
1
family 5
Health law,
Attempt at larceny. 1
violating 7
Breaking and entering 2
Indecent exposure. ?
Bastardy 6
Idle and disorderly 2
City Ordinance,
Keeping disorderly
violation 13
· house 1
Cigarette law violation 5
dog 3
Common drunkard 3
Liquor nuisance. 4
1
Cruelty to animals. 4
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation 1
Common railer and
brawler
1
Riding on freight cars 5
Carrying concealed weapon
4
Rape
5
Stubborn child. 3
1
Larceny 26
3
Trespass on property 10
Trespass of fowl ... 1
Neglected children ... 6
1
Unmarked package 1
Uttering threats. 3
Vagrancy 1
Present at gaming. 2
Probation, violation .. 3
Practising medicine
316
26
without registration 1
156
5
316
26
472
31
31
Total arrests.
503
This is an increase of two hundred and one arrests over last year. The department has had more to work with than in former years,-the patrol wagon having filled a much needed want in the way of a conveyance for prisoners. It has also been of value in emergency calls for accidents and sickness when it became necessary to convey persons to the hospital without delay.
I desire to again call Your Honor's attention to the need of a signal system for the Police Department so there would be some means of communication between the officers on their beats and the police station. If the Gamewell System cannot be installed at this time because of the cost, then some other less expensive system that
1
Carrying revolver without permit. 2
Tramp 7
Malicious mischief. 2
Neglect to provide ... 13
Throwing glass in street 1
Obstructing firemen
at fire 1
Obstructing milk inspector 1
Weight law, viola-
tion of 4
Keeping unlicensed
Abandonment of
106
ANNUAL REPORT
will answer the purpose for the time being could and should be in- stalled. I do not believe that there is another town or city of the size of Attleboro that is paying its police for patrol work that has not some device that compels the officer to be in touch with the police station from different points on his route.
I would respectfully ask that Your Honor and the Municipal Council will consider and grant the officers of the Police Department an increase in wages this coming year. They ask that the wages of third year men and over be increased from two seventy-five per day to three dollars per day. They are obliged to buy their uniforms which in itself is quite an item, the cost of these has advanced along with other necessities.
I wish to call your attention to the last two Civil Service examin- ations which were held in Attleboro for the Police Department,-the applications for the position were not many. On making inquiry from different ones who had spoken of taking the examination and had not, two of the principal reasons for not doing so were that the hours were disagreeable and the compensation paid the officers was not enough when it is taken into consideration the uniforms they have to buy out of their wages and which have to be renewed quite often. I trust that Your Honor and the Municipal Council will see fit to grant this request.
Would recommend that the sum of Fifteen Thousand Nine Hun- dred and Twenty-one dollars be appropriated for the maintenance of the Police Department for the year 1917.
107
ANNUAL REPORT
Estimated Expenses of Police Department for 1917.
Salary of Chief of Police.
$1300.00
Salary of Lieutenant of Police.
1100.00
Wages of eight (8) Patrolmen.
7962.50
Ten officers, one day off in thirty
300.00
Officers' vacations
350.00
Allowance of three days' sickness for each officer
75.00
Hebronville and Dodgeville patrol.
200.00
South Attleboro patrol.
200.00
Lockup keeper, and care of lockup.
200.00
Rent of Police Station
900.00
Automobile insurance on two cars.
381.00
Upkeep of two cars.
160.00
Maintenance of motorcycle.
75.00
Estimated Court Fees for 1917
800.00
Providence Telephone Co
150.00
Electricity for one year.
180.00
Water and rent of meter
50.00
Extra police services.
125.00
Auto List Publishing Co
15.00
New England Towel Supply Co.
12.00
Office Furnishings.
Typewriter and stand
$135.00
Safe
80.00
Painting office and cells.
60.00
Linoleum and chairs.
. 55.00
Filing cabinet
. . 10.00
Printing
40.00
Police blotter
10.00
Furnishings for cells.
30.00
Incidentals
125.00
$545.00
$15880.50
Amount required for increase in wages
739.00
$16619.50
EDMOND H. GINGRAS.
Chief of Police.
.
...
800.00
Washing cars, $3.00 per week.
.
108
ANNUAL REPORT
PUBLIC LIBRARY
January 13, 1917.
To the Mayor and Council of the City of Attleboro,
Gentlemen :-
The Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library are pleased to re- port a progressive and successful year for the City's Library. The unusual and intensive industrial conditions prevailing during the past year, have naturally affected the total circulation of books by the Library, this distribution during 1916 being considerable less than during 1915, a year of local business depression. It is gratifying, however, to note that this decrease is almost entirely in the fiction class of literature. The accompanying annual report of the Librarian, submitted to the Trustees, deals interestingly with these matters in detail, and we recommend to our fellow citizens its careful reading.
Miss Claflin as Librarian with her staff deserve much praise for the vigorous and cooperative manner that the activities of the Library have been carried on. It is by such efficiency that the Library has been able to increase and broaden its usefulness to the public the past year, in spite of the several changes in the staff with resulting short- handedness.
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