USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1922-1926 > Part 4
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Inspection of Junk Dealers
Inspectionof Ice Wagons 67
Marking of Food Packages 356
During the year many inspections were made at different times of which no record was kept. The scales of hawkers, peddlers, coal dealers, ice dealers and those in markets, grocery stores, etc., were in- spected to insure against carelessness and fraud.
Within the last few years many outside hawkers and peddlers have been eliminated from this town, to the benefit of our merchants, who pay rent and taxes and give employment ; it is no more than right that they should be protected.
The department has received few complaints of short weight this year, although many violations of the law were noted and quick- ly adjusted. All of the violations except one, where a fine was paid, were slight, and it was not deemed advisable to bring them to the attention of the court.
Many incorrect scales have been seized and condemned during the past year, and are held at the Sealer's office.
The inventory of the Sealer's Dept., which was taken on Dec. 31, by former Sealers Daniel T. Morrill, Fred G. Adams and Eugene Gabree has given the amount of $479.50.
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The fees collected during the year and paid to the Town Treas- urer amount to $162.67.
Respectfully submitted,
FELIX GATINEAU, Sealer.
SOUTHBRIDGE PLANNING BOARD
Introduction
The Southbridge Planning Board met at frequent intervals during the year and discussed subjects touching upon the public welfare, chief of which may be mentioned the schools of the town, a recreation field (which the board recommends). the re-numbering of streets and town owned forest tracts. The board went into these subjects quite thoroughly, and some of its members gave much time to them. The law under which planning boards function. it is generally known, does not give direct power to act. and for that reason your board has not taken definite action on any particular proposition, but it has made an earnest effort to solve some of the problems that confront us as a municipality.
Duties of Planning Board
Planning Boards of other communities have engaged in a vari- ety of activities, much broader in some cases than the statutes in- tend. frequently employing professional town planners to make recommendations. Your board has not gone so far. desiring to keep within the spirit of the law under which it works. However. we feel strongly that Southbridge ought to have its various depart- ments more scientifically co-ordinated. As a result this board feels that many thousands of dollars could be saved in the course of a few years, while the service and general results would be much more satisfactory.
Stand on Merits
At several of our meetings topics of decided interest to the community were talked over, but being merely authorized to study and make recommendations, without power to execute, leaves several projects of general welfare in a rather nebulous and un- satisfactory state, and these recommendations must stand or fall on
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their merits before the tribunal of the town meeting. This board considered the problems of the town of Sonthbridge, or. at least, some of them, in the light of its limited authority as thus under- stood. The working out of the plans the board had under discussion requires a more elaborate study than the board has the opportunity or means to perform.
By-Laws
We unanimously agree that the by-laws of the town need re- vision and brought up to date. Without more adequate by-laws many improved methods for the benefit and protection of the popu- lation are impossible. Such by-laws should include particularly-
A new building code, based on modern practice.
Electric wiring code, with provisions for inspection of wiring by competent official.
Provision for an engineering department headed by an ex- perienced engineer. to have superintendence of all maintenance and constructive work. such as highways, sewers, etc.
The board is pleased to say that progress is being made on new by-laws, by a committee appointed a few years ago and who sus- pended the work during the war and the period of reconstruction that followed, but is now giving attention to the matter.
Street Planning
A more intelligent planning of new streets should be conducted by the engineer. Standard specifications should be required in the development of new areas. Main thoroughfares should be provided and present ones improved. Haphazard growth should be avoided, and street numbering should be revised and extended.
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Special Committee
We recommend that a special committee be appointed by the town to improve the tract of land now owned by the town on "Dresser street, and in case money is appropriated for a town forest, as is being done in many places in the state, that the contiguous woods. extending back many acres be taken into consideration. The state forestry association has been for the past ten years urging town owned tracts. The governors of all the New England states are recommending them and Gov. Cox has recently sent to the mayors of cities and the selectmen of towns a request that action be taken on the matter this spring. Several towns voted town forest tracts at last year's annual town meeting.
Recreation Field
.
The board recommends that in the event of a committee being appointed or elected, in either case, that it be authorized to ne- gotiate for the purchase of the land toward Hillside Park and on toward the south, a tract of about 60 acres, more or less, and to further negotiate for the purchase or lease of the land about the second reservoir in order to make this whole area a park for the use of the inhabitants of the town forever.
New School Buildings
In regard to our schools we respectfully point out the neces- sity for improved primary school buildings, and recommend that a committee be appointed to secure the necessary cites and arrange a building program to provide four modern school buildings in the proper locations to meet the demand, same to be erected at intervals during the next ten years. The planning board made an exhaustive study of the school situation, having had maps made for its use, showing in a graphic way the distribution of the school population, where sparce and where congested. and gathered much and impor- tant data bearing on the subject.
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Our chairman attended during the year a meeting of the plan- ning boards of the state. held at the state house and picked up much information that has stood us in a goodway. At this meeting Selectman W. J. Lamoureux was also present.
E. BENJ. ARMSTRONG, Chairman. JOHN E. PAIGE, JOS. E. O'SHAUGHNESSY. ALEX J. PAQUIN, GEORGE GRANT,
Planning Board.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1923
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Moderator
$50.00
Law
$600.00
Selectmen
2500.00
Town Clerk 1200.00
Accountant
1650.00
Election and Registra-
Treasurer
1650.00
tion 1500.00
Tax Collector
2200.00
Town Hall 3000.00
Assessors
4500.00
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Police Department $25.000.00
Fire Department 24.986.00
Tree Warden
300.00
Forest Fires 600.00
Moth Extermination .. . 600.00
HEALTH AND SANITATION
Board of Health .... .$10,100.00
General Cleaning. .... $6000.00
Sewer Maintenance. 3,000.00
HIGHWAYS
Highways . $15,000.00
Street Lights. .. $14,000.00
Sidewalk Repairs
5,500.00
Maintenance of Per-
Railings
500.00
manent Roads $,000.00
Bridges
500.00
Street Oiling 2,000.00
CHARITIES AND SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
Outside Poor
. $20,000.00
Military Aid
$500.00
Almshouse
6,000.00
Soldiers' Relief
3,500.00
Mothers' Aid
8,000.00
Soldiers' Burials 100.00
Se ler of Weights and Measures 1000.00
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EDUCATION
Schools $125,000.00
Public Library $7,500.0(
RECREATION
Playgrounds and Bath
Houses $2,700.00
CELEBRATION
Band Concerts
$250.00
UNCLASSIFIED
Damage to Persons and
Annual Reports.
Property
$500 00
Water and Ice Supplies
$750.00
Insurance
4,000.00
Cemetery
1,700.00
Memorial Day
450.00
Interest
20,000.00
Searching Parties
100.00
Maturing
23,860.00
Care of Town Clock. .
50.00
1922 Outstanding Bills
363.81
Ambulance
500.00
VALMORE P. TETREAULT,
Accountant.
TOWN WARRANT
Worcester, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Southbridge. in the County of Worcester,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby requested to notify the inhabitantsof the Town of South- bridge, aforesaid, qualified to vote in town affairs to meet in the Town Hall in said Southbridge, on Monday the fifth (5) day of March. 1923, at 5:45 o'clock in the forenoon to act on the following articles :
Article 1. To choose a moderator to preside over said meeting.
Article 2. To choose by ballot all town officers for the ensuing year :- viz: Clerk: Treasurer: three Selectmen: one Overseer of Poor for three years: one member of the Board of Health for three Years: one Assessor for three years: Collector of Taxes: two members of the School Conimittee for three years: one Park Com- missioner for three years: one Sinking Fund Commissioner for three years ; one Sewer Commissioner for three years : two Cemetery Com- missioners for three years : Tree Warden: Highway Surveyor : three Constables and all others provided for by law.
Article 3. To vote by ballot "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of certain non- intoxicating beverage in this town?"
Article 4. To hear the reports of the Town Accountant, Treas-
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urer. Clerk. Selectmen, School Committee, Library Committee, etc., and act anything thereon.
Article 5. To raise and appropriate sums of money as may be necessary to pay town debts and charges for the current financial Jear.
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Article 6. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Treas- urer with the approval of the Selectmen. to borrow money in antici- pation of the revenue of the current financial year. or act anything thereon.
Article 7. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Select- men to cause an audit to be made of the town's accounts for 1923, or act anything thereon.
Article 8. To see if the town will vote to pay the Enginemen, or act anything thereon.
Article 9. To see if the town will vote to give the Collector of Taxes the same power to collect taxes that the Town Treasurer has when appointed Collector of Taxes ..
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to have all taxes due and payable October 1, 1923, and if not paid on or before October 15. 1923. to have interest charged at the rate of 6 per cent. per an- num from October 1, 1923, or act anything thereon.
Article 11. To see if the town will vote to fix the compensa- tion of town officers, laborers and teams, or act anything thereon.
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of five thousand five hundred ($5500) dollars for the pur- pose of purchasing. erecting and dedicating a monument the "Hiker" so-called, as a memorial to soldiers of the Spanish-Ameri- can War, or act anything thereon.
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Article 13. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Select- men to set aside the triangular plot of ground at intersection of Hamilton and Hook Streets, to the United Spanish War Veterans as a site for the above memorial. or act anything thereon.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to appoint a committee. to investigate the feasibility of a Town Forest, raise and appropri- ate money therefor or act anything thereon.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Health to establish and maintain a dental clinic for school chil- dren, raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to install five (5) arc street lights on Hamilton Street between the H. L. Bedard Estate and the Boyle Tire Station, raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to install seven (7) arc street lights on Central Street, from Main Street to the New York, New Haven & Hartford Company's property, raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate an additional sum of money to defray the expense of the taking of land for the erection of the Vocational School Building in accord- ance with the vote passed under Article 12. of the Town Meeting held March 13, 1922, or act anything thereon.
Article 19. To sce if the town will vote to erect a four-room school building on land owned by the town on River Street, and to authorize the School Committee to procure plans and working draw- ings to be prepared in anticipation of the enlangement of said build- ing at some future time, raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
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Article 20. To hear the report of the Special Committee ap- pointed under Article 29 of the Annual Town Meeting held March 7, 1921, and re-commited under Article :1 of the Annual Town Meeting held March 8. 1922, in reference to securing new quarters for the Police Department, raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
Article 21. To hear the report of the Selectmen. under Article 16 of the Annual Town Meeting held March 6. 1922. relative to the construction of a cement concrete sidewalk of the easterly side of Pine Street. raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to build a cement side- walk on the easterly side of Goddard Court. from Main Street to Dresser Street, said walk to be four feet wide. raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to construct a cement concrete road on Everett Street, beginning at the improved section near Park Street, built in 1922. and extending southerly to junction of Elm Street, raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to any action on the matter relative to the construction of a sidewalk on Main Street, between Central Street and the Baptist church. on land in front of the properties of the Masonic Associates. W. J. Lamoureux and The Eagles Association, or act anything thereon.
Article 25. To see if the town will appoint a Committee to grade and improve a part of the land owned by the Town on Dres- ser Street, to be used for a play ground. raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
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Article 26. To see if the town will vote to construct a cement concrete road on North Street, beginning at the present cement road and extending westerly to Foster Street ; raise and appropriate money therefor, or act anything thereon.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to accept the report of the Selectmen as to the laying out as a publie way, a certain way known as Wall Street, leading from Pleasant Street northerly to Proulx Avenue, raise and appropriate money therefor, or act any- thing thereon.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to accept the report of the Selectmen as to the laying ont as a public way, a certain way known as Gardner Street, leading from the easterly side of Marey Street, raise and appropriate money therefor, or act anything thereon.
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $1000.00 to be added to the overlay Account of 1921. or aet anything thereon.
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to pay the outstanding bills of the Highway : Bridge: Outside Poor: Schools and Sealer of Weights and Measures accounts for 1922. raise and appropriate money therefor, or act anything thereon.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by publishing an attested copy thereof twice in the Southbridge Press and Herald. the first publication being not less than nine days next preceding the day of the meeting .- or by posting up such attested copies in four conspicons places within the Town. at least nine days. including Sundays,-before the day of holding said meeting. The polls will be open at 5.45 o'clock, A. M., and close at four (4) o'clock p. m.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant with your
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doings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time and place hereinbefore named.
Given under our hands this 12th day of February, A. D., 1923.
WILFRED J. LAMOUREUX, FRANK A. SANSOUCY. G. WILLIAM LAUGHNANE, Selectmen of Southbridge.
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Additional Articles To Town Warrant
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to construct a sewer in Oliver, Curtis, Franklin and Dupaul Streets, raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to accept the report of the Selectmen as to the laying out as a public way a certain way known as Taft Street, leading from Marcy Street westerly and south- erly to Dresser Street, raise and appropriate money therefor or act anything thereon.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to install six electric lights on Pleasant Street, beginning at a point near the land of Michael J. Comerford and extending northerly past the residence of Alfred Mckinstry, raise and appropriate money therefor or act any- thing thereon.
REPORT OF AN AUDIT OF THE ACCOUNTS OF THE TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 30, 1922
Made in Accordance with the Provisions of Section 35, Chapter 44, General Laws
February 19, 1923
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
February 19. 1923.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Mr. Wilfrid J. Lamoureux, Chairman, Southbridge. Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the accounts of the town of Southbridge for the fiscal year ending December 30, 1922, made in accordance with the provisions of Section 35, Chapter 44 of the General Laws. This report is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Edward H. Fenton, Chief Examiner of this Division, who was placed in charge of the work.
Very truly yours, THEODORE N. WADDELL. Director of Accounts.
TNW/JMC
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Mr. Theodore N. Waddell, Director of Accounts,
Department of Corporations and Taxation, State House, Boston.
Sir :
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the accounts of the town of Southbridge for the year ending Decem- ber 30, 1922, and submit the following report thereon :
The books and accounts of the several departments receiving or disbursing funds for the town were examined and checked.
The books and accounts in the treasurer's office were examined and checked. The receipts as recorded on the cash book were checked with the records in the several departments collecting money for the town and with the accountant's records. The disbursements were compared with the warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds and with the accountant's books. 1
The cash book was footed and the bank balance was proved with the statement furnished by the bank.
The books and accounts in the collector's office were examined and checked in detail. The commitments of taxes and assessments were examined and compared with the warrants; the recorded re- ceipts were checked with the commitment books and with the account- ant's records ; the abatements were checked with the assessors' records of abatements granted; and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the control accounts in the accountant's ledger. The collector's cash was proved and reconciled with the statement fur- nished by the bank.
The outstanding accounts were further verified by mailing
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notices to one hundred persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town. and from the replies received I am sat- isfied that the accounts are correct.
The collector should use greater care in charging interest on overdue taxes, as required by Section 57, Chapter 59 of the General Laws.
The books and accounts in the accountant's office were examined and checked, the recorded receipts being checked with the treasurer's books and with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town. The records of disbursements were checked with the treasury warrants and with the payments as shown by the treas- urer's books. Approved vouchers and payrolls were examined and checked with the appropriation accounts.
The classification book was examined, a comparison being made with the ledger accounts, and the appropriation accounts were check- ed with the town clerk's records of appropriations and transfers voted by the town.
The sewer assessments committed to the treasurer for collection were verified. The collections were checked to the treasurer's cash book and to the accountant's records, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved to the control account in the accountant's ledger.
The savings bank books and securities representing investments of the sinking and trust funds in the custody of the treasurer were examined and found to be as recorded.
The surety bonds of the treasurer, the collector and the town clerk for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
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In addition to the accounts and departments mentioned, the re- cords of the receipts of the cemetery, selectmen, town clerk, sealer of weights and measures, health, poor, library, school, and fire depart- ments were examined and checked with the treasurer's and the ac- countant's books.
It was noted that the library department used $42.91 of its re- ceipts from fines for various expenditures. I would recommend that this practice be discontinued and that an amount be provided as petty cash to be used for this purpose.
In my previous report I recommended that each month the de- partments which send out bills should furnish the accountant with a list of them to be set up on his ledger under the headings of the various departments as bills receivable, the total being balanced by a departmental revenue account. No action has been taken upon this recommendation, and I again urgently call this to your attention.
Appended to this report are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and the collector's cash, summaries of the tax. assess- ment, and cemetery accounts, together with tables showing the con- dition of the sinking and trust funds and a balance sheet as of De- cember 30, 1922.
While engaged in making the audit I received the hearty co- operation of all the town officials, and on behalf of my assistants and for myself I wish to express to them my appreciation for the cour- tesies received and the assistance rendered.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD H. FENTON,
Chief Examiner.
EHF/JMC
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RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER'S CASH
Cash on hand January 1, 1922. $49557 32
Receipts Jannary 1 to December 30, 1922. . 920886 39
$970443 71
Payments January 1 to December 30, 1922. . $877764 20
Cash on hand December 30, 1922. 92679 51
- $970443 71
Cash on hand JJannary 1. 1923. $92679 51
Receipts January 1 to Jannary 16, 1923 7576 45
$100255 96
Payments January 1 to January 16. 1923. . $13588 00
Cash on hand January 16, 1923. S6667 96
$100255 96
$86667 96
Cash on hand January 16, 1923 In Southbridge National Bank January 16, 1923. per bank statement $38227 01 Less outstanding checks on list. . 1559 05
$36667 96
Certificate of deposit in South-
bridge National Bank 50000 00
$86667 96
RECONCILIATION OF COLLECTOR'S CASH
Balance in People's National Bank. South- bridge. January 24. 1923, per statement $2535 66
Cash on hand January 24, 1923. 17
$2535 83
Due from Collector January 24, 1923 :
Taxes 1921
$441 05
Interest 1921 41 03
Taxes 1922
2032 65
130
Interest 1922 20 17
Interest on bank deposit. 93
$2535 83
TAXES-1919
Cash on January 1, 1922. $26 72
Outstanding January 1, 1922, per audit re-
port
204 21
$230.93
Payments to treasurer 1922 $33 06
Abatements 1922
192 50
Taxes credited to interest
04
Outstanding December 30, 1922, per list. . .
5 33
$230 93
INTEREST-TAXES 1919
Collections 1922 $ 88
Taxes credited to interest
04
$ 92
Payments to treasurer 92
TAXES-1920
Outstanding January 1, 1922
$7802 66
Paid and abated 8 58
Overpayment 10 00
Interest credited as taxes 87 75
$7908 99
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Payments to treasurer
$7445 85
Overpayment in 1921
51 96
Abatements
2 64
Tax titles
2 90
Unlocated difference
2 0S
Outstanding December 30. 1922, per list ... 403 56
$7908 99
INTEREST-TAXES 1920
Collections 1922
$697 49
Payments to treasurer
$609 74
Interest credited as taxes
87 75
$697 49
TAXES-1921
Outstanding January 1, 1922
$35901 55
Cash on hand January 1, 1922
1497 90
Interest credited as taxes.
2 15
Overpayment
5 00
Overabated
1 50
$37408 10
Payments to treasurer
$28750 79
Abatements
365 25
Warrant in excess of commitment list.
05
Tax titles
3 00
Taxes credited as interest.
1 20
Cash on hand December 30, 1922.
13 00
Outstanding December 30, 1922.
8,274 81
Outstanding January 1, 1923 $8274 81
$37408 10
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Cash on hand
13 00
Payments to treasurer January 1 to January 24, 1923 $670 50
Cash on hand January 24, 1923. 441 05
Outstanding January 24, 1923, per list .. .. 7176 26
$8287 8
INTEREST-TAXES 1921
Collections to January 24, 1923. $820 0
Payments to treasurer December 30, 1922. . 758 48
Payments to treasurer January 24, 1923. .. 20 57
Cash on hand January 24, 1923
41 03
$820 0:
TAXES-1922
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