Norwood annual report 1942-1944, Part 53

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1942
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1122


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1942-1944 > Part 53


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Early in the year the Board determined to complete the rewriting of the Zoning By-Laws, and through the co-operation of the Town Clerk it was possible to have his staff assemble all the amendments to the By-Laws since 1927, and they are now ready to be added to the books subject to the approval of the Town Counsel.


On January 31, 1944, the Board recommended to the Selectmen that Norwood adopt a Building Code, and it will again recommend to the Selectmen early in 1945 the importance of the Town having a Building Code for its protection during the post-war construction of homes.


The Board recommended the following important projects to the Selectmen for their consideration:


(a) That the town purchase a grader for the construction of streets.


(b) That the town purchase a new ladder truck for the fire department.


(c) That all dead-end streets in the town be connected where possible by extending old streets or constructing new streets.


(d) The construction of Cross Street extension to East Cross Street.


(e) The elimination of all 4" water mains throughout the town and replace with 6" mains.


(f) The extension of the water main from Nichols Street to Walpole Street.


(g) The relocation of Lenox Street in order to eliminate the traffic hazard on that street.


147


REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD


Two joint meetings were held with the School Committee to discuss the purchase of a plot of land on Nichols Street for future school needs.


On September 12, 1944, the Board brought to the attention of the Selectmen the violation of traffic rules on Washington Street, and recommended that imme- diate consideration be given to the traffic problem.


The Board received three petitions for change of zoning during 1944. One petition for a parcel of land located on the corner of Pleasant and East Cross Streets, two petitions for change of zoning on the State Highway Route No. 1. Four parcels of land were included in these two petitions. After a public hearing the Board recommended that only two parcels be changed, the other two to re- main unchanged. From a careful study of the situation it was the decision of the Board that the changes requested for the four parcels would cause a worse condi- tion of "spot zoning" on the Highway than exists at present.


On November 6, 1944, the Board held a meeting with the Chairman of the Wellesley Planning Board, which operates under Chapter 211 of the Enabling Act, for the purpose of making a further study of Chapter 211. After a number of meetings with different officials and consultants on Town Planning, it is the opinion of the Board that Norwood would receive much benefit by the adoption of Chapter 211. The Board will take Chapter 211 to the citizens of Norwood early in 1945.


Members of the Board have attended three conferences on Town Planning during 1944, and the material and information they have received will prove a benefit to the Town.


The program of the Board for 1945 is: (1) immediate action on Chapter 211, (2) the making of a master plan of the Town, (3) making ready definite post-war projects, and (4) completing the re-writing of the Zoning By-Laws.


The Board extends its thanks to Mr. Smith, Mr. Blasenak, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Foley, and to all town officials for their co-operation with the Board during the year 1944.


OWEN F. SULLIVAN, Chairman, LUDOVIC O. FOURNIER, Secretary, ROSEWELL A. NORTON, MICHAEL J. CROWLEY, HERBERT A. WIGGIN.


148


TOWN OF NORWOOD


REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


Mr. Francis W. Smith,


General Manager.


Dear Sir :


The following scales, weights and measures were tested and sealed during the year 1944:


Sealed


Platform Scales, over 10,000 lbs.


3


Platform Scales, 500 to 10,000 lbs.


2


Platform Scales, 100 to 5,000 lbs.


7


Counter Scales, under 100 lbs.


9


Beam Scales, under 100 lbs.


10


Beam Scales, over 100 lbs.


8


Spring Scales, under 100 lbs.


14


Computing Scales, under 100 lbs.


18


Person weigher (slot)


7


Avoirdupois Weights


107


Yard Measures


12


Cloth Measuring Device


1


Liquid, One Gallon Under


33


Liquid, One Gallon Over


1


Gasoline Measuring Pumps


49


Oil Measuring Pumps


6


Grease Measuring


23


Total


310


The following inspections were made:


Total Number Tested


Corrected


Incorrect Under and Over


Beans


18


15


3


Bread


48


30


.2


16


Butter


10


10


. .


Charcoal (in paper bags)


12


11


1


Confectionery


4


3


1


Flour


8


8


.


. .


Ice


16


13


3


Lard


20


18


2


Liquid Commodities


12


12


Meat and Provisions


18


16


1


1


Potatoes


45


22


23


Wood - in cords


10


9


1


. .


Fruit and Vegetables


28


26


2


. .


-


-


260


204


6


50


Grain and Feed


11


11


149


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS


This is a complete report of all the inspections I have made during the past year of 1944.


Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH M. LOVELL, Sealer of Weights and Measures.


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS


The Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen :


I submit herewith my report as Inspector of Animals for the year 1944.


I quarantined 25 dogs for biting. All were released at end of required legal quarantine period and none showed any signs of Rabies at any time. One dog was quarantined three times and two dogs were quarantined twice during the year. One dog was reported to me as a suspicious case but had not bitten anyone. After finding the owner, I turned this dog over to the police.


I inspected four shipments of cattle from out-of-state for dairy purposes.


Respectfully submitted,


THOMAS U. MAHONEY, Inspector of Animals.


150


TOWN OF NORWOOD


REPORT OF BOARD OF WELFARE and BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen :


We hereby submit the 1944 report of the Board of Public Welfare and the Bureau of Old Age Assistance.


The following table will show the number of cases and the number of recipients of aid in the three categories of relief, i.e., Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children and Temporary or General Relief.


A.D.C.


O.A.A.


T.A.


T.A. (unempl.)


Board Family


Inst.


Total


Cases


22


114


15


24


13


7


195


Persons


140


114


19


50


15


7


345


Cases


25


115


16


26


12


6


200


Persons


154


115


27


52


14


6


368


Cases


26


114


15


22


11


7


195


Persons


160


114


23


45


13


7


362


Cases


26


115


14


18


12


7


192


April


Persons


160


115


21


36.


14


7


352


Cases


24


114


16


18


13


6


191


May


Persons


155


114


30


37


15


6


357


Cases


24


112


17


18


13


6


190


June


Persons


155


112


38


34


15


6


360


July


Persons


162


114


23


34


14


7


354


Cases


25


115


15


16


13


6


190


Aug.


Persons


159


115


19


33


14


6


346


Cases


26


114


20


14


13


7


194


Sept.


Persons


161


114


39


26


14


7


361


Cases


28


113


20


16


13


7


197


Oct.


Persons


170


113


35


31


14


7


370


Cases


29


114


19


15


11


7


195


Nov.


Persons


173


114


30


28


11


7


363


Cases


28


112


19


15


12


5


191


Dec.


Persons


171


112


31


28


12


5


359


During the year 1944, surplus commodities were distributed under the direc- tion of Mrs. John Riley.


The financial report of the Board of Public Welfare and the Bureau of Old Age Assistance will be found in the Report of Town Accountant.


Jan. Feb. Mar.


Cases


26


114


16


17


13


7


193


151


REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


We wish to thank all who have given their co-operation to us in the many problems that have arisen during 1944, particularly, Dr. George Klein, Town Physician, Miss Marion Fanning, Family Society Social Worker, Miss Agnes Chapman, Agent for the S. P. C. C., Mr. Francis C. Foley, Town Counsel, Mr. Walter Blasenak, Town Accountant, The Women's Community Committee and the Norwood Chapter of American Red Cross.


Respectfully submitted,


GRACE L. WOODBERRY, Chairman, EILEEN J. FOLAN, MARTIN J. FOLEY, By MARY R. MURPHY,


Acting Agent.


152


TOWN OF NORWOOD


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH


To the Citizens of Norwood :


The Board of Health submits the following report for the year 1944:


At a meeting held on January 26, 1944, Mr. John P. Dixon was elected Chair- man of the Board of Health for the year. Regular Board meetings were held during the year to transact any business which may have come to the attention of the Board.


The following is the report of Dr. T. J. Curtin, School Dentist, for the year 1944:


Public School


Number of children completed 410


Number of children incompleted


6


Temporary fillings 902


Temporary extractions.


156


Permanent fillings


527


Permanent extractions


9


Cleanings .


374


Number of children examined 2,032


O.K. at time of examination


534


Parochial School


Number of children completed


170


Number of children not completed


8


Temporary fillings


341


Temporary extractions


66


Permanent fillings


228


Permanent extractions


3


Cleanings


130


Number of children examined


609


O.K. at time of examination


155


The following is the report of Mrs. Eleanor H. Sweeney, Assistant Public Health Nurse at the Parochial School.


It is a privilege to present my third annual report explaining my program at St. Catherine's School. Enrollment - 693.


School Physician


Dr. Thomas H. O'Toole continued to visit the school on two days of each week. During these visits he examines several children in addition to the routine work.


This year he examined each child in the first, fourth, seventh and ninth grades. In addition he re-checked ninety-two children who had received a notice the pre-


153


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH


vious year of defective tonsils. Of this number only eighteen had tonsils re- moved. The parents were again notified. The total number of children in the four grades examined was 329. The defects found were as follows:


Tonsils 32


Teeth 94


Feet 4


Heart


3


Lungs


0


Speech


4


The Schick Test was given to 110 children. There were 26 positive reactors. These and 40 first graders received three injections of Toxoid three weeks apart.


-


Communicable Disease


The following rules regarding the exclusion of children are still in effect.


Children will be excluded for the following reasons:


Temperature under 97 or 99 or over.


Skin eruptions - contagious


Evidence of sore throat


Vomiting.


Returning to school without a certificate from a doctor after having had symptoms or a history of a contagious disease.


The following is a list of the reported cases of contagious diseases this year.


Measles


16


Mumps


3


Scarlet Fever


4


Whooping Cough


3


Infantile Paralysis 2


We hope the parents will continue their fine co-operation in the matter of communicable disease control. There are nearly 700 children in this building within the ages of six and fourteen. This is a period when they are most sus- ceptible to contagious disease.


Audiometer Tests


The children from the third to the ninth grades had their hearing tested with the Audiometer. 481 children were tested. 60 were found defective on the first test. This group was retested and 12 were found to have defective hearing. Notices were sent to their parents.


Eye Clinic


Dr. Riemer and the Public School Nurses conduct the School Eye Clinic each week at the Norwood Junior High School. We are permitted to send three new cases each week. In addition there are usually two or three having a second appointment.


I test the children's eyes with the Snellen Charts. In the elementary grades (1-6) inclusive 20/30 or 20/40 failures in the Snellen Test is not important if school work is satisfactory and should not be referred. In Junior High School


154


TOWN OF NORWOOD


(7-9) inclusive 20/30 failure is important and should be referred. Notices are sent to all children failing in the test.


Number of children Snellen tested 691


Number of children Snellen failing


69


Number of children Snellen attended Clinic 22


Number of children received glasses 5


Number of children did not need glasses


14


Number of children glasses needed changing


3


Number of children to report next year


6


Number of children examined by private doctor


16


Number of children tested defective but not examined 22


Number of children wearing glasses


31


Dental Clinic


The Dental Clinic is held each week at the Norwood Junior High School. We send twenty children each week. In September Dr. T. J. Curtin examined the teeth of all of the children. All defects found at that time were noted and are kept on record. Clinic permission slips were sent home and all of the children returning signed slips were taken care of at the Clinic. The total number found defective were 490.


Weighing and Measuring


All children are weighed and measured three times a year and notices sent to parents of underweight children.


I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all of those who co-operate with me in my work with the children. Their kindness enabled our children to enjoy many benefits that would otherwise have been denied them.


Norwood Chest Clinic


The Chest Clinic is held every Thursday at 5:00 P.M. at the Board of Health Rooms, Municipal Building, Norwood under the direction of Dr. Walter A. Grif- fin. This is purely a diagnostic clinic, no medication is given and no charge is made. Recommendations are made by the physician, school nurse and public health nurses. There were four cases of tuberculosis reported during the year. Defi- nite cases of tuberculosis are usually sent to the Norfolk County Hospital in Braintree, Massachusetts.


The Industrial X-ray Clinic was held throughout the year and several patients were referred to the clinic.


Mr. Harry A. Shannon, Plumbing Inspector for the Town of Norwood re- ported that 58 inspections were made during the year.


The Board of Health wishes to thank all persons who co-operated with them in any way during the year.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN P. DIXON, JAMES F. FOLEY, CHARLES L. LYNCH, M.D., Board of Health.


155


REPORT OF TOWN PHYSICIAN


REPORT OF THE TOWN PHYSICIAN


The Honorable Board of Selectmens


Gentlemen:


Herewith is submitted my report for the year 1944:


The year 1944 has shown considerable change in the number and type of patients seen. The improved economic conditions, the increased employment of people with physical handicaps has enabled many who were on Temporary Aid to get employment, removing them from the Welfare rolls.


The Mothers Aid cases and assistance to the old age group have been more exacting in their demands, but have been well taken care of.


The Norwood Hospital has been very co-operative in admitting the cases needing hospital care and very few have been transferred to other places.


All medical problems have been efficiently handled, either by the Town Phy- sician alone, or with the active co-operation of the Welfare Department. Oc- casionally the Board of Health, the Red Cross, and other agencies have been consulted.


It has been the policy of the Town Physician to render all necessary care promptly and in conformity with the best accepted medical procedures.


Respectfully submitted, GEORGE KLEIN, M.D., Town Physician.


156


TOWN OF NORWOOD


REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT


Mr. Francis W. Smith, General Manager.


Dear Sir:


On Tuesday, May 23rd, 1944, I was appointed part-time recreation director for the town of Norwood. My duties were two-fold: first, to have general super- vision of the summer playgrounds, and second, to make a study and layout for a full-time recreation program for the town.


To meet the demands of the selectmen the survey was finished by August 1st, 1944. I shall not go into the details of the survey since they were published in our local newspaper when the survey was released.


Miss Katherine E. Ryan was appointed as assistant supervisor and on July 5th, the following playgrounds were opened for the children: Balch, Callahan, Civic, Winslow, Endean, Shattuck, Fr. MacAleer and Wilson St. Later it was found necessary to open the Senior High School playground because of the demand of the children in that district. The playgrounds were not open on Saturday. There were (13) thirteen full-time instructors; nine women and four men. In addition there were two life-guards stationed at Hawes Pond and two at Willett Pond. Because of a dropping off in attendance at the Endean playground, to- wards the end of the summer, the instructor stationed there was moved to the Balch.


Dances


Two dances were held every week during the playground season. On Wednes- day evenings the dance was run for the boys and girls up to fourteen years of age. On Friday evenings the older girls and boys participated. The Crusader's orchestra played for every dance throughout the summer. These dances were held at the Norwood Junior High School. Instructors aided the children in learning various dance steps.


Amateur Show


An amateur show was held at the Norwood Junior High School in order to give those children with talent the opportunity to appear publicly. Most of the acts were from the Balch playground and the success of the affair was in large measure due to the coaching of Miss Mary Cullinane, who was an instructor at the Balch playground. Many parents and friends of the children attended the performance and were greatly pleased with the efforts of the children.


Minstrel Show


A minstrel show was put on one summer afternoon at the Winslow playground under the supervision and coaching of Miss Mary Warnke. All the children from the other playgrounds were invited to attend. The acts were all planned by the boys and girls from the Winslow district and the large audience enjoyed it from beginning to end.


Swimming


Thanks to the splendid work of the Norwood Lions' Club in making Willett Pond a safe and clean bathing beach, swimming, ever a popular pastime proved


157


REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT


more so than ever this summer. All attendance records were broken at this beach, due perhaps, too, to the fact that it was the hottest summer in sixty years. And, thank God, not one life was lost. The work of the young women who acted as lifeguards both at Willett Pond and Hawes Brook cannot be too highly commended. They were the Misses Coakley, Carpenter, Calderone and Murray.


Roller Skating


One of the most popular recreational activities of the summer was the roller skating parties held at Roll-land. Mr. John Santoro opened the rink for the boys and girls of Norwood at a reduced price of 25c. Mr. Ira Bates played the electric organ while the children skated. His playing, alone, was worth the admission price. All the playground supervisors attended these parties and most of them skated with the children.


Girls' Softball


Softball teams for older girls were an added attraction, in the evening, at the Civic field. The girls showed the same spirit of play as the boys in their games. These teams were directed and umpired by Miss Alice O'Brien. Another year should find many more girls interested in this activity. Regular games can then be scheduled versus the softball teams of the girls in the local factories.


Twilight Baseball


At 6:00 P.M. on every evening, other than Saturday, baseball games were held at the Civic field. There were eleven teams in this league. Five teams comprised the Senior League and there were six teams in the Junior League. It was necessary to divide the teams into two groups, as well as obtain another field and umpire, in order to satisfy the desire of the boys to play more frequently. Mr. John Dixon umpired both leagues until the cry came for "more games." Mr. John Cook then took over the umpiring of the Junior League teams and these games were played at the Norwood Senior High School field. When Mr. Dixon had to suddenly undergo an operation his duties were taken over by Mr. Francis Drummey. Some forty-two ball games were played in this twilight activity and about 1,700 players participated. A boy could substitute as often as he wished and play in as many games as he wished for there were no prizes at stake for the winning teams. When one considers that most of these young men worked up until 6:00 o'clock the turnout for these games was astounding.


Band Demonstration


For the closing of the playground season a demonstration was given for the Norwood public by the Sacred Heart Band from Malden. The Junior High School grounds were flooded with lights by the Norwood Fire Department and the band performed many intricate movements as they marched and played. A ball game was held at the Civic field before the demonstration and a dance at the Norwood Junior High School was held after the demonstration.


Respectfully submitted,


JAMES J. GORMLEY, Director of Recreation.


158


TOWN OF NORWOOD


REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT


Mr. Francis W. Smith, -


General Manager. -


Dear Sir:


I herein submit my report as Superintendent of Recreation for the year 1944.


I assumed my duties on November 9, 1944, under a six months' provisional appointment with headquarters at the Civic Building.


My duties were to provide an all-inclusive recreation program for both young and old. Using James Gormley's survey on recreation, I proceeded to formulate a plan of recreation for the town of Norwood.


The following recreational activities were started:


Adult Division


Handicraft


Dramatics


Choral Group


Orchestra


Physical Education


Basketball


Children's Division


Roller Skating


Dancing


Bowling


Physical Education


Movies


Boxing


All activities for adults were conducted at the Norwood Junior High School on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.


Activities for children were conducted at Roll Land, Sports Center, Civic, and the Norwood Junior and Senior High School Gymnasiums.


Keen interest in the recreation program was evidenced during the first week by the fact that the many and varied activities were well attended by both adults and children. The attendance record for the first week was over the 1,000 mark.


Handicraft classes, under the direction of Robert O'Neil, were conducted on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Norwood Junior High School Shop. Many useful articles in woodworking were started by this group.


Dramatic classes, under the direction of George Perna, were conducted on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. in Room 14 of the Norwood Junior High School. This course was highlighted by the presentation of a Christmas Play, "The Shepherds," at the Norwood Junior High School Auditorium on December 21.


A Choral Group, under the direction of Prof. Jean V. Dethier, was conducted on Monday from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. in Room 200 of the Norwood Junior High School. Many of the past members of the Choral Group were reunited and showed great promise for future meetings.


1


159


REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT


An orchestral group under the direction of Prof. Jean V. Dethier was con- ducted on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. in Room 200 of the Norwood Junior High School. Due to a small attendance the class was dis- continued.


Supervised roller skating and bowling proved popular with the boys and girls of Norwood. Reduced rates were offered in both activities.


The Football Rally and Dance preceding the Norwood-Dedham football game was held at the Norwood Senior High School Gymnasium. Movies were shown before the dance as a part of the evening's program. .


Dancing was held every Friday evening at the Civic Building for Senior High School students. The Women's Community Committee loaned their recording machine for these dances.


Boxing was started for the boys of Junior and Senior High School age. Classes were held at Swimming Pool Hall of the Civic Building under the direction of John Dixon.


The recreation program offered various forms of recreational activities during the Christmas holidays. Activities were scheduled for the entire week. Roller skating, bowling, dancing, physical education, and boxing completed the week's program.


Total expenditures for 1944 amounted to $1,415.09.


Total participation in the Recreation Program numbered 4,184 for the year 1944. Children participating totaled 3,704.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN E. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of Recreation.


160


TOWN OF NORWOOD


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


REPORT OF TRUSTEES


To the Citizens of Norwood:


We transmit herewith the annual statistical and narrative reports of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year ending December 31, 1944.


Respectfully submitted,


MAUD A. SHATTUCK, Chairman,


WILLIAM L. HYLAND, FRANCES L. BLANCHOT, EUGENE A. NELSON.


REPORT OF LIBRARIAN


To the Board of Trustees:


The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1944, arranged according to the form recommended by the American Library Association:


Name of Library Morrill Memorial Library


Town.


Norwood, Massachusetts


Name of Librarian


Edna Phillips


Date of Founding 1873


Terms of Use Free for Lending; Free for Reference


Number of Agencies


3


Number of Days Open in 1944. 303


Number of Staff 7


Books


Volumes Added to the Library:


Fiction by Purchase 915


Non-Fiction by Purchase 927


Fiction Gifts 22


Non-Fiction Gifts 38


Number of Volumes at End of Year 31,495


161


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


Circulation


Fiction


Non- Fiction


Total


Adult.


38,374


17,949


56,323


Junior Department


13,373


4,841


18,214


South Norwood Adult


3,213


2,129


5,342


South Norwood Junior.


3,977


1,358


5,335


Hospital Adult


1,222


974


2,196


Hospital Junior


254


57


311


Balch School


1,651


919


2,570


Callahan School


2,152


803


2,955


Junior High School


247


105


352


Peabody School


..


67


67


St. Catherine's School


1,131


141


1,272


Senior High School


15


403


418


Shattuck School


534


306


840


Winslow School


1,127


194


1,321




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