New Eight-Room Schoolhouse, Fire Station, Ordered-This Day In Norwood History-November 2, 1905

NORWOOD TOWN MEETING

A special town meeting was held in Village hall, last Wednesday evening, for the purpose of acting on several important questions. The meeting was quite largely attended there being over 100 present. All seemed to take a deep interest in the questions to be discussed as was evident before the meeting when small groups of men in the hall were debating the “pros” and “cons” of the several articles.

At 8 o’clock the meeting was called to order by Town Clerk Kiley, and the warrant read.

Clifford B. Sanborn was elected moderator.

Article 2, was to hear and act on report of a committee who were appointed to report upon an appropriate site for a new school building and the expense of a suitable school building to be erected thereon. J. W. Conger was the chairman of this committee and gave a very good report jf the work of the committee.

He said that the school house was most needed in the south end of the town and that the only available and suitable spot in that part of the town was the lot at the corner of Chapel street and Winslow avenue. This lot, he said, was equally distant from the West and Balch schools was in the centre of population in that district. He said that the school that had been planned would probably cost the town about §38,000.

After submitting this report Mr. Conger made the following motion: —

“That the town instruct the Board of Selectmen to take under Chapter 5, of the Revised Laws, a certain lot of land on Chapel Street for a school house lot, said lot including six house lots, numbered 46, 47, 48, 9, 50, 51, containing 61, 251 square feet in all, as shown on a plan designated as “Plan of Winslow Property ” surveyed by Nathaniel Smith and that the sum of §3500, be borrowed on notes of the town or that purpose, said notes to be made payable within three years of rate thereof.”

Mr. Conger then produced a plan of the lot and explained to the meeting why it had been chosen. He said that the congestion in the Balch and West School was great and that schoolhouse was needed in that district. Therefore the committee had looked for a lot in the thickly settled district near Chapel Street. This lot on the corner of Chapel Street and Winslow Avenue seemed to be the best spot for a schoolhouse. It was not only central but was on high ground, and might be made a very sightly spot.

It is part of the Elisha Winslow estate. The committee communicated with the heirs of the estate in regard to the price at which the land might be obtained. In reply the heirs stated that the land would sell at 8 cents per foot.

The committee met to consider this price and decided that the land was not worth more than 6 cents per foot and that if this price were accepted the purchase of the land might be made. They informed the heirs of their decision and got a reply that nothing less than 8 cents per foot would be taken.

Mr. Conger then went about to show that the land was not worth the price demanded, by the heirs. The land on the east side of the lot In the motion is assessed at 3 cents per foot, that on the opposite of Chapel street is assessed at 3 1/2 cents per foot and a piece of land included in the desired lot is assessed for 2 1/2 cents per foot.

Mr. Conger stated that it was probably plain to everyone from this, what the land was really worth, and nothing more need be said to show that the price asked by the heirs was exorbitant. There was not a member of the committee that thought the land worth more than 5 cents a foot but they were willing to give 6 cents if they could get it at that price.

The building should have been started this fall so as to be ready for occupancy next year. The town needs it badly.

Mr. Conger said that the committee would be willing to leave it to a jury of disinterested persons, what the price of the desired land should be.

George H. Smith said that by next year the present schools cannot possibly accommodate the large number of pupils that will enter, and that something must be done immediately to provide for this.

M. M. Alden said that he did not blame the owners for asking so much for the land. It would make the adjoining lots undesirable for house lots as people do not generally like to live right beside a schoolhouse.

W. C. Hobbs, superintendent of schools gave the meeting a few convincing facts about the conditions of the schools. He said that last year the enrollment in the school was 1410. There are now 1497 pupils enrolled. Considering the fact that the schools were crowded last year, it is evident, that an additional 87 pupils causes considerable congestion. The increase is for the most part in the Balch, West, and Guild schools, or the south end of the town. Most of the additional pupils in the Guild school are from the Balch and West school district and have to go to the Guild because they cannot be accommodated at the Balch or West.

The was very little more discussion on this question and the motion was soon taken up and passed by a majority.

Mr. Conger then made the following motion: —

“That the town erect an eight-room school house of brick or concrete construction on the land to be taken by the town, on Chapel Street at cost not to exceed §98,000, that the town treasurer be authorized to borrow said sum on notes of the town, with the approval of the selectmen, of the value of §2000 each, payable one note each year for 19 years, with interest payable semiannually at a rate not exceeding 4% per annum, and that a committee of five be appointed by the Moderator to erect said building in accordance with their vote.”

The motion when first made by Mr. Conger specified that the building be of brick, but George F. Willett moved that it be amended so that it would read “brick or concrete construction.” Mr. Willett said that buildings constructed of concrete were fast coming into vogue and that they were much cheaper than brick. By making this amendment the building committee would have power to use this material if they thought it best.

W. F. Tilton asked Mr. Conger if the §38,000 included the cost of grading and putting the grounds in good condition. Mr. Conger said that it did.

The amended motion passed unanimously.

Article 5 was then taken up. It was as follows : —
To see if the town will authorize the committee of five, appointed under Article 41 of the April town meeting (wherein it was voted that the sum of §4,000 be raised and appropriated to buy land for fire department and town purposes, and a committee of five be appointed by the chair to select the lot), to buy the lot of land on Washington street, selected by them, known as the Coburn lot, or take any other action in the matter.

H. E. Rice, of the committee, made the following motion : —

“That the committee appointed, Art. 41, of the April town meeting, to select a lot of land for fire department and other town purposes be authorized to buy the lot of land on Washington street selected by them, and known as the Coburn Lot.”

Mr. Rice then explained what the committee had done saying that the April town meeting had only given the committee power to select a lot and not to buy it.

M. H. Howard said that the land on Washington Street was in no way suited for a site for a firehouse. It was low and wet all the time. If a cellar were dug there it would have to be waterproofed before it could be used. The lot on Market street owned by Winslow Bros, and Smith is well suited as it now stands. There would be no waterproofing and it would not need to be drained, thus saving considerable expense in the construction of the building. He then moved that the motion be amended so as to read, “ the lot of land ou Market street owned by Winslow Bros and Smith,” instead of “ the lot of laud on Washington street selected by them and known as the Coburn lot.”

Mr. Rice then produced a plan of the Washington Street lot and made quite a lengthy speech. He said the frontage was 67 feet while only 50 feet was required for a three-door house, such as had been proposed. He said that it could easily be drained into the lot on the opposite side of the street. A ten-foot cellar could be put in without need of waterproofing.

Mr. Rice said that much talk had been made regarding the scarcity of street room at that place and showed that there was plenty of room. He took for an example the condition of the street during the funeral of the late John F. Cuff. While there were two cars abreast and a row of carriages on each side of the street, he said, there was still more room than there was on Market street without a team in it. This remark drew loud applause from the audience.
The large lot in the rear of the proposed station Mr. Rice stated, would afford ample room for the town tip carts and snow plows, and stables if they ever came.

Mr. Rice stated his side of the question in a very strong and forcible manner, and several times during his talk, he was applauded.

J. A. Hartshorn then rose to speak. He was one of the committee who had voted against the Washington Street lot, and for Market Street lot. The latter was, in his opinion, by all means the lot the town should buy. It was central in every way and was in good condition to build on at once. Mr. Hartshorn stated that sun was needed to dry the liose and while the lot on Washington Street got very little sunshine, that on Market Street got sun from morn till night. It affords a frontage of 50 ft. which is all that is needed for the house.

James Berwick thought that fl would not be desirable to keep thl town snow plows, tools, etc., righl in the centre of the village.

Several other-remarks were made by different men when finally the vote was taken on the amendmen of Mr. Howard.. A rising vote wa taken which resulted as follows:

Aye 65, no 46.

The vote on the motion as it then stood resulted : — aye 63, no 22.

Mr. Conger then moved that the committee for selecting a suitable location for a school house be discharged. Passed.
Article 7, 8, and 9, were then taken up and all passed without discussion.
The meeting adjourned at 9.45.

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