USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1927 > Part 6
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ANNUAL REPORT
park commissioner Mr. Wolfenden and he agreed to see that an effort was made to install shower baths in the dressing rooms and provide some method of disinfecting the water in the pool. At present the pool is little better than a common bath tub and affords an excellent means for the spread of contagious diseases among children using the pool.
During the month of April when the Sturdy Hospital was threatened with an outbreak of diphtheria the inspector was only too glad to co-operate with the hospital authorities in relieving the situation. From 60 to 80 diphtheria cultures were examined every other day for a period of about two weeks and the hospital authorities were given the advantage of having immediate diagnosis in the laboratory which may have helped some to check the spread of the disease.
It is not without a feeling of regret that I am retiring from the office of inspector of milk after a period of a little over two years, which was the approximate time that was set when I took over the work.
Respectfully yours,
EDWIN M. KNIGHTS
87
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Park Commissioners
Attleboro, Mass., January 9, 1928
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council:
Enclosed find annual report of the Superintendent and Playground Supervisors.
The Commissioners take this opportunity to thank the Mayor and the Council for their hearty co-operation given them during the past year. We also wish to thank all those citizens who in any way showed an interest in the parks of Attleboro.
Yours very truly,
DR. CHARLES A. MOOERS, HARRY C. WOLFENDEN, SAMUEL M. STONE,
Park Commissioners
REPORT OF PARK SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Park Commissioners, Attleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1927. The year has been a busy one from the standpoint of those who had the work to do. The work of permanent nature consisted of widening roadway for about 120v feet, 14 feet wide and making an 8 foot sidewalk for the same distance. This work required the taking out of 135 oak stumps and handling of about 700 yards of materials back and forth. The tennis courts and ball fields required a lot of work and attention when they are in use each day, sometimes as many as four ball games in one day.
Probably an explanation of the extent of your parks, would make it clearer to you, where the money for labor goes. There is in Capron Park, the Common, and Angell Park, about 570 planted trees, 7000 small trees, evergreens and shrubs, 3000 perennials and about 4000 bulbs and 7000 annuals planted and taken care of each year, and about nine acres of lawns. There is over 6000 feet of roadways and over that amount of walks that have to be taken care of each season, and surely they are used as hard as any.
The playgrounds and supervisors I think are a great benefit to the children and a credit to the city. Every child is a better child and will make a better citizen for the privilege of the use of the playground at, Capron Park.
The Zoo, as usual, was fully appreciated, not only by the young- sters, but grownups as well. The deer family has been increased by 3 in the last 3 years and they need more room to run in, therefore, as you gentlemen advise, the yard will be made larger this year, giving them about one and one-half acres for a run.
The Department needs a dump truck, as the use of the horse is very detrimental to the roadways after we started putting on oil, as he
88
ANNUAL REPORT
cuts the road with his shoes, and lifts the crust made by the oil cover- ing, and also makes holes in the ground, wherever he is left standing teu minutes. Also the Common and Angel Park, being a mile or two away from Capron Park, where the tools are kept, it would be economy to have a truck instead of a horse and cart.
During 1327, through the kindness of Mr. John Taber, Superintendent of Public Works Department, we were given about 50 yards of loam, but in order to improve the two acres of land, westerly of the Grand Army entrance, about 500 feet back, we will need about 400 yards more than we have on hand.
During the year, there have been about ten picnics from out of town. They have all had a good time and thought the park was fine. In granting the permit, they were asked to pick up all paper and rubbish after them.
Band concerts have been well attended and are a great delight and benefit for the people.
Many families come to the park in the shade of the trees, have their dinner, and the man comes from the shop to the park and enjoyes a meal in the open with his family, which is a great benefit to both his family and himself.
JOHN E. ANDERSON,
Superintendent
CAPRON PLAYGROUND REPORT
To S. M. Stone
Chairman, Park Commissioners
We take pleasure in submitting the annual report of the work of the playground at Capron Park for the past summer of 1927.
Without activities which are the expression of the play impulse there can be no program. Because activities which to one individual are satisfying and expressive, may to another be uninteresting. There must therefore be a wide range of choice in the playground recreation program. Because the impulse to play does not always find the same channels of expression, recreational, social, educational, civic and man- ual activities, all have their place in the leisure time program.
Having these facts in mind the playground program has been based on these fundamental principals.
One great group of activities has been the physical program, and in this group fall many phases of the work. For the boys the following phases of physical recreation were scheduled.
Senior and Junior Baseball Leagues.
Basketball.
Senior and Junior Tennis Tournaments.
Soccer.
Paddle Tennis Tournaments.
Volley Ball.
Bat Ball.
Track and Field Athletics.
Quoits.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Golf Tournaments.
Organized play periods for younger boys. Tag Football. Playground Baseball.
Inter-playground baseball series with North Attleboro. Hikes. Swimming.
This last named activity was made an important feature of the sum- mer's work. Besides the hours allowed for purely recreational sport, special classes were formed during which time the instruction was given in swimming by a Red Cross representative, according to their rules of instruction. Those completing the class work and passing the final examinations were given the Red Cross Swimmer's Button. One hundred and forty children were taught to swim during these class periods. This number includes both boys and girls.
This brings us to th girls' activities which includes besides the swim- ming previously mentioned :
Senior and Junior Tennis Tournaments.
Paddle Tennis.
Volley Ball. Track and Field Athletics.
Captain Ball.
Newcomb
Golf Hikes. Playground Baseball.
Folk Dancing. Esthetic Dancing.
Under the head of educational activities may be mentioned the story hours, and then through the courtesy of the Attleboro Public Library books were sent to the Park and a branch library was conducted.
The manual activities comprised the making of reed baskets, lamps and trays, reed and raffia baskets. The girls had sewing, knitting and crocheting. The boys showed considerable interest in the making of toys and bird houses.
A very definite form of instruction in civic training was given by the method of self government among the children. From among both the boys and girls leaders were picked, and formed into a leaders corps to aid the Supervisors and to help with the organized play.
During the season a Pageant of Play was given by both boys and girls, depicting the different activities and phases of recreation partic- ipated in by the children.
At the close of the season a Field Day, Track Meet, Pet Show and Doll Carriage Parade were held. At this time also an exhibition of the work completed during the summer was held and prizes awarded.
The attendance during the season proved a source of deep gratifi- cation to those who had spent so much time and thought in providing a safe, beautiful place for both children and adults can enjoy healthful recreation.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Supervisors wish to thank the Commission and Park Su- perintendent for their never failing co-operation and support at all times.
The following recommendations are considered to be important factors in making a more complete program for other years.
Shower baths installed in bathing houses.
Cement runway around the wading pool outside the fence.
At least two cement courts for paddle tennis.
Municipal swimming pool for adults.
Corner of the Grove cut away, score board moved back, making a deeper center field.
Autos not allowed to park on basketball court or on athletic field during playground hours.
Wading pool to be kept empty during hours when there is no supervision.
A five lap running track installed on the athletic field.
That plans be considered for the erection of more tennis courts as soon as possible.
That pennants for Senior and Junior Baseball Leagues may be purchased before the playground season opens and placed on exhibition uptown.
That additional apparatus, including Giant Stride, Horizontal Bars, Jungle Gym and Waved Slide be placed in the Grove.
Respectfully submitted,
RAY COONEY, ALMA HILLMAN, The Supervisors
,
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Police Department
To His Honor, the Mayor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council: Gentlemen :
I herewith respectfully submit my annual report of the Police De- partment of the City of Attleboro for the year ending December 31, 1927.
ROSTER OF THE DEPARTMENT
Chief of Police
Terence E. Flanagan
Lientenant
Franklin McKay
Sergeants
William J. Sargeant
William D. Norwood
Patrolmen
Arthur F. Gaffney John Bora
Edward E. Gobin
Louis J. Fournier
Joseph P. McBride
Joseph F. O'Donnell
John J. Kelly
Donat E. Pion
Charles E. Brown Joseph A. Fredette Joseph A. Deland Eugene J. LaCroix
Charles M. Brogan William Doucett Ernest W. Holt
Reserve Officers
Horace A. Clifford Peter Marron Gilbert E. Orr
Charles E. Willis William J. Desonier John F. Drew
CRIME
During the year our city has been free from serious crime, with the exception of a murder of a Guard at the Prison Camp at Briggs Corner This was committed by a prisoner who went suddenly insane and is now confined to the State Institution at Bridgewater. All the others have been of the ordinary type and we have been fortunate enough in nearly every case to apprehend the offenders. There are still a few burglaries in the south part of the city for which arrests have not been made, but we believe the identity of the persons responsible is known and in due time they will be located and brought to justice.
92
ANNUAL REPORT
TRAFFIC
The problem of handling the automobile traffic is becoming greater each year, and with the small number of officers that are available for this work it is almost impossible to properly enforce the traffic rules. The re-routing of the trolley cars and the making of South Main Street a two-way street has I believe speeded up traffic considerably, I trust that when the sixty days trial period has expired the Honorable Council will see fit to make this rule permanent. Then when the streets are properly marked and the necessary signs obtained and placed in po- sition the Department will be able to enforce the traffic rules more ef- fectively. I stated in my report last year, and I find that my opinion is concurred with by leading officials both in this city and elsewhere, that the parking of automobiles in the business district must sooner or later be eliminated except for business purposes.
LIQUOR
The liquor question received more than ordinary attention during the past year, not having a liquor squad the Patrolmen are held re- sponsible for all places on their routes where liquor might be sold with the result that dispensers of contraband whiskey are very few within the limits of our city.
When the so-called social clubs were raided last spring it was in- teresting to notice that not any of them had any hard liquor or moon- shine on the premises, nor did the Officers find any equipment that might be used for the making of same.
WELFARE WORK
The Department has done a considerable amount of welfare work during the year. A large number of cases of juvenile delinquents came to our attention and were quietly settled without any publicity. Only the most flagrant cases were brought to the attention of the Court, when after a careful investigation it was deemed advisable to have the child sent to a State Institution for training and discipline. Miss Marion Vaughan of the M. S. P. C. C. worked with the Department in this worthy cause of correcting juvenile delinquents, she has given long hours to the work, and her assistance and helpful suggestions are much appreciated.
REVOLVER PRACTICE
The officers visited the rifle range in Deantown a few times during the summer for target practice. I have found out from experience that it is only a waste of time for the officers and of money for the city to have the officers go there without a competent instructor. Policemen should be able to handle a revolver with skill and to hit the mark when necessary, but this only can be attained by starting at the beginning. I trust the Honorable Council will see fit to appropriate a sufficient sum to secure the services of some person that can give them the necessary instructions for handling a revolver properly.
93
ANNUAL REPORT
THE POLICE FORCE
'When compared with the Police Forces maintained by other cities and towns of the country according to population, ours is one of the smallest numerically. We have less than one patrolman for each 1500 of the population. The average all over the country is one for each 1000 and in the larger cities one for each 500 of the population. Taking into consideration the large amount of territory covered by our city. plain clothes work, it must be apparent to the fair thinking citizen that the Police Force must be increased very soon. Notwithstanding this the necessity for assigning one Patrolman for traffic duty, and one for fact we have the care and operation of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital ambulance wished upon the Department, and the Hospital authorities and Physicians seemed displeased when only one man responds to am- bulance calls.
EQUIPMENT
The motor equipment consists of one Studebaker Sheriff model touring car, a combination Patrol and Ambulance, two Ford runabouts, and two motorcycles. A new Ford runabout for the patroling of the North Main, Wiest, Holden and Pleasant Street route was ordered some time ago, but has not been delivered yet.
The Police equipment carried by both regular and reserve officers is of the latest style and pattern. Each officer is supplied with a 38 calibre Police Positive revolver, a pair of Smith & Wesson handcuffs, club, twisters and ivory covered whistle.
The above equipment was inspected by the superior officers recently and found to be in good condition.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I again recommend that when the lease of the present quarters runs out, the erection of a suitable building for a Police Station.
The premises occupied as such for the last number of years is to say the least no credit to the city. The heat in the building is shut off at 10:00 P. M. and does not come on again till some time after 5 o'clock in the morning. This is not a very agreeable situation either for the Superior Officer at the desk all night or the poor unfortunate in the basement. Again there are five Patrolmen who each have an hour to spend in the Station at night as a lay off, and it is not very comfortable for them to come in from the biting winter winds, and shiver for an hour before they go out on the street again.
With the erection of a Police Station should come the installation of an up-to-date Recall Signal System. It is a fact that cannot be denied that a Signal System is essential to the rendering of efficient service by a Police Department.
I recommend the placing of Patrolman Arthur F. Gaffney on the pension list. Next May he will have completed twenty-eight years service to the town and city and I trust that your Honorable Board will con- sider this matter carefully at an early date.
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ANNUAL REPORT
I recommend the trading in of the two Ford Runabouts now in use and the purchase of two new ones to take their place, also the trading in of two motor cycles and a purchase of one new one.
I recommend the appointment of four Patrolmen, one for the South Attleboro district during the day, one for the South Main, Union and County Street beats nights, and one each for the motor patrols of He- bronville and North Main and West Streets.
APPRECIATION
A word of appreciation from me will not be out of place here in reference to the service rendered by the members of the department. Each officer performed his duty faithfully and well, and the harmony that exists among the members is praiseworthy.
CONCLUSION
I wish to thank His Honor, Mayor Fred E. Briggs, the members of the Municipal Council, the Justices of the Fourth District Court, Court Of- ficials, Chief Clarke and members of the Fire Department, newspaper men, City Hall employees, and all others who in any way assisted the Department during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
TERENCE E. FLANAGAN, Chief of Police
ARRESTS FOR 1927
Male Female Total
Adultery
0
1
1
Assault
1
0
1
Assault and Battery
24
3
27
Bastardy
1
0
1
Breaking, Entering and Larceny .
1
0
1
Causing Firecracker to Explode
1
0
1
City Ordinance-Violation of.
5
0
5
Common Drunkard
1
0
1
Committing an Unnatural Act.
1
0
1
Cruelty to Animals
3
0
3
Dangerous Weapons-Carrying
1
0
1
Delinquency
11
3
14
Disorderly House-Keeping a.
1
0
1
Disturbance of the Peace.
7
3
10
Drug Store-Operating Without Registration.
1
0
1
Drunkenness
127
1
128
Failing to Send Child to School.
0
1
1
Failing to Restrain Dog.
1
0
1
Fraudulent Check-Drawing of
2
0
2
Fugitive from Justice.
2
0
2
Game Laws-Violation of.
3
0
3
Habitual Truant
1
0
1
.
.
.
.
95
ANNUAL REPORT
Health Laws-Violation of.
1
0
1
Indecent Exposure
3
0
3
Insane Person-Escaped from Institution.
1
0
1
Keeping Unlicensed Dog.
7
0
7
Larceny
15
1
16
Lewd and Lascivious Cohabition
1
1 0
1
Liquor Laws-Violation of.
25
3
28
Malicious Mischief
2
0
2
Manslaughter
2
0
2
Motor Vehicle Laws-Violation of.
162
1
163
Murder
1
0
1
Neglect to Provide
10
0
10
Neglected Children
13
4
17
Peddling Without a License.
1
0
1
Present at Gaming
15
1
16
Practising Medicine Without Registration.
2
0
2
Pure Food Law-Violation of.
5
0
5
Ringing False Fire Alarm.
3
0
?
Selling Leased Property
0
1
1
Selling Milk Without a License
2
0
2
, Stubborn Child
2
0
2
Tramp
8
0
8
Wayward Children
5
0
5
487
24
511
Report of the Dog Officer
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council:
I herewith submit to you my report as Dog Officer from January 1, 1927 to January 1, 1928.
According to the records of the City Clerk we have had during the year 1927 nearly 1,600 dogs licensed, exclusive of kennels, in the City of Attleboro.
During the year I have had occasion to answer 374 complaints concerning the keeping of dogs and have killed 116 dogs within the limits of the City of Attleboro, according to Chapter 140 of the General Laws.
A list of 274 names of delinquent owners of unlicensed dogs was given me by the City Clerk, eight of which were prosecuted and con- victed according to Chapter 140 of the General Laws.
Respectfully submitted,
WINFIELD E. DUNHAM,
Dog Officer
5
Probation-Violation of.
5
0
2
Lottery-Promoting a
1
96
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Attleboro Public Library
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Term Expires 1928
Joseph. L. Sweet Mrs. Caroline S. Holden Dr. Frederick V. Murphy
Term Expires 1929
Mrs. Eleanor S. Carpenter William L. King Edwin F. Leach
Term Expires 1930
Raymond M. Horton Miss Edith Claflin ** Miss Elizabeth Wilmartlı
OFFICERS
Joseph L. Sweet, President
Edwin F Leach, Secretary
Raymond M Horton, Treasurer
Administration Committee
The President Raymond M. Horton ** Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth William L. King
Building and Property Committee
The President
Dr. Frederick V. Murphy Edwin F. Leach
Book Committee
The President
Mrs. Eleanor S. Carpenter Mrs. Caroline Holden
Miss Edith Claflin
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Central Building North Main Street
Hours-Week days, 10 A. M. to 9 P. M. The reading room is open Sundays, 3 to 6 P. M., except during the months of June, July, August and September. Children's room-School days, 12:30 to 6 P. M. Saturdays, 10 A. M. to 8 P. M. School vacations, 10 A. M. to 6 P. M .; Satur- days 10 A. M. to 8 P. M.
Branches- Hebronville school-school year, Tuesdays 4-8:30 P. M. Dodgeville school-school year, Tuesdays 3-7:30 P. M. South Attleboro-Thursdays 3-8:45 P. M.
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ANNUAL REPORT
STAFF
(Mrs.) Lucinda F. Spofford, Librarian Laura Monnier, Senior Assistant Josephine Converse, Junior assistant *E. Dorothea Savithes, Junior assistant Dorothy Robinson, Part-time assistant Mary Money, Work with the children
Part Time Assistants
Angela Bowen
Grace Hodges Jane Hodges
Dorothy Lamond
Elizabeth Peckham
(Mrs.) Dorothy Poland
Hope Reeves
Muriel Tyndall
Katherine Miller
Sunday Assistant
(Mrs.) Aravesta Paul
Janitor *Frank A. Chace John C. Summers
*Resigned ** Deceased
REPORT OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of Attleboro: Gentlemen:
The Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library respectfully submit their annual report of the year ending December 31, 1927.
This year the circulation of books has been the largest in the history of the Library, a total of 142,101 which is a gain over the previous year of 3,552. The total number of volumes in the Library is now 29,518.
In our Librarian's report you will find complete detail of the op- erations of the past year, and also appended the report of our Treasurer of Invested Funds and Expenses.
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ANNUAL REPORT
'We have requested an appropriation of $16,943 for the year 1928. an increase of $1,168 over the amount granted for 1927. The major part of this increase is for books and bindery and building repairs and the installation of a much needed staff room.
Last Oct. the Trustees lost through the death of Elizabeth J Wilmarth, a faithful member, one who was always ready to serve during the many years she has been a member of the Board of Trustees, and we keenly feel the loss of this woman who was so pleasing and helpful an associate.
It was with much regret the Trustees were obliged to accept the resignation of Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford, who has served as Librarian so efficiently the past years.
During her administration there has been a steady gain in circu- lation; she has been untiring in her efforts to improve the Library service, and give cheerfully to all the citizens such information and assistance as they requested. Her good judgment and study have done much to have in our library the best collection of books that our finances would allow. The Trustees wish to express their appreciation of her faithful services.
Miss Elizabeth Lucile Palmer, formerly Reference Librarian of the New Bedford Public Library has been chosen as Librarian to succeed Mrs. Spofford and will assume the duties the first of the year 1928.
We wish to thank all who have favored the Library with gifts and in other ways assisted during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH L. SWEET, President
CAROLINE S. HOLDEN
ELEANOR S. CARPENTER
EDITH CLAFLIN
DR. FREDERICK V. MURPHY
WILLIAM L. KING
RAYMOND M. HORTON
EDWIN F. LEACH
Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library
TREASURER'S REPORT
Report of Invested Funds for Year Ending December 31, 1927
E. F. Leach Book Fund
Book No. 38,667, Attleboro Savings Bank. $1,145.49
Interest for 1927 57.98
$1,203.47
J. L. Sweet Book Fund
Book 38,666, Attleboro Savings Bank. 1,145.49
Interest for 1927 57.98
1,203.47
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ANNUAL REPORT
Sarah J. Briggs Fund
Book 41,127, Attleboro Savings Bank.
534.06
Interest for 1927
27.03
561.09
Women's Library Aid
Book. 40,047, Attleborough Savings Bank.
305.78
Interest for 1927
15.46
321.24
E. H. Horton Reserve Fund
Book 34,696, Attleboro Savings Bank.
1,157.80
Interest for 1927
60.67
April 18, Deposit.
100.00
December 19, Deposit.
25.00
1,343.47
W. R. Cobb Fund
Book 36,652, Attleboro Savings Bank.
5,000.00
E. H. Horton Fund
2 Shares Attleboro Savings & Loan Association .. 1,000.00
E. H. Bliss Fund
7% Bond Winter Bros. 1,000.00
D. H. Smith Fund
52 Certificates Bond Investment Trust of America
5,200.00
Organ Recital Fund
Book 118, Attleboro Trust Co ..
592.52
Deposit, April 21.
50.00
Interest for 1927.
25.09
667.61
Letitia F. Allen Fund
Book 3,682, Attleboro Trust Co.
790.75
Interest for 1927.
31.92
822.67
18,323.02
Gain $451.13
Balance January 1st, 1927
194.69
February 23-E. H. Horton Fund
Prov of Saskatchewan 30.00
April 18th-W. R. Cobb Fund
Attleboro Savings Bank Interest. 125.00
June 1-D. H. Smith Fund
Bond Investment Trust of America 130.00
June 1-E. H. Bliss Fund
Winter Bros. 35.00
August 10-Sale of Prov. of Saskatchewan
Bond E. H. Horton Fund. 1,000.00
100
ANNUAL REPORT
September 1-E. H. Horton Fund
Prov. of Saskatchewan, Interest. 30.00
October 24-W. R. Cobb Fund
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