USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1944 > Part 2
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The board states that one particular criticism relative to the zoning ordinance is that there are not enough industrial districts, and points out there are two areas in which industrial expansion could be made, citing the old public works depart- ment yard on Forest Street, which has 11 acres, and another area, between Tha- cher Street, and the Ten Mile river, adjacent to the railroad, which contains 17 acres. One area, off Brook and Dunham Streets, was converted to an industrial district through action of the board last year. The board would welcome inquiries for industrial sites and other problems lying within the scope of its activities, the report states.
Visitors are welcomed at the headquarters of the board in the public works department office at city hall, to make any inquiries, the report states.
The board is headed by Joseph Finberg, chairman and includes Robert W. Mawney, secretary; Walter A. Cunningham, C. W. Cederberg, J. Burleigh Mou !- ton, Frank L. FBriggs, and Clifford A. Swanson.
11
ANNUAL REPORT
Supt. Mawney Pays Tribute to Loyal Public Works' Dept. Employes
In a report of the activities of the public works department for 1944 Supt. Robert W. Mawney omitted any recommendations for the current year, while extending thanks to the loyal workers in his depleted force who made possible the maintenance and repair of existing facilities last year. The department spent $189,422.25 last year.
The work of the department in 1944 included spreading 17,000 gallons of tar and 44,000 gallons of asphalt on streets, installation of 600 feet of new drainage; construction of 1485 square yards of granolithic sidewalks and 12,990 square yards of asphalt walks, also setting of 1500 linear feet of curbing and resetting of 7670 feet of the same.
Last year was a new peak for water consumption here with 574,862,000 gal- lons pumped, a daily average of 1575,000 gallons. It was necessary to pump a lot from Orr's pond due to the drought, 114 million gallons. The September hurricane with its 8,75 inches of rain remedied that situation and the reservoirs gradually filled again. During the year 3100 feet of water main extension was laid.
The city accepted four new streets for later construction, these being East, Yale, Tufts and Angeline, totalling 2238 feet in length. Ellis and Fisher Streets were reconstructed and resurfacing was done on Bliss Avenue, Maple, Brook and Clifton Streets and Richardson and Rocklawn Avenues. Treated with tar and asphalt were Pleasant, North Main, County and Newport Avenue, Highland Avenue, May, West, Park, Thacher and Bank Streets. Some others were treated with peastone or asphalt and sand. Drainage pipes were laid in Brownell and Dunham Streets.
There were seven new sewer connections made during the year bringing the total of buildings now served to 2238.
The streets were lighted in 1944 with 1268 all night using 100 candle power lights plus 67 of the 250 C. P. variety and 33 of the 1000 C. P. white way lights. There were 60 white way lights used from sunset to 11:30 p. m.
The department spent, for highway purposes in 1944 a total of $29,325.77 plus $7800 for repair of equipment, compared to $30,043 in 1943 and $26,962 in 1942.
During the year 19 new service pipes to carry water were installed of which 17 were to dwellings, one to a small building and one fire service line. Eight new hydrants were added to mains, bringing the total to 723. The city has total mains of 82,71 miles including 2984. 9 feet added last year. The maximum consumption of water was reached Friday, August 11, 1944, when 2,586,000 gallons went through the mains while Sunday, April 2, 1944 was the lowest, 906,000 gallons.
Despite the so-called drought, the year's total of precipitation was the second highest in six years, at 45.55 inches of rain and 26 inches of snow. Only 1942 ex- ceeded it with 46.83 of rain and 33.50 for snow.
15
ANNUAL REPORT
Public Makes More Use of Park System, Supt. Anderson Reports
I here with submit my twentieth annual report as Superintendent of Parks for the year ending December 31, 1944.
Our regular work of maintaining and caring for Capron Park, Blackinton Park, Angell Park, the Common, the triangle at Hebronville, and the vegetable garden and thousands of little trees at the City Infirmary kept the men busy all season.
The swimming pool and playground had an increase in attendance over last year but mostly smaller children due to the war and war work. Children would come to the Park mornings, bring their dinner baskets and stay all day, swim and play and be perfectly safe from all harm, their fathers and mothers at work.
Ruth Bassler and Kathleen Brennan gave the children at the Park eight weeks of supervision, Miss Bassler handling the boys in baseball and the girls in softball games, Miss Brennan handling most of the swimming activity, and both working together on other playground games.
The Band Concerts were well attended and much appreciated by all the people and would recommend 5 concerts for 1945.
Only two tennis courts were in use this year. With so many of the boys of our city in the service of their country and others busy on war work there were only the younger girls and boys that had time to play.
The people of Attleboro are fortunate to have such splendid recreation facili- ties as Hayward, Horton, Finberg, Briggs, and Capron Park playgrounds. We should all be grateful to those who have given so freely to the welfare, health, and happiness of the children of our city.
In the twenty-eight years that the swimming pool at Capron Park has been in use thousands have learned how to swim there, and many of our men in the service owe their swimming ability and possibly their lives to those first swimming lessons at the Park.
I wish to express my thanks to His Honor, the Mayor, and the Park Com- missioners for their help and cooperation at all times, also to the playground super- visors for their effort in promoting the health and welfare of the children at the Park playground.
Respectfully submitted, John E. Anderson Park Superintendent
Park Commissioners S. M. Stone, Chairman H. C. Wolfenden, Secretary Thomas G. Sadler
16
ANNUAL REPORT
Appeal Board Urges Contractors Aid Building Inspector in Enforcement
A situation in which numerous reports of violations of the local building and zoning laws are cited, and with a need for enforcement through a co-ordination of local agancies, pointed out, is reported by the zoning board of appeal .
"It is obvious that some property owners are attempting to circumvent or disregard both the building and the zoning ordinances. It is also obvious that the law is not being enforced.
Last year the board held 16 meetings and nine public hearings. granting four permits on appeals and refusing five others. Written decisions which are public records, were filed on each case.
The Board cites the alleged violations and lack of enforcement here as follows:
"One matter demands especial attention. During the past year the Board has received numerous reports from reliable sources concerning the construction of new buildings and the alteration of existing structures without required permits. It has also been reported that premises are being used for purposes prohibited by the ordinance. The frequency of such reports has increased in recent months. In some cases owners have applied for permits only after the contemplated new build- ings or alterations were partially completed. It is obvious that some property owners are attempting to circumvent or disregard both the building and the zon- ing ordinances. It is also obvious that the law is not being enforced.
"The Building Inspector is the enforcing officer. It is his function to require that every builder or user of land comply with the exact terms of the law. Laxity in enforcement, however, should not be blamed entirely upon the present incum- bent. He has only a part-time job. The zoning ordinance is comparatively new; and no procedure for enforcing the same has ever been formulated. This matter of enforcement requires careful consideration.
"With the end of the war all types of building will increase. In the opinion of the board, a full-time building inspector will then be required if the building and zoning laws are to be properly enforced.
In the interrim the building inspector should demand and receive the unselfish cooperation of the city solicitor, the police, and all other departments of the muni- cipal government. It may be necessary to take court proceedings against certain recalcitrants. The building inspector should also obtain the cooperation of all contractors and builders. They can render valuable assistance by refusing to un- dertake any alterations or construction work until required permits have been is- sued. They should explain to property owners that it is unsafe and sometimes costly to proceed with such work until permits have been obtained.
"Moreover, in the interim the board will listen sympathetically to requests for variances and special exceptions if such requests can be granted without detri- ment to the rights of adjoining owners or of the public. The board will insist, however, that all applications came before it with clean hands. Those who do not, have no right to expect sympathetic consideration.
"Finally, the public should realize, notwithstanding some sniping by those who selfishly seek to do as they like regardless of the rights of others or of commun- ty welfare, that zoning is a sound and progressive step in social evolution. It em- braces safety, comfort, health, beauty, and other social principles. Adherence to its reasonable requirements over a sufficiently long period of time will most certain- ly result in abundant returns to the individual property owner and the community.
17
ANNUAL REPORT
Police Report Shows They Recovered $14,526 Worth of Stolen Property
The annual report of the Police Department reveals that the police investi- gated 723 complaints during 1944 and prosecuted on 514 actions before the dis- trict court. Property valued at $15,590 was stolen here during the year, but police recovered $14,526 worth, leaving a balance unrecovered of $3064. In addi- tion police recovered property valued at $7130 here for other police departments.
Automobile accidents decreased last year, with a total of 199, of which 60 re- sulted in personal injury, and six in death for persons involved. There were 59 cases in which only property damage resulted.
During the year the department registered a total of 2318 bicycles in the city, under a new law.
The FBI was assisted by local officers in investigation of 82 cases during 1944.
Praise for accomplishment of an outstanding bit of work is given to Inspector Howard O'Hare and Patrolmen Raymond Gazzola and Eugene LaCroix in citing the most serious crime recorded during the year. The crime concerned an attack on a 10-year-old girl last March 16, with the only clew being an automobile de- scribed as grey and bearing Rhode Island plates. The thorough work of the offi- cers concerned resulted in arrest in Portland, Oregon, of a man who was brought here by the two patrolmen named, and sentenced to 12 to 15 years in prison on last November 15th.
There were 13 complaints for breaking, entering and larceny during the year with nine defendants being brought to court. There were 90 complaints regarding larcenies and 17 defendents prosecuted in court. Fifteen automobiles were stolen here during the year.
Arrests for the year totalled 353 males and 47 females.
Chief cause of arrest was drunkenness, 131 males and five females. Drunken driving came next, 38 males and six females and negligent driving prosecutions totalled 43, two being females. There were 22 complaints for assault and battery; 22 concerning neglected children; 16 of neglect to provide for families; 17 for lar- ceny; 14 for delinquency ; 14 for disturbance of the peace.
More serios complaints, in smaller numbers, included four for abortion, one for assault, four for assault to rape, one for carrying a concealed weapon, six for violation of the morals law by speech and behaviour and two for polygamy. Four persons were prosecuted for being present at gaming. Four men were held as tramps or vagrants.
Besides the arrests there were 42 persons summonsed for over-speeding and 24 for unlicensed driving; 10 for driving unregistered cars and 11 for leaving the scene of accidents after causing property damage. The total of summonses for all motor vehicle law violations was 114.
The department issued 53 no-fix tags and had 53 drivers suspended, plus 33 revoked. Licenses were eventually returned to 62 persons. There were 13 cases of registrations revoked on local complaints and only one returned.
Patrolmen made out 615 buff cards concerning motor vehicle law violations and warnings were issued in 521 of these cases.
A total of 61 hawkers and peddlers' registrations were issued.
18
ANNUAL REPORT
Of the auto accidents 40 were collisions between vehicles with 46 persons in- jured. Twelve bicycle riders were injured and 16 pedestrians hit, three being fa- tally hurt. Five autos hit poles causing injury to 10 persons and four hit trees, only one being hurt in these mishaps.
Praise is expressed for cooperation by the Misses Olive Nerney of the proba- tion department and Olive MeKinnon of the MSPCC in investigating and assisting in adjusting numerous cases involving neglected children and domestic troubles.
Gratitude is expressed also to Ex-Mayor MeIntyre, the city council, Judge Estes and associates, Probation Officer Newell B. Vickery, the Auxiliary Civilian De- fense police and the press.
The replacement of three present cruisers and one motor cycle as soon as pos- sible was recommended.
Net Cost of Public Welfare to Attleboro $70,033 in 1944
The net cost of public welfare department expenditures to the city, for 1944, was $70,033. 12. compared to an appropriation of $166,038.69. Total expenditures by the department during the year were $256,831.31 with Federal contributions reducing the city's outlay to $163,929.53. There was a balance of $3481.17 at the end of the year. There was reimbursement from the state, cities and towns of $93,896.41 which went into the city treasury, not going back to the department directly. This left the net cost at slightly over $70,000.
The outside relief account expenditures were $34.994.30 of which $23,334.13 was distributed in the form of weekly cash to persons in need, the remainder being for rent, clothing, fuel and medical bills. Salaries totalling $8481.37 were paid but the Federal Government contributed $4492.34 of this. Administration costs were $1016.43.
Aid to dependent children totalled $26,914. 84 with Federal contributions of $9116.52. Expenditures for Old Age were $178,714.76 with Federal contribution of $79,101.73.
The City Infirmary expenditures were $6518. 42, with a balance of $1511.58.
License Commission Granted 59 Permits; Receipts $10,042
The municipal license commission brought the city $10,042.50 in funds for licenses granted during 1944. A total of 59 licenses were granted during the year. There are 27 common victualer licenses with assessment of $2.50 each and five lodging houses which pay $2 each for a license. The board granted seven one-day licenses for alcoholic beverages at $5 each.
Fees for all alcoholic beverage licenses are innholder, $500; Class A restaur- ant, $450; Class B. $450; taverns $300; package stores $450; fraternal clubs, $250; wine and malt beverage innhokler license fee is $300 and restaurants $200. Sea- sonal club licenses are $100.
19
ANNUAL REPORT
Public Library Circulation Increased 11,770 During 1944
A review of the work of the public library for 1944 by Lucille Cavender, librarian, recalls the handicap of a personnel shortage, due to absence of workers, caused by government service assignments and illnesses. Appreciation is ex- pressed for the patience shown by the public in accepting delays.
A total gain of 11,770 volumes circulated as compared with the previous year, reflects increasing use of branches and school libraries. There were 583 new borrowers registered during the year, 319 of them adults.
Four branches are open one day weekly but hours are unsatisfactory and many employed persons are not free to visit them during the day and increased facilities are recommended.
A gain of 171 was noted at the Hebronville branch and the library class periods of Finberg school have been lengthened a half hour.
It was the 20th year for the South Attleboro branch and circulation there in- creased 1513 over the previous year.
At the Washington branch circulation increased 500 volumes and new regis- trations numbered 52.
The Tiffany branch has a collection of 1647 books and circulated 8791 books, of which 7148 of them children's books.
Additions for the year
Books.
Adults 1,865
Children 1,406
Total 3,271
Lost and Returned
3
3
Withdrawals .
560
992
1,552
Net Gain for the Year
1,722
Volumes in Library January 1, 1945 .
56,463
Borrowers
New Registrants
319
264
583
Circulation
Main Library
32,025
20,851
52,876
Hebronville
2,465
4,908
7,373
South Attleboro
2,540
2,374
4,914
Tiffany
1,643
7,148
8,791
Washington
2,375
9,403
11,778
Hospital
3,933
237
4,170
School Deposits
1,582
298
1,880
Grand Total
46, 563
45,219
91, 782
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Edwin F. Leach, President
Mrs. William Gregory
Mrs. Winthrop Barden, Secretary
Mrs. Charles Holden
Raymond F. Horton, Treasurer
Mr. Frank Licher
Mrs. Lewis Chilson
Dr. Frederick V. Murphy
Mrs, Arthur Conro
APPLENTRO FUELL JOSEPH L, SWEET MEMORIAL
20
ANNUAL REPORT
THE STAFF
Lucile Palmer Cavender, Librarian Barbara Gavin, Junior Assistant
*Virginia J. Cate, Staff Secretary
Dorothy I. Hannaford,
Louise F. Chandler, Senior Assistant
Assistant Librarian and Cataloger
Phyllis Edwards, Junior Assistant
Janet Hardaway, Children's Librarian
*Grace C. Freese, Senior Assistant *Marion Moore, Junior Assistant
Alice I. Kingman, Senior Assistant
PART-TIME ASSISTANTS AND PAGES
as of November, 1944
Bertha C. Bigney Jane Coogan Marion Garland Madeline Governo
Patricia Robbins
Dorothy Robinson Derith Ann Shea Barbara Thompson
Dorothy Moore
Frederick Chambers.
JANITOR Harry P. Chambers
*Leave-of-Absence for Government Service
Assessors Report Tendency to Erect Buildings Without Permit from City
"There is an ever-growing tendency to erect buildings without a building per- mit and some method should be devised to check on all buildings under construc- tion to find if the necessary permit has been granted".
Need for additonal plats to facilitate the valuing of land is also pointed out, "Assessors plats are a real necessity in the valuing of land and should be provided for the sections of which there are none, at the first opportunity".
The City of Attleboro includes property having a total valuation of $34,962,770, this including both taxable and non-taxable values. The tax rate of $28.50 per $1000 of valuation last year was determined on the basis of figures showing taxable real estate valued at $26,385,125 and personal property valued at $2,510,555. There is non-taxable real estate valued at $4,130,150 and non-tax- able personal property of $1,488,465.
City, state and county appropriations in 1944 totalled $1,367,448.22. There were estimated receipts of $528,027.82 and polls of $15,864.40 leaving the total to be raised on property here at $823,526.88. This included a return of $29.52 on overestimate for state parks.
There were 7749 persons assessed on property; 7923 on poll tax. The num- ber of dwellings assessed was 4236 and the total of acres of land assessed was 15,000
The average tax on motor vehicles owned here was $4.72 last year with the average value set at $140. A total of 5793 motor vehicles were assessed in Attle- boro.
21
ANNUAL REPORT
Superintendent of Schools Reports 3121 as Average Membership
In his second annual report, the 60th in the series of annual reports of the superintendents of this city, Superintendent Ernest F. Forbes reports 3273 as the total enrollment of different pupils in the local schools; average membership, 3121; average daily attendance 2862 with 92 as the per cent of attendance during the year 1943-1944. The school census, taken October, 1944 was 408 children be- tween the ages of five and seven and 2362 between the ages of seven and 16, making a total of 2770.
The total number of different pupils enrolled from 1943 to 1944 was 3273; daily average membership 3121; average daily attendance, 2862 and per cent of attendance for the period, 92 per cent.
From an average membership of 893 from September, 1933 to June, 1934, to the period from September, 1934, to June 1944 with 966 there was a loss of 197 in the high school. During the same period, the average membership in the elemen- tary schools dropped from 3263 to 2425, making a total of 838. Average member- ship from the period of September 1933 to June, 1934, in all schools dropped from 4156 to 3121 with a loss of 1035 or 25 per cent during the 10 year period.
The population census, during the 10 year period from 1930 to 1940, increased from 21,769 to 22,071.
Ninety-five percent of the pupils in the local schools write as well as they are expected to write, according to a summary of penmanship awards from 1943 to 1944, only 107 pupils did not hold a penmanship award for the grade they were n; but that 2193 pupils did hold grade awards or higher in June, 1944.
Report of High School Principal
Freeman Hall, Jr., in his second annual report as acting principal of the Attle- boro High School combines his subject matter under 10 headings: Enrollment; Enrollment by curriculum, December 1944; Follow-up of the graduating class of 1944; Extra-curricular activities; Staff changes; Guidance; Innovations and notes regarding various departments; Athletics; Music and the Cafeteria.
Under Enrollment, the average enrollment for the month of September, 1944, was 743, including eight post-graduates, 199 seniors, 136 juniors, 213 sophomores and 267 freshmen. This was an increase over the year 1943, due somewhat to the "back to school" movement sponsored in this city of giving the boys and girls of the city the maximum amount of education rather than having them absorbed in industry before this could be accomplished.
Enrollment by curriculum was 716 in December 1944; 199 in the college course composed of 24 seniors, 49 juniors, 64 sophomores and 62 freshmen; tech- nical course with 56 including eight seniors, 12 juniors, nine sophomores and 27 freshmen; commercial course with 244, composed of 44 seniors, 42 juniors, 55 sopho- mores, and 103 freshmen. The manual arts had 91, composed of 14 seniors, 12 juniors, 30 sophomores and 38 freshmen; household arts with 20, including three juniors, seven sophomores, and 10 freshmen; civic arts with 103 including 25 seniors, 14 juniors, 38 sophomores and 26 freshmen.
22
ANNUAL REPORT
Of the 156 graduates from the high school in the class of 1944, 46 entered higher institutions of learning, 29 different institutions receiving members of the class, Bryant College. with five and Sayles Memorial and Sturdy Memorial hos- pitals, each admitting four, being the only schools taking more than two of the graduates. Sixty-three of the class entered industry; five are at home and two, married.
Of the extra-curricular activities, the following clubs and organizations have been represented; Student Council, Blue Owl and Tattletale, Press Club, Senior Play, German Club, Sketch Club, French Club, Junior Red Cross, Library club and Tri-Y. The Student Council among other activities planned the drive during the sixth war bond drive and collected $17,500 through the high school. Under direction of Miss Jessie Pithie, the group has sold war stamps totalling $14,546.35 since September, 1944
Under staff changes, one member of the faculty resigned during the past year, Chandler Richmond, head of the English department who left because of poor health. He was succeeded by Arthur Newcomb, who has carried on the work as department head and Blue Owl adviser. At present an English outline, covering the minimum requirements for the four years of high school work has been drawn up and is under discussion,
The Guidance program, under the direction of Miss Jessie Graves and Harry Cooper, for the duration is four-fold consisting of personal interviews, testing, job- placement and gathering and disseminating vocational information, and after the war, post-graduate follow-ups and job analysis of the alumni, properly a fifth phase completing the guidance program, will be resumed.
It is interesting to note among other things, that approximately 57% of the pupils work after school hours, in the senior class, the percentage being 80. Nearly 25% of the freshmen and sophomores who work, devote more than 25 hours per week to their outside work while only 2% of the working seniors work that many hours. The largest percentage of upperclassmen work in shops and factor- ies, whereas the majority of the underclassmen work in the store-clerical field, which includes newsboys. Twenty-seven percent of the senior class is already working in office jobs.
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