USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1925 > Part 18
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Warren Alfred Nelson
Jeanette Laura Oliver
Edmond Napoleon Paille
Roland Joseph Pariseau
Joseph Pinkes
Herbert Bernard Truedson
Herman James Tyrance
William Ralph Watson
Russell Heap Wetherell
Herbert Everett Whittemore
Washington Street School.
Elizabeth Armitage Annie Bibby
Thomas John Blythe, Jr.
Margaret Longridge Bryson
Ella Nora Chestnut
Ida Louise Duquette
Edna May Frizzell
Carlisle Graham George
Frank Everett George
Alicia Evelyn Henderson
Albert Sumner Kelley
Irma Genevieve Searle Miriam Ann Sheehan Doris Zelda Sherman Norinne Ellen Sherman
Florence Emily Shockroo
Henry Joseph Simoneau
Catherine Rose Smith
Dorothy Elizabeth Spriggs
Geraldine Sweet Alida Catherine Todd
Howard Alfred Prew
Effie Page Rollings
Meta Page Rollings
George Morton Sanborn
Laura Henrietta Sanborn
Joseph Lamouraux
Mary Hazel Mangan
Elizabeth Laura McHale
Omer Ubal Monast
Thomas Everett Morrison
John Thomas O'Connor Stella Patunoff
Mary Isabel Powers
Stanley George Rogala
Hazel Blanche Wicker
217
ANNUAL REPORT
STATE AID, SOLDIERS' RELIEF, MILITARY AID AND BURIAL AGENT.
Annual Report, Dec. 31, 1925.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
Appropriation
$2,500 00
Expended :
Weekly relief
$2,282 00
Medical attendance
192.50
2,474 50
*Balance
$ 25 50
STATE AID.
Appropriation
$1,450 00
Expended
1,002 00
Balance
$448 00
MILITARY AID.
Appropriation
$150 00
Expended
12 00
Balance
$138 00
SOLDIERS' BURIAL.
Appropriation
60 00
Expended
00 00
Balance
$ 60 00
ADMINISTRATION.
Appropriation
320 00
Expended
304 80
Balance
$ 15 20
Total balance, December 31, 1925
$686 70
*Refunds, Soldiers' Relief, June $8.00, Aug. $5.00
13 00
$699 70
218
ANNUAL REPORT
INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council :
I herewith submit my report as Electrical Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1925.
Applications
Permits
Inspections
Reinspections
January
186
186
240
42
February
99
99
132
59
March
148
148
197
94
April
131
131
174
87
May
105
105
131
88
June
118
118
140
94
July
102
102
111
87
August
78
78
85
102
September
154
154
197
105
October
162
162
207
123
November
99
99
112
69
December
114
114
121
88
1,496
1,496
1,847
1,038
We have the past year completed the removal of all light and power wires in the civic zone from the poles in the streets.
The New England Telephone and Telegraph Company is now re- arranging its distribution system service wires so as to take down all such wires on the streets, in the civic zone, thus adding another step in the removal of all unnecessary wires overhead so that our streets will not look so much like a forest.
The past year has seen the consummation of an agreement be- tween the Attleboro Steam & Electric Co., the New England Telephone & Telegraph Co. and the Postal Telegraph Cable Co. for joint owner- ship of poles, in various parts of our city, which means better and safer conditions for the traveling public as well as a better appearance of our streets.
Owing to the increased telephone rates and inspections made this past year it will be necessary for this office to have a slight increase in this year's appropriation.
I therefore recommend for the coming year the following amounts for maintenance of this office:
Office expenses
$250 00
Small car for wire inspections 750 00
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to His Honor, the Mayor, the Municipal Council, and all officials and citizens for the courtesy and hearty co-operation extended to this office the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. NEWCOMB. Electrical Inspector.
219
ANNUAL REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM.
To the Board of Fire Engineers :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Superintendent of Fire Alarm for the year ending December 31, 1925.
The Gamewell Fire Alarm System is in use and is in as good working order as could be expected, and consists of the following: One steam whistle located at Pumping Station, South Attleboro; three tower bells and strikers, one at Union Street Station, one at bell tower on Peck street, one at Station No. 4, South Attleboro, and one tower bell striker at Methodist Church, Hebronville. There are four indicators, as follows: One in Central Station, South Main Street, one in Union Street Station, one in Hebronville Station and one in South Attleboro Station ; also one compressed air Diaphone horn on South Main Street Station.
Also there are 24 tappers and gongs located as follows: One in Police Station, one in office of superintendent of public works, one in water works barn, balance in residences of members of department and factories where they are employed. We have 97 street fire alarm boxes owned by the city and 4 private boxes owned as follows: One by Interstate Street Railroad Co., one by the Watson Co., one by the Bay State Optical Company, one by the A. B. Cummings Co.
The fire alarm headquarters is in the Union Street Station and con- tains one new twelve-circuit storage battery switchboard and one new twelve-circuit protector board, one ten-circuit repeater together with 340 cells of storage battery and one K. W. motor generator set for charging same ; also one six-circuit storage battery switchboard and one six-circuit protector board in storage, one Excelsior punching register and take-up reel.
There is now in the system about 90 miles of wire. The following improvements and additions have been made the past year, namely, three of the nine obsolete type boxes have been replaced with suc- cessive, positive, non-interfering type, and one new box added to the system and placed at the corner of Leedham and Pond streets.
I would recommend the following items for your consideration for the coming yaer : Six fire alarm boxes for replacements and additions, also painting of truck.
Salary of Supt. of Fire Alarm $2,190.00
Salary of Asst. Electrician 1,916 25
Maintenance of Fire Alarm 1,300 00
Maintenance of Auto 525 00
New Fire Alarm boxes 900 00
I wish to thank the Board of Fire Engineers and members of the department for their valuable assistance to this branch of the service the past year.
Yours for efficient service,
JOSEPH H. NEWCOMB,
Supt. Fire Alarm.
220
ANNUAL REPORT
CITY SOLICITOR
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Municipal Council of the City of Attleboro :
I herewith submit my report as City Solicitor for the year 1925.
It is a pleasure to report that the city has been singularly free during the year from demands for damages arising through defects in the highways. Notice of one such demand was served on the city, but a thorough investigation made by the public works department, the police and myself convinced me that no liability attached to the city. No suit has been brought to enforce the demand and no suit for any similar cause has been begun during the year.
Harry Willis v. City of Attleboro.
This was a claim for damages for personal injuries sustained by the claimant when the motorcycle that he was driving in the evening of September 22, 1924, on Mechanic street, struck a manhole cover pro- jecting slightly above the surface of the street. The case was settled without suit by the payment of $110.
Grace Homer v. City of Attleboro Claude Homer v. City of Attleboro
These were claims arising out of the derailment of the A. B. C. Street Railway car on June 20, 1924, when several other passengers, whose claims were settled that year, were injured. Mrs. Homer's inju- ries were of a serious nature, necessitating a subsequent surgical oper- ation. An adjustment of these claims was effected without suit by the payment of $750.
Simon Armstrong v. City of Attleboro. Emile Lauzier v. City of Attleboro.
These were suits instituted in November, 1922, to recover for per- sonal injuries to the plaintiff Lauzier, and for damage to the horse and wagon of the plaintiff Armstrong, all alleged to have been caused through the negligence of the operator of the A. B. C. Street Railway car at Brigg's Corner. The suits were tried together at the March term of the Superior Court at Taunton. A verdict was returned for the city in each case.
Charles M. Floyd (Dependent's) Case.
The most unfortunate case the city has been called upon to deal with in many years was the accident that resulted in the death of Charles M. Floyd on May 20, 1925. Floyd, who was a veteran of the World War, and an expert electrician, was employed by the Superin- tendent of the electrical branch of the fire department on May 15, 1925, to assist in work then being done on the fire alarm wires on Pleasant street, and while at work on a pole the current from a high tension wire passed through his body, resulting in instant death He left a wife and two children. As the case came under the workman's com- pensation act a settlement, satisfactory to the department of indus- trial accidents, was made with the dependents on the basis of weekly payments of fourteen dollars each for four hundred weeks.
221
ANNUAL REPORT
Crown Manufacturing Company, Petitioner for Abatement of Taxes.
The decision of the county commissioners on the petition of the Crown Manufacturing Company for abatement of its 1923 taxes not having been rendered until December 5, 1924, the assessors of Taxes assessed that company's taxes for 1924 at substantially the same figures as for 1923, and although the company had failed to bring in a list of its estate as required by law, the assessors gave it an abatement of $7080.00 on its personal estate and $1475.00 on real estate. The com- pany still feeling aggrieved, again petitioned the county commissioners for a further abatement on its 1924 taxes. The county commissioners allowed them an additional abatement of $5,415.00 on personal estate.
Land Damage Cases.
The following cases arising from land being taken for the widen- ing of streets, were settled without trial in court :
Edwin Ansin v. City of Attleboro.
This was a claim for damage sustained by the petitioner by the taking of land at the junction of South Main and County streets for the widening of those streets. The petitioner, before purchasing the land at this junction from the heirs of the late Dr. Edward Sanford, had secured from the building inspector a permit authorizing him to build to the old line of location of these streets, and with a speed that was at least remarkable proceeded at once to let out contracts for his building. For the alleged damages that would be occasioned him by the breach of these contracts, which the city was in no way able to con- trovert, as well as for the value of the land taken, he demanded dam- ages in the sum of twenty-three thousand dollars. After as thorough an investigation as was possible by his Honor and myself, that claim was reduced to twenty-one thousand five hundred dollars and a set- tlement was made on that basis.
Max Wunsch v. City of Attleboro.
This was a claim for damages caused by the widening of Dunham Street. The peculiar shape of the taking left the petitioner's remain- ing land in a condition that could be used less advantageously for the purpose for which it was purchased, and by reason of the damage to the remaining land a settlement was made for $9,000.
Murray Universalist Society's Land.
This land, taken for the widening of South Main Street was donated to the city by the Society.
Nettie B. Curry's Land.
This was a corner of the house lot at the junction of Elizabeth and Hodges Streets, which was taken to ease the course of traffic from Elizabeth Street to Water Street. The award of the muni- cipal council, of one hundred fifty dollars, was accepted by the owner in full settlement.
South Attleboro School Lot. Caleb A. Orr et al v. City of Attleboro.
A large tract of land lying northerly of Wellman avenue and ex- tending from Washington Street to Newport Avenue was taken by the Municipal Council, at the request of the school committee, for school purposes, on January 20, 1925. A wide difference existed be- tween the owners of the land and the municipal council as to the value of the property but this was composed by an agreement upon the sum of seventy five hnudred for which sum a deed was given and the case settled.
222
ANNUAL REPORT
Meyer Dana Land
In order to preserve the building line on the southerly side of Park Street, westerly of the railroad overpass, a narrow strip of land was purchased from Meyer Dana at a cost of three thousand dollars.
Addition to Reservoir Land in North Attleborough.
At the time the reservoir was constructed in North Attleborough, the late Theron I. Smith agreed with the water commissioners to deed a parcel of land to the city when the city completed certain work of grading at the entrance to the reservoir. Although the work was done long since, no deed was presented to him for his signature. During the year, however, Mrs. Eva C. Curtis and others, Trustees under the will of Mr. Smith, executed and delivered to the city, a deed of one acre of land westerly of Washington Street and adjoining other land of the reservoir.
Additional Land for City Hall Site
By vote of the city council on December 15, 1925, approved by the Mayor on December 18, 1925, the homestead house and land of the late Frances A. Crandall, was taken to enlarge the site of the proposed new city hall. Because of the interest of the city solicitor, as one of the executors of Mrs. Crandall's will, the rights of the city are being safe- guarded by Frank I. Babcock, Esq.
Legislation-Additional Water Supply
By far the most important constructive work entered into by the city during the year was the petition to the legislature for authority to take water for additional water supply for the city from under- ground waters in the watershed of Wading River and its tributaries in the towns of Mansfield and other towns included in this watershed which comprises some twenty-seven square miles.
This project had the hearty endorsement and active co-operation of the department of public health, whose director and chief sanitary engineer. Mr. X. H. Goodnough, devoted considerable time to the sub- ject, not only before the bill was filed, but at the many hearings before the committee of the legislature having the matter in charge, and on the tour of inspection which the committee made to the watershed and to the mills along the river whose owners claimed that they would be adversely affected by the proposed taking. The objections of these owners were overcome by the provisions of the act as finally drafted authorizing the city to take and hold the waters of Miramichi pond, and Shepardsville pond, and the waters which flow into them as com- pensating reservoirs for the purpose of compensating for all damages that would otherwise arise to property owners having rights in said waters.
This provision obviates damage suits from reparian owners down stream.
The act also permits the city to sell water to the towns of Mans- field, and North Attleboro, in the sections through which its mains will run, upon such terms as may be agreed upon or determined by the department of public utilities.
The act also provides that the several towns in the watershed shall not be prevented from taking water from the watershed for public uses, "in case the department of public health shall give an opinion in writ- ing to the effect that Wading river or its tributaries is the natural and
223
ANNUAL REPORT
proper source of supply for such town, and providing that legislative authority for such taking is subsequently obtained."
Such legislative authority, as a matter of course, would involve the payment of compensation to this city.
The department of public health, knowing the natural and proper source of water supply for every city and town in the Commonwealth, can be relied upon not to put too many on one stream.
The joint standing committee of the legislature gave a number of hearings on the bill which was passed April 29, 1925 as Chapter 282 of the Acts of that year, and was the only special legislation affecting the city passed during the year.
Land for Additional Water Supply.
To date the following parcels of land in Mansfield have been pur- chased toward a location for the proposed pumping station and wells for the new water supply.
Land of Michael E. Pierson and wife, 1,393 acres with dwelling house.
Land of John L. Wondergem, 0.594 acres with dwelling house.
Land of William M. Clarke and wife, 14.3 acres.
The above parcels are on the southerly side of Balcom Street.
Land of Florence G. Chipman, about fourteen acres on the north- erlv side of Balcom Street.
Land of Margaret T. Donlan, Trustee, about nine acres with three dwelling houses, on the westerly side of Jewel street.
Act subjecting the Chief of the Fire Department, to the Civil Service.
An act was drawn for presentation to the incoming session of the legislature, providing for subjecting the Chief of the Fire Department to the civil service and the rules and regulations made thereunder.
Frank Mossberg Company Taxes
The Frank Mossberg Company, of this city, went into the hands of a receiver in the Fall of 1924, before it was possible for the city solicitor, to levy on the personal property for the taxes thereon, and those together with the taxes on the personal property of the company for the year 1925, remaining unpaid,-the real estate previously having been sold for taxes, a petition was presented to the District Court of the United States by the City collector, asking that the receiver be o dered to pay the taxes for both years out of the funds in his hands.
The case was argued before Judge Anderson, at Boston, on Novem- ber 30. Decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, that there is no lien, the property can not be followed, prevented the recovery of the 1924 taxes.
However, an order was made directing the receiver to pay the per- sonal taxes for the year 1925, amounting with interest to $4117.66.
Thacher Street Bridge
The controversy over the maintenance of this bridge referred to in my last prior account has been adjusted, and a working agreement ar- rived at in substantial conformity with what probably would have been the determination of commissioners had they been appointed at the time the bridge was built.
Under the new arrangement, the railroad company has replaced the old stringers and placed a new three inch deck on them, replanked the
224
ANNUAL REPORT
sidewalks and strengthened the iron work where it had shown signs of weakness.
The city has replanked the wearing surface of the roadway.
Pending Cases.
The cases against the city that were listed as pending in my last prior report, with the exception of those of Armstrong and Lauzier, above referred to, are still pending and should be reached for trial at the March term of the Superior Court.
Miscellaneous
A number of minor collections have been made; proposed ordin- a ices examined, and one providing for the creation of the office of city almoner, drafted, and opinions, written and oral, rendered on many subjects.
Respectfully submitted, PHILIP E. BRADY, City Solicitor.
225
ANNUAL REPORT
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Attleboro, Mass.
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council :
I herewith submit my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year 1925 :
Not
Con-
Adjusted Sealed demned
Platform scales over 5000
5
Platform scales under 5000
84
25
4 2
Counter scales over 100
29
15
Counter scales under 100
79
15
Spring scales over 100
10
4
Spring scales under 100
102
15
Computing scales over 100
4
1
Computing scales under 100
88
35
Personal scales
18
1
Avoirdupois weights
662
112
Apothecary
45
Liquid measures
185
Dry measures
6
Gasoline pumps
75
176
Kerosene
16
12
Quantity
438
196
Molasses pumps
16
3
Yard measures
36
-
1907
613
4
3
Outside calls
222
Office calls
54
Fees collected
$162.75
Pedlar's license
27
No charge
Fees collected
135.00
$297.75
DAN O'CONNELL, Sealer of Weights and Measures
The work of this department is steadily increasing. I am asking $1500.00 to be divided as follows :
Salary
$1,000.00
R. L. and phone
115.00
Transportation and labor
250.00
Printing and office supplies
65.00
Equipment
70.00
$1,500.00
Sealed 14
DAN O'CONNELL, Sealer of Weights and Measures
226
ANNUAL REPORT
CITY COLLECTOR FOR 1925
Financial Statement
Attleboro, Mass., December 31, 1925.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council :
I herewith submit my report as City Collector for the year 1925 as follows :
Taxes-1922
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$123.75
Outstanding December 31, 1925
123.75
Taxes-1923
Transferred from tax titles
$10 92
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
10.92
Taxes-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$174,688.59
Refunds
45.73
Transferred from tax titles
1.47
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 $152,069.14
18,664.62
Transferred to tax titles
4,002.03
$174,735.79
Taxes-1925
Committed, 1925
$818,635.00
Refunds
69.68
$818,704.68
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$685,665.94
Abated, 1925
9,495 81
Outstanding December 31, 1925
123,542.93
$818,704.68
Moth Assessments-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$35.60
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$34.40
Transferred to tax titles
1,20
$35.60
Moth Assessments-1925
Committed, 1925
$106.85
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$72.90
Outstanding December 31, 1925
33.95
$106.85
Apportioned A. B. C. Street Railway Assessment-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$24 71
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 24.71
Apportioned A. B. C. Street Railway Assessment-1925
Committed, 1925
$66.10
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$45.23
Outstanding December 31, 1925
20.87
$66.10
$174,735.79
Abated, 1925
227
ANNUAL REPORT
Curbing Assessments-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925 $883.05
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$832.00
Apportioned, 1924 to 1928 51.05
$883.05
Curbing Assessments-1925
Committed, 1925 $454.90
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$320.17
Outstanding December 31, 1925
134.73
$454.90
Apportioned 1923 Curbing Assessment-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$14.03
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 14.03
Apportioned 1923 Curbing Assessment-1925
Committed, 1925 $14.03
Outstanding December 31, 1925
14.03
Apportioned 1924, Curbing Assessment-1924
Apportinoed 1925
$10.21
Collected and paid Treasurer 1925 10.21
Apportioned 1924, Curbing Assessment-1925
Committed, 1925 $10.21
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 10.21
Apportioned Curbing and Gutter Assessment-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925 $46.92
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 46.92
Apportioned Curbing and Gutter Assessment-1925
Committed, 1925 $46.92
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$23.60
Outstanding December 31, 1925
23.32
$46.92
Granolithic Walks Assessment-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$852.63
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$804.39
Apportioned, 1924 to 1928
48.24
$852.63
Granolithic Walks Assessment-1925
Committed, 1925
$3,514.79
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$2,540.46
Apportioned, 1925 to 1934
119.28
Outstanding December 31, 1925
855.05
$3,514.79
Apportioned 1924 Granolithic Walks Assessment-1924
Apportioned, 1925
$9.65
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 9.65
Apportioned 1924 Granolithic Walks Assessment-1925
Committed, 1925
$9.65
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 9.65
228
ANNUAL REPORT
Apportioned 1925 Granolithic Walks Assessment-1925
Apportioned, 1925
$16.56
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 16.56
Holman Drain Assessment-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925 $7.75
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 7.75
Apportioned Shaw Street Sewer Assessment-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$4.70
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 4.70
Apportioned Shaw Street Sewer Assessment-1925
Committed, 1925 $4.70
Outstanding December 31, 1925 4.70
Apportioned A. B. C. St. Ry. Assessment Interest-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$7.40
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 7.40
Apportioned A. B. C. St. Ry. Assessment Interest-1925
Committed, 1925 $19.85
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$13.59
Outstanding December 31, 1925
6.26
$19.85
Apportioned 1923 Curbing Interest-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925 $7.58
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 7.58
Apportioned 1923 Curbing Interest-1925
Committed, 1925 $6.74
Outstanding December 31, 1925 6.74
Apportioned 1924 Curbing Interest-1925
Committed, 1925 $2.45
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 2.45
Apportioned Curbing and Gutter Interest-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925 $19.70
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 19.70
Apportioned Curbing and Gutter Interest-1925
Committed, 1925 $16.89
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$8.50
Outstanding December 31, 1925
8.39
$16.89
Apportioned 1924 Granolithic Walks Interest-1925
Committed, 1925 $2.32
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 2.32
Holman Drain Interest-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$.47
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925 $.47
229
ANNUAL REPORT
Apportioned Shaw Street Sewer Interest-1924
Outstanding January 1, 1925
$1.65
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
1.65
Apportioned Shaw Street Sewer Interest-1925
Committed, 1925
$1.41
Outstanding December 31, 1925
1.41
Tax Titles
Outstanding January 1, 1925 $7,414.27
Interest and costs added
674.61
1924 Taxes
4,002.03
1924 Moth
1.20
$12,092.11
Collected and paid treasurer, 1925
$7,118.46
Abated, 1925
12.13
Transferred to 1923 taxes
10.92
Transferred to 1924 taxes
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