USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1932-1936 > Part 9
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Number of visits to Scarlet Fever cases 126
Number of visits to Suppurative Conjunctivitis 11
Number of visits to Ophthalmia Neonatorum cases 7
At this time I wish to thank all organizations and in- dividuals who have co-operated and assisted in any way.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGUERITE C. HOULE, R. N.
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REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge :
In making our report for the year 1933 this Board feels that they have encountered many conditions never before known. Up to the month of August, this year bids fair to be the largest in the history of the Town in dis- pensing relief, but at that time the local factories having adopted the various codes the number of men employed was materially increased, and the number of families aid- ed automatically decreased. About August 1, the Worces- ter street construction took the balance of able-bodied men available, and in the latter part of Nov. the C. W. A. started operating and continued until the end of the year. This work has relieved the Board of able-bodied men and we anticipate that they will continue work through the month of April. During the year 42 young men were sent to the Citizens Conservation Corps and are contributing toward the support of their families. Although we have no means of anticipating the coming year, we sincerely believe that we are looking forward to a brighter situa- tion than last year at this time.
The Mothers' Aid Division continues as before and we feel that it is accomplishing its purpose, namely of al- lowing dependent mothers to bring up their children under proper conditions.
The Old Age Assistance Bureau is still in its infancy, but the Board feels that the appropriation should be large enough to care for all of the cases entitled and not force the Bureau to select from a list where all are quali-
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fied and refuse a number of persons who feel that they have been discriminated against.
The Infirmary on Chestnut Street has been painted on the outside by the C. W. A., and the interior is in ex- cellent shape, the only improvement needed is in the heating system, and the Board expects to ask for a special appropriation 'after a study has been made of the re- quirements. Joseph N. Payant has been reappointed as Warden after twenty-one years of faithful service.
In January of 1933, the Board appointed Dr. Chas. Simpson as Town Physician and this part of the work has been carried on in a satisfactory manner. Herbert H. Michon is now serving his seventh year as agent and has been reappointed for 1934. The Board wishes to thank the various Town officials, local factories and business men for their co-operation. 1933 Appropriations
Outside Poor
$84,023.00
Mothers' Aid
11,000.00
Old Age Assistance
11,000.00
Infirmary
5,355.00
Total
$111,378.00
1933 Expenditures
Outside Poor
$84,010.54
Mothers' Aid
9,765.17
Transfer
1,200.00
$10,965.17
Old Age Assistance
10,712.92
Infirmary
5,353.87
Total Expenditures
$109,824.50
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1933 Receipts
Outside Poor
25,769.13
Mothers' Aid
3,956.18
Old Age Assistance
3,605.38
Federal Reimbursement
18,779.83
Total
$52,110.52
1933 Net Welfare Cost
$57,731.98
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. H. HARTWELL,
Chairman
NAPOLEON J. BLANCHARD,
Clerk
HERMAS LIPPE
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REPORT of the TRUSTEES of the JACOB EDWARDS LIBRARY
TRUSTEES
For the Town-
Fred E. Corbin
George Grant
Oswald J. Laliberte
Henry Tetreault
For the Edwards Bequest-
Richard C. Paige Gertrude W. Smith
George B. Wells
LIBRARY HOURS
Week Days, except January 1, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas-10 to 12; 2 to 9 p. m. Sundays, October-May (for reading), 2 to 5:30.
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Jacob Edwards Library :
The demands upon the Library are increasing as never before. The energy and strength of the staff have been taxed to the utmost to take care of the work day by day. Most Public Libraries, both in cities and towns, have shortened the hours during which libraries were open, but this Library has managed to keep open during the usual hours.
This Library has also been unusual in actually spending more money for books during 1933, than in past years. This was made possible through the income from the Edwards Bequest. The policy of the Library has always been, not only to supply insofar as possible, the great and legitimate demand for new fiction and popular non-fiction; the replacing of great numbers of wornout standard books of fiction and children's books; but also the building up of a good general library of the stand- ard books in all classes; a good collection of books for reference use, and a good library for the use of the children of the Town. Books we do not have are borrow- ed from larger libraries. One such book, after much searching, was borrowed from the Medical Society of New York, for a resident.
The circulation of books is only one part of the use- fulness of a public library, but has been called an accu- rate index of the general use of a library. The following figures speak for themselves:
Year
Circulation
Per Capita
1923
56,641
3 7-8
1928
88,436
6
1933
118,495 8 1-3
What is true of the circulation of books, is true of
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the entire Library. The reference use of the Library in- creases so constantly that it is impossible to take care of it adequately. About two-thirds of the population of the Town are registered users of the Library. A large num- ber who are not registered, use the Library for reading and study.
The Library Committee of the Harrington Hospital are taking books twice a week to the hospital for the use of the patients.
The Massachusetts Library Commission has contin- ued to lend us small "libraries" of books in Polish, Greek and Italian, which have been much appreciated.
"There is but one road to progress in our complex civilization-that is, more building of character and more understanding. That can only partly be obtained from the home, the school and the press. There must be a lifelong supplement of reading of good books, for which our public libraries are our source and mainstay."
Respectfully submitted,
ELLA E. MIERSCH, Librarian.
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AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM OF STATISTICS
Name of Library Jacob Edwards Library
Town and State Southbridge, Massachusetts
Name of Librarian
Ella E. Miersch
Date of founding
1871
Population served
14,264
Number of days open during year 339
Hours open each week for reading 571%
Hours open each week for lending 54
Number of volumes at beginning of year 29,489
Number of volumes added by purchase 800
Number of volumes added by gift 45
Number of volumes at end of year 30,285
Circulation per capita 81/3
Number of registered borrowers 9,346
Number of volumes lent for home use
118,495
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REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE
The Cemetery Commission organized for the year of 1933 with George H. Hartwell as chairman and S. W. Williams as clerk.
The Board of Public Welfare supplied labor from April to September 1st. This was done without cost to the Cemetery Department. The year was finished with a substantial balance, the major part of which was trans- ferred to the C. W. A. account at a Town meeting held December 9th.
A family owning one of our best locations greatly beautified it by following out an extensive landscape program. This work was done under the supervision of expert landscape architects. We take pleasure in extend- ing to this family our deep appreciation for the work done and interest shown. They have not only beautified their own holding but have greatly improved the appear- ance of the Cemetery as a whole.
The greater part of the Cemetery Permanent Fund is invested in Savings Banks. The income from this fund will be greatly lessened due to the reduced interest rate paid by these banks. It will reduce our income approxi- mately six hundred dollars. This financial loss will make it extremely difficult to operate in a satisfactory manner during the coming year.
The total amount collected by the Cemetery Depart- ment for the year was $456.58.
GEORGE H. HARTWELL,
DANIEL T. MORRILL,
WARDWELL M. EDWARDS,
Cemetery Commission
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REPORT of the SEALER of WEIGHTS and MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
This report of the Department of Weights and Measures for the year 1933 shows a decrease in revenue of about $10 from the year 1932. This is accounted for by the closing of several Gasoline Stations. Also the de- crease in the use of Platform Scales in various stores.
The total number of inspections is greater this year than last, the number for this year being 3,083.
An effort has been made by this department to keep the Town free of peddlers. The police have co-operated in this work.
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DEVICE
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Condemned
SCALES
Platform over 5,000 lbs.
0
4
0
0
Platform under 5,000 lbs.
9
65
3
2
Counter under 100 lbs.
1
94
0
0
Beam over 100 lbs.
1
4
0
0
Spring over 100 lbs.
1
2
0
0
Computing under 100 lbs.
10
95
1
4
Spring under 100 lbs.
1
85
3
0
Personal Weighing
19
2
Prescription
2
5
WEIGHTS
Avoirdupois
0
440
0
0
Apothecary
0
59
0
0
Metric
0
26
0
0
VOLUMETRIC MEASURES
Vehicle (compartments)
0
12
0
0
Liquid
0
115
0
0
Oil Jars
0
36
0
0
Dry Measures
0
4
0
0
LIQUID DEVICES
Gasoline Pumps
9
30
10
3
Gasolene Meters
5
43
0
0
Kerosene Pumps
0
14
0
0
Oil Pumps
0
10
0
0
Stops on Pumps
6
137
0
0
LINEAR MEASURES
Yard Sticks
0
28
0
0
Totals
45
1282
17
18
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TRIAL WEIGHINGS, MEASUREMENTS AND INSPECTIONS
Article
Number Tested
Number Correct
Under
Over
Bread
220
181
24
15
Butter
107
107
0
0
Coal in Bags
27
26
1
0
Confectionery
114
114
0
0
Flour
37
37
0
0
Fruits & Vegetables
70
70
0
0
Meats & Provisions
276
276
0
0
Totals
851
811
25
15
INSPECTIONS
Peddlers' Licenses
11
Markings on Bread
303
Markings on Food Pkgs.
272
Markings on Fuel
27
Oil Jars
161
Peddlers' Scales
22
Clinical Thermometers
8
Other Inspections
22
Transient Vendors
1
Retest of Devices
5
Miscellaneous
22
Oil Jars
36
Totals
870
G. R. LARIVIERE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
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REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Board of Selectmen,
Southbridge, Mass.
Sirs :
The following is a summary of the building per- mits issued by the department during 1933.
Total permits issued
42
Total of owners' estimate of cost
$124,822.00
Permits for new dwelling 9
Families to be accommodated
11
Estimated cost of new dwellings $32,150.00
Permits for alterations of dwellings 10
Additional families to be accommodated 8
Estimated cost of alterations $22,585.00
Permits for non-residential building altera- tions 9
Estimated cost of alterations $20,300.00
Permits for garages
11
Estimated cost of garages
$2,950.00
Permits for non-residential buildings (not
garages) 5
Estimated cost of new non-residential build-
ings
$46,837.00
Respectfully submitted,
J. G. CLARK,
Building Inspector
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REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
Trees in Southbridge are in fairly good condition. I have removed several this year as in the past, but none have been replaced on account of hard times.
Very few trees in our district with the exception of red and white pine that have been set in by the C. C. C. men. Most of the trouble in loss of trees is because of the lack of nourishment and water, and also those plant- ed along sidewalks or covered with cement dry up and die.
Pine blister does not seem to be so prevalent as in the past years.
Chestnut trees seem to be coming back. I have seen chesnut trees 20 feet high which seem to be very healthy. Have seen one in Holland 30 feet high and in good con- dition. Hope the blight is dying out.
The 500 Red Pines planted for the Isaac Walton League are doing splendid.
Apple trees now seem to be victims of blight in var- ious parts.
To detect blight on trees-it comes in the form of punk, one-fourth inch thick on the leaves. Will spray in March, around the 15th.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT L'ECUYER,
Tree Warden
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REPORT OF GYPSY MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
The only way of checking the Gypsy Moth is by constant scouting. With the aid of the C. W. A. men of which I am in charge, we are scouting the woodland in every part of this vicinity. Nine-tenths are found in fruit trees. Every year the same trouble of the Brown Tail Moth occurs in various parts of the State although we have had none here.
The Japanese Beetle has been discovered mostly around Boston, and brought here from Japan in flowers and shrubs. Last year the State set out traps all over New England. We have trapped three here. There had to be a quarantine on different flowers, shrubs and also the corn borer.
Last year we were also troubled by the Mexi- can Beetle. They mostly attack the butter and string beans. I found them also damaging arbor trees.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT L'ECUYER,
Superintendent.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I submit the following report for the year ending December 31st, 1933.
During the year I issued the following permits. For new work 41
For additions to old work
269
For recommendations to change wiring 29
Total permits 339
Inspections to both old and new work 639
Respectfully yours,
CHARLES J. LAFRANCE,
Inspector of Wires.
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REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Southbridge, Mass.
The Board of Sewer Commissioners submit .their report for the year 1933.
The sewer system of the Town was inspected and found in a satisfactory condition.
Several manholes have been raised to meet the present grade of the roads. The Town now has about 23 miles of sewers.
At this time we want to mention that the filter beds at Sandersdale are not large enough to accommodate the sewage of this Town, the settling tank is too small to accommodate the raw sewage. Fifty percent of the raw sewage is distributed onto the beds. The old filter beds are in very poor condition due to the fact that the filtering material in these beds is very poor, and the State Department of Public Health advise that the Town take immediate action to remedy these conditions, and recommends that a new system be planned for the dis- posal of sewage.
The Department has built a sewer from South to Beech Street from the Sewer Assessment revenue, a stretch of 1,100 feet. This sewer accommodates 9 fam- ilies.
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Several sewers are being built at the present time through the CWA at a big saving to the Town.
Submitted by the Board of Sewer Commissioners,
Respectfully submitted,
O. L. LAPIERRE,
O. L. PERRON,
P. BENOIT,
Sewer Commissioners
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REPORT OF TOWN PLANNING BOARD
The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Southbridge, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The Planning Board wish to submit their report for the year 1933.
Not having had an appropriation to continue the work to the point that the town might adopt the zoning plan, we could not do much of importance, inasmuch as the work is now advanced to the point where an appropriation will be required to have the plan adopted.
We would recommend that the sum of $400.00 be ap- propriated to complete the work.
The Board met but few times during the year.
We have formulated some definite recommendations which we are now ready to submit.
Respectfully submitted,
OSWALD J. LALIBERTE,
Chairman Planning Board, Southbridge.
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REPORT OF LOCAL CIVIL WORK ADMINISTRATOR
On Nov. 18, 1933, I was appointed as Local Civil Works Administrator for the Town of Southbridge. On Nov. 22, 1933, work was actually started on the first project. By Dec. 10, 1933, there were 14 projects under way consisting of sewers, roads, removing dangerous corners, brush cutting and painting. Up to Jan. 1, 1934, the payrolls amounted to $9,111.26. Three hundred and twelve men are being employed and as a result the wel- fare costs have been greatly reduced. The workers in general have been interested and have given their all showing that the attempt to keep up the morale has not been in vain. Great credit for the success of our local work is due to the untiring work of the Town Engineer. Mr. John G. Clarke, who has been on the job early and late and in doing so has made it possible for the Town to receive the full benefit of every dollar spent. As the work has been in progress but one month it is impos- sible to render a report that will give the citizens much information, but on completion of the present projects I will render a detailed report that every person interested will know of the attempt of the Federal Administration to give every man a chance to earn a living for his fam- ily and not to be a recipient of dole.
Respectfully submitted, GEO. H. HARTWELL
Local Civil Works Administrator
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REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEERS
Dec. 31, 1933
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Southbridge, Mass.
Sirs :
In this report for the year 1933, we take the oppor- tunity to place on record the construction work carried on under the Federal Civil Works Administration in this Town and placed under this department for supervision.
The projects undertaken were the following :
Sewers on Hudson Ave., Pleasant St., Chapin St., and Oakes Ave
Repairing Drains and widening the travelled way on Gulf Woods Road and Brickyard Road.
Draining, regrading and repairing rail on Cliff st., leading to St. Georges Cemetery.
Improving dangerous street corners at the west- erly end of Hamilton St. and at the railroad cross- ing at Sandersdale.
Storm Drains on Main St. and Collier St.
Painting School Buildings, Police Station and In- firmary. Cutting brush and superfluous trees along country roads.
The above projects were chosen with a view to the possibility of carrying them on during the winter, and taking care of work which was likely to be called for in the near future. The winter to this date having been un-
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usually severe the outdoor work has been difficult, but all projects are well under way.
In carrying on this work the fullest co-operation has been received from the Highway, School, Sewer and Wel- fare departments, the entire undertaking being in charge of Mr. Hartwell, chairman of the last named board, who was appointed by the Federal Government to the posi- tion of Local Civil Works Administrator.
Following past practice of this department we sub- mit a list of construction projects which we think could well be undertaken by the Town during the coming year, as follows :
Sidewalk on the easterly side of Mechanic St. southerly from Worcester Street.
Sidewalk on the westerly side of Everett St. from Park St. to Summer St. and westerly along Summer St.
Sidewalk on the northerly end of Central St. to- gether with remodeling Girard Park to fit the new roadway.
Rebuilding North Woodstock Road northerly from the end of 1926 construction, to be done with State and County aid.
Rebuilding as many of the Sewer Beds as the Town can afford.
Respectfully submitted,
Southbridge Engineering Department,
John G. Clarke
Town Engineer.
-
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REPORT OF AN AUDIT
OF THE
ACCOUNTS
OF THE
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1933
THE EYE OF
MIMO
Made in Accordance with the Provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws
February 15, 1934
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February 15, 1931
To the Board of Selectmen,
Mr. Joseph Lafleche, 2nd, Chairman.
Southbridge, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the Town of Southbridge for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1933, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Edward H. Fenton, Chief Accountant of this Division.
Very truly yours, THEODORE N. WADDELL, ยท Director of Accounts.
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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 books and accounts of the Town of Southbridge for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1933, and submit the following report thereon :
The records of financial transactions of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the Town, or committing bills for collection, were examined, checked, and verified by a comparison with the reports and the rec- ords in the Town Accountant's office.
The Accountant's ledger was analyzed, the appropria- tion accounts being checked to the Town meeting records of appropriations and transfers voted. A balance sheet, showing the financial condition of the Town on. December 31, 1933, was prepared and is appended to this report.
An improvement in the financial condition of the Town on December 31, 1933, was noted. A. substantial increase in the surplus revenue account has been made, so that it now amounts to $86,244.02. However, no part of this amount is available for appropriation by the Town until the uncollected taxes, amounting approximately to $153,000, are reduced to a sum less than the surplus revenue account.
The books and accounts of the Town Treasurer were examined and checked. The cash book was footed and the recorded receipts were analyzed and compared with the Accountant's ledger and with the records of the depart- ments making payments to the Treasurer. The payments
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by the Treasurer were compared with the Selectmen's war- rants authorizing the disbursement of Town funds.
The payments on account of maturing debt and inter- est were verified by a comparison with the amounts falling due.
The savings bank books and securities representing the investments of the various trust funds in the custody of the Town Treasurer were examined and listed and the in- come was proved.
The Treasurer's cash balance on January 13, 1934, was proved by a reconciliation with statements furnished by the banks and by an actual count of the cash in the office.
The books and accounts of the Collector of Taxes were examined and checked in detail. The taxes outstanding at the time of the previous examination were audited, and all subsequent commitments of taxes and assessments were proved and checked with the Assessors' warrants. The recorded collections were compared with the payments to the Treasurer, as recorded on the Treasurer's cash book, the abatements were checked with the Assessors' record of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
The outstanding accounts were further verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names ap- peared on the books as owing money to the Town, the re- plies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The records of licenses and permits issued by the Selectmen, Town Clerk, and Health and Fire Departments were examined and checked, and the payments to the State and the Town were verified.
The surety bonds of the Treasurer, Tax Collector, and the Town Clerk were examined and found to be in proper form.
It is again recommended that all departments commit-
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ting bills for collection or granting abatements thereon promptly notify the Town Accountant of the commitments made or abatements granted; similarly, the Accountant should be advised of all apportionments made on special assessments, so that his ledger accounts may at all times reflect the true condition of the different accounts receiv- able.
The tax title deeds on hand were listed and the amounts transferred to tax titles were verified.
In addition to the departments mentioned, the books and accounts of the sealer of weights and measures and of the public welfare, school, library, and fire departments were examined and checked, the payments to the treasurer being verified.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's cash, summaries of the tax and departmental accounts, to- gether with tables showing the trust fund transactions.
For the co-operation extended by the several town of- ficials during the process of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
EDW. H. FENTON
Chief Accountant
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RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER'S CASH GENERAL
Balance January 1, 1933
$30,873.52
Receipts 1933,
1,203,740.82
$1,234,614.34
Payments 1933,
$1,190,732.67
Balance December 31, 1933, 43,881.67
$1,234,614.34
Balance January 1, 1934
$43,881.67
Receipts January 1 to 13, 1934 8,850.72
$52,732.39
Payments January 1 to 13, 1934 $7,887.04
Balance January 13, 1934 :
Southbridge Na-
tional Bank, per
check register, $30,357.13
Peoples Nation-
al Bank, per
check register, 12,768.07
Second National
Bank, Boston,
per check regis-
ter and state-
ment, 1,612.07
Cash in
office,
verified,
108.08
44,845.35
$52,732.39
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SOUTHBRIDGE NATIONAL BANK
Balance January 13, 1934,
per statement,
$40,879.62
Balance January 13, 1934,
per check register
$30,357.13
Outstanding checks January
13, 1934, per list 10,522.49
$40,879.62
PEOPLES NATIONAL BANK, SOUTHBRIDGE
Balance January 13, 1934,
per statement, $13,907.36
Balance January 13, 1934,
per check register,
$12,768.07
Outstanding checks January
13, 1934, per list, 1,139.29
$13,907.36
SPECIAL DEPOSITS
Balance January 1, 1933 :
War Memorial Fund, $10,629.77
Sale of Cemetery Lots and
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