USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1917 > Part 4
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Causes of complaint were as follows :
Assault,
40
Affray,
4
Abuse of female child,
1
Bastardy,
3
Bigamy,
1
Breaking and entering,
2
Carrying a revolver,
5
Conducting a lottery,
1 8
Criminal trespass,
Drunkenness,
232
Driving away a team without permission,
2
Disturbing the peace,
14
Evading railroad fare,
11
Evading draft law,
1 11
Fugitive from justice,
35
Lewdness,
1
Manslaughter,
1
Malicious mischief,
13
Non-support,
9
Selling cigarettes to a minor,
1
Unnaturalized alien having rifle in possession,
4
Vagrancy,
23
Violation of school laws,
2
Violation of pedlars laws,
3
Larceny,
71
Violation of motor vehicle laws,
39
Violation of vehicle laws,
2
Violation of town by-laws,
1
Violation of liquor laws, 14
It will be noted that there were no prosecutions for viola- tion of the dog law during the last year. This fact is probably due to the rather vigorous prosecution of offenders by the offi- cers in previous years. It is much easier to pay the dox tax when it is due than to pay the tax later and a fine in addition for the delay. It is hoped that the police will be relieved from further trouble with dog cases, a little care on the part of dog owners being all that is necessary to bring about such result.
Work in the field of investigation by the police was much increased in the year 1917 over earlier years, particularly in connection with registration and the return of questionaires un- der the Selective Service Law.
The frequent happening of automobile accidents, one of them resulting fatally and several of them attended by serious injury, has required much time from the police in the line of investigation. It is understood, however, that hereafter a county inspector is to be employed by the highway commission to investigate and prosecute automobile cases: In the event of such an appointment the work of the local police in this field will be much lessened.
There has been much to do in the line of looking into fam- ily troubles and many cases have been investigated with good result, it is believed, where no prosecution was instituted. This is an important field of endeavor, of large interest to the public, affording an opportunity to everybody to contribute something in the way of aid toward promoting the public good. The police will welcome suggestions as to children suffering from neglect by reason of the fault or indifference of parents.
From the frequent murmurings heard I believe it will be apparent that the enforcement of the town by-law in reference to the care of sidewalks is not satisfactory to the public. Neither is it satisfactory to the police. Many calls have been made upon individuals and suggestions offered that they should
72
take better care of their walks, generally with good results. There are, however, a few owners and tenants of property who seem to pay very little regard to the obligation of the by-law. Perhaps a few prosecutions will have a wholesome effect. At any rate' the wisdom of notifying individuals further to live up to the requirement of the law may fairly be questioned and those under lawful obligation to take care of ice and snow upon sidewalks may not be surprised hereafter if instead of a friendly word from one of the officers a notice is given to ap- pear at court.
The members of the force have done their work well during the year, no suggestion having been heard of indiffer- ence or neglect of duty upon any occasion. The men deserve the confidence and continued support of the people of the com- munity in their efforts to uphold the law and maintain good order in the town.
TIMOTHY J. CRIMMINS, Chief of Police.
Young Men's Library Association
Report of the Librarian for the Year Ending December 31, 1917.
To the Members of the Young Men's Library Association :
I herewith submit my seventh annual report as Librarian of your association. This report will be as succinct as possible.
CIRCULATION.
The total circulation for the year has been 47,738. It was as follows :- Main Library, 31,398; Three Rivers Branch, 9,197 ; Bondsville Branch, 4,605; Thorndike Branch, 1,753; School Branches, 785. This circulation shows a decrease of 1,670 from that of last year, and a decrease of 5,874 from the highest ever attained by your library, which was during the year of 1914-1915. The last two years have shown a steady decrease in circulation. This is a fact-not a theory-and, therefore, must be due to some definite cause or causes.
The cause, in my opinion, is this :- In 1914, at least until after Germany's declaration of war, business was almost at a standstill. The mills were running on a part-time schedule. People had a great deal of time at their disposal, some of which they devoted to reading. As business began to improve and even become rushing, the public had less time for reading. As a consequence, our circulation fell off last year, and still further this year. The many calls for all kinds of war-relief work have left many with little leisure time for reading. What little is left is used by many to read literature-generally paper or magazine-concerning the war. Reading, like nearly every other peace-time avocation, has had to stand its part of the necessary sacrifice entailed by war conditions.
74
Frankly, I feel that a loss of 1,670 in circulation the past year is much less than might normally be expected under present-day world conditions. Any loss that the library may suffer is welcomed, provided the time of the reader taken from his book is devoted to measures of war relief.
The library has endeavored to satisfy the demand for war information by purchasing all good books upon any of its phases. Readers will find much good material along this line if they will call. The library is intent upon giving its readers what they should have in the matter of reading.
WAR WORK.
The library has lent its support to all efforts of a patriotic nature. It has done two very practical things :
(1). It raised, through the generous subscription of the townspeople, $500 for War Camp Library Work ;
(2). It has supplied, from the gifts of people and front its own shelves, books for this same purpose. At the present' time, a box of 100 books is being prepared to be sent directly to the 28th Company, 7th Battalion, Depot Brigade, Camp Devens, the receiving company for boys from this district, to. be used by them in their recreation room.
GIFT.
The Association has received during the year a gift of $1,000, bequeathed by Miss Maria Hastings of West Brook- field, a former resident of Palmer. The bequest has been ac- cepted, and will be deposited in the Palmer Savings Bank under the name of the Trustees of the Young Men's Library Asso- ciation as "The Maria Hastings Fund," the income only to be drawn by the treasurer of the association upon the approval of the Board of Directors. Such disposition of the fund warrants. that it will be kept intact and thus serve as a perpetual memorial to the donor.
The association is gradually acquiring an endowment fund and, if all expectations become realizations, will some day be in the position of being self-supporting, or nearly so.
75 BRANCHES.
The branch libraries seem to be filling a need. Patronage in Three Rivers and Bondsville is especially good. Thorndike's use of her branch is not as great as we wish it were. Her proximity to the main library causes some to come where the assortment is larger.
The service rendered these branches this year by the main library has been better than that during previous years. Miss Swann has given a personal oversight to these stations, paying a visit each month. A more frequent exchange of books will help much. This year I hope that the branches will call for and get more books than ever before. Much of the success of the branch depends upon the attendant stationed therein. If my wishes and desires can become actualities, the branches will render a much larger service.
ANTI-AID.
The effect of the adoption of the "Anti-Aid Amendment" upon us locally is, as yet, undetermined. Exception is made in the law of "free public libraries." The whole matter rests upon the legal interpretation of these words-"free public library." Is a "free public library" one entirely controlled by the public, or one of merely free public use ? To all intents and purposes, ours is a "free public library." Whether or not the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, the body which must event- ually interpret these words, will render a decision sufficiently broad in scope to classify our library as one receiving exemp- tion from the provisions of this law can not be safely even guessed at by lawyer or layman. No one can say what its ultimate effect will be.
Whatever the outcome may be, the trustees of this library assure the townspeople that they will do their utmost to so ar- range affairs that the public will not suffer any more curtail- ment of reading opportunities than absolutely necessary. The chief interest and intent of the trustees is to give the public
.
76
everything possible. They consider themselves public custod- ians. They will safeguard the reading public insofar as they are able.
All that can be done is to make our usual request of the town for money and await future developments.
STATISTICS.
CIRCULATION.
Main Library, Fiction,
26,356
Main Library, Non-Fiction,
5,042
31,398
Branch Library, Three Rivers,
9,197
Branch Library, Bondsville,
4,605
Branch Library, Thorndike,
1,753
School Depositories, Villages,
785
16,340
Total,
47,738
Last Year,
49,408
Decrease,
1,670
BOOKS AND MAGAZINES.
Books on hand January 1, 1917,
12,162
Purchased during year, .
773
Received by gift,
7
Books on hand January 1, 1918,
12,942
Number of paper and magazines supplied,
52
Respectfully submitted, CLIFTON H. HOBSON,
Librarian.
Palmer, Mass., January 10, 1918.
77
TREASURER'S REPORT
RECEIPTS.
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1917,
$502.09
Received from Town of Palmer,
3,000.00
Received from fines,
59.44
$3,561.53
EXPENDITURES.
Miss Robinson, attendant,
$600.00
Miss Swann, attendant,
355.00
E. Spaulding, janitor,
156.00
L. R. Holden, Branch Library, Bondsville,
104.00
Mrs. K. T. Loftus, Branch Library, Thorndike,
104.00
Miss Fletcher, Branch Library, Three Rivers,
104.00
Fuel and lights,
458.84
Books and Magazines,
1,483.05
Miscellaneous expenses,
115.76
$3,480.65
Cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1917,
$80.88
Respectfully submitted, LOUIS E. CHANDLER, Treasurer.
Town Warrant
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Hampden, ss.
Town of Palmer.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Palmer, in said County,
GREETING:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachsetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn all the inhabitants of the Town of Palmer, qualified to vote in elections of town offi- cers, to meet at the several polling plåces in said Palmer, desig- nated by the Selectmen, to wit: In Precinct A, at Holbrook Hall in the Holbrook Building on Main Street in the Depot Village ; in Precinct B, at Temperance Hall on High Street in Thorndike ; in Precinct C, at Polish Lyceum Hall on East Main Street in Three Rivers, and in Precinct D, at Boston Duck Company's Hall on Main Street in Bondsville, on Monday, the fourth day of February, A. D. 1918, at six o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to give in their votes on one ballot to the precinct officers of the several voting precincts of said town for the following town officers, to wit: Three Selectmen, a Town Treasurer, a Tax Collector, two Auditors, five Con- stables, three Fence Viewers, three License Commissioners, and a Highway Surveyor, all of the term of one year ; a Town Clerk, one Assessor, one Overseer of the Poor, two members of the School Committee, one member of the Board of Health, and one Cemetery Commissioner, all for the term of three years ; also to vote by ballot, which shall be "Yes" or "No," in answer to the question "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?"
The polls will be open at six o'clock in the forenoon, and will be closed at three-thirty o'clock in the afternoon.
79
And you are further hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Palmer, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town House at Four Corners, in said Palmer, on Monday, the eleventh day of Febraury, A. D. 1918, at one o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meet- ing.
Art. 2. To choose two or more Field Drivers, Measurers of Wood and Bark, and all other usual town officers.
Art. 3. To act on the reports of the town officers.
Art. 4. To raise money and make appropriations to de- fray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
Art. 5. To see if the town will authorize the Town Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the ensuing financial year, in anticipation of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for current expenses of the town, but not exceeding in the aggregate the amount permitted by law, giving the note or notes of the town therefor, payable within one year from the date thereof ; all debts incurred under authority of this vote to be paid from the revenue of the said financial year.
Art. 6. To hear and act on the reports of committees.
Art. 7. To choose committees and give them instructions.
Art. 8. To determine the manner and state the terms and conditions of collecting the taxes for the ensuing year, and fix the compensation of the Collector of Taxes.
Art. 9. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors.
Art. 10. To see if the town will raise and appropriate, money for the Young Men's Library Association, or take any action relative thereto.
80
Art. 11. To see if the town will raise money to convey pupils to and from the public schools, and instruct the School Committee as to the manner of letting the contract for such conveyance.
Art. 12. To see if the town will vote to raise money for the observance of Memorial Day.
Art. 13. To see what action the town will take in rela- tion to sewers.
Art. 14. To see what action the town will take in regard to lighting the streets, and whether it will authorize the Select- men to make contract therefor, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 15. To see what action the town will take in refer- ence to the planting and preservation of shade trees.
Art. 16. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the care and improvement of cemeteries.
Art. 17. To see what action the town will take in regard to sidewalks and curbing.
Art. 18. To see if the town will vote to maintain night police in the several villages, authorize the Selectmen to employ and appoint in addition a chief of police and to make rules and regulations for the government of all the police officers of the town, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 19. To see what action the town will take relative to suits and claims now pending against the town.
Art. 20. To see if the town will make provision for re- imbursing the police officers for expenses incurred in the dis- charge of their duties, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
81
Art. 21. To see if the town will appropriate money for the suppression of gypsy and brown-tail moths and elm tree' beetles.
Art. 22. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate money for the repair and maintenance of the clock lo- cated in the Universalist Church tower, in the Depot Village, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 23. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate $300.00 for insurance and maintenance of the auto fire truck, for the coming year, or see what action it will take rela- tive thereto.
Art. 24. To see if the town will appropriate money for defraying the town's share of the support of the District Court.
Art. 25. To see if the town will appropriate such sum of money as may be necessary to defray the cost of the rent, janitor service and maintenance of the town offices in the Hol- brook Building.
Art. 26. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 for the support of agricultural demonstra- tion work on land owned by it or by any resident of the town, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 707 of the Acts of 1914, or any other law authorizing the same ..
Art. 27. To see if the town will vote to extend the present sewer from a point near the French Catholic Church in Three Rivers northeasterly to a point nearly opposite the Town House, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 28. To see if the town will vote to build a new concrete sidewalk in the Village of Bondsville from a point at the east side of the bridge leading to the Boston & Albany Rail- road station to connect with the present concrete walk on Main Street, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
82
Art. 29. To see if the town will vote to grade and harden the northerly end of Holbrook Street in the Depot Village, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 30. To see if the town will vote to adopt any by-law or regulation regarding the driving of motor vehicles and teams at intersections and crossings of public ways and in and through village streets.
Art. 31. To see if the town will vote to provide addi- tional school accommodations, to acquire, by purchase or by right of eminent domain, any land or site for a school building or buildings, or for school purposes, and raise money for the same by taxation or by an issue of bonds, notes or script, and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 32. To see if the town will vote to sell a certain tract of land lying near Palmer Center on the southerly side of the highway leading from Palmer Center past the house formerly of George A. Smith, and bounded and described as follows, viz: Northerly by said highway ; easterly and souther- ly by land now of A. H. Goetting, formerly of F. D. Thompson, and westerly by the highway leading from Palmer Center past the house of Niel Johnson, containing about two acres, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 33. To see if the town will vote to sell the tract of land, with the school building thereon, known as the Forest Lake schoolhouse lot, situated near Forest Lake, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 34. To see if the town will vote to sprinkle or spread upon its public ways, or parts thereof, water or any liquid or material suitable for laying or preventing dust and preserving the surface of such ways and for sanitary purposes, the cost thereof to be assessed upon abutting estates, or take any action relative thereto.
83
Art. 35. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $1,000.00 and pay the same to the Spring- field Street Railway Company under authority of Chapter 353 of the Special Acts of the year 1917 entitled "An Act to au- thorize the Town of Palmer to appropriate money toward the cost of a street railway bridge over Ware River."
Art. 36. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any sum of money under authority of Chapter 264 of the Gen- eral Acts of the year 1917, entitled "An Act to authorize cities and towns to make certain emergency appropriations in time of war."
Art. 37. To see if the town will vote to macadamize or otherwise improve the public way in the village of Thorndike beginning at the junction of Commercial and High Streets and extending to Lake Junction, so-called, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 38. To see if the town will vote to widen High Street in the Village of Thorndike at a point west of the property of J. J. Kelley, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 39. To see if the town will vote to extend the sewer in North Street in the Village of Three Rivers northeasterly about 200 feet to a point opposite the residence of Peter Frydryk.
Art. 40. To see if the town will vote to purchase for the use of the Town Farm a tract of land containing about seven acres situate near Palmer Center and described in deed from John W. Loftus to William Burdick, recorded with Hampden County Deeds, Book 892, Page 417, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 41. To see if the town will macadamize or other- wise improve Depot Street in the Village of Bondsville ex- tending from Main Street to the bridge over the river.
84
Art. 42. To see if the town will vote to build two catch basins in Main Street in the Village of Bondsville, one near Depot Street and the other near the lower entrance to the Boston Duck Company's mill yard.
Art. 43. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any sum of money to be paid to the Wing Memorial Hospital Association for the charitable purposes of said association in this town, or for the care and support in said hospital of persons wholly or in part unable to support or care for them- selves, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 44. To see if the town will vote to build a new walk from Sullivan's Block on Main Street in the Village of Three Rivers to a point at the residence of L .L. Dupuis, where Pleasant Street intersects East Main Street, and raise and ap- propriate money for the same.
Art. 45. To see if the town will vote to build a tar walk on the northeasterly side of Ruggles Street in the Village of Three Rivers, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 46. To see if the town will vote to build a catch basin in Pleasant Street in the Village of Three Rivers to con- nect with the present sewer, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 47. To see if the town will vote to macadamize Bridge Street in the Village of Three Rivers from Main Street to the tracks of the Athol Branch of the Boston & Albany Rail- road Company, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 48. To see if the town will vote to construct a sidewalk, with curbing, on one side of Bridge Street, from Main Street to the tracks of the Athol Branch of the Boston & Albany Railroad Company, in the Village of Three Rivers, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
85
Art. 49. To see if the town will vote to locate and main- tain two electric lights on the Springfield Road, in the Depot Village, between Shearer's Corner and the street railway turn- out in front of the plant of the Wright Wire Company, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 50. To see if the town will vote to pay to the Wright Wire Company the amount expended by it in the construction of a sewer in the Three Rivers Road in the Depot Village, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 51. , To see if the town will fix or change the salary of any town officer or board of officers.
Art. 52. To see if the town will pass any vote fixing the hour and place for holding special and appropriation meet- ings and instruct the selectmen relative to the calling thereof.
Art. 53. To see if the town will vote to discontinue a part of Oak Street in the Depot Village.
And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by post- ing up attested copies thereof in some one public place in each of the four villages of the town, known as the Depot Village, Thorndike, Three Rivers and Bondsville, seven days at least before the holding of said meeting, and by publishing an at- tested copy thereof in at least two issues of the Palmer Journal, a newspaper published in said Palmer, the first publication to be not less than seven days before the holding of said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant; with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at or before the holding of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-third day of January, A. D. 1918.
HAROLD W. BRAINERD, WILLIAM B. KERIGAN, FRANK G. ROGERS, Selectmen of Palmer.
Town of Palmer
-
School Report
For the Year Ending December 31, 1917
School Committee 1917 --- 1918
Dr. George A. Moore, Chairman. Clifton H. Hobson, Secretary.
Samuel E. Thayer,
Term Expires 1920
James Wilson,
Term Expires 1920
Dr. George A. Moore,
Term Expires 1919
John F. Shea,
Term Expires 1919
Henry M. Foley,
Term Expires 1918 Term Expires 1918
Dr. John F. Roche,
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7.30 p. m., on the Tuesday before the last Friday of each school month.
All bills must be in the hands of the Superintendent before the above date.
Superintendent of Schools, Clifton H. Hobson.
Office, High School Building. Telephone, 54-W.
Residence, 30 Pearl Street. Telephone, 54-R.
Office hours : 8 a. m. to 12 m., 1.30 to 5 p. m .; Saturdays, 9 a. m. to 12 m .; Tuesdays, 7 to 8 p. m., except the Tuesday before the last Friday of each school month.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
George A. Bills,
T. J. Crimmins,
Patrick Nagle,
Thomas Holt,
William Smith,
John Mansfield, Arthur Bennett,
Depot Depot Thorndike Three Rivers Three Rivers Bondsville Forest Lake
JANITORS.
Charles Johnson, Charles Johnson, Patrick Nagle, C. E. Fuller, William Smith,
High School Palmer Thorndike Bondsville Three Rivers
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