USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1945-1947 > Part 35
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Number of children to report next year 20
Number of children wearing glasses 40
Number of children examined by private doctors 18
152
TOWN OF NORWOOD
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 are recorded. Clinic permission slips were sent to parents of all children needing care.
Weighing and Measuring
September 725 February
321 April 0
October
0 March
407 May
694
Number losing 6 Number losing 3 Number losing 3
Speech
Speech classes under the direction of Mrs. Rose C. Nicholson started in May, 1945. Twenty three (23) pupils were started in this class. We are fortunate to have Mrs. Nicholson to teach our pupils who have speech defects how to overcome them. She has been doing this work for the past five years at the school. The progress these children have made is remarkable. Most of them have been completely cured of their defects which included stammering. Twenty-eight children have been receiving special speech instruction this year.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all those who co-operated with me in work with the children.
Miss Frances McDonough took over the duties as Nurse at St. Catherine School in September, 1946 following the resignation of Mrs. Eleanor Sweeney.
Mr. Harry A. Shannon, Plumbing Inspector for the Town of Norwood, reports that 160 permits were issued in 1946.
Mr. Leonard E. Curran was re-instated as Milk Inspector for the Town of Nor- wood on January, 1946 after serving with the United States Navy. The following is Mr. Curran's report for the year 1946.
This year I have decided to present a detailed report of the various aspects of milk inspection as they pertain to the Norwood milk supply. In inspecting the milk of the Town it has been my object to give the maximum amount of protection and supervision possible with the appropriation alloted for milk inspection. For clarity in this report I have divided it into sections, each of which is a separate branch of milk inspection.
1. Testing Milk and Milk Products:
I consider this the most important part of milk inspection. By laboratory testing more information can be obtained about the quality and purity of milk than in any other way. Five tests were used on Norwood milk supply in 1946. They were as follows:
1. The phosphotase test for pasteurization. This is a chemical test in which raw milk turns a royal blue color and pasteurized milk turns a grey or brown.
2. The Balcock test for butterfat.
3. The Quevenne lactometer reading for total solids and adulteration.
4. The Standard ager plate count for bacteria per c.c.
5. Microscopic examination of methylene blue smear for the morphology of the bacteria present[in the milk.
153
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
During 1946 eight-eight (88) tests for butterfat and total solids were made on samples of milk taken at random from dairies, farms, stores and trucks. The follow- ing table shows the results of these tests.
Table 1
Butterfat
Total Solids
Norwood Milk, 1946 - Average of 88 tests
4.09%
13.12%
Mass. State Requirements
3.35%
12.00%
Average composition of cows milk
4.00%
12.86%
Recommended standard for Norwood
3.80%
12.50%
The eighty-eight butterfat and total solids determinations were made on seven- teen different brands of milk sold in Norwood during 1946. Table 2 shows the results for each brand of milk.
Table 2
Brand
Butterfat
Total Solids
Modern Dairy Grade "A"
4.71%
13.84%
Neponset Valley Guersney'
4.63%
13.84%
David Buttricks Homogenized Vit. D
4.41%
13.65%
Modern Dairy Regular
4.17%
13.16%
Pine Grove Dairy
4.10%
13.31%
H. P. Hood's Supertest*
4.10%
13.11%
Gay Farm Jersey*
4.08%
13.21%
Endean Farm Regular
4.02%
12.98%
H. P. Hoods Store (A & P)
3.98%
12.95%
United Co-op. Society
3.91%
12.98%
First National Store
3.90%
13.05%
H. P. Hoods' Golden Crest*
3.90%
12.77%
Whitings' Homogenized Vit. "D"*
3.90%
12.62%
Reynolds Farm Dairy
3.85%
12.75%
Whitings Store
3.83%
12.86%
Neponset Valley Regular
3.77%
12.78%
Gay Farm Family
3.74%
12.54%
*Premium priced milk.
Bacteria counts were made on fifty nine (59) samples of milk during 1946. Table 3 shows the results of these tests.
Table 3
Bacteria per c.c. Norwood, 1946
51,000
Average 59 plate counts
Massachusetts State requirements not more than 40,000
Recommended standard for Norwood - not more than 25,000
From Table 3 it can be seen that the bacteria count of pasteurized milk in Nor- wood is higher than the Massachusetts State requirements. This is due to the following reasons largely:
1. Improper operation of pasteurization equipment in certain plants.
2. The lack of any local requirement for low bacteria counts.
3. No systematic quality control program in several dairies.
4. Insufficient number of bacteria counts made by the Norwood Board of Health.
154
TOWN OF NORWOOD
The fifty nine (59) bacteria counts were made on fourteen (14) different brands of milk sold in Norwood during 1946. Table 4 shows the results for each brand.
Table 4
Brand
Average Count
Pine Grove Dairy
1,200
H. P. Hoods Supertest*
1,900
Neponset Valley Guernsey*
3,000
Modern Dairy Grade "A"
9,000
Endean Farm
13,000
United Co-operative Society
14,000
Reynolds Dairy
14,000
Modern Dairy Regular
17,000
David Buttricks Hom. Vit. "D"*
18,000
Neponset Valley Regular
28,000
H. P. Hoods Golden Crest 97,000
Gay Farm Family
168,000
Gay Farm Jersey
231,000
First National Stores
276,000
*Premium priced milk.
All of the bacteria counts were made according to the standard methods of the American Public Health Association at Steele's Dairy Service Laboratory in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Sixty-nine (69) phosphotase, tests for pasteurized milk were made during 1946. All sixty-nine (69) were found to be properly pasteurized according to this test.
Sixty-six (66) microscopic examinations of milk were made during 1946. These examinations revealed the source of high plate counts in several cases.
All milk dealers were notified of the results of tests on their products according to law.
Licensing Milk Dealers, Farms and Stores
Four licenses were issued for pasteurizing plants in Norwood during 1946. All plants were inspected and found to be operating according to law before the licenses were granted. A copy of the Massachusetts State laws governing pasteurization plants was delivered to each of the four plants.
Two licenses were issued to plants for the manufacture of ice cream for retail sale only. Both of these plants were inspected and found to be operating according to Massachusetts laws. The ice cream and ice cream mix were tested for each of these plants and were found to contain over the minimum requirement of 10% butterfat. A copy of the laws governing ice cream making was delivered with each license.
Enforcement of Milk Regulations
During 1946 three separate complaints were made to me about the sale of raw milk in Norwood. Two were investigated and found to be misunderstandings rather than violations of the law. The third case is still open and may be a direct violation of the regulation which prohibits the sale of raw milk in Norwood.
Due to the critical shortage of bottles at least three dealers are operating their business in violation of Section 45, Chapter 94 of the General Laws which prohibits the use of milk containers upon which appears the name of another dealer without the permission of the original owner in writing. I have informed all three of these dealers
155
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
that as soon as bottles are obtainable I will insist that this law be adhered to in Norwood.
The Tuberculosis Clinic is held every Thursday at five o'clock at Room 11, Municipal Building, Norwood, Massachusetts, 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 so that these patients could have another x-ray in six months. The method of x-raying people in industries may help to check the increase of tuberculosis and surely it is a very valuable health asset to the Town of Norwood. The Clinic will continue to x-ray people at their various places of business during this year.
Below is a List of the Diseases Reported to the Board of Health during the year 1946:
Dog Bites 12
Lobar Pneumonia 43
Tuberculosis
6
Chicken Pox
4
Mumps
1
Scarlet Fever
6
Measles 12
Anterio Poliomyelitis
1
Spinal Meningitis 1
Whooping Cough
3
Below is the report of Bartley J. King, Health Agent, for the year 1946:
The Board of Health has conducted sanitary inspections of Soda Fountains and Restaurants at periodic intervals throughout the past year.
The operators of the various eating places have been co-operative in their com- pliance to regulations and suggestions of the Board of Health. In only one instance was it necessary to seek action against an operator in the District Court, which resulted in a judgment against the defendant.
All cases of contagious diseases reported to the Board of Health were investigated and quarantined.
After considerable discussion and serious deliberation the Board of Health had the unpleasant duty of ordering the closing of Willett Pond bathing beach during the past summer. In compliance with numerous requests from citizens and social agen- cies of the town the Board decided to take this step as guardians of the public health and welfare.
The sanitary conditions at the beach in the past have been deplorable due to the lack of sanitary facilities for bathers.
It is hoped that some solution may be found to this problem in the near future, for it is not the desire of any member of the Board of Health to deprive the people of Norwood of any pleasure they may derive from this recreation area, however, the Board realizes its duty to the citizens of Norwood, therefore, it had no other recourse but to take its present stand in this matter.
156
TOWN OF NORWOOD
We have assisted patients attending the weekly tuberculosis Clinic by providing transportation to the Norfolk County Hospital, Braintree, Mass.
The Board of Health wishes to thank those who co-operated with them in any way during the year.
CHARLES L. LYNCH, M.D., JOHN P. DIXON, JAMES F. FOLEY, Board of Health.
REPORT OF THE TOWN PHYSICIAN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted my report for the year 1946:
Office calls 1,033
Home and hospital visits 350
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 need- ing hospital care. We are most fortunate to have here a modern hospital with every facility to help in the speedy recovery of our patients.
In a few rare instances the services of other hospitals than the Norwood Hospital were used. Transportation and incidental expense were borne by the Welfare Department.
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 bedridden 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.
157
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report as Inspector of Animals for the year of 1946.
All quarantined dogs were released at the end of the required legal period and none showed signs of Rabies.
All cattle shipped in from out-of-state have been inspected and shipped according to law.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS U. MAHONY, Inspector of Animals.
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT
Mr. Albert Thompson,
Acting Town Manager.
Dear Sir:
Herewith is submitted my report for the year 1946 on our summer playgrounds.
This year two new playgrounds were opened, one at the Norwood Senior High School, which was accepted very enthusiastically by the youngsters in that neighbor- hood, and another at the Endean Playground. One leader was provided for the Endean playground because of the average age group in that neighborhood. The youngsters were small and their interests ran into group games, crafts work and neighborhood outings. The leaders services were utilized in the afternoon at Hawes Pond. She supervised and organized quiet games for youngsters who attended the swimming pool.
There were eight playgrounds in operation with an average attendance as follows:
Average No. Average No.
Name
Boys
Girls
Total
Balch Playground.
93
90
183
Civic Playground
85
81
166
Fr. McAleer's Playground
90
62
152
Pleasant Park Playground
78
52
130
Shattuck Playground
42
29
71
Winslow Playground
91
86
177
Wilson Street Playground
23
29
52
High School Playground
46
49
95
Endean Playground
27
17
44
The personnel for the playground program was as follows:
Superintendent of Recreation - Leon P. Smelstor
Supervisor General - Mary C Cullinane
Supervisor of Crafts - Pauline Bresette
Supervisor of Baseball - John Kiley
Supervisor of Tennis - Dorothy Rodgers
158
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Leaders and their playgrounds as follows:
Balch School - Robert Mattson and Barbara Greenwood
Civic Playground - Donald Hall and Mary Warnke
Fr. McAleer's - James Fulton and Marion Fleck Pleasant Park - Bennet Riley and Jane Cody Shattuck School - Richard O'Leary and Marjorie Bodge
Mary Riley replaced Miss Bodge when latter had to return to school to complete thesis for her degree.
Winslow Schoo! - John Reardon, Stephanie Bonica
Wilson Street - Helen Beasley
Senior High School - Calvin DeRoma and Ida O'Neil
Endean Playground - Hazel Traquair
Supervisors of definite activities were very important because they specialized in their own field and saved money in proper utilization of equipment.
Staff meetings were held once a week where plans for the week were discussed. These meetings were helpful in all respects because the youngsters profited by a well planned program and the leaders, most of them who are going to enter the teaching profession, profited by practical experience in group work.
Baseball
Norwood had the best baseball program around the state. Under the careful supervision of John Kiley, leagues were conducted for Midgets, Juniors, Intermedi- ates and Seniors. The Midgets and Intermediates played in the mornings and after- noons, the Juniors and Seniors played twilight games. The total games played by our youngsters and returned G.I.'s was 1,022 games.
Tennis
Miss Dorothy Rodgers carried on the good work that she had started the previous summer. Instructions were held in the mornings and matches were played in the afternoons. Tennis interest was very high this year. The season was highlighted with a tournament. Mrs. Josephine Chandler, Chairman of the Recreation Advisory Board, presented the winners in their respective divisions prizes which were donated by the Norwood Rotary Club.
Roll-land
Tuesday afternoons a bus picked up the youngsters and they travelled to Roll- land with a leader from their playground. Norwood is fortunate to have such a facility available for its own use.
Arts and Crafts
Miss Pauline Bresette spent one day a week at each playground introducing a new craft each week. At the end of the season a craft display was held in Baker's Dress Shop window. Winners were presented ribbons.
Trips
The policy of the recreation department to cut down on trips was received very well. Only essential trips were conducted, one to see the Red Sox play baseball, a trip to Nantasket Beach and one to the Esplanade Concert.
159
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT
Dances
Weekly dances were held at the Junior High School supervised by different play- ground leaders. Three Block Dances were held which were very successful. Rain interfered with two other Block Dances.
Swimming
The only facility available for swimming was Hawes Pond. The lifeguards were properly trained by the Red Cross waterfront safety director, Joseph Baldwin. This pool is much too small to handle the needs for our youngsters and townspeople. Fourteen youngsters were pulled out by the lifeguards.
Track Meet
The finale of the playgrounds was a track meet at the Civic. All the playgrounds participated. They were held in definite age groups. Many youngsters participated in the Pet Show and Baby Carriage Parade. All winners received prizes.
I feel that the playground season was very successful. The youngsters enjoyed themselves immensely. A successful program cannot be attributed to any one in- dividual, therefore, I want to congratulate my staff, the youngsters, their parents, Recreation Advisory Board, the Selectmen, and Mr. F. Smith, our former General Manager.
Respectfully submitted,
LEON P. SMELSTOR, Superintendent of Recreation.
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Mr. Albert W. Thompson,
Acting Town Manager.
Dear Sir:
Upon my discharge from the U. S. Navy in September, I was appointed Super- intendent of Recreation on October 16, 1945. A fine program and umlimited en- thusiasm had been developed by my predecessor, Miss Mary Cullinane.
The Democratic American form of philosophy has been carried on in our program "recreation for all age groups in their leisure time." We have not forced any parti- cular type of activity upon anyone. Different types of activities were available to suit different interests. This philosophy does not always satisfy everybody because our facilities are limited, our staff limited and the interest for a particular activity is so small that it is unwise to spend appropriated funds for groups of four or five people. We are trying to meet the needs of the majority.
I know that we are succeeding in keeping a lot of people happy and through our staffs good leadership we have helped a lot of youngsters and returned G.I.'s to be- come better citizens.
Dances
Every Friday night, if the schools are available and there is not a scheduled social for the schools, a dance is held for the Junior High and Senior High boys and girls. A charge of 25c is made. This charge keeps out wandering youngsters who are not properly dressed and who are not interested in dances. This money is turned into
160
TOWN OF NORWOOD
the general Town Fund which ran to about $1,000.00 this year. The youngsters look forward to this social and it is conducted on a high standard.
Modern Dancing
A modern dance class is conducted by Miss June Beasley for elementary grade girls every Monday and Wednesday afternoon at the Civic. This is a cultural ac- tivity that is very popular. It helps girls develop poise and appreciate expressive art. A recital will be held at the Junior High School in February.
Boxing
A boxing class is held at the Civic on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are not in- terested in developing champions but to offer youngsters the services of Elwin McNutt, a former amateur boxer. He teaches them to get into good physical condi- tion and the fundamentals of boxing. Every youngster participating in boxing has an approved bill of health from their family physician.
Voice Training and P.A. Technique
The Women's Community Committee presented a public address system as a gift to the Recreation Department. This equipment is necessary for large activities. To utilize its services a class of girls who are interested in singing or speaking use it once a week under the supervision of Mr. James Gormley.
Rifle Club
With the co-operation of the National Rifle Club, the Recreation Department conducts a Rifle Club. This is held on the top floor of the Municipal Building. We are very grateful to the Nation Rifle Club Association because they instruct our youngsters properly and let us use their rifles.
Girls Basketball
An adult girls basketball activity is held every Friday evening at the Civic under the supervision of Miss Priscilla Holman, a former Wave. This is informal. The girls play pick-up games and its purpose is for the girls to get some exercise.
Elementary Basketball for Boys
Wednesday afternoons the elementary grade boys and St. Catherine's Parochial School boys play basketball at the Civic. This facility is too small but it helps to serve the purpose. Mr. John Kiley offers them instructions and conducts games. The same group goes to the Junior High School on Saturday mornings. The boys are highly enthused over this program. We are proud of it because it keeps the youngsters occupied and we are helping develop future high school athletes.
Senior Basketball
The Senior League is composed of nine teams. About 90% of these participants are returned G.I.'s. Last year we had a four team league but this year it had to be limited because only three games can be played an evening and we play three nights a week. Each team plays twice. Besides the sincere interests of the participants, the hall usually has a good number of fans watching the contests. This is held on a very high standard and it is supervised by John Kiley nobly assisted by John Dixon and Ernie Zinkowsky.
161
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Roll-land
Every Thursday night is Norwood night at Roll-land. Our youngsters are ad- mitted at reduced rates.
Touch Football
A touch football league for elementary grade boys was held twice a week. This is the first year that such an activity was introduced. Four teams comprised the league. This activity is very good because every youngster wants to be a football player and every year hundreds of youngsters are either seriously hurt or killed playing sandlot football. Organized supervised touch football eliminates any such dangers.
Hallowe'en
This Hallowe'en was probably the quietest Hallowe'en that Norwood has had. That does not mean that the youngsters were not enjoying themselves. With the Recreation Department acting as a co-ordinator, the Parent Teachers Associations and teachers of all the schools sponsored parties in all the schools that were very suc- cessful. The Recreation Department furnished refreshments for all the youngsters. Each school had well planned programs for their own students. A dance was held at the Senior High School where 928 boys and girls danced to Charlie Drummey's orchestra.
These parties certainly minimized destruction and unnecessary annoyance to our citizens. Hats off to our boys and girls who showed their appreciation for the town's efforts.
Skating
Skating in our unpredictable New England climate will always be indefinite. This year we supplied a hockey rink that was very popular. Howard Blasenak conducted leagues for different age groups. A senior team played a number of games under poor light that proved to be very popular.
A silver skates derby that had 190 entries was ruined because of a terrific snow storm.
Special Activities
Denny Myer B.C. coach showed pictures of the B.C. Villanova football game that was attended by 300 youngsters.
Bunny Leavitt, World's Champion foul shooter in basketball conducted a very successful basketball clinic at the Jr. High School.
Christmas Carols - The Recreation Department for the second consecutive year sponsored Community Christmas carols. This year the people were forced to go into the Municipal Hall because it was so cold. As cold as it was, the hall was practically filled.
Respectfully submitted,
LEON P. SMELSTOR, Superintendent of Recreation.
162
TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
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, 1946.
Respectfully submitted,
MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, Chairman, EUGENE A. NELSON, A. MARION SWAIN, MARY L. DUNN, GEORGE H. WELLES,
FRANCIS J. DORAN.
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
To the Board of Trustees:
"FIRSTS," 1946
A circulation gain this year reverses the war's long effect on reading.
Three-day-a-week service to all, and weekly story hours for children, were begun at the South Norwood Branch.
A "Small Home Building" lecture series was offered, jointly with the schools.
The first year's goal was reached in the Ten-Year Library-Development Plan.
The artistic talent of Norwood youth had library recognition and encouragement in an exhibit, with press releases.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
South Norwood Branch
Grown people, 'teen agers, and children enthusiastically used the South Norwood Branch. With the leadership of Miss Barbara M. Heslam, Branch Librarian, they borrowed 12,666 books; a gain of 1,006.
One housewife remarked, "I heard on the radio that 'The library is the People's University'; what about me? I want books to help me go right on learning."
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