USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1913-1916 > Part 27
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Main street was paved with wood blocks from Foster street to Hamilton street, and all telephone, electric lighting and fire alarm wires were removed and laid in an underground conduit in Main street, also all of the wood poles were removed from the center of the town. The Street Railway Co. put up iron poles to replace the old wood ones, and they also laid a new girder rail in Main street, which will save all trouble with the pavements in the future. The Selectmen granted this company an extension of their siding in Post Office square, and the board hopes that by next year the town and the railway company will come to some understanding about laying a girder rail in Ham- ilton street to Pine street. The present rail, although complying with their franchise, has not been satisfac-
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tory since the street has been paved. The blocks around the rails are in very bad shape at present, for they have been torn up for the last three months, and are getting in worse condition every day, not only being a detriment to the appearance of the street, but making it dangerous to the travelling public.
The removal of the poles on Main street forced the Selectmen to make provisions for the laying of the fire alarm and police signal wires in an underground conduit which cost, for the material, about $400.00. No provision has been made for its payment, and we would recommend that the sum of $400.00 be added to the fire department appropriation to pay for this work. We would recommend that $200.00 be also added to this account for the payment of the electrician, and that the special appropriation for the same be done away with.
During the past year, the Selectmen, with the authority of the town, called on the State Bureau of Statistics to audit the books and accounts, also to establish the state's system of bookkeeping. In com- pliance with our request, the bureau sent Mr. E. H. Tarbox and several assistants, who examined all the town accounts, and certified to their condition, and also the balance on hand Jan. 1, 1915. They also in- stalled a new system of accounting which, we believe, will save the town money and make it possible for any official or citizen to find out the condition of the town finances at any time.
Several applications were made for appointment to the position of Town Accountant, and the Selectmen,
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on the advise of the State Accountant in charge of the work. appointed Mr. Joseph Lafleche to the position for three years at a salary of $1,000 per year. The establish- ment of this new system will probably mean that a larger sum of money may have to be appropriated the first year owing to the sub-division of accounts, also to the fact that all receipts that may come to the town must go direct to the general revenue account instead of being credited to the different accounts and used by them as in the past. All ordinary balances on Jan. 1st, 1915, were transferred to the general revenue ac- count and all departments start the year with a flat appropriation ; the money in the revenue account is to be used by the assessors to lower the tax rate. This means that although the appropriations are larger the tax rate will remain the same.
This means that a budget is made for the year for each board and in this way it is possible for the citizens to find out just what each spends and what the town receives from all sources.
Under the new system every department will be held responsible for all expenditures. In the future, all warrants for payments must be approved and signed by the Selectmen and Town Accountant before the Treasurer can pay any bills; this places more responsi- bility on this board than before. permitting them to hold any bill from any department that they believe unjust.
We would recommend that the Selectmen be authorized to have an audit made by the state of the accounts of this year; this would not be expensive and
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would be advisable for the first year after the installa- tion of their system.
The tax rate increased last year to $21.00 a thous- and; this seems a high rate but, when we find towns all around us having a $24.00 to $25.00 rate, it calls the attention of voters of the town that there are good reasons for the town to make a careful consideration of the whole subject of taxation. We believe, if the As- sessors would only find out the condition of real estate in the center of the town which is not being improved and in some cases is allowed to deteriorate and which cannot be bought for five or six times their assessed value. and if the assessment on these properties were raised somewhere near their real (or market) value, we would get a lower tax rate. By so doing, the owners would have to pay the increased tax, or sell their hold- ings, then new business buildings would be erected and the town would receive a larger income from the same.
For the next few years we need a large sum of money to permit the town to meet the public need and demand for better schools, better streets and better fire protection. In some districts a number of parcels of land are being assessed on the acre basis which would pay a larger amount of taxes on the lot basis, most of the land is already divided into house lots at the pres- ent time. This retards the growth of the town, be- cause it helps some of our citizens to escape just taxa- tion and hold their property for exhorbitant prices.
The State and County Tax has increased from year to year, and is today double what it was four
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years ago. This also is one cause for the increased local tax rate, also other legislation imposed on the cities and towns forces the expenditure of more money year after year. We believe that our town officials should oppose with all their influence all attempts made by the state house coterie to encroach upon the jurisdiction of any local committee for, unless the towns take up and fight for their rights, the small communi- ties will have little to do with their governments and lose what home rule is left in our town, as all changes mean more state commissions, larger salaries and higher tax rate.
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND R. R. CORP.
During the year the work on the Southern New England Railroad has been rushed and at the present time the roadbed and cement work has been nearly completed; River street was relocated from Mill to Pleasant street and makes it a straight line with Wal- cott street; this has been a big improvement for this section and, with the new sidewalk voted last year con- structed, makes it one of the best pieces of road work done for a number of years.
Mill street was re-located by the Railroad Co. and the Town; from River street to Fiske street, the street was lowered about six feet near River street, which gives it a very good grade and is a good wide street; we believe that a short strip of sidewalk should be built from River to Fiske street, also that Mill and Cliff streets should be re-located, as soon as the town finan-
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ces permit, from Fiske street to the new bridge over the railroad.
Pleasant street has been lowered by the Railroad Co. for a distance of 350 feet at an average of five feet and is not completed at the present time; the sidewalk has been broken and must be rebuilt by the railroad.
The new sidewalks on School, Chapin, Charlton and Mechanic streets have been built and have improv- ed the appearance of these streets and filled a much needed want; Main, Mechanic and Crystal streets have been changed according to County Commissioners' decree and left in good shape by the Railroad Co. at their expense; the sidewalks were torn up by the said company and rebuilt at their own expense.
The remainder of work on those streets and on the south side of Main street for a short distance was com- pleted by the Town and assessments levied on the property owners; this layout presented a very serious problem and we believe was finally settled satisfactorily to the general public and the large number of people using sidewalk and street in that district.
Cliff street has been changed and raised fifteen feet near the residence of Mr. Collette and a new grade es- tablished on the north side of the railroad; this im- proves the appearance of the neighorhood; we believe that as soon as the town can afford the outlay it should complete the work started on the new grade; this work will cost about $1,500.00. Fiske street after having been torn up for a long time is left in good shape by the Railroad Company.
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN
The Selectmen are to insert an article in the annu- al warrant to see if the town will appoint a committee to plan for celebrating the town's anniversary and we feel confident that the town will take up this subject and appoint a committee that will map out a plan on a large scale that can be carried out in 1916. The Board recommends that a sum of money be appropriated this year and the balance at the annual meeting next year. The town cannot afford anything but the most up-to- date in the line of a celebration.
WEST DUDLEY ROAD.
Through the efforts of the Senator from this dis- trict, last year an appropriation of $10,000.00 was spent by the state on the West Dudley road, which gives us a good road from the Dudley line to Webster; we believe that the town should vote a substantial sum of money to build a macadam road from the Dudley line to San- dersdale. This road is in a very poor condition and should be placed in first class shape as it is a road that has a large amount of travel and there seems no pros- pect of any state help this year.
The Selectmen obtained $2,000. 00 from the state on the North Woodstock road last year, this, with the amount appropriated by the town in the Spring, was spent on a stretch of macadam; we believe that the same appropriation should be made this year and the officials should attempt to get state help again which, we believe, can be done.
The Eastford road was macadamized for a long dis- tance last year and we believe that money should be
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voted this year to continue the work; this road is in the worst condition of any in town and should be complet- ed. South street was repaired to Water street but a short stretch of bad street remains from the above point to Litchfield Ave., this should be done when the sewers have been laid to that point. We believe something should be done to improve Crane, Elm, Mechanic, Charlton and North streets as all are in bad condition and all should be repaired witn a permanent surface.
We recommend that West street be macadamized from the brick paving on Main street to Lovely street, to accommedate the fire department; also, a sidewalk built between these points to provide for better walk- ing for the many that come from that direction daily.
FIRE APPARATUS.
We believe that the good work started two years ago should be continued aud the town should keep re- placing the old fire apparatus with auto machines; there- fore, we recommend that the town buy a new auto hook and ladder truck; we have examined the No. 1 truck and find it is in need of much repairs and liable to fail when most needed.
The town hall building is in fair condition and needs but a few repairs this year; the sidewalk was partly repaired last year, this should be finished also, the lawn should be graded as most of it has been dug up for needed improvements.
During the last year the Board closed the balcony because the State Inspector of Buildings refused a license unless a stairway was provided on the south side of the
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balcony to the second floor, we found this an expen- sive job and we found we could not do the work with our appropriation ; if the Town desires to comply with the State Police Rules about $700.00 should be added to the appropriation.
East Main street is in very bad shape and should be repaired to the Lensdale plant, as it is one of our principal thoroughfares. The street from Lensdale to Sandersdale was re-located and the Ft. Sumter cros- sing will be abolished by an overhead bridge over both railroads, doing away with a dangerous railroad cros- sing, with no expense to the town. The Charlton and Dudley Hill roads at Sandersdale were somewhat changed by being raised about ten feet higher than the present roadway and located northerly of present location, these changes will improve the highways in that locality. The red bridge has been replaced by a steel one at the new location.
The Board has had some trouble to arrange the street railway dispute with the steam road about ex- tending the tracks from the end of the present location for a distance of about 200 feet to near the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. station at Sandersdale, the dispute originated over the question of which company was to pay the cost. The street railway company is willing to furnish rails and ties and wants the S. N. E. R. R. to pay for construction. We believe we will have this question settled to the satisfaction of all concerned in a very short time.
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LAWSUITS.
We have a number of lawsuits that have been brought against the town, for injuries on the high- ways and sidewalks. Those accidents accurred sev- eral years ago and, believing that these claims are not valid or just, we intend to appose the same in court. Mr. Olivier Laporte has brought action against the town for the taking of his land on Main street. sev- eral attemps have been made to reach an agreement but up to the present time no success has attended these moves.
We wish to recommend again the sale of the town barn property because the building and the lot on which its stand are altogether too small for the machines and tools owned by the town; the Surveyor has been unable to house the stone crusher, steam roller or tree sprinkler for lack of room.
A site, if obtainable with a railroad siding, would be preferred but if the town cannot find one of this kind a large tract of land not too expensive should be found, a barn one story high with sheds should be built to house all this property.
WATER FOR SANDERSDALE.
Three years ago the Selectmen were authorized to contract with the Southbridge Water Supply Co., to furnish water for fire protection to Lawson villa and Sandersdale, the Selectmen at that time consulting with the water company permitted the matter to drop until the railroad situation was cleared and now that the exact location has been defined, we believe that
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water for house use and fire protection for these grow- ing districts should be given.
We have consulted with the water company and we hope that the town will find its way clear to vote the necessary funds.
GRADE CROSSING.
The Superior Court appointed as a commission to abolish the grade crossings on Hook, Central and Fos- ter streets, Mr. George F. Swain, Mr. William F. Garcelon and Mr. P. H. Cooney. The Commissioners held a hearing in the town hall on Oct. 10, 1914, and this was adjourned to a later date. Since the close of the hearing the Southern New England Railroad Corporation has petitioned the court to be admitted as a party to the suit, and they have also petitioned the legislature for the same purpose. This crossing ques- tion will probably be settled within a few months.
POLICE STATION.
The police station question is in a mixed-up state at the present time and steps may have to be taken to force the party that bought the building to comply with his written agreement.
The Board has signed deeds and is anxious to close the matter as soon as Mr. Joseph Serletto, who bought the building, pays the balance ($8,000) due on the building. The question of a driveway was not brought up until eight months after he signed an agree- ment to buy without any mention being made of same in the bill of sale.
We believe that $1,000 should be raised for the
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work on Plimpton street extension. The appropriation of last year was not expended because, in the judge- ment of the Selectmen, no good result could have been derived, and think the above would complete a good section of this street.
BRIDGES.
A large number of our wooden bridges must be re- built this year and this Board believes it is economy to build a cement bridge in place of every wooden bridge that needs extensive repairs, or at least one or two each year; we hope this fact will be considered in relation to the bridge appropriation this Spring.
The Board has attempted throughout the year to give the town a good business administration by look- ing out for the town's interest in all cases rather than the individual.
The citizens should co-operate with their officials and help to make this community the most active, pros- perous and progressive in the state, having confidence in its future and boosting its industries and institutions at every opportunity.
Respectfully, ALEXIS BOYER, Jr., W. J. LAMOUREUX, A. L. DESAULNIERS,
Selectmen of Southbridge.
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Annual Report
of the
SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
To the voters and taxpayers of the town of South- bridge is due a complete account of the work done by their Board of Sewer Commissioners during the past year. To fulfill this debt is the desire of the Board and we render the following report :-
Our construction work for the year 1914 started on Cliff street at a point where operations had ceased the previous year. On this street we laid about 1,035 feet of sewer and, after finishing our work at East Main, Crystal and Mechanic streets, we returned to Clarke street where a sewer of 426 feet in length was com- pleted. On these streets $2,586.40 were spent.
The re-location of Crystal, East Main and Mechan- ic streets caused by the construction of the S. N. E. R. R. necessitated complete changes for about 1,000 feet in the lines and grades of the upper and lower level sewers which had been built. The sewers in these streets had given perfect satisfaction and it was with regret that we learned of the proposed changes. Those of you who have followed our work in that location
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realize the difficulties encountered by us. In spite of the difficulties attending these changes, we decided to follow our general policy and retained complete charge of the work. Our success in this matter compels us to believe heartily in this method. The S. N. E. R. R. agreed to our proposition and also agreed to bear the entire cost of the proposed changes. We. accordingly, commenced work about the first of May and completed the work about the first of August.
On August 1, our work was resumed on Clarke street where, as we have said before, 426 feet of sewer were laid.
After work on Clarke street had been completed, we turned our attentions to Fiske street. Here we again encountered obstacles caused by the construction of the S. N. E. R. R. Because of the depth of the railroad cut, it was necessary to secure an outlet for the Fiske street sewerage, to lay several hundred feet of pipe within the right-of-way. Permission to do this had been secured previously from the railroad officials.
On this line our progress was far better than we had anticipated and the work was pushed to rapid com- pletion. A sewer line of about 750 feet was laid at a cost of $789.40.
Our next work took us to Charlton street and Fairlawn avenue, where 1,250 feet of sewer were built at a cost of $1,774.74.
On this work we were advised, by our engineer, to look to the future and provide an outlet for sewerage which, in time, will come from the northerly part of Charlton street. To accomplish this, it was neccesary ,
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REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
to lay the sewer line at a lower level than at first pro- posed. In doing this we encountered ledge. The ledge was covered by a fine gravel, which needed sheath- ing to keep it in place, while the ledge was removed by blasting. Extraordinary precautions were taken to prevent accidents and, as a result of careful work, our efforts were attended with success.
Construction of a sewer line on Hartwell street was next taken up. This line is about 460 feet long and cost $636.94. The town appropriation for this work was $750.00. During the progress of this work ledge was encountered.
Finally work was started on Eastford road, but the beginning of the winter season compelled us to stop. Work on this line will be resumed in the Spring and pushed to completion.
In the early Spring we had under consideration the extension of several additional lines of sewer, and at that time it was our fixed purpose to realize our inten- tions regarding these different propositions. However, the obstacles attending the work at Crystal, East Main and Mechanic streets delayed us to such an extent that we were forced to abandon our plans.
The 3,744 feet of sewer constructed this year in- creases the mileage to 14.64 miles.
There are connected with this mileage 918 build- ings, including manufacturing plants, schools, public buildings, tenement houses and residences. These buildings empty into the sewer 2,165 closets. 1.983 sinks, 604 bath tubs. 600 bowls, 63 wash trays, 68
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REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
urinals, 1 soda fountain, 1 grease trap and 1 dentist's cuspidor.
For a further consideration of the items of ex- pense, we respectfully refer you to the Auditors' Ac- counts; transfers of Sewer Assessments collected by the Town Treasurer to balance accounts are also shown in the Auditors' Report.
The work contemplated by the Board for next year can be done, to a large extent, from sewer assess- ment money on hand, hence, we do not ask for any additional appropriation for new work, unless sewers asked for in the Town Warrant are voted. For the sewer contingent we are asking $1,200.00.
Assessments on South street sewers were levied on June 22, 1914, as follows :-
Total cost of construction, $1,448 92
One-third payable by the town, 482 97
Two-thirds payable by the abutters, 965 95
Total number of assessable feet, 910.00
Assessable rate per foot, 1.06148
Assessments on Dresser street sewers were levied on June 22, 1914, as follows :-
Total cost of sewer construction,
$836 58
One-third payable by the town,
278 86
Two-thirds payable by the abutters, 657 72
Total number of assessable feet, 535.45
Assessable rate per foot, 1.04159
Assessment on Pleasant street sewers were levied on June 22, 1914, as follows :-
Total cost of construction, $881 55
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REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS
One-third payable by the town, 293 85
Two-thirds payable by the abutters, 588 70
Total number of assessable feet, 1,321.25
Assessable rate per foot, 0.444806
Assessments on School and Winter street sewers were levied on June 22, 1914, as follows :-
Total cost of sewer construction, $1,390 11
One-third payable by the town, 463 37
Two-thirds payable by the abutters, 926 74
Total number of assessable feet, 1,311.32
Assessable rate per foot, 0.70672
Assessments on Wardwell court sewers were levied on June 22, 1914, as follows :-
Total cost of construction, $1,117 91
One-third payable by the town, 37) 64
Two-thirds payable by the abutters, 745 27
Total number of assessable feet, 1,240.00
Assessable rate per foot, 0.60103
GEO. E. F. LAMOUREUX, W. J. LAMOUREUX, JAMES PRENDERGAST,
Sewer Commissioners.
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Annual Report
of the
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Citizens and Taxpayers :-
I wish to present to you my annual report as Highway Surveyor, for the year ending Jan. 1st, 1915. The total amount I had on hand was $11,077.19. This amount including the appropriation, the excise tax, and other credits. I have a balance of $49.29. As in pre- vious years I have kept a close account of the expend- itures of my department, trying to make the improve- ments where most needed. I am submitting approx- imate figures of the chief expenses.
The heavy snow storm and washout
of February, 1914, men, teams, supplies, $2,000 00
Scraping and levelling all country roads, supplies, 2,300 00
Cleaning catch-basins, gutters, cul- verts, 1,100 00 We have 171 catch-basins and 298 culverts to attend to.
For ash walks in the following places :- Oakes avenue, Quine-
1
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REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR.
baug road, Eastford road, Ash street, Coombs street, West- ville, South street to Westville, men, teams, material, $600 00
Grading part of Elm and Dresser streets, filling and rolling. 150 00
Everett street, filling, including ma-
terial, grading, rolling, 650 00
Repairing brick paving on Hamil- ton street, 115 00
Cleaning streets, crossings, supplies,
2,450 00
General highway repairs, filling
holes, etc., 500 00
I have issued 93 permits to open streets during the year, classified as follows :-
Southbridge Water Supply Co., 16
John Marsch Construction Co., 25
Sewer Department, 12
New England Tel. & Tel. Co., 11
Webster & Southbridge Gas & Electric Co., 22
Miscellaneous, 7
Naturally many more improvements are to be recommended and I have submitted them to the Finan- cial Committee, who will see to the necessary appro- priations.
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