USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1935 > Part 6
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It is recommended that larger quarters be provided for this department. The efficiency of the department's activities is greatly affected by the inadequate office space, and this has been extremely noticable during the past five years. Working under these cramped conditions seriously handicap the staff, due to the increased amount of relief work.
The ventilation is inadequate, and there is no privacy for interviews, which proves both embarrassing and dis- tressing to those seeking our aid.
The Old Age Assistance Law which became effective July 1, 1931 requires that a separate bureau be estab- lished, and this requirement calls for another room which has not been provided for to date.
The quarters needed in normal times are approxi- mately as follows :
1. Private office for Old Aid Assistance Bu- reau, Board Meetings and General Aid in- terviews.
2. Main office for records and bookkeeping.
3. Applicant's and general waiting room.
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The Board respectfully asks that serious consideration be given to the imperative need of these suitable quarters, to make possible the proper functioning of the depart- ment.
In conclusion the Board of Public Welfare, and its Almoner, wish to extend their appreciation to the em- ployers, for their cooperation in the employment of needy persons; the treasurers of the local banks and insurance companies for information given us upon request.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES L. AHEARN, Chairman, CHARLES H. RIZOLI, CHARLES V. TOUHEY, Board of Public Welfare.
JOHN T. O'BRIEN, Almoner.
REPORT OF THE MILFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT
Roster of Members William L. Power, Chief. Thomas Manguso, Deputy Chief. Joseph J. Fahey, Deputy Chief Frank Calzone, Clerk.
Engine Co. No. 1
Captain, William Young; Lieutenant, George Sullivan ; Charles Negus, Clifford Ray, Aubrey Allen, Elmer Rose, Andrew Sonne, William J. Hynes, Matthew Cellozzi, John O'Connor, Batista Tomasini, Edward O'Rourke, John Manuel.
Engine Co. No. 2
Captain, James L. Adams; Lieutenant, Percy S. Adams; James H. O'Brien, Henry Elliott, Garden Rae, Francis Murphy, Emile Moore, Frank Comoli, Martin Ahern, William Bellefato, Anthony Ferigno, John McCabe, Anthony Visconti.
Engine Co. No. 3
Captain, Edward Duggan; Lieutenant, James Ed- wards; Clyde Cheney, Fred Ruhan, Harry L. Cronin, Car- roll Dewing, Fred Rose, Joseph Gubana, Samuel Morcone, Charles Hixon, Charles DiAntonio, Joseph Santosuosso, James Casey.
Ladder Co. No. 1
Captain, Edward McDermott; Lieutenant, William Carini; John Hennessey, John Spencer, Louis Tredo, Louis Fusco, William Fertitta, Cosmo Santora, Bernard Manion, Joseph Casey, John Adams, James Casey, George Fitzpatrick, John Kelly.
Permanent Drivers
Albert Sullivan, John Sherillo, Thomas O'Grady, Wil- liam Barlow, Harold Murphy, Frank Higgins.
125
Volunteer Company Hose 4
Consists of fifteen men who volunteer their services in the North Purchase District.
1 LOCATION OF FIRE ALARM BOXES
14 Central Street, opposite Baker Slip.
15 Central Street, opposite Milford Shoe Co. factory.
16 Depot Street, near Barney's Coal Yard.
17 Corner Spring St. and North Bow St.
18 Central St., opposite Archer Rubber factory.
19 Central St., opposite East Street.
21 Main St., near Home National Bank.
23 East Main at M. F. & U. Coach Co. Office. (Private.)
24 Main St., opposite Town Hall.
25 Corner Main and Pine Streets.
26 Main Street at Supple Square.
27 East Main St., opposite Cedar St.
28 Corner of East Main and Medway Streets.
29 Haywood St., near Parkhurst St.
31 Water Street, corner Bancroft Avenue.
32 Water Street, near Draper Co. Property.
34 West St., opposite Lee Street.
35 West Street at the corner of Cherry St.
36 High Street at the corner of West Spruce Street.
42 43 Sumner Street, at the corner of Granite Street.
45
School Street, at the corner of Walnut Street.
Purchase Street, opposite Geo. W. Ellis residence.
46 Purchase Street, corner of Fountain Street.
47 Purchase Street, opposite Eben Street.
52 Main Street, corner of Water Street.
53 Main Street, corner of Fruit Street.
54 Main Street, near Milford Hospital.
56 Otis Street, corner of Leonard Street.
62 Franklin Street, corner of Claflin Street.
63 Grove Streeet, corner of Forest Street.
64 South Main Street, corner of Fruit Street.
65 South Main Street, opposite Cadman farm.
72 Congress Street, corner of West Street.
73 Congress Street, corner of Spruce Street.
126
74 Congress Street, corner of Walnut St.
75 Upper Congress Street.
281 Dodds quarry.
TELEPHONE BOXES
271 Beyond residence of Lyndhurst A. MacGregor, Cedar Street.
282 East Main Street, beyond the Dodds Quarry.
283 Birch Street on Medway Road and Bear Hill.
341 Clancey Homestead and West Street beyond.
751 Upper Congress Street, beyond Card's farm.
CALL SIGNALS
One blast-Chief's call.
Two blasts-Fire all out.
Four blasts-House call.
Five blasts-Fire out of town.
Six blasts-Military call.
Seven blasts-Assembly of Boy Scouts.
EMERGENCY CALL
Telephone-65-2 South Main Street Station. 1430 Main Street Ladder Station.
SCHEDULE OF PROPERTY
Two brick buildings and one frame building with nec- essary equipment; one Amoskeag steam fire engine (in storage) ; one American La France type 75 Combination pumping engine and hose truck, 750 gallons per minute, fully equipped, one American La France G. M. C. type Combination pumping engine and hose truck, 500 gallons per minute, all equipped ; one Maxim Combination pump- ing engine and hose truck, 600 gallons per minute, fully equipped ; one Maxim Ladder Truck, fully equipped; one Ford V-8 Brush Fire Truck, fully equipped for brush fires and used for house fires in winter months; one Ford Hose
127
Truck, fully equipped (North Purchase) ; one H. & H. Inhalator-Grappling Hooks and all necessary equipment one four-way Morse Deck Gun-Twenty-one Lights, 6500 ft. of first-class hose and 500 ft of second-class hose ; one Guptill Brush Fire Pump and 2000 ft. of brush fire hose and necessary equipment. .
FIRE ALARM AND TELEGRAPH
One four-circuit Storage Battery Switchboard, com- plete with batteries and wiring, thirty-five miles of wire, two turtle gongs-four direct tappers, three indicators, one repeated, one LeBaron Air Whistle and tanks, com- plete, one transmitter and equipment, one motor gen- erator and 37 Alarm Boxes, one Barry Sound Signal Equipment.
From January 1, 1935 to December 31, 1935, we answered to 244 alarms-42 general alarms and 202 tele- phone calls, we also rendered service on 8 calls for the in- halator for serious sickness and drownings.
Insurance of Buildings where actual fires occurred $161,000.00
Insurance paid on buildings. 16,846.70
Insurance on contents. 119,900.00
Insurance paid
22,600.00
The fire that occurred at the Archer Rubber Co. fac- tory added considerable to the amount of the insurance paid on buildings and contents, had it not been for that, this department would have had a very small amount of loss, favorable we believe with losses of any past years.
This year we made a great many needed repairs to the apparatus and buildings, notably, is the WPA project that is now being completed at the South Main St. Station, where we are making the sleeping quarters for the drivers a decent place to sleep, and changing over the bathroom, where we are having installed a new shower
128
bath and toilet, in place of the antiquated equipment that was installed there, this the board felt was greatly needed, we had the motor in Engine I thoroughly overhauled and the pump in Engine II was taken out and new parts that were worn replaced. This work we feel had to be done in order to save the town a greater expense later on.
The board wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, Police Dept., Highway Dept., the wire inspector and the special police officers for their very fine co-operation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM L. POWER, THOMAS MANGUSO, JOSEPH J. FAHEY,
Board of Fire Engineers.
1
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Board of Selectmen of Milford, Mass .:
Gentlemen :- I have the honor to submit a report of the duties performed by the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1935.
Total arrests
234
Males
220
Females
14
Juveniles
13
Guilty
176
Not guilty
20
Suspended sentence
22
Released without arraignment
24
Filed
33
Fined
54
Held for Grand Jury
3
Placed on Probation
18
Committed to House of Correction
39
Committed to the State Farm
10
Committed to the Lyman School
5
Insane committments
15
Assault and Battery
18
Auto violations
48
Assault on officer
1
Assault with dangerous weapon
1
Alien carrying firearms
2
Bastardy
3
Breaking and entering
2
Breaking glass
6
Concealing leased property
1
Disturbing the Peace
1
Drunkenness
77
Indecent exposure
1
Injury to property
6
130
Keeping liquor
1
Larceny
20
Non-support
6
Stubborn child
3
Trespassing
5
Unlicensed dogs
10
Vagrancy
3
Violating the Lord's Day
6
Operating to endanger
1
Operating under influence of liquor
5
Aiding out of town officers
34
Accidents investigated
131
Red light calls answered
512
Injured in auto accidents
97
Killed in auto accidents
2
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. MOLONEY, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen-In rendering the annual report of the Wire Inspection Department, I am glad to state that there is evidence of quite a revival of construction during the year.
Oil burner installations continue to be the leading fac- tor, but building in general is on the increase and three rather extensive jobs, namely, the Peerless Shoe Co., the High School Addition, and the addition and re-equipment at the Milford Hospital added very largely to the busi- ness of the year.
Two of these are still under construction.
It has been very gratifying that some of the property in the business section that has changed ownership has had the wiring put in good condition. Some of this prop- erty had been getting in poor condition for some time, and for financial reasons could not be overhauled.
I would repeat the warning given many times in the past, to avoid without fail, both cheap and unapproved material and ignorant and unlicensed workmen.
This is important, even in the smallest jobs, as a very small defect may cause a loss of much property, or even life.
Property owners are warned to keep radio antennas away from, or at least below all light and power wires. Neglect of this precaution may cause very serious results.
The wires and structures on the streets and highways are in very good condition except in a few places where they are menaced by trees or privately owned lines, and these conditions are receiving attention.
Respectively submitted,
FRED M. DANIELS, Inspector of Wires.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
For the past year this town has been practically free from tuberculosis in cattle. There have been no cases reported in the 268 head of cattle examined. Interest in the detection and eradication of Bang's disease (con- tagious abortion) has increased in the last twelve months due largely to announcement of the Federal government that plans are being made for the allotment of money to the various states for the control of this disease. Mas- sachusetts is cooperating in this movement.
The rabies situation continues to be serious. Milford has had several cases causing anxiety, but none has been fatal to the person involved. Owing to increased interest and cooperation on the part of physicians in reporting dog bites to the Board of Health, more animals are being examined and quarantined yearly.
It is hard to explain the lack of interest on the part of dog owners in preventing a disease so dangerous to pub- lic safety and health and a disease which invariably ter- minates fatally.
In many Massachusetts cities and towns clinics are held for the purpose of giving a preventive treatment to dogs. Dog owners are asked to pay only a small fee for the service.
There has been a notable increase in the number of swine being kept in this community in the past year, but no outbreaks of contagious diseases have been reported among them.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. B. F. HARTMAN.
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Milford:
We hereby submit our annual report for the year 1935.
This year we hired several extra men for a period of ten days early in the spring and gave all four parks a thorough raking and cleaning. This work was badly needed, especially on Town Park where E. R. A. had left the grounds in a very untidy condition. The area near . the tennis courts presents a problem of daily cleaning up of papers which we attended to this year. This in itself was an innovation.
E. R. A. gave us the home base bleachers in 1934, which in 1935 cost us considerable for labor and paint. We gave them two coats.
We regret the unfinished condition of the dugouts on the ball diamond. Possibly 1936 will see them completed.
Due to a wet summer the tennis courts remained in good condition all season. Had it been dry sprinkling of the courts would have been impossible due to the cor- roded condition of the water main into the park. This pipe, many, many years old, must be replaced in 1936, and a branch line run handier to the three new tennis courts.
The past spring brought out clearly the change in drainage demands on Town Park due to the new tennis courts. Washouts on the Emmons street walk and the ball diamond perpetually cost the Town money. A proper drain from back of the drinking fountain to the brook should be installed. It is hoped special appropriations may be had for the latter two items.
Cementing of the Emmons street walk from the com- fort station to the new High School would help, but until the water causing all the trouble is properly cared for
134
there is little use trying to repair this walk or its en- virons. We know this area is in a deplorable condition.
We eliminated the matron from the comfort station leaving its care to the man always on duty in Town Park and found this a satisfactory economical way to handle its care.
We managed with two regular men all season and did a fair job of keeping grass cut on Town Park, Bancroft Park, Draper Park and Calzone Park in spite of frequent breakdowns of our power mower and a season ideal for the growth of grass. The power mower cost too much for repairs and we intend to buy a new one in 1936.
We made the first serious attempt to get turf on the football field by fertilizing and seeding it and then elimi- nating actual football playing on it. The coming season will tell us the wisdom of our ways.
PLAYGROUNDS DIVISION
We installed the new playground voted at the March Town Meeting in the Hoboken district, at the Hoboken school yard. After allowing for supervision expenses we managed to set up a comparatively good set of appa- ratus. Reports from this area prove it to be a good investment and with the purchase of a slide in 1936 this playground will be equal to any in equipment and better than some in appreciation of its equipment by the chil- dren.
The equipment for the other three playgrounds, most of which is very old, was in a bad state of repair. We felt that if the Town is to have playgrounds it should at least keep the apparatus in repair. We bought some new swings and considerable odd small repair parts and put everything in good shape to start the season. We wish to report the close of the season found it all still in good condition. With a small expenditure to improve the equipment in 1936 and the same efficiency in the corps of supervisors that we had this year the Town and the children will each profit thereby.
135
If we can supply the Oliver street Playground with seesaws all three grounds will then have about the same amount of equipment.
It is our policy to keep playground apparatus down to the simple things and in repair. We want to give the children in Milford all the supervision possible with the funds and hope to continue to find such able, conscien- tious supervisors as we have had heretofore. This year we had a trained athletic coach in charge of baseball on Town Park. This not only took baseball off the streets and back lots but gave those boys who could not make High School or Legion teams some advantages never before experienced. We hope to continue to advance our supervision of these four playgrounds in similar manner. It is to be regretted that three of the playground areas are rather small.
We take this opportunity to thank all who in any way assisted us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
FRED W. CLARRIDGE, Chairman, SIMON P. HICKEY, PATRICK J. CARROLL.
REPORT OF THE SEWERAGE COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Milford:
The Sewer Commission present for your consideration the following report for the year ending December 31, 1935. As in the immediately preceding reports a detailed financial statement will be omitted and for this informa- tion you are respectfully referred to the Town Accoun- tant's report printed herein under a separate heading.
During the year 1935 no main or lateral sewer con- struction was undertaken, sixteen (16) additional house connections were made, however, making the total num- ber of house connections to date eighteen hundred thirty- four (1,834).
The usual maintenance of the system of sewers and treatment works was carried forward during the year and considerable extra work was done principally in the painting of the pumping station wood work at the Med- way Road and Charles Street stations.
All the buildings at the treatment plant were painted and a new shingle roof was constructed on the plant tool house, together with the repair of the hips of the dosing tank superstructure at the sand filter area. New doors were hung at the tool house and the sand filter dosing tank building and all outside piping, railings, etc., at the Imhoff Trickler plant were cleaned and painted. New sand was placed on the surface of the trickler plant sludge beds also.
Approval of the construction of additional treatment works, required by the State Department of Health, based on the report and plans of our consulting engineer, Mr. F. A. Barbour, was received from the State Health Department and an E. R. A. project for the preliminary surface grading and excavation was made and received approval by the authorities-in February the E. R. A.
137
work was started and carried forward with reasonable success until June when, it appeared that approval of the construction of the complete works under a Federal P. W. A. grant-financed project could be secured, a forty-five per cent grant was offered by the Government and accepted by the Town and plans were made to go for- ward on this basis.
Your Commission instructed its consulting engineer to prepare complete plans and specifications for the pro- posed construction, and after securing approval of the P. W. A. authorities bids were called for covering the fur- nishing of materials and construction of the additional treatment works.
Bids were received on October 29, 1935, and all seven contracts were awarded to the low bidders except Con- tract 4 (gate valves) and Contract 6 (general con- struction), these two contracts being awarded to the second low bidders as being in the best interest of the Town.
Approval of the contract awards was received from the P. W. A. authorities and the Commission signed all contracts on December 14, 1935-work was actually started on the construction of the additional works on December 16, 1935, and has progressed rapidly to date, excavation for the secondary tank unit being completed and the first concrete was placed previous to December 31, 1935.
The general contract for the construction calls for the completion of the entire works on or before September 14, 1936. Present indications point to a much earlier date of completion and the Town will be in a position to adequately meet the requirements of the State Depart- ment of Health early in the summer of the year 1936.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED F. MARTIN, ERNEST E. O'BRIEN, FRED L. ROBERTI, Chairman, Sewer Commissioners.
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT REAL ESTATE, PERSONAL AND POLL TAXES
Year
Levy
Amt. Pd. Treas.
Abatements
Balance
1929
Disclaimer
$131.80
$131.80
Aud. Adjustment
$33.07
$53.07
Aud. Adjustment
86.14
1930
Disclaimer
2,686.00
2,839.00
Aud. Adjustment
122.40
209.39
Aud. Adjustment
66.01
To be refunded
1931 Balance
2.908.31
3,597.26
Abatement
295.56
187.40
Interest
227.45
Judgment
2,570.00
To be refunded
Fees
9.69
Aud. Adjustment
223.04
Disclaimer
2,736.28
......
Aud. Adjustment
614.73
7,515.02
1,434.17
1,275.27
Judgment
692.00
. .......
Aud. Adjustment
420.48
Tax Titles
485.51
........
Interest
738.85
........
Fees
14.19
4,426.88
12,426.97
1933 Balance
95,130.75
86,951.04
Judgment
628.00
........
Disclaimer
1,741.13
Tax Titles
857.22
........
Refund
9.83
Aud. Adjustment
495.42
........
Aud. Adjustment
1,189.46
........
Interest
7,582.17
........
Fees
132.19
........
1934 Balance
219,360.95
113,387.44
5,343.21
104,498.84
Tax Titles
2,645.17
.....
Aud. Adjustment
100.34
Aud. Adjustment
356.37
........
Interest
4,864.31
...... ..
Fees
70
1935 Warrant
530,924.65
315,982.19
6,198.65
198,310.36
Dec. Levy
297.71
Tax Titles
10,926.65
Refunds
53.85
......
Interest
141.64
........
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Year
Levy
1931 Balance
$69.00
Interest
.24
Aud. Adjustment
1.00
Amt. Pd. Treas.
Abatements
Balance $69.00
1932 Balance
8,522.84
Disclaimer
2,126.17
Aud. Adjustment
420.56
138
Disclaimer
1,904.73
..
..
...
$1.24
........
313.00
Aud. Adjust.
1.00
1933 Balance
964.00
27.98
942.00
Interest
1.98
Aud. Adjustment
4.00
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX
1929 Balance
$602.27
Aud. Adjustment
1.19
1930
Balance
1,757.62
1,757.62
1931 Balance
2.402.01
$4.98
Aud. Adjust.
2.93
Aud. Adjustment
49.03
1932 Balance
2,695.42
2.00
2,708.08
Aud. Adjustment
2.00
17.74
Refund
30.40
..
....
1933
Balance
1,819.04
84.46
1,744.03
Interest
5.03
Aud. Adjust.
5.50
........
......
Fees
.35
.....
........
Aud. Adjustment
9.57
.......
........
1934 Balance
3,827.41
2,488.67
94.23
1,454.23
Fees
4.70
........
........
........
Refund
116.99
...
...
1935 Warrant
16,624.84
14,042.71
660.18
2,615.37
Interest
7.06
......
Fees
3.15
..
....
........
Refund
683.21
..
..
..
SEWER ASSESSMENTS APPORTIONED
1927-1934
$1,904.24
$166.95 Aud. Adjust. $66.57
2,737.60
1935
770.97
........
.....
........
Aud. Adjustment
62.39
........
........
SEWER ASSESSMENTS UNAPPORTIONED
1925-1933
$10,846.46
$270.62 Aud. Adjust. $456.95
$10,916.52
Aud. Adjustment
70.06
.
..
..
..
...
........
..
..
2.449.11
Interest
.98
..
........
..
139
..
Interest
103.47
Aud. Adjust.
15.44
..
Respectfully submitted,
W. J. READ, Tax Collector.
1932 Balance
317.00
3.25
Interest
.25
..
$603.46
Aud. Adjust.
........
In Memoriam
The death of Doctor Thomas J. Nugent on June 27, 1935, brought to a close a life devoted to the best interests of the Milford Town Library. Under his guidance as Chairman of the Trustees, the library enjoyed steady growth and influence. He was always keenly concerned with all the ac- tivities of the library, giving generously on all occasions, his wise counsel and encouragement. In grateful acknowledgment of his loyalty and service, we, the Members of the Board of Trustees of the Milford Town Library wish to spread on our records this expression of our appreciation.
-
January 11th, 1936.
Attest: Frederick H. Gould, Secretary.
MILFORD TOWN LIBRARY
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The Trustees of the Town Library submit the follow- ing Report for the year 1935 :-
On June 27, 1935, the Board of Trustees suffered a great loss in the death of its Chairman, Dr. Thomas J. Nugent. Dr. Nugent had been a member of the Board and its chairman since June 2, 1924. Always a gentle- man, with the good of the Library at heart, his loss to the Board and to the Town is a matter of the deepest regret.
At a meeting of the Trustees at a later date, Captain Gilbert C. Eastman was elected Chairman of the Board and is at present serving in that capacity.
The vacancy caused by Dr. Nugent's death was filled at a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and The Board of Trustees of the Library, when Mr. R. Lloyd Dillon was chosen a member of the Board of Trustees.
The Board would call attention to the Circulation Re- port of the Librarian with a total of 77,330 volumes for the year, a gain of 2,619 volumes over the preceding year. For the books presented to the Library, as outlined in the Librarian's Report, the Board extends their sincere thanks.
During the year a telephone has been installed in the library, which has been found to be a great addition to the service the library staff is endeavoring to give the public.
The Board realizes that the keyword is economy, yet they feel that no department of the town gives any more real pleasure and profit to the general public than our Li- brary and it is hoped that our appropriation may be as liberal as possible.
The Library some years ago adopted the open stacks and in view of the vast increase in circulation in recent years the Board feels that this was a wise move. Under the old system it would be physically impossible to cope
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