USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1922-1926 > Part 22
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The Selectmen under Article 42 of the annual meeting have worked with the Special Committee appointed to re- pair and build an addition to the Fire Headquarters and have also had the sidewalk repaired and a driveway con- structed.
We believe that some action should be taken to install some device for better ventilation of the main auditorium in the town hall building, this hall is being used more and more each year and at times the air is in a very unhealthy condi- tion, to install a complete system would be a very expensive undertaking, yet we think that two or three electric driven fans put in at either end of the hall would be an improvement.
In view of the fact that four of the members of the By- Law Committee have passed away, we recommend that the present committee be discharged and a new committee ap- pointed with a sufficient amount appropriated for a definite report to be made at the next annual town meeting.
We recommend that only necessary new construction be continued this year, such as the Main Street Paving toward the Globe Village. The town should get away from the habit of "Buying on the installment plan" so to speak, we should pay as we go, tieing up the town for a period of years is poor policy and should be abandoned, with a special effort to re- duce the tax rate.
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All departments should make a special effort to stay within their appropriations, and no department be allowed to overdraw unless an acute emergency arises, we would also ask that they keep their budget within last year's appro- priation or reduce if possible.
As our town grows the question often arises if it would not be wise to change our form of government either to a city or representative form of town government, this is being done in many towns of the size of Southbridge, there being now so many voters, it is hard for all to assemble in any one hall and thereby deprives some of their rights as voters. If we are to continue as we are, would it not be best to elect our selectmen for a term of three years, therby having at least a majority of the members with a knowledge of the duties of the office, as the Selectmen should be the "Clearing House" of all town departments.
The Board passed new regulations relating to the licens- ing of motor vehicles for carrying passengers for hire, after looking into the matter very carefully, studying other towns and city rules and regulations and the State Law we agreed that the passengers should be protected by an insurance taken out by all operating these cars and they to be licensed by the Selectmen, at the same time we designated certain area on Main Street for the parking of motor vehicles for hire, this space being between the Southbridge Savings Bank Build- ing and Everett Street. The board has licensed 35 cars to carry passengers for hire and 70 drivers licenses for above cars, charging $3.00 for each car and $1.00 for each drivers license, the rules require a policy with $5,000 to $20,000 lia- bility and $1000 property damages.
The Board held a public hearing for the laying out of Newell Avenue as a public way, this new street has seven new
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houses now built with others to be constructed in the spring, and we are to recommend its acceptance at the annual town meeting.
Two hearings were held on the re-location of Lebanon Hill road as instructed under Article 26 of annual meeting, as little progress could be made in reference to land damages no action was taken on the re-location.
Petitions have been received for laying out of several other streets but after viewing the locations we have advised the petitioners to have the streets put in better condition for travel before asking for acceptance.
Chapin Street has been discontinued as a one way street and the No Parking signs have been removed from Main Street.
Work on the North Woodstock Road was started last August, the contract being awarded to The Indian Head Con- struction Co. of Lowell, Mass., and although not yet com- pleted will be open for traffic in the early spring, thereby mak- ing a direct route from Springfield to Providence.
On March 15th, 1926, regular officer Ernest Fierro hav- ing tendered his resignation, Mr. Martin J. Brennan was pro- moted from Reserve Officer to regular and Mr. Carl Corriveau from substitute to Reserve Officer.
The Board re-appointed Mr. F. E. Corbin and Mr. H. J. Tetreault as Trustees of Jacob Edwards Library for a term of two years also reappointed Mr. Valmore P. Tetreault as Town Accountant for a term of three years.
Two special meetings were held during the year.
Following are the building permits issued during the year :
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Garages
48
2 Tenements 6
Cottages
22
3 Tenements 6
Stores
2
6 Tenements 1
Shops
2
Churc h. 1
Alterations or Additions-11
The Fire Department still continues to do the same good work as in former years, the town was visited by one of the worst fires in its history this year at the corner of Elm and Main streets, and we hear nothing but praise for the work done at that time, and we also wish to commend and publicly thank the Town of Webster for the timely aid of its Depart- ment at this fire.
The Police Department has done its work this year in a very efficient manner and deserves much credit.
We recommend that a flashing traffic beacon be erected at the junction of Main and Hamilton Streets in the center of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
WILFRID J. LAMOUREUX, G. WILLIAM LAUGHNANE, ALFRED J. PELOQUIN,
Selectmen of Southbridge.
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REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The third annual report of this Department, containing a resume of our activities during the past year and a very few recommendations, is submitted for your approval.
Following the practice of the past two years the Finance Committee assigned all articles in the warrant for the town meeting, which called for the expenditures on outside con- struction, the lighting system of the town, construction of sewers, the acceptance of new streets, the highway budget, etc., to this office for report.
Preliminary plans were prepared for the construction of reinforced concrete pavements on Main and Mill Streets; for bituminous macadam roadways on Goddard Court and Eastford Road. On Eastford Road a short stretch of rein- forced concrete pavement was built, extending along the frontage of the Hyde Manufacturing Company.
This work was advertised in the newspapers and at the. proper time the bids were submitted and publicly opened and read. The work was awarded to J. A. Genereux, who furnished satisfactory bond and proceeded with the work promptly. The pavement on Main Street extended from the junction of Main and South Streets to the westerly side of Oakes Avenue. To the construction of the pavement we add-
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ed a concrete curb along the southerly side, and, where need- ed, resurfaced the walk with new gravel. We believe the ad- vantages gained by building the pavement the full width will be apparent and that the policy of building a strip in the mid- dle of the roadway will be abandoned.
On Mill Street the work started at the end of the pave- ment built in 1925 and extended northerly and westerly, tak- ing in the main truck entrance of the Hamilton Woolen Com- pany.
The bituminous road construction on Goddard Court ex- tended from Main Street to Dresser Street. On Eastford Road the macadam was carried to Cohasse Brook.
The lack of a main sewer line on Goddard Court delayed the construction of the roadway, but it was deemed advisable to build this sewer line before proceeding with the permanent pavement.
Bituminous macadam surfaces on these streets were recommended by this office with the expectation that they will receive the proper care. If this care is given, the economy of the construction will prove itself.
The preliminary plans and surveys for the construction of the bituminous macadam roadway on the North Wood- tsock Road were prepared by this office. In spite of the fact that the State and the County maintain engineering forces to do this work, request was made by the County Commission- ers and the Public Works Department, that this office proceed with the work. We acceded to this request because we were firmly convinced that it was the only way to bring about an immediate start on the construction of a road that has been under discussion for the past eight years.
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Plans and specifications were prepared for sidewalk con- struction. The proposed work was advertised in the papers and at the proper time the bids were publicly opened and read. Contract was awarded to J. A. Genereux, who furnish- ed a satisfactory bond and proceeded forthwith to complete the work. The work progressed without interruption; al- though on Glover Street, legal question, as to the Town's right to turn water into an open ditch and within the street lines, was raised. The delay in settling this question has, un- - doubtedly, caused the immediate abutter some inconvenience. However, we have been given to understand that orders have been given to make the necessary opening.
Grades and lines were given for the construction of sewer main on Park Avenue and Woodland Street. The labor of digging the trench, laying pipe, building manholes and re- filling was awarded by contract to J. A. Genereux.
Grades and lines were given for sewer mains in Goddard Court and Main Street. On Goddard Court the line extends from Dupaul Street to a manhole about 350 feet northerly; on Main Street the line extends from Oakes Avenue easterly to Cross Street.
Assessment plans, lists and the necessary forms covering sewer and sidewalk construction were prepared by this office and turned over to the proper officials.
We have had general supervision of the Dresser Street Playgrounds. A more complete discussion of this work will be found in the report of the Parks Commission.
Under our supervision street signs have been placed at various corners; principally along the main thoroughfares of the Town. Basing our opinion on the number of requests
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for additional signs, it would seem that this programme should be continued during the coming year.
This office continues to assign house numbers to those. making application. The numbers are given free of charge ..
Under article 26 of the 1926 town meeting, this depart -- ment was ordered to make plans for the re-location of Leban -. on Hill Road, so-called. In fulfillment of the above order we. have made surveys and plans calling for an increase of the. present width, 33 feet, to one of 40 feet. At first an effort was made to take three and one half feet from hte abutters: on each side of the street. The first hearing on the matter, open to the public, developed a general feeling that it would' be more advantageous to straighten out some of the sharp angles, thereby increasing the encroachment on the land of certain owners and avoiding the land of others. The desired" plans were made and apparently met with general approval. The matter is now on the hands of your Board.
Article 37, relating to the construction of a sewer main in the Gulf Woods Road, so-called, was referred to us for. report. We find that the Proulx property, mentioned in the article, is about 800 feet from the sewer main in Charlton Street. Extending easterly along the Gulf Woods Road for a distance of about 500 feet we believe that ordinary digging would be encountered; throughout the next 300 feet, excava- tion would be through ledge. To build a sewer main through this ledge would not be prohibitive, if it were pos- sible to place it at a depth not exceeding 5 or 6 feet. How- ever about 300 feet easterly of the summit at the Proulx- property, occurs a low spot. Should a sewer be placed in this street, it would seem advisable to build it low enough to, care for such low spots. This would necessitate excavation in ledge to a maximum depth of about 20 feet. Cesspools,.
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into which empties the sewage from the houses in the neigh- borhood, continually overflow. This condition, it would seem, has influenced the Board of Health to recommend the con- struction of this line. An alternative line following the brook from Gulf Woods Road to Evergreen street would entail great- er cost.
Article 41 was referred to this office for report. This - article concerns the surface water drainage on Henry, Worcester, Charlton, Mechanic and Thomas Streets and Ol- ney Avenue, and is intended to embrace the care of a brook running from Morton Pond to Cady Brook. This matter would have been cared for in part, had we followed the vote taken at a previous town meeting. The abutters objected to the method of assessment to be followed under the article and asked that construction be deferred. Later in town meeting the article appropriating money for this purpose was rescind- ed.
We believe the original cause for this article was the overflowing of the above mentioned brook into the cellars which border its course. We understand that the owners of property, who have been inconvenienced by this overflow place the blame for this condition on the Town, because of its improved streets in that neighborhood.
We believe that if the entire territory bounded by Moon Street on the north, Charlton Street on the south, Morton Pond on the west and Cady Brook on the east were so thickly built up that it would be impossible to have a single public street in this area, that this brook would continue to over- flow, unless it was given the attention of the individual own- ers. They might protect themselves by concerted action in keeping the brook clear from its source to the point at which it empties. However, since there are public streets within this
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area it is possible that the complaints are of a legitimate na- ture. If legal advice assures us that some of the burden should fall on the Town, then it will be advisable to build a separate surface water drain throughout the streets mentioned.
Under article 50 this dpeartment was directed to confer with the Webster & Southbridge Gas & Electric Company, for the purpose of transferring certain street lights to those sec- tions of the Town in which these lights might better serve their purpose. A detailed survey of the lighting system of the town was carried out. We find that a contract between the Town of Southbridge and the Webster and Southbridge Gas & Electric Company was made and dated August 13, 1923 and will expire August 13, 1933.
This contract requires the Town to operate not less than 600 lamps of 60 candle power; 12 or more lamps of 100 can- dle power; and 20 luminous arcs. Concerning the lower can- dle power lamps it is specified that they shall be placed not more than three poles apart.
We found that 706 lamps of 60 candle power, 12 lamps of 100 candle power, and 20 luminous arcs were being paid for by the Town,
It was thought that because of the change in method of transportation, from horse drawn vehicles to automobile, it would be entirely proper and feasible to reduce the number of lights, especially on those streets which carried an incan- descent light on every pole. However, it was brought to our attention that these lights were placed in their particular lo- cation by vote of the Town and to remove any of them would require another vote of the Town. Therefore we suggest, if your Board deem it advisable, that an article be inserted in
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the warrant for the coming town meeting, vesting the need- ed authority in some department, in order that the desired end may be obtained.
The repairs and building of the addition to the Fire Headquarters Building were under our supervision.
At this time we wish to call your attention to the real need of a municipal survey of the Town. This survey once started should be carried through to completion. Two years at least would be needed for its accomplishment. It is diffi- cult to interest the general public in a project, the advantages of which can not be visualized as is the finished roadway or the completed building.
The large amount of construction work undertaken by the Town during the past few years together with almost in- numerable demands of every conceivable nature has pre- cluded the accomplishment of any work in this direction by us.
The location of the street lines of the Town are of the most indeterminate nature. This office has tried to satisfy property owners, who have asked that the street line be stak- ed out along their particular frontage. As a rule the results. of our efforts have been far from satisfactory. The policy of the Town in accepting and making public, streets with only a written description, can be blamed for this condition. It would seem that all streets presented for acceptance as public ways should have the endorsement of the planning board. Every public street in the town should be defined by stone bounds set in the ground, if not on the exact street line then on an offset of two feet, and properly marked by letters "S. H." indicating Southbridge Highway. This survey would call for making exact traverses, thereby not only establishing
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street lines, but determining the exact area within the differ- ent blocks. It would seem to us that the Assessors would wel- come such information, since it would enable them to assess land areas more intelligently. Their present method of as- sessment by the number of lineal feet along the street line could be abandoned for the more accurate method of a square foot basis. Present indications lead us to hope that construc- tion work in the town will be curtailed to a minimum and that we will be allowed to carry forward this necessary work.
Except for the recommendations previously mentioned in this report we shall omit the annual list. Although the com- pletion of a concrete pavement on Main Street, from Oakes Avenue to Hamilton Street, and the possible construction of a sidewalk on Columbus avenue might not be out of line with a curtailment programme.
THOMAS F. McGOVERN,
Town Engineer.
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INVENTORY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT JAN. 1, 1927
Equipment
$225 00
Transit
300 00
Typewriter
95 00
Desk
65 00
Supplies
40 00
Plan file
45 00
Letter file
44 00
Street record book
250 00
Ford Roadster
250 00
Aluminum house numbers
15 00
Tools, wheelbarrow
10 00
Total
$1339 00
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REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The board of Fire Engineers report for the year ending December 31st, 1926 will show the names of the members of the department, inventory, number of fires we responded to, value of property endangered where losses occurred, etc. Dates and locations of fires, recommendations we believe ne- cessary for the ensuing year. Balance from last year $1.74.
NUMBER OF FIRES
We responded to 202 still alarms and 14 whistles. Total alarms 216.
VALUE OF PROPERTY LOSS, ETC.
Value of Buildings
$245,050.00
Loss on Buildings
$13,777.12
Insurance on Buildings
$190,685.00
Insurance paid on Buildings
13,577.12
Value of Contents $123,068.00
Loss on Contents
$22,494.00
Insurance on Contents
$99,300.00
Insurance paid on Contents
$20,228.32
The Board of Fire Engineers recommend an appropria- tion of $30,693.00.
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DATE AND LOCATION OF FIRES
January 2nd-Still alarm at 6:15 p. m. Dwelling house at 67 Coombs Street. Owned by L. C. Holton. Oil Burner. Insured.
January 14th-Still alarm at 6:05 a. m. Garage and store at Worcester and Snow Streets. Owned by Girard & -Co. Unknown. Insured.
January 16th-Still alarm at 10:40 p. m. Tenement house at 228 Hamilton Street. Owned by Arthur Dubey. Overheated chimney. Insured.
February 4th-Box 25 at 5:05 p. m. Barn at Cross Street. Owned by Adolph Routhier. Unknown. Insured.
March 28th-Still alarm at 5:20 a. m. Shed at Morris Street. Owned by John Lusignan. Brooder exploding.
March 29th-Box 41 at 1:00 p. m. Dwelling house at 36 Main Street. Owned by Mrs. H. R. Leathers. Spontaneous Combustion. Insured.
April 16th-Still alarm at 6:50 p. m. Tenement house at Wardwell Ct. Owned by James K. Egan. Gas jet igniting ceiling. Insured.
April 17th-Box 34 at 3:46 p. m. Barn on Clemence Hill . Owned by George Clemence. Grass Fire. Insured.
June 13th-Box 34 at 9:45 p. m. Tenement and Store at 34 Central Street. Owned by Benj. Siegal. Careless use of matches. Insured.
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June 29th-Still alarm at 3:25 a. m. Tenement and store at 4 Lens Street. Owned by Joseph Therrien. Rats and matches. Insured.
July 19th-Still alarm at 1:55 p. m. Stores and offices at 14 Hamilton Street. Owned by Bedard Estate. Gas stove. Insured.
August 17th-Box 34 at 6:50 a. m. Stores and offices at 323 Main Street owned by Ralph Robbins. Electric flat iron. Insured.
November 25th-Box 46 at 11:25 p. m. Store and dwell- ing at Crystal Street. Owned by Nawn Lazar. Spontaneous combustion.
December 7th-Still alarm at 9:20 a. m. Stores and lodging house at 317 Main Street. Owned by Costa Brothers. Kerosene stove. Insured.
December 17th-Still alarm at 10:20 a. m. Truck on Sandersdale Road owned by G. C. Winter Co. Back Fire. In- sured.
December 23rd .- Still alarm at 10:40 p. m. Automo- bile owned by Arthur Bachand. Explosion after tipping. In- sured.
INVENTORY OF SOUTHBRIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Two Fire Stations $75,000.00
Fire apparatus 35,200.00
Fire Department Supplies 9,315.00
Gamewell Fire Alarm System 7,820.00
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House Furnishings
1,509.00
Extra Tools
295.00
$129,139.00
ROSTER OF THE SOUTHBRIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 31, 1926.
CHIEF Joseph E. Ducheneau
ASSISTANT CHIEFS
George W. Laughnane Louis Lamothe J. Willard Claflin William J. Fitzpatrick
SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM James C. Sangren
PERMANENT, MEN
Henry Lavoie (Captain)
Oswald Meunier (Lieut.)
Ralph Lavers (Clerk)
George Lamothe
Govan Wright
Morton Lord
George Lavallee (Capt. H 2)
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CALL MEN :
Isadore Ducheneau (Captain Hose No. 1) Henry Desaulnier (Lieut. Hose No. 1) Michael F. Maloney (Clerk Hose No. 1) Joseph Ford Paul Fontaine Hormidas Belanger
Victor Tavernier Zenon Lamothe
Elzear Proulx
Henry Desourdy Archie Langevin Ovide Houle Ovide Desrosier (1st Substitute)
William Christianson (2nd. Substitute)
Joseph Lucier (Captain H & L No. 1) John Casavant (Lieut. H & L No. 1) Leandre Coutu (Clerk H & L No. 1)
Philias Dufault Felix Lavallee George Joly Arthur Fontaine Eugene Blais
Isadore Lafleche Arthur Durocher L. E. Farland (Lieut. Hose No. 2) Napoleon Lavallee Charles F. Rielly
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Paul Grenier Telesphore Leduc Walter Connors Ernest Fierro Napoleon Vary John Curran
In closing our report for the year we would like to say a few words in regards to the alterations that have been made at the Elm Street fire station.
The work was authorized at the special town meeting in June and under the supervision of a committee of five ap- pointed at the regular town meeting last March.
The committee consisted of the Messrs. E. L. Schumacher, John E. Paige, William W. Buckley, Town Engineer Thomas F. McGovern and Chief Joseph E. Ducheneau.
A new cement floor was laid, the four posts that support- ed the upper floors were removed, and steel girders placed in their stead. An addition was built on the north side of the building which will be used as a repair shop for the depart- ment. We believe that these alterations cover a long felt need in the department and places this building in first class shape and will not require any attention for some time to come.
A great saving was made inasmuch as the permanent men helped a great deal in the removal of the old floor, also all the painting that was required has been done at a very slight cost.
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We would, at this time, like to say a word in apprecia- tion of the courtesy extended the department by the Ameri- can Optical Co., in the loaning of their tent for the housing of the apparatus during the period of alteration.
The Board of Fire Engineers also at this time would like to thank the citizens for their co-operation and to the firemen for their obedience and loyalty to duty.
JOSEPH E. DUCHENEAU, Chief. GEORGE W. LAUGHNANE, LOUIS LAMOTHE, J. WILLARD CLAFLIN, WILLIAM J. FITZPATRICK.
For the Board of Fire Engineers Ralph H. Lavers, Clerk.
During the past year the following money was returned to the town treasurer through the working efforts of the fire department.
Issuing of Garage Permits
$66.50
Sale of old junk 10.00
Service rendered the Town of Brimfield
100.00
Service rendered the Town of Sturbridge 100.00
Recharging Chemicals
3.00
$279.50
FOREST FIRE DEPARTMENT :
Town of Sturbridge $16.00
Town of Dudley 20.00
$36.00
AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT:
To December 16, 1926
$603.00
December 30, 1926 50.00
$653.00
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER
Permits to keep and sell explosives and maintain garages:
Fire Works 23
High Explosives 12
Maintain Garages 138
INSPECTIONS
Hotels and Boarding Houses 14
Tenement Houses 530
Garages 135
JOSEPH E. DUCHENEAU, Chief.
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REPORT OF FOREST FIRE WARDEN
In my report for this year I am pleased to record that there was only nine (9), forest fires, about two thirds of the number recorded last year. This is due to the co-operation of the residents of the town and their strict adherence to forest fire regulations.
The forest fire department assures the townspeople that it will do all that is possible to prevent forest fires.
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