USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1930 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
In every instance all possible effort has been made to secure positions for those out of work. The exceptionally large number of applications for assistance, also the many hospital and Social Service problems, with the large amount of investigating required, made this, by far, the busiest year the Almoner and his assistant have ever had.
The unusually large number of cases coming to the attention of this depart- ment this year meant a correspondingly increased amount of work in the matter of determining the legal settlements of the persons aided. This is a phase of our work which is very little understood or appreciated. While many settlements may be readily determined, there are others, and not a small number, which necessitate many visits, the extensive verification of records, and much corres- pondence before they are finally adjusted, and the liability for aid rightly placed. In this connection of our work many notices are received, both from other cities and towns, and the local Board of Health, and many sent out from this office.
The Board has been committed to the idea of making the department most efficient in carrying on its activities, and has increased the hours of the part time clerk on a full time basis, because of lack of any appropriation there was no in- crease in salary. The departmental work increased to the extent that it was necessary for the Almoner and clerk to devote a great deal of overtime work in order to keep the records, etc., up to date.
In carrying on our work we appreciate the help and cooperation of the Public Works Department, the Board of Health and the District Nursing Society.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Salaries, Almoner and Clerk .
Appropriation $ 2,550.00
Administration and Other Expenses.
900.00
City Infirmary
7,900.00
Mother's Aid for this and Previous Years
11,800.00
Outside Relief for this and Previous Years.
24,400.00
Total Appropriations
$47,550.00
Additional Appropriation, Aug. 5, 1930.
11,000.00
Additional Appropriation, Nov. 18, 1930.
5,000.00
Additional Appropriation, Dec. 9, 1930.
3,000.00
$66,550.00
Total Expenditures.
66,512.94
Unexpended Balance.
$ 37.06
80
ANNUAL REPORT
DETAIL OF APPROPRIATION
Salaries
Appropriation, Almoner and Clerk $ 2,550.00
Expended 2,550.00
City Infirmary
Appropriation
$ 7,900.00
Expended .
7,899.42
Balance.
.58
Administration and Other Expenses
Appropriation.
$ ,900.00
Expended
899.54
Balance
.46
Mother's Aid
Appropriation. .
$11,800.00
Transfer to Outside Relief .
1,250.00
Net Appropriation
$10,550.00
Expended
10,514.40
Balance
35.60
Outside Relief
Appropriation.
$24,400.00
Additional Appropriation
11,000.00
Transfer from Mother's Aid.
1,250.00
Added Appropriation .
5,000.00
Added Appropriation
3,000.00
Total Appropriation.
$44,650.00
Expended
44,649.58
Balance
$ .42
DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES Administration and Other Expenses
Rent.
$ 216.00
Light.
16.73
Phone
38.56
Office Supplies.
202.98
Auto Allowance.
300.00
Transportation, Outside Relief .
112.37
Transportation, Mother's Aid.
Necessary Expenses Within Massachusetts.
12.90
Total
$ 899.54
81
ANNUAL REPORT
City Infirmary
Salaries, Matron
$ 900.00
Labor.
520.00
Medical
138.49
Food Supplies.
3,647.27
Dry Goods and Clothing
533.83
Repairs on House
593.36
Fuel.
411.68
Light.
159.92
Phone
43.36
Other House Maint. and Operation.
725.15
Hay and Grain.
109.95
Outbuildings Maint. and Operation.
116.41
Total
$ 7,899.42
Mother's Aid
Weekly Cash
$ 9,765.09
Supplies
522.61
Medical
226.70
Total
$10,514.40
Outside Relief
Weekly Cash
$19,536.53
Clothing .
1,097.57
Fuel.
2,022.60
Rent, Board and Care.
17,287.61
Medical ..
1,856.01
Towns, Cities and Institutions
2,849.26
Total.
$44,649.58
Total Expenditures of Welfare Dept., 1930
$66,522.94
Outstanding Accounts, Jan. 1 1930 $ 7,870.36
Committed During 1930. 15,436.14
Total
$23,366.50
Accounts Received During 1930
$11,818.07
Outstanding Accounts, Jan. 1, 1931 11,548.43
Total.
$23,366.50
Net Cost to Department, 1930
$54,694.42
DETAILS OF RECEIPTS
Commonwealth of Mass. $ 7,175.91
Cities and Towns. .
4,437.66
Refunds.
42.00
Sale of Stock, City Infirmary
162.50
Total
$11,818.07
82
ANNUAL REPORT
CAUSE OF DEPENDENCY
1930
1929
Unemployment.
112 cases
37 cases
Sickness. . .
43
32
Death of husband.
20
66
23
Old Age
21
11
66
Desertion and non-support.
12
8
Death of parents.
1
Husband in jail
5
66
7
66
Insufficient Income.
24
66
4
66
Childred Boarded in Foster Homes
19
66
6
66
Crippled children
3
66
3
Chronic Illness
4
66
4
66
Burials.
264
138
REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN, YEAR ENDING 1930
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit for your approal my report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1930.
I am submitting to you the scope of the work performed by me during the years 1929 and 1930.
I would suggest that the following figures be compared with those of previous years. I feel that the work of this office has increased over 10 percent in the last two years over previous years. The increased outside calls is the outstanding part of increase in the position of City Physician. Most of these outside calls are in the vicinity of Dodgeville, Hebronville and South Attleboro and necessitate a great deal of travelling. I feel that with the great increase in the volume of work and travelling to all the outlying districts of the city would warrant an increase in the compensation.
The salary at present is $750.00 per annum, and an additional $.25 for each visit is allowed.
Comparative reports for years 1929 and 1930.
1929
Month
Home
Office
Home
1930 Office
January
50
42
February
45
54
March.
71
23
74
37
April
53
45
87
24
May
86
9
20
92
June
57
72
59
48
July .
71
62
66
54
August
34
89
61
60
September
32
30
62
28
October
53
79
75
43
November
51
74
91
39
December
45
38
107
16
Totals
553
521
797
537
Confinement Cases 1929. 2
Confinement Cases
1930 ........ 6
66
66
3
66
-
83
ANNUAL REPORT
DEPARTMENTAL REQUESTS FOR 1931
Administration and Salaries- Salary of Almoner $ 1,920.00 Clerical 1,000.00
Administration and Other Expenses -
Rent.
$ 216.00
Light.
17.00
Phone 39.00
Office Supplies.
250.00
Auto Allowance.
360.00
Transportation
A Administration
B Mother's Aid
25.00
C Outside Relief
75.00
D City Infirmary 12.00
Necessary expenses within Massachusetts for securing informa- tion to improve Department 25.00
Incidentals
The $250.00 on office supplies is for filing equipment.
City Infirmary-
Salaries.
$ 900.00
Labor
520.00
Medical. 300.00
Food Supplies
3,650.00
Dry Goods and Clothing.
530.00
Repairs on house
400.00
Fuel
400.00
Light.
160.00
Phone
44.00
Other House Maint. and Operation.
700.00
Insurance.
199.75
Hay and Grain.
110.00
Outbuildings, Maint. and Operation.
100.00
The $300.00 on medical is for patient transferred from City Home to Hospital.
Mother's Aid for this and Previous Years- -
Weekly Cash.
$10,700.00
Supplies
575.00
Medical.
300.00
Cities and Towns
Incidentals
Outside Relief for this and Previous Years
Weekly Cash (Temporary Aid)
$17,000.00
Clothing
1,000.00
Fuel.
2,000.00
Rent, Board and Care.
15,000.00
Medical.
2,000.00
Towns, Cities and Institutions.
3,000.00
Burials .
300.00
Incidentals
84
ANNUAL REPORT
Old Age Assistance-
· Weekly Cash $ 3,000.00
Clothing 500.00
Fuel. 200.00
Rent, Board and Care.
Medical. 800.00
300.00
Towns, Cities and Institutions
Burials
200.00
RECOMMENDATIONS
During the past year the City Infirmary has been re-shingled, painted and many other repairs have been made at a cost of $709.77; this includes shingling, painting and ordinary repairs. Every effort has been made to make the inmates as comfortable as possible. While the house is in better condition than at any time in the past, we are still of the opinion that this city is in need of a new City Infirmary. The records in this office show that the City Council of 1928 and 1929 were in agreement with the members of this board in their recommendation for a new Infirmary. We again wish to repeat that very careful consideration be given to this project.
More spacious quarters are regarded as an imperative need in the depart- ment. Congestion in this office is very great with only one room with desks and filing equipment.
The present arrangement of the office does not permit the proper handling of applicants for aid. Applicants should have an opportunity to give the in- formation requested of them and also receive their orders for aid free from obser- ivation and hearing of others. This board pleads for early action by your honor- 'able body for more spacious quarters. It is the board's sincere desire to see that its activities are so shaped that the greatest amount of good may be done for those needing its services, and yet at the same time not lose sight of the fact that economy in expenditures must be practical.
During the last session of the Legislature a new law was enacted and will be known as the Old Age Assistance Act. This law becomes effective July 1, 1931. The underlying principles of the measure are adequate assistance at home, individualized treatment of each case, and local administration with State supervision. This new law opens the way for development of Social Service for the aged. Such assistance, shall, whenever practical, be given to the aged person in his own home or in lodgings or in a boarding home. The pro- visions and administration of this law have been placed in the hands of local Boards of Public Welfare, and it will be necessary that an appropriation be secured. The work of the department will be further increased with the advent of this law.
During the past year more and more demands have been made upon this department for Social Service for children. We have been greatly handicapped because of the lack of any Child Welfare Clinic or Dental Clinic, Medical Social Service for children has been sadly neglected in this city. We believe that a program should be developed at the earliest possible date. It should be compara- tively easy to develop a medical clinic at the local hospital where children could secure a thorough medical examination, where physicians could make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment and diet to prevent malnutrition and other diseases in children.
The district nursing system has been of far reaching importance in this city in the work with children. With the handicap of no medical or dental
85
ANNUAL REPORT
clinic, their labor of love in this work has not been as generally effective as has been the development, such as the diphtheria and tuberculosis clinics. It is our opinion that the matter of the care of children is becoming a very serious prob- lem, and if some system is not soon developed the expenditures in this depart- ment will continue to increase each year.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK C. ROUNSEVILLE, Chairman CHARLES A. BOWEN JAMES F. MURPHY
Board of Public Welfare.
JOSEPH HARDY, Almoner and Clerk.
Report of City Forester
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Municipal Council:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1930.
During the winter months the roadsides, shade trees, and orchards were scouted for gypsy moths and their eggs were destroyed with creosote.
During the early summer where the gypsy moth catapillars appeared numer- ous I sprayed with arsenate of lead. The results were very satisfactory.
The brush was cut on most all country roadsides and the low branches of the trees.
Dead branches were removed from a large number of shade trees and some trees taken down, including the tree at the junction of Park Street and Oak Hill Avenue at Brigg's Corner, also the trees on North Main Street and Common- wealth Avenue in preparation for the widening of the streets.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. E. S. SMITH, City Forester.
86
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Park Commissioners
January 21, 1931
Hon. Stephen H. Foley, Attleboro Mass.
Dear Mayor:
We herewith enclose our report for 1930 as given by our superintendent as well as the playground supervisors. The activities speak for themselves and your board feels that the money was carefully expended and administered.
We ask you in your budget to consider the repair for both the Shelter Build- ing and the Water Extension, as these are necessary.
For new work we recommend the building of an Animal House at the expense of about Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00). We have had drawings made and estimates obtained for this house and the Commissioners will be only too glad to go over the entire matter with you at your request.
We also recommend a new Memorial Tablet which should be placed on the Common at an expense of between $2,500 and $3,000. We are of the opinion the tablet we have at the present time is not a suitable memorial to our World War Veterans and should be replaced by a permanent tablet.
Trusting you will give both of these matter your serious attention, we are,
Yours very truly, S. M. STONE, Chairman, Park Commissioners.
To the Board of Park Commissioners,
Gentlemen:
As Superintendent of the Park Department I herewith submit my sixth annual report ending December 31st, 1930.
More finished work of permanent nature has been accomplished in 1930 than any year previous. Both the G. A. R. and the Spanish War Veterans Monument plots were finished and seeded. The new lawns on the Dennis Street side of the Park improve this section to a great extent. The stone wall work around the pond and island were finished this year and add greatly to the beauty of the Park. Part of the island, a space about seven feet wide has been allotted to the planting of tulip bulbs and should prove to be a wonderful sight next May. The Attleboro Steam and Electric Company has cooperated with your Superintendent and installed four new lighting fixtures in place of the two old ones on the island.
These new lights, together with the string of colored lights around the pond, make good illumination for skating which we have had for about five days this winter.
The Zoo as usual has been a big drawing card. Citizens and children surely take a great delight in watching the animals do their stunts. The animals deserve better housing facilities than they have at present. A new Zoo Build- ing, open winter and summer, would be greatly appreciated by the children and people of Attleboro.
87
ANNUAL REPORT
The Band Concerts by the different bands and leaders were never any better and drew large crowds every concert. Many outisde visitors from other towns, cities, and states, were noticed at these concerts.
The Playground was well attended all summer and more grown people seemed to take pleasure and delight in watching the children at play, than in any previous year. New slides will have to be purchased this year as the old ones are worn out and not safe for the children any longer.
The children's wading and swimming-pool was well patronized by the children · during the warm weather. Thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Gertrude Sweet, new cement pillars were erected under the bathing house in place of the wooden posts which were old and rotted. New skylights put on the bathing house gave the much needed light in the dressing rooms. The whole pool was given a coat of cement paint, making the pool more sanitary and easier to keep clean. All this helps to promote healthy and robust youngsters and with good supervision Capron Park ranks high as a playground.
As the Park personnel has been busy on new work and construction the last three years, repair work on buildings has somewhat been neglected. The roof of the shelter and the cement construction where it has been damaged by weather and use, needs to be repaired, and the whole building given two coats of paint. There should be new gutters and conductors, and a cement walk about seven feet wide should be made around the building, thus keeping out the dirt and to a large extent eliminating wear on the cement floor in the building.
New two-inch water pipes from the six-inch water mains in the Park to the shelter building, ball field, and tennis courts should be installed. The old one- inch pipe, after eighteen years in the ground, has become so plugged with rust that it takes four times as long to water the ball field and the tennis courts as it really should.
As Superintendent, I wish to thank the Park Commissioners for their co- operation and support at all times; the supervisors for their interest in the health and welfare of the children using the park playgrounds; also the Police Depart- ment, Chief and Officers, for the careful and efficient way they handled the big crowds and the many automobiles on different occasions without any mishaps, and the Superintendent of Public Works for loam carted to the Park.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. ANDERSON, Park Superintendent.
To the Commissioners of Capron Park :
A survey of the work carried on at Capron Park Playground during the past summer of 1930, shows some very gratifying results. The program has of neces- sity been a varied one to meet the needs of the different children attending the sessions. The attendance has far surpassed that of any previous year, the following figures including only those who have been active participants in some planned Playground activity, regardless of visitors and adults:
Boys. 11,765
Boys using pool. 5,561
Girls.
8,960
Girls using pool 3,833
As the above figures show, the Hunton Pool has proved to be one of the main attractions. Besides the regular supervised swimming periods, a Junion Red Cross course in swimming for beginners, classes being held twice a week, was
88
ANNUAL REPORT
conducted. Two hundred children at the end of the season received the Red Cross Swimmers button after successfully passing the regular swiming and diving test. The improvements to the bathing house added materially to its efficiency and comfort. No, pool, however, regardless of equipment would be worth much unless it were kept in a safe and sanitary condition. The Park Pool has at all times met the above requirements, thanks to the constant care of Mr. John Anderson, Park Superintendent, whose tireless efforts have been much appreciated by the children and Supervisors.
The sports program has included for the boys, two baseball leagues, com- prised of eight different teams; a tennis tournament lasting for six weeks with the finals played off on the closing day; basketball, soccer; hikes; swimming; a quoit and a horseshoe tournament; archery, some of the bows and arrows used being made in the boy's handcraft classes; teaching of the fundamentals of foot- ball; tag football; track events; and low organization games for the younger boys. A Senior tennis team was formed which besides conducting a tournament among themselves, played some outside matches with teams from Plainville, Woonsocket, and Providence. In the girls program were tennis; swimming, simple track events; Volley ball; Newcomb; hikes; organized games for the younger girls; Folk dancing; and some interpretative dancing. Paddle tennis proved equally popular with both boys and girls, several short tournaments being run off during the summer. The many fine pieces of apparatus in the grove were an added source of pleasure, the younger children especially enjoying the swings and slides.
As in previous years, the Attleboro Public Library sent down a number of books so that a branch library could be conducted at the Playground. These were a help, too, in working out simple dramatizations. Some discarded maga- zines also, were sent so that the children could cut them up to make scrap books.
In cooperation with the Automobile Coordinating Bureau, a Safety Campaign was conducted during the season. The Playground Safety magazine was dis- tributed, song contests, and a number of Safety plays were given by the children, the girls making some of the costumes in the handwork classes. During the two months no serious accidents occurred, there being only a few minor cuts and. bruises which were given First Aid treatinent by the Supervisors.
Every Thursday a Weenie Roast was held in the grove, the children bringing their lunches and staying through the noon hour. These were always well attend- ed, it sometimes being necessary to build more than one fire. Generally after the roast a special feature was planned, as a candy kiss scramble, a peanut or a treasure hunt. The most popular one, however, was the one held at 5 P. M. so that the mothers and fathers could come and make it a picnic event with the children, and which the adults seemed to enjoy as much as the youngsters.
Handicraft classes were held for both boys and girls, the work covering a number of subjects because of the varying ages of the children. For the smallest ones there was sand modelling, with occasional contests; paper cutting; simple weaving; and paper dolls. Some easy designs were also worked out in Ivory soap, but most of this was done by the larger children using more intricate designs and having a more finished product. The older boys and girls had classes in basketry, working with both the reed, and the reed combined with raffia. In
the latter some fine baskets were made in imitation of the Indian woven designs, to be used for sewing baskets, coaster sets, hot plate mats, bags, flower bowls, fruit and hanging baskets. From the reed, they made table, boudoir, and floor lamps, with shades; trays, flower baskets of many shades and sizes; waste paper baskets; glass coasters; window boxes; shopping and sewing baskets.
Many very attractive articles were made from leather. This is a particularly fine medium for creative work as it gives the child an excellent chance to develop his own ideas in original designs. Some of the articles made were pocket books, from the large underarm bags to coin purses, bill folds; book covers; key-tainers;
.
89
ANNUAL REPORT
book ends; note-book covers; knife sheaths; belts; table mats; manicure sets; and desk sets.
A little work was done in the Dennison paper and sealing-wax craft, but a great deal more interest was shown in the girls' sewing. Through the courtesy of the Art Embroidery Co. a splendid line of stamped articles was sent to the Playground and was enthusiastically received. Over two hundred pieces of em- broidery were finished up during the season, one piece being a quilt top made by a number of the girls, the finished article to be given to Charity.
One big field day was held the second week in August, with a full day's program beginning with the flag raising at 8:45 A. M. to 8:00 P. M. Track events for both boys and girls with age classification were held on the athletic field, baseball game, bicycle race, archery and tennis tournaments for older boys; Volley ball game for older girls; Safety play given by girls; swimming events and stunts in pool, and a freak parade for all; a doll carriage parade, tricycle race, sand modelling contest, and candy scramble for younger children; a peanut hunt for older ones; a 5 o'clock weenie roast in the grove; and winding up with more stunts in the Hunton Pool. During the afternoon, a demonstra- tion was held on how the different handicraft articles are made. The last week in August the final exhibit of finished articles was held.
In closing, the Supervisors wish to thank the Park Commissioners and Super- intendent for their splendid support and cooperation.
ALMA C. HILLMAN, J. RAY COONEY
RECOMMENDATIONS
More paddle tennis courts (outdoor)
More tennis courts
Running track
New slide for swimming pool
Provision for winter sports (toboggan slide)
Building larger than the present War Chest to be used in stormy weather, with > enches for work, and a piano for recreational purposes, especially Com- munity singing and to help in having a Playground orchestra. This could be used to advantage in a winter program also.
90
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Police Department
Honorable Fred E. Briggs, Mayor, and Municipal Council,
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit for your consideration the Annual Report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1930.
ORGANIZATION
The regular force consists of a Chief, Lieutenant, two Sergeants, twenty-two Patrolmen and two Reserve Officers.
ROSTER Chief of Police Terence E. Flanagan
Lieutenant
Franklin Mckay
Sergeants
William J. Sargeant
William D. Norwood
Patrolmen
John Bora Joseph P. McBride
Edward E. Gobin
Joseph F. O'Donnell
John J. Kelley
Donat E. Pion
Charles E. Brown
Joseph A. Deland
Joseph A. Fredette John J. Bora
Eugene J. LaCroix
Charles M. Brogan
William Doucette
Ernest W. Holt
Horace A. Clifford
Gilbert E. Orr
Peter Marron William J. Desonier James H. Mulkern
Charles E. Willis
John F. Drew
Reserve Officers
Howard O'Hare
Lawrence R. Johnson
91
ANNUAL REPORT
CRIME
On the evening of February 25, a young man named Charles R. Hacking was found murdered on Newport Avenue in South Attleboro. Whether he was killed at the place where the body was found, or shot to death in an automo- bile and the body thrown along the road side we have never been able to determine. With the assistance of State Detective Clemmy a considerable amount of time was spent in investigating the case, but the murderer has not yet been brought to justice.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.