USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1945-1947 > Part 12
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REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Chief of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1945.
Number of box alarms
377
Number of still alarms
35
Total alarms
412
Classified as follows:
Buildings
82
Automobiles
17
False
92
Woods, brush, dumps, etc.
221
Total
412
Property involved:
Buildings
$89,150.00
Contents
16,650.00
Total
$114,800.00
Estimated loss on buildings
15,575.00
Estimated loss on contents
9,250.00
Total
$24,825.00
221
180
3
38
158
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Insurance paid on buildings
Insurance paid on contents.
$11,481.50 5,629.51
Total.
$17,111.01
Insurance carried on buildings
61,350.00
Insurance carried on contents
14,650.00
Total.
$76,000.00
Number of gallons water used (approximate)
403,720
Number of feet hose used
51,600
Number of feet of ladders raised
1,214
Inspection of business buildings and dwellings, recreation and public gathering places, garages and gasoline stations, oil and gasoline storages were made in the usual manner.
Ambulance calls attended 326
A number of dangerous areas were burned over by the Department.
I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the heads of all departments, the Press, and all interested in the welfare of the Department, for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
ALONZO N. EARLE, Chief of the Fire Department.
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
The Norwood Board of Public Welfare subinits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1945 :-
The present Board was appointed by the Board of Selectmen on May 1, 1945. The Board organized on May 8, 1945, with Mr. Martin J. Foley as Chairman, Miss Eileen J. Folan and Mr. Alonzo F. Swift, Jr., Board Members.
The Aid to Dependent Children average monthly case load during the current year was 28. Some were cases discontinued due to sufficient income in the family.
The expenditures per case in this category of relief has increased due to the' additional budget allowances of the State Department of Public Welfare.
The average monthly case load in the General Relief category was about 52 cases. Cases were discontinued or accepted because of various reasons such as :- Transfer to another category of aid; death of husband or person receiving aid; unemployment of husband; sickness in the family; moved to another City or Town; transfer to institutional care, sufficient income, and allotment from son or husband in service discontinued.
159
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The W. P. A. (Commodity Division) has been in charge of Mrs. John Riley during the past year, and the following articles have been distributed:
5 bags Carrots, 67 boxes Apples and 170 bags Potatoes.
During the past year the services of Miss Marion Fanning, Social Worker of the Family Society, have been continued to be made available to this Department, coming to Norwood on Wednesday of each week, her office being in the Junior High School.
On June 17, 1945, Mr. Leslie J. Latham returned to the Department to resume his position as Agent, having been in the Armed Services since September 3, 1942.
Financial report for Receipts and Expenditures for this category of relief is shown in the Town Accountant's report.
The Board wishes to thank all persons or committees who have co-operated with the Department during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN J. FOLEY, ALONZO F. SWIFT, JR., EILEEN J. FOLAN, Norwood Board of Public Welfare.
1945 CASE LOAD PUBLIC WELFARE
MONTH
A. D. C.
TEMP. AID TEMP. AID UN. BOARDING INSTITUTION HOSPITAL
Cases People Cases People Cases People Cases People Cases People Cases People
January
28
171
19
31
15
28
12
12
6
6
0
0
80
248
28
171
20
27
14
27
11
11
6
6
0
0
79
242
February
29
174
22
36
13
23
12
12
6
6
0
0
82
251
March
29
174
24
41
15
25
11
11
6
6
0
0
85
257
April
28
171
25
40
15
24
11
11
5
5
0
0
84
251
May
27
98
22
38
15
29
13
13
4
4
1
1
82
183
June
27
97
19
33
13
26
15
15
4
4
0
0
78
175
July
26
95
18
29
12
25
16
16
3
3
1
1
76
169
August
28
107
16
19
13
27
15
15
4
4
0
0
76
172
September
October
27
102
15
18
15
29
14
14
5
5
0
0
76
168
November
27
101
11
27
20
22
13
13
5
5
0
0
76
168
December
30
112
13
44
21
23
13
13
5
5
0
0
82
197
.
160
TOWN OF NORWOOD
TOTALS
Cases People
161
REPORT OF BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
REPORT OF BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
The Norwood Bureau of Old Age Assistance submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1945 :-
Number of Persons Receiving O. A. A. January 1, 1945
Having Settlement in Norwood 74
Having Settlement Outside of Norwood 10
Having Settlement in Norwood but aided elsewhere 6
Having No Settlement 22
112
Number of Persons Added in 1945
Having Settlement in Norwood
15
Having Settlement Outside of Norwood
6
Having Settlement in Norwood but aided elsewhere
5
26
Total Number of persons having received O. A. A. in 1945
138
Total Number of persons receiving O. A. A. December 31, 1945 120
Causes for Cases being Added During the Year
Transferred from other Municipalities
5
Son in Service
3
Unable to work
8
Illness
1
Relatives Unable to support.
3
Funds Exhausted
5
Medical Attention Needed
1
26
A summary of the active O. A. A. cases as of the last day of each month in 1945 is listed below.
Case Load 1945 Old Age Assistance
Month
Cases
Month Cases
January
112
July
114
February
109
August 114
March
109
September
115
April
110
October
116
May
112
November
117
June
111
December
120
The average monthly case load for 1945 is 113, Each case represents one person.
There have been but few changes in the law during the year, however the general trend has been to liberalize all types of services rendered to the recipient.
162
TOWN OF NORWOOD
The Federal and State Government continue to reimburse the Cities and Towns for a portion of the expense of the Old Age Assistance.
The financial statement as to expenditures and receipts from the Common- wealth, Cities and Towns and the Federal Government with respect to Old Age Assistance will be found in the Town Accountant's report.
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN J. FOLEY, EILEEN J. FOLAN, ALONZO F. SWIFT, JR., Norwood Bureau of Old Age Assistance.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The Board of Health submits the following report for the year 1945.
At a meeting of the Board held on February 28, 1945, Mr. James F. Foley was elected Chairman of the Board for the year. Dr. Charles L. Lynch and Mr. John P. Dixon continued to serve as members of the Board of Health. Regular Board meetings were held during the year to take care of all matters coming to the attention of the Board or the Health Department.
The following is the report of Dr. Timothy J. Curtin, School Dentist, for the year 1945.
Public School
Number of children completed.
476
Number of children not completed
11
Number of temporary fillings
908
Number of temporary extractions
232
Number of permanent fillings
624
Number of permanent extractions
17
Number of cleanings
434
Number of children examined
1,994
Number of children O.K. at examination
598
Parochial School
Number of children completed.
181
Number of children not completed
10
Number of temporary fillings
410
Number of temporary extractions
125
Number of permanent fillings
178
Number of permanent extractions
7
Number of cleanings
136
Number of children examined 682
Number of children O.K. at examination
203
Mrs. Eleanor Sweeney, Nurse at the St. Catherine's Parochial School, submits the following report for the year 1946.
163
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
It is a privilege to present my fourth report explaining my program at St. Cather- ine's School.
School Physician - Dr. Thomas H. O'Toole visited the school on two days each week. During these visits he examined children recommended for it, in addition to the routine work.
This year he examined children of the first, fourth and ninth grades. Of the 290 children examined the following defects were noted:
Throat
95
Feet
3
Heart
6
Lungs
0
Speech
3
Diphtheria Control
Schick tested
56
Positive reactors
19
Toxoid injections given
51
Tuberculosis Control
1
Patch tested 201
Positive reactors
33
X-rayed (two recommended-contacts) 35
No adult type tuberculosis found.
The Tuberculosis Clinic was conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
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 degrees or 99 degrees or over.
Skin eruptions - contagious
Evidence of sore throat
Vomiting
Returning to school after having had symptoms of contagious disease.
The following is a list of reported cases of contagious disease this year:
Measles 64 February, March and April
Whooping Cough 6 January - April
Chicken Pox
1 January
We thank the parents for their fine co-operation in the matter of communicable disease control.
There are now over 700 children in this building within the years of 6 and 14. This is the period when they are most susceptible to contagious disease.
164
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Audiometer Tests
The children from the third to the ninth grades inclusive had their hearing tested with the audiometer.
Number tested 493
Retested 60
Failed to retest 21
Notices out 21
Recommended for lip reading 1
Attending class for lip reading
1
Eye Clinic
Doctor Riemer and the Public School Nurses conduct the Eye Clinic cach week at the Norwood Junior High School. Usually five appointments are allowed each week.
All children are given the Snellen Test. In the elementary grades (1-6) inclusive. 20/30 or 20/40 failures in the Snellen Test are not important if the school work is satisfactory and are not referred. In Junior High School (7-9) inclusive 20/30 fail- ures are important and should be referred. Notices are sent to all parents of chil- dren failing in the test.
Number of children Snellen tested. (including retests) 828
Number of children failing 60
Number needing new glasses 4
Number who did not need glasses 13
Number of children needing glasses changed
8
Number of children to report next year
6
Number of children wearing glasses 36
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 were recorded. Clinic permission slips are sent to parents of all children needing care. The report of the School Dentist, Dr. T. J. Curtin, is included in his report.
Weighing and Measuring
September 706 February 458 April 643
October
29 March 253 May 51
Number losing 5 Number losing 7 Number losing 4
Speech .
Speech classes under the direction of Mrs. Rose C. Nicholson started May 10, 1945. 23 pupils were started in this class.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all those who co-operated with me in my work with the children.
The report of Mrs. Nora C. Butler, Public Health Nurse, is hereby submitted:
165
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Norwood Chest Clinic
Number of Clinic days 35
Number of patients attending clinic 58
Number of patients given cold serum each week 2
Number of patients given T. B. Skin test 12
Number of positive reactors
2
Number X-rayed at Norfolk County Hospital 12
Number diagnosed as positive T.B.
0
The Tuberculosis Clinic is held on every Thursday at five o'clock at Room 11, Municipal Building, Norwood, Mass., under the direction of Dr. Walter A. Griffin. This is purely a diagnostic clinic, no medication is given and no charge made.
As a result of the Industrial X-ray Clinic conducted by the State Department of Public Health during the year all Tuberculosis suspects were reported to this clinic in order that these patients have another X-ray in six (6) months. This method of X-raying people in industries may help to check the increase of Tuberculosis and surely is a very valuable health asset to the community.
Below is a List of the Diseases Reported to the Board of Health During the Year 1945
Anterio Poliomyelitis
3
Chicken Pox
4
Diphtheria
2
Dog Bites
19
Malaria
1
Measles
116
Pneumonia (all kinds)
22
Scarlet Fever
3
Tuberculosis (all patients are hospitalized)
6
Whooping Cough
7
Mr. Harry A. Shannon, Plumbing Inspector for the Town of Norwood, reports that he made 67 inspections during the year 1945.
Bartley J. King continued to act as Health Agent and also as Milk Inspector (Military Substitute) for Leonard E. Curran, who was serving in the U. S. Navy. Mr. Curran has now returned to civilian life and has resumed his duties as Milk Inspector for the Town of Norwood.
The yearly report of Mr. Bartley J. King, Health Agent for the Town of Norwood, is submitted:
During the past year, the number of cases of contagious diseases has decreased in Norwood. I believe that the newly inaugurated Monthly Rubbish Collection has played an important part in this record. Previous to its inception, every vacant lot about town was a private dumping ground for the inhabitants of its immediate neighborhood who had to take advantage of any opportunity to clear their own property of accumulated rubbish. The monthly rubbish collection not only elimi- nated illegal dumping in restricted areas but tends to reduce the danger of infection through negligence.
. 166
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Sanitary inspections of manufacturing plants, stores and restaurants, were con- ducted at periodic intervals throughout the year. Hearings were conducted for two violators of the pure food laws.
It was necessary to commit a former patient of the Norfolk County Hospital, at Braintree, who left that institution against the advice of the doctors and refused medical aid, to the Bridgewater State Farm where he would receive proper medical care.
Water and sewerage samples were collected and examined from bathing places and brooks in Norwood.
Various complaints were received and investigated for the Board of Health.
The report of Bartley J. King, who acted as a Milk Inspector in the absence of Leonard E. Curran who was in the U. S. Navy is hereby submitted.
During the year 1945, there were 85 Milk Samples taken from stores, trucks and pasteurization plants in Norwood. These samples for the most part were found to be above the legal minimum requirements for Massachusetts.
The various milk dealers and producers retailing in Norwood have been very co-operative with the Board of Health in their efforts to maintain their products on a uniform basis to meet local and state requirements. There have been fifty- seven (57) retail milk licenses, three (3) pasteurization licenses, twenty-two (22) oleomargarine and two licenses for the manufacture of ice cream issued in the past year.
The Board of Health wishes to thank all persons who co-operated with them in any way during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES F. FOLEY, JOHN P. DIXON, CHARLES L. LYNCH, M.D.,
Board of Health.
REPORT OF THE TOWN PHYSICIAN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted my report for the year 1945:
Office calls 652
Home and Hospital visits 495
1,147
The services rendered include treatment for every kind of illness, minor surgery, obstetrics, contagious diseases, and consultations on diet problems.
As shown by the above listing of visits, the town physician is called upon to serve every type of medical aid that is rendered by the town.
The Norwood Hospital has been very co-operative in admitting the cases needing hospital care.
167
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT
In a few rare instances the service of other hospitals than the Norwood Hospital was used. Transportation and incidental expense being borne by the Welfare De- partment.
Special treatment has been rendered to recipients at Pondville Hospital both as in-patients and at the clinic held on Thursday of each week.
It has also been necessary to transfer some cases to Foxboro or Medfield and the detail incident to accomplishing this change was handled by the Town Physician.
In order to give proper care and treatment to convalescent and bed-ridden cases, some have been placed in boarding homes.
It has been the policy of the Town Physician to render the necessary care promptly and in conformity with the best accepted medical procedure.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE KLEIN, M.D., Town Physician.
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT
Mr. Francis W. Smith,
General Manager.
Dear Sir:
It is a pleasure to submit my report on Summer Playgrounds for the year 1945.
If one could drive about Norwood on the morning of July 2nd, they would see hundreds of children flocking to their neighborhood playground. We had seven playgrounds in operation with an average attendance, as follows:
Average No. Average No.
Name
Boys
Girls
Total
Balch Playground
86
94
180
Civic Playground
48
36
84
Fr. McAleer Playground
58
67
125
Pleasant Park Playground
48
46
94
Shattuck Playground
30
44
74
Winslow Playground
84
71
155
Wilson Street Playground
20
16
36
Total
374
374
748
There were twelve regular instructors when playground opened. The attend- ance at the Winslow School grounds, and the interest shown by the group, made it necessary to appoint another instructor. Mr. John Reardon was appointed for this position and proved to be a most ardent worker.
Mr. John Flaherty resigned from the Father McAleer playground to accept a regular teaching position, Miss Alice Foley was appointed to fill this vacancy.
Miss Virginia Brown was appointed to supervise dramatics and Miss Dorothy Rodgers for tennis instruction. As the season progressed we found it very necessary to render help in handicrafts. Miss Arlene Masino, who is senior instructor at
168
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Pleasant Park, is an art supervisor and she came to the Civic three afternoons a week to give instruction in crafts.
A meeting of all instructors was held once a week in order to discuss games, trips, checker matches, and playground problems. Instructions were also given at this time. Each playground senior leader submitted a weekly report on attendance and an account of activities on each playground for the week. These meetings were very helpful to all.
In addition to regular playground instructors there were four life guards, two for Hawes Brook, and two for Willet Pond.
Roll-Land
Every Tuesday afternoon all playgrounds went to Roll-Land to roller skate. They were accompanied by all instructors whose duty it was to supervise them both to and from Roll-Land, as well as the rink. This activity was conducted on a very high scale. Mr. John Santoro had his group of "aids" on hand to teach and help the youngsters. As this was the only opportunity many had to go roller skating, it was very much appreciated. There were many fans in operation, and all windows were open so it was very comfortable. Mr. Ira Bates played the organ and a regular program was planned each week. Refreshments were sold at a reduced rate and admission was only 25c. This furnished an opportunity for Norwood's boys and girls to learn to skate under ideal conditions.
Tennis
An attempt was made to revive a sport, that years ago was most popular in Nor- wood. That was tennis. Miss Dorothy Rodgers was the instructor at the Civic courts. Each playground was assigned a morning or afternoon to come for instruction. Time was also scheduled for older folks who desired to learn the game, or improve their own game. Tournaments in both "singles" and "doubles" were played and prizes awarded the winners.
Interest among adults developed so instruction was given on two evenings a week, as well as Saturday afternoons. It is hoped that even greater interest will be shown next year.
Dramatics
Miss Virginia Brown was dramatic instructor. She visited each playground each week and taught singing, games, read stories, taught drills and simple plays, as well as assisted with any dramatics that playgrounds were planning. Winslow School playground put on an entertainment and a one-act play for the parents of the section. A small amount was charged and $37.75 was turned over to the Junior Red Cross fund in Boston. Miss Stephanie Bonica had charge of this event.
Americana Night was held at the Civic grounds with all of the playgrounds taking part. Parents and town officials were present.
Each playground put on an amateur night at the Friday night dances during intermission. Miss Brown supervised all of these activities.
Arts and Crafts
One of the most interesting and important parts of every playground is the Arts and Crafts division. Children learn how to spend time in a beneficial way. We had so many asking, "What shall we make?" that we decided that we needed help
169
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT
in instructing. We were very fortunate in having one of our playground instructors who was very capable of supervising arts and crafts. Miss Arlene Masino, who is an art supervisor in East Hampton, was an instructor on Pleasant Park. She came to the Civic three afternoons a week and gave instruction in making molds, plaster pins, wood carving, leather craft, woolen raffia, bags, hats, etc., as well as painting. A mural which now hangs in the Civic office was painted on the Civic playground . last summer.
An exhibition of handicrafts was held in August in the window of the former Cummings store on Washington Street. Ribbons were made for the best projects from each playground. Members of the Recreation Advisory Board were the judges.
Miss Jane Cody was most helpful in taking over charge of Pleasant Park Play- ground when Miss Masino came to the Civic.
I wish to express our thanks to Winslow Brothers & Smith Company and to the Neponset Woolen Mills for donation of wool and leather to help carry on crafts.
My recommendation would be that we have a full-time Supervisor of crafts who could go to each playground, each week, and instruct in this work.
Trips
Each playground was permitted to plan one trip each week. Only one instructor was to leave the playground unless a large group of both boys and girls was going. Excursions, picnics to Willet Pond, visits to the Bird Sanctuary, Franklin Park, Nantasket Beach, were among some of the most interesting. One of the highlights of the summer was the trip to Esplanade Concert given by the famous "Pops" Symphony Orchestra. After the concert some went to the ball game, and others visited points of historical interest in Boston. These trips were all carefully planned and well supervised. Only a limited number was permitted to go with each instructor.
Dances
Two dances were held each week during the summer months. Wednesday nights those under fourteen years of age were permitted to attend. Miss Dorothy Rodgers gave instruction in ballroom dancing from seven to eight p.m.
Friday evenings the older group attended the dances from eight to eleven p.m. These dances were very popular and were held in the Junior High School. The music was rendered by the Paul's orchestra. Miss Rodgers and Miss Brown were in charge.
Swimming
Due to the fact that Hawes Brook was not safe for swimming during the first part of the summer, the four life guards were stationed at the Willet Pond. Swim- ming instructions were given each morning from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Many took advantage of this. Arthur Slaney taught diving.
Again the Norwood Lion's Club took an interest in the beach and had it cleaned up. In behalf of the children of Norwood I wish to publicly to thank the Woman's Community Committee for providing a raft for Willet Pond. Though we realize it was impossible to get the right lumber for the spring board, the float was very much appreciated.
During the summer, twelve youngsters, not all from Norwood, were brought to safety by the quick and alert action of the guards. Arthur Slaney was responsible for several rescues.
170
-
TOWN OF NORWOOD
We are very thankful to report that there were no drownings at either Willet Beach area or Hawes Brook.
Excitement ran high at South Norwood when it was learned that Hawes Brook was to be filled with town water and opened for swimming. A steady stream flowed through the pool and each night it was filled to overflowing. This arrangement seemed to prove quite satisfactory.
Water Meet
Late in August a water meet was held at Hawes Brook under the direction of Arthur Slaney. Races, diving, clowning and various age groups demonstrated var- ious strokes, etc. One of the most interesting parts was the diving for the greased watermelon which Town Manager Smith had donated to the meet. There was a tie and the winners divided the watermelon. Blue, red and gold ribbons were awarded to winners of events. The girls dove for honeydew melons. The playground chil- dren were guests and all had a wonderful time.
Plans were made for an elaborate track meet for the finale, but the weather inter- fered so, we had to contend ourselves with entertainment and our Friday night dance.
I wish to thank the Recreation Advisory Board, the Selectmen and the Town Manager, as well as my fine staff of instructors for their co-operation and helpfulness extended to me during my first year as Playground Supervisor.
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