USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1952-1956 > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Section 44. No very soft brick shall be used in the con- struction of any of the walls or piers of any buildings.
Section 45. When old bricks are used in any wall they shall be thoroughly cleaned before used and shall be good, hard, well-burnt brick. No old brick shall be used in external walls of buildings over two stories high without the approval of the Inspector.
Section 46. All brick used during warm months shall be wet at the time they are laid and shall be dry at the time they are laid during cold months.
Section 47. All floor bearing walls, if carried above the first floor, shall not be less than twelve inches thick.
Section 48. The walls above foundations of all buildings, the first floor of which is to be used for mercantile purposes, shall be not less than twelve inches thick for one story build- ings.
Section 49. All brick walls on which the ends of floor joists rest shall be anchored at each tier of joists, at intervals of not more than five feet apart with steel anchors at least three-eighths inch by one and one-half inches, well built into the walls, and well fastened to the joists; and where the joists are supported by, or on girders, or partition plates, the ends resting upon girders, or partition plates, shall be fastened to- gether and strapped by wrought iron straps, the same distance apart, and to the same joists as the wall anchors. Where joists parallel masonry walls use steel anchors of same section as above and anchored to three joists.
Section 50. The ends of all girders or partition plates, resting on or abutting any wall, shall be anchored to it with steel anchors.
Section 51. Plates of all roofs shall be bolted to walls, not less than every six feet, the bolts to be built into the walls at least 1/2 inch by 18 inches and turned at least three inches into masonry.
Section 52. No continual vertical recess, chase or flue shall be made in any party wall so deep that it will leave the
174
thickness at the back less than eight inches at any point, and no recess of any kind shall be made in any eight inch wall. No horizontal recess shall be made in any wall, except by special permit from the Inspector. No continual, vertical recess, other than flues, in stacks, shall be nearer than seven feet to any other recess.
Section 53. No opening or doorway shall be cut through a party wall without a permit from the Inspector and every such opening shall have approved fire doors and each side of the wall separated by the thickness of the wall, hardware to be approved and with fusable links.
Section 54. The ends of all wood floor beams or joists of a brick, stone, terra cotta, or cement block building entering a wall shall be cut on a splay of two and one-half inches in their depth and no floor beams resting upon the same wall on opposite sides shall have less than four inches of brick work between the ends of such beams.
FIRE LIMIT
THE FIRE LIMIT WITHIN THE TOWN IS BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS, TO WIT:
Section 55. Beginning at the northwest corner of Main and Everett Streets; thence across Main Street northerly to the private way of the Worcester County Electric Company; thence northeasterly and northerly by land of the Electric Company, to location of New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company tracks and northwesterly following said tracks to a point at right angles to said tracks southwesterly and opposite boundary of the southerly corner of Edwards and Hamilton Streets; thence following said southerly side of Edwards Street westerly to the intersection of Edwards and Pine Streets; thence southerly following the easterly side of Pine Street to the intersection of Pine and Main Streets; thence easterly and following the northerly side of Main Street to the intersection of Main and Marcy Streets; thence crossing Main Street diagonally to the eastern corner of Marcy and Main Street; thence southerly along the easterly side of Marcy Street to the intersection of Dresser and Marcy Streets; thence easterly along the northerly side of Dresser Street to the intersection of Elm Street, following along the westerly side of Elm Street in a southerly direction to a point opposite the southerly corner of Summer and Elm Streets; thence easterly along the southerly side of Summer to Everett Street; thence northerly along the westerly side of Everett Street to the point of beginning.
Section 56. Any new alteration, addition or new building within the fire limit is to be of a fire resistant nature, such as brick, stone, terra cotta, cement, cinder tile blocks or con-
175
crete, or it may be of wood frame fireblocked, as required for all frame buildings and covered with sheet asbestos, asbestos shingles, stucco on metal lath. If sheet metal of any descrip- tion is used, it shall be applied over asbestos sheathing paper, and no lighter than twenty-six gauge galvanized iron.
Section 57. Any new building, addition or alteration within the fire limit is to be lathed with metal or gypsum lath.
Section 58. Any new building, addition or alteration within the fire limit is to have cornice, jet or overhang of rigid sheet asbestos, sixteen ounce cold rolled copper, twenty- six gauge or heavier galvanized iron, but in all cases space from plate to the roof planks or boards is to be filled with at least four inches of hollow brick, tile, cement or brick, all around building.
Section 59. Where a new wood frame is used within the fire limit, and in case of an adjoining and attached overhang, porch, or piazza, ceiling of same may be wood but the space occurring against the building concealed between the ceiling of said overhang, porch or piazza and its roof is to be boarded up with matched boards and lined with metal lath and plaster, twenty-six gauge metal or rigid sheet asbestos for the entire area concealed, ceiling not to be applied until approved by Inspector.
Section 60. Any new building, addition or alteration within the fire limit is to be roofed with slate, tile, asbestos asphalt shingles, twenty-six gauge or heavier metal, tar and gravel or slag composition.
Section 61. Any new building, addition or alteration within the fire limit may have wood finish, floors and ceilings for porches, balconies, piazzas or overhangs, but in all cases concealed portions abutting buildings are to be fireproofed including space between ceilings and floors at building as de- scribed under preceding sections.
Section 62. Any new building, addition or alteration, within the fire limit, may have wood doors and windows, cellar entrance bulkheads, trellis or pergolas.
Section 63. Any new building within the fire limit not having a cellar is to have at least twenty-four inch trap through the floor with two flush iron rings not less than three inches in diameter for access to the underside of floor and this trap not to be nailed or fastened down in any way.
Section 64. Any new building or alteration within the fire limit to have access trap to roof space left at least twenty- four inches square.
176
BEARINGS AND FOUNDATIONS
Section 65. No superstructure shall be erected until the foundation for the same is prepared, whether of stone, con- crete, or brick, and the said foundation is safe to receive the superstructure.
Section 66. Foundations of wooden buildings shall rest upon solid ground or suitably driven piles, foundations if of stone shall be not less than twenty inches thick at the bottom, and sixteen inches thick at the top, and under buildings more than two stories high shall be not less than twenty-two inches thick at bottom, and eighteen inches thick at top, and shall be laid in mortar no poorer than one part Portland cement, one part lime and six parts sand.
Section 67. Foundation walls for brick shall be not less than twelve inches thick, concrete ten inches and cement blocks twelve inches with footing eight inches wider than the walls, and eight inches thick for one story buildings. For two stories, footings to be twelve inches wider than founda- tion and ten inches thick.
Section 68. All stone foundations shall be thoroughly bonded, by headers extending through the wall every three feet in height from the bottom of the wall, and every three feet in length of wall. Foundation walls shall not be laid on frozen ground.
Section 69. When piles are used they shall be cut off at such grade as will insure constant immersion at all times. A single row of piles to be staggered, and not less than three feet on centers under wooden buildings; those piles to be properly capped with cement cap at least eighteen inches thick and eight inches wider on each side than its superimposed foundation and properly reinforced.
Section 70. All brick underpinnings averaging over four feet high shall be not less than twelve inches thick, and when under buildings three stories high shall in all cases be not less than twelve inches thick.
Section 71. Concrete underpinning shall not be less than ten inches thick and all stone underpinning shall be not less than sixteen inches thick.
Section 72. Dwellings that do not rest on masonry walls shall be supported on suitably driven piles, or piers of hard burned brick, stone, cement filled concrete blocks, or concrete; corner piers if of brick shall not be less than sixteen inches square and intermediate piers twelve inches square; all foot- ings for piers shall be at least four feet below the surface of the ground if exposed to frost and all piers and foundations therefor shall be solidly laid in cement mortar.
177
Section 73. Buildings other than dwellings not resting on foundation walls, or driven piles, and to be used for a workshop or other like purpose, or as a temporary structure, may rest on mud sills or blocks.
Section 74. All buildings shall be supported in cellars and basements by masonry walls, columns, brick or concrete piers, and the same to rest on proper footings. Wood columns if used shall be not less than six by six inches hard pine, chest- nut or hardwood, and shall rest upon a plate which shall have a footing under the said plate not less than twelve inches square and at least eight inches thick, and the footing for said columns shall finish at least four inches above the cellar floor. Brick piers under main girders shall be not less than eight by twelve inches, and all piers exceeding a height of six feet shall be not less than twelve inches square.
Section 75. Porches, piazzas, and bay windows, not sup- ported by masonry foundations, shall be built upon piers of stone, brick, or concrete and the foundation of said piers shall be built to a depth of not less than four feet if exposed to frost and at least twelve inches square with suitable footings.
WOOD FRAMING
Section 76. All brace frame buildings exceeding a height of fifteen feet and to be less than three stories in height, shall be built with sills, posts, girts, plates and rafters of sufficient size to carry the weight of the superstructure; the posts and girts shall not be less than six by six inches in cross section, and the outside studs shall be not less than two by four inches in cross section and spaced not more than sixteen inches on centers. The studs for main bearing partitions shall be not less than two by four inches in cross section and spaced not more than sixteen inches on centers. All frame buildings three full stories in height hereafter erected shall have corner posts not less than four by eight inches in cross section. One inch by six inch ledgers notched into studs may be used.
Section 77. All timber used in framing any building shall be of good sound material, free from rot, large and loose knots, shakes or any imperfection, whereby the strength of material may be impaired.
Section 78. All floor bearing partitions shall rest upon a wall or a girder of suitable size in the lower story and upon partition caps in the stories above, and minor partitions shall rest upon a sole not less than two inches thick.
Section 79. All main bearing partitions shall be bridged with stock the full width of studding, and two inches thick, at least once in the height of each story. Cross partitions shall
178
be braced from floor to ceiling. At each exterior corner brace from floor to ceiling at each floor with same section of material as used for outside walls.
Section 80. All new or renewed floors shall be so con- structed as to safely carry the weight to which the proposed use of the building will be subjected to, but the least capacity per superficial square foot, exclusive of materials, shall be designed to carry the following loads:
For floors of dwellings 60 1bs.
For floors of public buildings
125 lbs.
For floors of school house other than floor of assembly halls
80 lbs.
For floors of assembly rooms
125 lbs.
For floors of ordinary stores, light manufacturing and light storage
120 lbs.
1
For floors of dance halls. 200 lbs.
For flat roofs 40 lbs.
For stairs, landings, platforms and fire escapes 70 lbs.
Section 81. Every wood header or trimmer shall be at least twice the thickness of other floor timbers, every wood header or trimmer more than six feet in length used in any building, whether brick or wood construction, shall be hung in stirrup irons of suitable size. All joists occurring under a partition is to be doubled.
Section 82. Ledger board may be used in place of girts in any balloon frame building where the posts exceed fifteen feet in height; and when ledger boards are used the space back of the ledger boards and outside wall boarding shall be fire stopped with blocks of the same size as wall studs, cut in tight, so as to prevent draft in case of fire.
Section 83. In all dwellings the sizes of floor joists shall not be less than the following:
2 x 6-16" c.c. for spans not over 8' 2 x 8-16" c.c. for spans not over 14'
2 × 9-16" c.c. for spans not over 15'
2 x 10-16" c.c. for spans not over 16'
2 x 12-16" c.c. for spans not over 18'
Section 84. If joists used are of other material than hem- lock, spruce, fir or hard pine, or if joists are to be used in floors intended for other purposes than floors of dwellings, said joists shall be of size to be determined by some estab- lished formula and to the satisfaction of the Inspector.
Section 85. No beam or floor joist shall be sized or notched in such manner as to reduce the depth and strength of such beam or joist below that required by this By-Law.
179
Floor timbers shall be bridged once in every eight feet, with one by three inch, or two by three inch stock nailed at each end with two nails.
Section 86. Every temporary support placed under any structure, wall, girder, or beam, during the erection, finishing, alteration, or repairing of any building or structure, or any part thereof, shall be of sufficient strength to safely carry the load to be finally placed thereon. All roofs shall have its rafters anchored at every other rafter to the studs below the plate with hurricane anchors to the satisfaction of the Inspect- or of Buildings.
FIREPROOFING
Section 87. In the entrance of a wooden building that is double or where two apartments are adjacent to each other, party walls are to be brick nogged between studs and carried to roof boards, or solid masonry. In the case of four or more rooms above the second floor, walls to be at least twelve inches thick at cellar and first floor and eight inches thereafter of ce- ment, cement blocks, terra cotta, tile, or brick, to underside of roofboards. In both the above cases, lath covering these walls to be metal.
Section 88. New wooden walls and ceilings of all stores in buildings over one story in height shall be covered either with wire lathing and plaster or with sheet metal. Composi- tion tile or sheets may be used on walls and ceilings providing that ceilings are backed with gypsum board at least three- eighths inches thick or metal lath and plaster. Basement ceilings of all new work in stores shall be metal lathed, and plastered.
Section 89. The tops of portable heaters shall be at least three feet below any wooden beam, ceilings, or other com- bustible objects, unless protected by some incombustible ma- terials.
Section 90. All boilers or heating systems used in hotels, apartments, laundries or public buildings, hereafter erected, or converted for such use, shall be enclosed in a fireproof room and set in such a manner as to be accessible for in- spection. No boiler room shall be located under any stair, en- trance hall or public way.
Section 91. If any chimney, flue or heating apparatus should, in the opinion of the Inspector of Buildings, be unsafe by reason of endangering the premises by fire or otherwise, he shall at once notify in writing the owner, agent, or other person having an interest therein, and require him to remove the same, or make it safe, and such owner, agent, or person
180
shall at once, put such chimney, flue or heating apparatus in a safe condition, satisfactory to the Inspector.
Section 92. The Provisions of Articles XIX to XXXIV inclusive may apply to buildings already erected if found necessary and so ordered after examination of the premises by the Inspector of Buildings.
BURNED STRUCTURES
Section 93. After a fire, all burned parts and other debris are to be cleared away within sixty days, unless a special extension of time for just and reasonable cause is granted in writing by the Inspector and another time limit is set.
EGRESSES
Section 94. In all buildings hereafter erected or con- verted, to be occupied for dwelling purposes, for two or more separate families, there shall be at least two independent and sufficient ways of egress, accessible at each floor from each suite of apartments. Such ways of egress shall consist of flights of stairs, extending from the lowest to the highest floor, and not more than one flight of stairs shall be placed in the same hallway.
CHIMNEYS
Section 95. No chimney shall be built so far out of plumb as in the opinion of the Inspector to endanger its stability.
Section 96. No chimney to be built unless lined with firebrick or fireclay flue liner.
Section 97. No chimney is to extend less than two feet above any adjacent building or ridge that may exist within twenty feet of this chimney.
Section 98. In no case shall a chimney be corbelled out more than two-thirds the thickness of its wall, and in all such cases the corbelling shall consist of at least five courses of brick.
Section 99. No metal chimney unless approved shall be used, or shall be placed within one inch of any woodwork unless such flue or pipe be cased with metal leaving a free circulation of air all around the same.
SNOW FROM ROOFS
Section 100. No part of any roof shall be constructed in such a manner as to discharge snow, ice, or other material upon a public street or alley.
181
OIL BURNING EQUIPMENT
Section 101. All fuel oil-burning ranges, stoves, appli- ances, boilers, furnaces and heating or cooking equipment of any type must be inspected annually during the months of September or October by a member of the Southbridge Fire Department, and certified as safe before use for the ensuing 12 months. Unless such equipment is certified as safe for use, the head of the Fire Department shall notify all fuel oil deal- ers in the town, or who deliver fuel oil within the town limits, that such equipment is unsafe and unfit for use and that no fuel oil shall be delivered for use in said equipment until the same is certified safe. Any fuel oil dealers who deliver fuel oil for use in any equipment not certified as safe, shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $25.
BOARD OF ARBITRATION
Section 102. All questions as to the intent and meaning of the By-Laws, relating to the construction of buildings shall be decided by the Inspector of Buildings, or when the inspect- or, the contractor and/or the owner of the structure fail to agree in regard to the intent and purpose of these building By-Laws or any portion thereof, the matter of said disagree- ment shall be referred to a Board of Arbitration.
The same shall consist of three members, one to be chosen by the Inspector of Buildings, one by the owner of the struc- ture and a third by agreement of the two thus chosen. The decision of all questions referred to said Board of Arbitration shall be final except as provided in Section 1 of Article XX of these Building By-Laws.
ENFORCEMENT
Section 103. The enforcement of these building By-Laws shall be vested in the Building Inspector of the Town of Southbridge, who shall have full authority, to enter at all reasonable hours all buildings and every part thereof to which these By-Laws apply, for the purpose of inspecting the same, to institute proceedings under General Laws, Chapter 143, Section 12 and to institute proceedings for the enforcement of penalties.
ARTICLE XXI ENACTMENT
Disapproved by the Attorney General.
A true copy, Attest: Clare P. Boyer, Town Clerk of Southbridge, Mass. May 14, 1956
182
Special Town Meeting April 30, 1956
Article 13.
To see if the Town will vote to adopt and make such or- ders and By-Laws as proposed by the Town By-Law Com- mittee, said proposed By-Laws now on file in the office of the Town Clerk, said proposed By-Laws being dated February 2, 1956, or act anything thereon.
The following motion made and seconded: (presented by; Mr. O. J. Laliberte.)
I move that the proposed Amendments dated February 2, 1956 to the By-Laws of the Town of Southbridge, copies of which were sent to the Board of Selectmen by the Town By- Laws Committee with their letter dated February 28, 1956, and a copy of which has been on file in the office of the Town Clerk, available for inspection by any registered voter of the Town be adopted in the form recommended by the Town By- Laws Committee.
The following amendment presented to above motion. Said amendment seconded and carried.
The following to be added to the proposed Town By-Laws as Article No. 40 (Town Engineer.)
Section 1.
The Selectmen shall appoint an Engineer whose qualifica- tions shall be those of "Grade E-Engineers and Chief En- gineers," as provided by amendment to the revised Civil Service-Section 6, Chapter 19 of the revised Laws of the Commonwealth, or of any equivalent revision in said Laws.
Section 2.
The Selectmen may appoint the Engineer for the Town for a period of three (3) years. Said Engineer shall perform all engineering work required by the Town.
Section 3.
He shall have complete charge of the Engineering De- partment and shall be fully responsible for all employees of the Engineering Department.
Section 4,
The Engineer shall prepare specifications for grades, bounds and materials, depths of all streets, sidewalks, sewers and other construction hereinafter built or charged to the Town he shall recommend to the Board of Selectmen and his recommendations, when approved, shall be binding upon all departments concerned. He shall inspect all work done under his specifications and shall be responsible for the fulfillment
183
of all his requirements. He shall prepare maps or sketches of all Town property and shall be responsible to the Board of Selectmen for all Town Maps, drawings and records per- taining to streets, sidewalks, sewer location and pipes, retained in his possession.
Section 5.
In his Annual Report, he shall review the work done dur- ing the year and shall make recommendations which he may deem best for the welfare of the Town. Result of vote on Article 13: (Count of hands by Moderator.) Affirmative: 42
Negative: 33
It's a vote. (Town) (Seal)
A true copy of record, Attest: s/ Clare P. Boyer, Town Clerk of Southbridge, Mass. Boston, Mass., June 6, 1956
The foregoing By-Laws are hereby approved with the exception of Article II and Article XXI, which are hereby disapproved.
s/ George Fingold, Attorney General A true copy, Attest: Clare P. Boyer, Town Clerk of Southbridge, Mass. Southbridge, Mass., May 14, 1956
Special Town Meeting April 30, 1956
Article 8.
To see if the Town will vote to discontinue its voting precincts; and vote that subsequent elections within the Town shall be held as if no such division had been made; all as provided by Section 9 of Chapter 54 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, or act anything thereon.
The following substitute motion presented, seconded and carried:
VOTED: that the Town discontinue its voting precincts and that subsequent elections within the Town shall be held as if no such division had been made, all as provided by Sec- tion 9 of Chapter 54 of the General Laws of the Common- wealth.
Count of hands by Moderator. Result of Count by Moderator. Affirmative: 83
Negative: 65
184
Result of Count challenged.
Moderator named (3) tellers. Moderator asked voters to vote again (hand vote.) Result of Count: (Announced by Moderator.) Affirmative: 112 Negative: 91
It's a vote. (Town) (Seal)
A true copy of record, Attest: s/ Clare P. Boyer, Town Clerk of Southbridge, Mass. Boston, Mass., June 6, 1956
The within amendment to By-Laws is hereby approved.
s/ George Fingold Attorney General
A true copy, Attest: Clare P. Boyer, Town Clerk of Southbridge, Mass.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.