USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1931 > Part 6
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On July 1, 1931, there became operative a law passed by the Legislature in 1930 to provide Old Age Assistance to persons seventy years of age or over. This law calls for a separate bureau of Old Age Assistance. This extra burden was placed upon the Board here, without any provisions for extra clerical or visiting staff. Although this law required the addition of at least two additional clerks, none was provided for until October 1st, when a provisional clerk for a period of three months was provided. We believe that with an additional clerical force of two in July, such a foundation should have made possible a satisfactory adminis- tration of the law providing adequate assistance be given to aged persons. For deserving citizens who are in need of relief and support, Cities and Towns are required to give adequate assistance. This law also calls for separate quarters for the administration of Old Age Assistance. The efficiency of the department operations has been greatly effected by inadequacy of the quarters.
79
ANNUAL REPORT
There has been for years need of a more spacious office. During the last year a plea for larger quarters has been made without result. The cramped conditions have become almost unbearable. The congestion in the hallways of the building have seriously effected the efficiency of other departments and has caused undue hardship on the staffs, with the multitude of persons crowded in the small area every day:
In October, the finance committee of the City Council insisted upon a new policy in the department in not recommending appropriations previous to the contracting of bills. This policy increased the departmental work over 100 per cent. This policy also increased the congestion in the hallways until the atmos- phere has become most devitalizing to the workers in practically every department in City Hall. In rendering the report for 1931 it will be observed that the ex- penditures have increased from approximately $47,000.00 in 1930, to $117,150.34 in 1931.
The whole number of persons aided in 1930 was 1,020. In 1931, the whole number of persons aided was 2,300. The whole number of cases aided in 1930 was 264, and the number in 1931 was 509. It must be remembered that many of these families are aided weekly, the year around. Our city infirmary shows about the same number of inmates as 1930, an average of 13. It is not necessary for us to emphasize the reason for the ever increasing number that have to be aided.
First, there is the depression in our leading industry, although this is not confined to Attleboro.
Second, sickness whereby the worker is deprived of any income except in such cases where they have been wise to join fraternal orders or societies in which the sick benefits received have kept them away from the Welfare Department.
Third, because there is no other place to go for financial assistance in a depression of the present magnitude.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Board respectfully renews its request that serious consideration be given to the imperative need of suitable quarters to make possible the proper functioning of the department. The Board also respectfully renews its request that serious consideration be given to the imperative need of additional clerical assistants in the office. Two additional full time clerks and stenographers are needed if good social case work is expected.
Investigation of family relationships requires more time than the Almoner and Visitor has at his command. He cannot, therefore, effect the necessary adjustments and properly investigate special problems in every case when he is compelled to stay in the office, bookkeeping and filing records.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Receipts
Appropriation
Salaries-Almoner, Clerk, and Asst. Clerk.
$ 3,166.00
Administration and Other Expenses
932.00
City Infirmary
7,363.75
Mother's Aid.
11,575.00
Outside Relief
117,153.56
Old Age
4,776.00
Total Appropriation
144,966.31
Total Expenditures.
141,103.96
Balance
3,862.35
80
ANNUAL REPORT
DETAIL OF APPROPRIATIONS
Salaries
Appropriation, Almoner, Clerk and Asst. Clerk.
$
3,166.00
3,052.00
Expended
Balance
$ 114.00
City Infirmary
Appropriation. $ 7,133.75
Transfer from Old Age Assistance.
230.00
Total Appropriation
7,363.75
Expended .
7,361.87
Balance.
1.88
Administration and Other Expenses
Appropriation
$ 932.00
Expended
929.97
Balance
2.03
Mothers' Aid
Appropriation.
$ 11,575.00
Expended .
10,019.03
Balance
1,555.97
Outside Relief
Appropriations-
March 17, 1931
$ 25,400.00
April 7, 1931
3,600.00
April 10, 1931 .
7,000.00
April 25, 1931 .
7,000.00
May 5, 1931
6,000.00
June 2, 1931
5,200.00
June 16, 1931
10,000.00
July 7, 1931
6,000.00
July 21, 1931 .
1,000.00
August 4, 1931
32,411.17
November 3, 1931
2,184.38
December 1, 1931.
11,308.01
$117,103.56
Refunds-
May 25
$18.00
May 23
10.00
July 15
22.00
50.00
Total Appropriation
$117,153.56
Expended .
117,150.34
Balance
3.22
81
ANNUAL REPORT
Old Age Assistance $ 5,000.00
Appropriation .
Transferred to City Infirmary Account.
230.00
Refund Dec. 23, 1931
6.00
Total Appropriation
4,776.00
Expended .
2,590.75
Balance
$
2,185.25
DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES Administration and Other Expenses
Rent
$ 144.00
Light.
18.24
Phone
29.79
Office Supplies
352.38
Automobile Allowance.
240.00
Transportation-Outside Relief
145.56
Total.
$ 929.97
City Infirmary
Salaries-Matron
$ 900.00
Labor.
520.00
Medical.
350.93
Food Supplies
3,545.70
Clothing .
440.70
Repairs on House
57.27
Fuel.
283.94
Light
155.68
Phone.
36.30
Other House Maintenance and Operation
323.94
Hay and Grain .
152.36
Out Buildings Maintenance and Operation
395.30
Insurance.
199.75
Total
$ 7,361.87
Mothers' Aid
Weekly Cash
$ 9,597.50
Supplies
331.03
Medical
93.50
Total.
$ 10,019.03
Outside Relief
Weekly Cash .
$ 44,367.08
Rent, Board and Care.
54,960.55
Clothing
2,415.28
Fuel.
5,413.44
Medical
5,612.89
Towns, Cities and Institutions
4,141.10
Burials
240.00
$117,150.34
4,770.00
82
ANNUAL REPORT
Old Age Assistance
Cash Expended
$ 2,590.75
Outstanding Accounts
Administration and Other Expenses $ 357.67
City Infirmary
1,178.83
Outside Relief
18,594.68
Old Age Assistance
40.00
Total
$ 20,171.18 141,103.96
Total
$161,275.14
BILLS RECEIVABLE
Outstanding January 1, 1931
$ 11,548.43
Committed 1931 . 32,015.59
$ 43,564.02
(Billed to July 1, 1931)
Collected and Paid Treasurer
19,507.33
Outstanding December 31, 1931
24,056.69
$ 43,564.02
CAUSES OF DEPENDENCY
1931
1930
Unemployment .
283 cases
112 cases
Insufficient Income.
55
24
Sickness .
65
43
Desertion-Non-Support
23
66
12
Death of Husband.
21
20
Husband in Prison .
12
5
Insanity of husband
3
66
0
66
Death Both Parents.
2
66
1
Old Age
24
21
Orphans
12
66
19
Crippled Children
2
3
66
Burials
2
0
509
264
Since May, all able-bodied men have been put to work on different city projects, Public Works Department, Capron Park, City Forestry, City Home, etc.
ESTIMATED VALUE OF WORK TEST
Public Works Department
$15,000.00
Park Department .
6,000.00
Forestry Department
3,000.00
City infirmary (Wood)
2,000.00
$26,000.00
66
60
Chronic Illness
4
4
Expended
83
ANNUAL REPORT
(No estimate received from School Department)
Mother's Aid Cases, 1931. 12 Settled at Attleboro 10
Unsettled. 2
12
Number of persons affected Mothers' Aid-72.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
"Total number of applications 1931 144
Investigated. 53
Assistance granted. 37
Denied .
16
Applications pending
38
144
Cases settled Attleboro aided in other cities 2. Outside Relief cases settled at Attleboro, aided in other cities 18.
All wood removed from highways and Park was taken to City Infirmary and was sawed and split by recipients of relief, delivered into homes and charged to case at retail price prevailing in the City. You will therefore note that about 200 cords were sawed and split by recipients, and wood also charged in addition to relief granted in those cases settled elsewhere.
The City received the value of the labor and also the wood, in addition to aid given.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK C. ROUNSEVILLE, Chairman JAMES F. MURPHY CHARLES A. BOWEN
Board of Public Welfare
Report of City Forester
To Fis Honor the Mayor, and Municipal Council :-
I herewith submit my annual report of the Forestry Department for the year ending December 31, 1931.
During the winter months the work of destroying gypsy moth eggs with creosote was carried on.
In the early summer months the trees along the roadsides were sprayed to destroy gypsy moth catapillars where they appeared numerous.
Brush was cut on all country roads, particular attention was given to corners and bad curves.
I was able to do more of this kind of work on account of having the help of the unemployed which was furnished by Mr. Hardy through the Welfare Depart- ment, and which I greatly appreciate.
The men were of great help removing trees which became necessary through change of the street line.
Respectfully submitted, WM. E. S. SMITH, City Forester.
84
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Park Commissioners
To the Board of Park Commissioners, Attleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :-
1931 has been a year of patch and repair work due to the fact that the pre- ceeding three years our efforts have been centered on new and permanent work such as completing stone wall and fence around pond, grading and seeding around the G. A. R. and S. W. Veteran's Monuments, adding about five acres of new lawn to the general maintenance of park work. This makes a total of sixteen acres of lawn that has to be cut every week in summer.
New two-inch water pipe laid to shelter building, ball field and tennis courts"
Roof on Newell Shelter repaired and woodwork given a coat of paint, Casino building given two coats of paint. The bleachers, bathhouse, and pool were also painted.
All settees repaired and given a coat of paint, the two flag poles in the park were also painted. Honor Roll on Common given two coats of paint and one new pane of glass put in. The flag pole on Common needs repairing before it is painted next year. The estimated cost of same, one hundred dollars
The space inside fence at the pond about four feet wide and one-half way around the pond was filled in with loam this spring and planted with perennials. This with pink flowering dogwood and tulips planted on the island should make the pond a beauty spot next year.
About one hundred and fifty trees at the park and all the trees on the Common and Angell Park were given a good trimming, wounds and cavaties treated and painted.
All holes in roadway filled with crushed stone and tar, oiled and sanded. Walks at Capron Park and Angell Park given a dressing of crushed stone dust.
The appearance around the Casino was greatly improved by taking out the old shrubs and cedars that had been there since 1900. The lawn in front of casino was regraded and sodded. New evergreens were planted, and walks approaching casino lined with Poliantha or dwarf roses. Old tar concrete re- moved and new cement floor laid in place of tar. Pipe railing erected on three sides of casino to prevent people and children from crossing lawn in approaching or leaving the building.
The playground and swimming pool certainly proved very useful and beneficial this year. A great many children that used to go to the seashore during the school vacation stayed home this year, and so we had more children using the playground equipment than usual, also many young men between sixteen and twenty, not having any work and not knowing what to do, came to the park to spend the day. These young men were given the use of the ball field, tennis courts and horse-shoe games whenever this did not interfere with the regular playground schedule.
The band concerts, altho three less than last year, were very well rendered and attracted bigger crowds than ever before.
Starting May 18th of this year, the City Welfare Department has sent to the park every week from ten to thirty men to work in the park one to three days a week. These men grubbing over about four acres of very rough and stony land, thereby making it possible to save about 3,000 yards of loam for the city and park. These men also helped to cut about 400 oak trees into cord wood, the same turned over to the City Welfare Department for distribution to the needy of our city. About 1500 tons of stone have been carted away from grubbed area with plenty more to cart.
85
ANNUAL REPORT
If we are to have the same conditions for 1932, the next work to do would be to pull out stumps from cut down trees, then strip all loam from area that requires filling one to three feet. Stack same in piles for future use, then fill in with gravel and subsoil to subgrade. In order to do this as it should be done, would suggest extra appropriation for a new or used dump truck, so as to have two trucks on the job in order that the work could be carried out to the best advantage for the city. Also extra appropriation to purchase 500 loads of peat to be mixed with loam as it is stacked. After laying in stacks for a couple of years this treatment would make splendid soil for proposed rose and flower garden as per your planning for the three acres of land in the center of the park.
If there isn't any money available for this extra appropriation, rather than work to disadvantage I would suggest that for the year 1932 we omit fireworks and band concerts and use that money for the 500 loads of peat and a used or new dump truck.
As Superintendent, I wish to thank the Park Commissioners for their co- operation and support at all times, the play-ground supervisors for their interest in the health and welfare of the children using the playground and swimming pool. Also the Police Department Chief and Officers for the efficient way they handled the big crowds of people and automobiles on different occasions without any accident to autos or pedestrians.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN E. ANDERSON, Park Superintendent.
To the Commissioners of Capron Park :-
The annual report of Capron Park Playground for the past season of 1931, contains some rather satisfactory aspects. One of the most gratifying of these has been the increased attendance. The following figures include only those children directly engaged in some form of supervised activity during playgound hours: girls-10,355; boys-14,785. The attendance at the Hunton Pool pro- claims its popularity; well deserved not only because of the thought and care of its donor in its planning, but also because of the untiring efforts of Mr. Anderson in keeping it absolutely clean and sanitary. Two mornings a week in the pool, special Red Cross instruction classes were held for beginners, many availing themselves of this opportunity for free lessons. Aside from that, the hours were 9:00-11:45 A. M., free period for boys; 2:00-3:30 P. M., supervised period for girls; and 3:30-4:45 supervised period for boys, the attendance totalling as follows: girls, 4,270; boys 5,721.
Two years ago the Automobile Rating and Accident Bureau, acting with the Supervisors, instituted at the Park, a safety campaign. This policy has continued through successive summers and again the Supervisors are happy to report no serious accidents beyond a few minor cuts and burises given First Aid treatment on the grounds. This is worthy of note considering the great number of automobiles at all times in the Park and the fact that they are driven across the ball field and other play areas to the tennis courts. Suitable badges for the five boys and five girls chosen to act as Playground leaders were furnished by the above mentioned Bureau.
Despite the intense heat of the summer, baseball was as popular as ever with the boys; two leagues being formed, Junior and Senior, running a daily schedule of games. At the close of the season the winning teams were taken to Boston and given a chance to see a Big League game, thanks to the generosity of the Park Commissioners.
The boys also took a keen interest in quoits and horseshoe pitching, some closely contested matches and tournaments being held, both of the elimination and round robin type. A horseshoe tournament was held for the adults, too, bringing together some expert players.
86
ANNUAL REPORT
The boys also had supervised instruction in Soccer, football fundamentals, basketball, Volley ball, and archery.
Tennis still holds paramount place in the sports program of the boys and girls and of the adults. The courts have been in constant demand from daylight to dark every clear nay. Both round robin and elimination tournaments were held for the children, culminating in the finals the last week to decide the Play- ground championship. Teams were formed among the adult players which played several teams from nearby cities, beside the regular tournaments held to decide the city champions in singles and doubles matches.
Paddle tennis becomes more popular every year, so great being the demand for it this season that the playing time had to be cut down to fifteen minutes for each group of players, whether playing singles or doubles.
Volley ball, captain ball, Newcomb, and basket ball were played by the older girls, while low organization games, as singing games, motion songs, bat ball, and variations of tag, were enjoyed by the younger children, including both boys and girls.
For quiet recreation periods, games of checkers, Camelot, Parchesi, dominoes, and puzzles, were loaned to the Playground. The Attleboro Public Library, too, gave some old books from which some attractive scrapbooks were made. They also sent to the Park a large number of books for circulation, and as an aid in the story hour period.
The handicraft program was comprised of classes in sewing, weaving, basket- ry, leathercraft, papercraft, and painting. Under the heading of sewing may be mentioned the work done in embroidery, Italian hemstitching, and crochet. The work varied in difficulty with the ability of the girls, some of the articles being hot dish holders, handkerchiefs, doilies, mats, scarfs, bridge sets, pillows, towels, aprons, dresses, doll's clothes, bed spreads, and bags for many different purposes, as sewing bags, clothespin bags, shoes, and laundry bags.
The boys joined the girls in the weaving and basketry classes, making bed lights, table and floor lamps with reed shades, trays, waste baskets, sewing baskets, many kinds of fruit and flower baskets, ginger ale and coaster sets, and window boxes.
The leathercraft classes were also formed of both boys and girls, and here too, some excellent articles were made, including knife sheaths, belts, archery equip- ment, scout equipment, book covers, table mats, large pocket books, underarm cases, coin purses, bill folds, loose leaf note books, book ends and desk sets. The papercraft was of more simple construction for the younger children.
The regular Thursday noon weenie roasts in the grove were continued the past summer and proved even more popular than before, each one having an attendance of a hundred. Dinner hikes were also planned to nearby places within easy hiking distance and where a camp fire could be built.
The annual field day was held the third week in August with a record attend- ance even for these looked-forward-to events. The finals were played off in the various Playground championships during the morning while the other sports and athletic events were held on the ball field. During the noon hour a camp fire was built in the grove for those who brought their lunch. In the afternoon children and parents were entertained with a performance of magic by Mr. Daniels, after which the swimming events were held in the pool.
In closing the supervisors wish to thank the Commissioners and Park Super- intendent for their splendid support and cooperation at all times.
Respectfully submitted, ALMA C. HILLMAN J. RAY COONEY
87
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Dog Officer
Attleboro, December 15, 1931.
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council:
I herewith submit to you my annual report as Dog Officer for the year 1931.
During the past year I have traveled 3641 miles as Dog Officer and have occupied 653 hours in that pursuit. I have also been called upon to destroy 159 dogs, owners unknown, within the limits of this city.
The City Clerk presented me with a list of 361 delinquent dog tax payers. I found it necessary to prosecute 12 owners that had failed to comply with chapter relating to dogs. There are at present 1601 dogs licensed in this city exclusive of kennel licenses.
The appropriation for the department I have found very inadequate. I have expended $658.00 from February 18 to September 15, of the current year. In view of the present conditions I have gratuitously agreed to serve the remainder of this year without compensation at a considerable loss to myself. Now in justice to myself and it seems to me, the City of Attleboro, I shall respectfully recommend that the sum of $300.00 be added to the appropriation for the year of 1932 whether it is to be expended by myself or my successor.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER J. COSGROVE, Dog Officer.
Report of City Physician
Month
Dispensed at Home
At Office
January
120
24
February
139
12
March
115
28
April
91
62
May
90
77
June.
73
77
July .
56
98
August
46
115
September
50
97
October
60
98
November
82
109
December
112
114
Totals
1034
911
Number of Confinements taken care of at home
8
88
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Police Department
Honorable Stephen H. Foley, Mayor, and Municipal Council,
Gentlemen :-
Following is the Annual Report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1931.
ROSTER
Chief Terence E. Flanagan
Lieutenant Franklin McKay
Sergeants
William J. Sargeant
William D. Norwood
Patrolmen
John Bora
Edward E. Gobin
Joseph P. McBride John J. Kelly
Joseph F. O'Donnell
Charles E. Brown
Donat E. Pion
Joseph A. Deland
Joseph A. Fredette
Charles M. Brogan
Eugene J. LaCroix
Ernest W. Holt
William Doucett
Peter Marron
Gilbert F. Orr
John F. Drew
Charles E. Willis
John J. Bora
William J. Desonier
Horace A. Clifford
James H. Mulkern
Reserve Officers
Howard O'Hare James T. Doyle Joseph E. Heagney
Lawrence R. Johnson Primino Gazzola
CRIME
For a city as large as ours, and on account of the unsettled conditions of the country on account of the business depression, the amount of crime is sur- prisingly small. The ranks of criminals today are largely made up of young men scarcely out of their teens, and the Courts are up against a perplexing situation as to the best way to handle their cases.
During the months of April and May we had a series of house and store breaks in the south part of the city. Two juveniles under the age of 17 were responsible for most of them and they were sentenced to the Industrial School for Boys at Shirley. The Highland Country Club was entered during the night and a large amount of valuable articles stolen. This was the work of juveniles also who were apprehended and sent to a State Institution.
89
ANNUAL REPORT
Two chain store breaks, a break at Sillman's shoe store and two safe smash- ing jobs remain yet to be solved, also a hold-up in a chain store in South Attle- boro. Outside of the above mentioned crimes the rest have been of a petty nature and in the main fairly good order has prevailed.
TRAFFIC
This branch of the service I believe is at the present time fairly well regulated and handled. The new set of traffic rules adopted by the Council in 1930 have been enforced without fear or favor. The citizens have been careful in obeying them so that a very few prosecutions in the District Court were necessary. As far as possible Police Officers were in attendance in vicinity of the schools when the children were being dismissed, and in some cases when the children are going to the schools. I regret my inability to be able to place an officer at all the junior grade schools, and hope that the time is not far distant when this needed protection can be given. I am proud to state that, the automobile fatalities in Attleboro this year have been considerably reduced, from four in 1930 to one in 1931, notwithstanding the addition of a new "speedway" in the southern part of the city. The new traffic lights on Washington Street and Newport Avenue have been now installed a considerable time, yet they seem to get out of commis- sion very easily, and quite a few accidents have been narrowly averted when the north and south bound traffic and the east and west were given the "go signal" at the same time.
LIQUOR ENFORCEMENT
The enforcement of the liquor laws is an important part of the duty of police officers. This year as in previous years it was given more than ordinary attention. Suspected places were placed under a close watch and when the proper time arrived the place was raided. In regard to liquor control, I believe that Attle- boro is much better than any city of same size in the Commonwealth.
WELFARE WORK
Each year the volume of welfare work increases and the problem of the proper manner of handling of juvenile delinquents is becoming a serious proposi- tion. Miss Olive Mackinnon, Agent for the S. P. C. C., has worked in the fullest cooperation with the police, and I wish to express my appreciation for her un- tiring effort in this work during the past year.
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