Norwood annual report 1948-1950, Part 13

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1948
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1054


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1948-1950 > Part 13


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Last, but not least, I want to thank Mr. Edward C. Monahan, present General Manager, who has been wonderful to work under. He understands the needs and problems of the youngsters and his co-operation has been unlimited. It has been very pleasant to serve him.


Respectfully submitted, LEON P. SMELSTOR, Superintendent, Recreation


171


REPORT OF NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY


REPORT OF NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY


Board of Selectmen, Norwood, Massachusetts,


Gentlemen :


Herewith is report of the Housing Authority for the year 1948.


The Norwood Housing Authority was organized and established as a public body politic and corporate by action of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as authorized in Chapter 121 of the General Laws and as voted by Special Town Meeting of May 21, 1948. The certificate of organization was dated July 19, 1948 and the local housing authority became effective as of that date.


Four members were appointed by the Board of Selectmen, their terms to expire on January 17, 1949. They are Daniel Collins, Frank B. Coughlin, C. Roger Pearson and Edward H. Thompson. The fifth member, Arthur H. Gleichauf, was appointed by the State Housing Board for a term of three years. The Author- ity organized on August 17, 1948 with C. Roger Pearson as Chairman, Frank B. Coughlin as Vice-chairman, Edward H. Thompson as Treasurer, Arthur H. Gleichauf as Assistant Treasurer and Daniel Collins as temporary secretary.


Questionnaires were sent to about 1800 veterans and the results carefully tabu- lated as to the needs of the various families.


Application was made to the State Housing Board for Financial Assistance and Part I of same was approved on November 23, 1948 with authorization also granted to proceed with preliminary plans for the construction of approximately 75 dwelling units. A complete survey was made throughout the Town and a site selected for the proposed development that would meet the strict requirements of the State Board. This area is in the vicinity of the Callahan School, lying northeasterly of Roosevelt Avenue and opposite the end of Mountain Avenue. Approval of this location has been granted by the State, and real estate and topographical surveys are now being prepared.


Arrangements have been made to employ Harry J. Korslund of Norwood as architect for the development, he to prepare plans and specifications for construc- tion of the various units and utilities. It is anticipated that these plans will be prepared during the winter months and actual construction of the houses undertaken during the spring and summer of 1949.


Respectfully submitted,


C. ROGER PEARSON, Chairman FRANK B. COUGHLIN, EDWARD H. THOMPSON, ARTHUR H. GLEICHAUF, DANIEL COLLINS,


Norwood Housing Authority


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


REPORT OF VETERAN'S HOUSING BOARD


To the Citizens of Norwood :


The Norwood Veterans' Housing Board is a permanent board which was elected by Town Meeting to operate a temporary housing project for veterans using Federal funds. The project located off Winter Street was opened in August 1946 and forty veterans and their families are finding comfortable temporary homes there.


As the Board is responsible to the Federal Government for the financial opera- tion, the fiscal year corresponds with that of the Government and ends June 30th. The following figures are taken from the report of the Board's auditor for the year ending June 30, 1948 :


Income -- From rent


$14,208.00


Cash Disbursements :


Repairs, Maintenance and Replacement.


$2,136.16


Management


1,075.36


Operating Services


360.00


Insurance


23.75


Payment to Town :


for water


480.00


for heater rental


196.80


for land rental


600.00


for space heaters


500.00


in lieu of taxes


2,276.25


7,648.32


Net Profit $6,559.68


Of this net profit $990.94 is being carried over as reserve for repairs and main- tenance, $15.00 is held in petty cash and the balance of $5,553.74 has been paid to the Treasurer of the United States.


The cash paid to the Town of Norwood during the year amounts to $3,573.05 exclusive of $480 paid in water bills. In 23 months this project has returned to the Town Treasury $5,566.75 of the approximate $20,000 appropriated as the Town's share of the project costs.


Respectfully submitted,


FRANCIS W. SMITH, Chairman. THOMAS A. RORKE JOSEPH V. NUTTALL EDWARD J. FEENEY WALTER A. BLASENAK


173


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY .


To the Citizens of Norwood :


We transmit herewith the annual narrative and statistical reports of the Morrill Memorial Library, for the year ending December 31, 1948.


Respectfully submitted, MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, Chairman Board of Trustees EUGENE A. NELSON GEORGE H. WELLES A. MARION SWAIN FRANCIS J. DORAN MARY L. DUNN


Dividends for the Taxpayer, 1948


Service by library personnel at five centers: the Adult Department; the Children's Room; the Intermediate Room: South Norwood Branch; and the Norwood Hospital. Book deposit service at eight schools.


Four rooms prepared for new use : Reference Room, Cataloging Room, Janitor's Work Room, and Pages' Work and Wash Room.


The start of a Film-Lending Service.


Book interpretation and aid. Reference service, escorted tours, and instruction for students. Book talks on request.


Book taxi service to home and office.


2,796 new books this year.


Circulation of 106,929. A gain of 10,272. 6.9 per capita, 1940 Census. 15.53 per registered borrower.


What the Taxpayer Invested


Exclusive of special repairs and improvements due to age of building, $2.25 per capita, 1940 Census.


A Community-Centered Library


Weekly service at the Norwood Hospital had its fifth anniversary. It reaches many readers not heretofore library patrons, and often results in their coming to the Main Library after recovery. The excellent work by Esther C. Hallet, Circulation Librarian, in charge of hospital service, and Helen R. Fraser, Substi- tute,, has been reflected in deepened understanding of patients' needs and an increase of 1.123 in their use of books. Mrs. Louis Balboni and Mrs. Harold Alden have repeatedly volunteered their effective aid. The Norwood Rotary Club presented the library with a fine Colson book truck, for use at the hospital.


Five local industries accepted the library's invitation to join in an exhibit at the library of books for industrial workers, and of objects illustrative of local


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


manufacturers. Six more industrial plants expressed an interest in this in one way or another. It was one of the best tie-ups the library has had.


Stimulation of reading interest was aided in talks on books and the reading habit to school, church and club groups; on the business and professional man's reading to a service-man's club; on our hospital book service, to a civic club; and on story-telling at an Institute for Playground Leaders. Two staff members hold office in the Norwood Woman's Club.


The Welcome Wagon was regularly supplied with attractive library items for its general calls, and its calls on young mothers.


A request was met for counsel on organizing a library at St. Catherine's Church.


Modern Approaches to Readers' Interests


In the current trend of accenting the homelike, and getting away from the institutional, our new Reference and Reading Room is equipped with a pair of leather armchairs near the fireplace, in addition to the informally arranged tables and chairs for study, and soft-toned ranges of Mexican mahogany shelves which house the Reference books. The equipment includes filing cases, an atlas case, and magazine racks. Thanks to the generosity of Alice H. Plimpton, it was possible to do this with the Plimpton Fund at a cost of $3,761.91.


The Women's Community Committee gave $300.00 to start a Film-Lending Service. Believing this an excellent way to help in the communication of ideas - a library's main business - the task was gladly accepted. A meeting was called of representatives of Norwood school, church, and recreational interests to outline plans and seek counsel. This was followed by organizing a small permanent Film Council. An article in the "Messenger" asked for full information on locally owned projectors. From this a card file of prospective film-borrowers is started.


The Librarian took a brief course at the Boston Public Library in Film Service. We now own a re-wind machine, a splicer, N. Y. Times film strips, 4 travel films, 7 films for children, local and regional slides, indexes, books, catalogs, and periodicals pertaining to the subject. At this point, a severe staff shortage came, and made it necessary to suspend temporarily further work on this new service. Indications show it will be a very popular one as soon as we can resume action.


Thirteen painting and drawings of George V. Augusta, a Norwood artist, were presented, in a notable one-man show. The event had newspaper coverage both local and in Boston papers.


At the time of the Boston showing of the Berlin Museum pictures, the library had related exhibits in all departments.


Building Improvements


The contract is placed for installation of fluorescent lighting in the Children's Room; for re-building the fixtures in the Lobby; and work is finished on increased illumination in the Intermediate Room.


Painting has been completed in the Plimpton Wing, the Children's Room and the Intermediate Room; linoleum laid in Staff Room; exterior repair of leaks in one section of the Wing. A new concrete floor has been laid in the parapet at the front entrance.


175


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


A janitor's workroom with workbench and cabinet has been constructed and the room painted. The contract is placed for painting and lighting an unused basement room, as a workroom and washroom for pages.


A new power motor for grass cutting assists in covering a great deal of work. The library is indebted to the efforts, the information, and the constant work Carl B. Pearson, Building Custodian, has put in helping with these building improve- ments.


"The Key to the Library"


2,796 new books have been cataloged and processed under the direction of Martha C. Eaton, Assistant Librarian and Cataloger - an accessions gain of 295.


A gain for all time in efficiency of operation is made possible by our new Cataloging Room, installed in February of this year. It is well equipped, and immediately adjoins the catalog.


Youth Is Served


Girls and boys borrowed 15,434 books and 137 pictures from the Junior Department. In addition, 1,176 books sent to the elementary schools circulated 4,762 times.


With the cooperation of the Supervisor of Recreation, weekly book service was given to three playgrounds.


Eight hundred and forty-one children attended 25 story hours.


Over 70 girls and boys at the Main Library and 44 at the South Norwood Branch became active members of the READING ROUND-UP, the summer reading club.


More than 20 Junior High School age girls are corresponding with girls in Berlin as a result of a library-sponsored project in person-to-person acquaintance between countries. Exhibits of books about German life and history added to the Norwood girls' interest in their friends across the sea. Miss Crocker was responsible for this fine service, following her own correspondence with a German girl, now a teacher.


One of our younger patrons remarked to N. Dorothy Shumaker, the Junior Department Librarian, "You would do better for yourself if you earned your living working in an office. You don't do much business (meaning taking in money) here." Through books and related projects, we are helping boys and girls grow into good citizens - not only of our own community, but of the world. We do a GOOD business.


Intercultural Action


A book talk and guided tour of the library was given to a group of men and women from other countries in the Adult Civic Education class. Nine of them joined the library following this.


The Librarian was chairman of the American Library Association's Committee on Work with the Foreign-Born, which presented a panel discussion at the Atlantic City meeting of the A.L.A. She has been asked to serve again as chairman of the new A.L.A. Committee on Intercultural Action. She has completed two years as


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


chairman of the Librarians Advisory Council of the United Nations Association in New England. Among its activities in 1948 was a broadcast featuring Mr. Carl H. Milam, on "The United Nations, Your Library, and You."


We and the Library Profession


Staff meetings included fine book reviews by staff members, and a talk on "Personal Financial Plans" by Mr. Ten Broeck of Estabrook & Co., Boston, who came to Norwood on the staff's invitation.


The Librarian has taken part in three panel discussions related to adult education - for the Charles River Library Club, the Old Dartmouth Library Club, the course on Film Service given at the Boston Public Library ; and she served on the Massachusetts Library Association's Adult Education Committee. The Junior Department Librarian is Secretary-Treasurer of the Round Table of Children's Librarians.


South Norwood Branch


In spite of a necessary two-day opening this fall and winter instead of the usual three, Mary Knowles, Branch Librarian, reports a gain for the year of 680.


The South Norwood Community Club, started in December, 1947 under the leadership of Barbara Heslam, then Branch Librarian, continued this year with five stimulating meetings held at the Branch Library. Among them was one on the recreational facilities of South Norwood, led by Mr. Leon Smelstor, with lively discussion from the floor by adults and young people.


Saturday morning story-hours are geared to the interests of the younger readers and they love it.


Thank You


- To the memory of Alice H. Plimpton whose bequest made the new Reference Room possible.


- To the Women's Community Committee, for implementing the start of a Film Lending Service.


- To the Norwood Rotary Club, for a Colson book truck, and four films.


- To the Norwood Garden Club for many flower arrangements and Christmas decorations.


- To the Norwood Woman's Club for a carved, wooden flower vase stand.


- To a Friend of the Children's Room, for a woodbasket.


- To the Women of the Moose for their annual gift of new children's books, and 300 hand-made bookmarks.


- To the Girl Scouts and the Camp Fire Girls, for volunteer service.


- To 44 men, women and children for their gifts of 243 books, 7 films, many magazines and flowers.


- And to the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries for counsel, aid in filling positions, and inter-library loans.


177


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


The Staff


Barbara Heslam, whose three years as Branch Librarian left its favorable mark on our neighborhood service, resigned for a head librarianship. Eleanor Johnson, Circulation Librarian, for ten years a valued member of the staff; and Helen Crocker, our competent Records Librarian, have both had compelling reasons for leaving the library profession. Their places have been taken by Mary Knowles, Branch Librarian, South Norwood Branch, formerly Children's Librarian, Watertown: Esther C. Hallet, Circulation Librarian : and Shirley Day, Records Assistant. Mrs. Hallet and Miss Day were promoted from other positions here. They and Mrs. Knowles are making a fine start in difficult work.


Despite our meeting three vacancies and three long illnesses in one year, (with necessary cutting of hours and services), Miss Eaton and the other members of the staff have achieved a most creditable year's work, done in fine spirit. This has been aided by the competent work of our substitutes - who often put the library's call ahead of their own convenience ; and by our corps of high school pages. The Librarian owes her fellow-workers an enduring gratitude for the way in which they have met their part in our 1948 assignment.


This year, throughout the library system, the Morrill Memorial Library celebrated its 50th Anniversary in the present building. Our best commemoration of it is to treasure gains from the past, and to do our part as Trustees, Librarian, and Staff, in the forward march.


Respectfully submitted,


EDNA PHILLIPS,


Librarian.


LIBRARY HOURS


Adult Department Weekdays 9 a.m .- 9 p.m.


Junior Department Monday-Friday 12:30-6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m .- 6 p.m.


South Norwood Branch Tuesday and Thursday 12:45-6 7-9 p.m. Saturday 9-12 and 1-5:45 p.m.


Norwood Hospital Monday 1-5 p.m.


Trustees Maude A. Shattuck, Chairman Mary L. Dunn


Francis J. Doran Eugene A. Nelson


A. Marion Swain George H. Welles


178


TOWN OF NORWOOD


Staff


Edna Phillips, Librarian, and Secretary of the Board


Martha C. Eaton, Assistant Librarian and Cataloger N. Dorothy Shumaker, Junior Department Librarian Esther C. Hallet, Circulation Librarian


Mary Knowles, Brauch Librarian Shirley Day, Records Assistant


There are two vacancies to be filled: Reference Librarian and Reader's Consultant, and Non-Professional Assistant.


Building


Carl B. Pearson, Senior Building Custodian


Substitutes


Ruth R. King


Helen R. Fraser


Doris C. Allen


January 8, 1949


To the Board of Trustees :


The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1948, 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 1948.


303


Number of Hours Open Each Week.


72


Number of Staff.


7


Books


Volumes Added to the Library :


Fiction by Purchase


1,520


Non-Fiction by Purchase


1,033


Fiction Gifts


173


Non-Fiction Gifts


70


Number of Volumes at End of Year


35,503


Circulation


Fiction


Non- Fiction


Total


Adult Department


45,577


21,956


67,533


Junior Department


11,201


4,233


15,434


South Norwood Adult


5,522


1,644


7,166


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REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


South Norwood Junior


4,307


1,568


5,875


Hospital Adult


2,703


1,560


4,263


Hospital Junior


259


143


402


Balch School


2,327


557


2,884


Callahan School


1,608


695


2,303


Junior High School


40


34


74


Peabody School


0


0


0


St. Catherine's Schoo.


0


0


0


Senior High School


1


55


56


Shattuck School


509


242


751


Winslow School


0


0


0


West School


0


0


0


Playgrounds


127


30


157


Church Deposits


0


31


31


74,181


32,748


106,929


Finance


See Report of Town Accountant


Registration


Numbers of Borrowers Registering in 1948 :


Adult


Junior Depart- ment 200


South Norwood


Total


609


111


920


Number of Registered Borrowers :


4,680


1,553


651


6,884


Respectfully submitted.


EDNA PHILLIPS,


Librarian.


180


TOWN OF NORWOOD


REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD


The Honorable Board of Selectmen,


Gentlemen :


At the first meeting in January, Lester N. Lechter was unanimously elected Chairman and Hazis Kelley was elected Secretary. The other members of the Board are Rosewell A. Norton, Patrick Long and Ludovic Fournier.


The Board acted upon many zoning changes and after much consideration, the following action was taken :


a. The Planning Board recommend that the zoning change on property on Silver Street be "indefinite postponement." This recommendation was upheld at Town Meeting.


b. The Planning Board recommend "indefinite postponement" for the two zoning changes on the corner of Dean Street and Pleasant Street. After several hearings this recommendation was upheld at the Town Meeting.


c. The Planning Board recommended that the zone on the corner of Walpole Street and Winter Street be changed from Single Residence to General Residence. This recommendation was upheld at the Town Meeting.


d. The Planning Board recommended that the zone on the corner of Everett Street and the State Highway be changed from THA to THB. This recommendation was upheld at the Town Meeting.


The Planning Board acted on and discussed the following projects :


a. They met with a special committee of the School Committee to discuss future school building developments.


b They had 300 additional up-to-date zoning maps printed.


c. They met with George Willett to discuss Westover Developments and a proposed highway as the future entrance of Westover.


d. They recommended that the Selectmen purchase land behind Washing- ton Street, between Cottage Street and Nahatan Street for parking purposes.


e. They recommended that Shaw Street be extended.


f. They recommended that the one-way Central Street be extended to Guild Street.


g. They proposed to hold a hearing in regards to increasing the minimum size lot from 6,000 to 8,000 square feet.


h. They proposed to have a committee appointed to study the South Norwood Highway.


i. They proposed to hold a hearing in regard to proposed changes in the zoning by-laws.


j. The Planning Board went on record as being opposed to the installa- tion of parking meters.


k. They proposed that studies be conducted in regards to set backs along the Central Street area.


l'he retiring member of the Planning Board is Ludovic O. Fournier.


Respectfully submitted,


LESTER N. LECHTER, Chairman, HAZIS KELLEY, Secretary ROSEWELL A. NORTON, LUDOVIC O. FOURNIER, PATRICK LONG,


Members of Planning Board.


ANNUAL REPORT OF THE


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


N . OF . NO


.MA


INC.


MON- GUILD. APMD 1712


ยท 23.1


TOWN OF NORWOOD MASSACHUSETTS


FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31


1948


In Memoriam


MARGARET NICHOLSON


Born in Walden, Vermont, March 16, 1909; died July 15, 1948. Attended Montpelier Seminary, Plymouth Normal School, and Boston University, Degree of Master in Education. Appointed as teacher in the Norwood Public Schools on September 9, 1941.


Miss Nicholson taught in the Junior High School for two years before her appointment to the staff of the Senior High School. She was one who responded quickly to the demands of ever-changing situations, and characteristically, in such manner as to be more able to serve her friends, her school and her community.


Quite typical of her, was her enthusiastic spirit in co-operating with the Civilian Defense activities during the entire duration of the recent war. Identified at first with the local Civilian Defense School, her ability and interest soon attracted the attention of the Massachusetts Civilian Defense authorities in whose work she devoted all of her spare time and attention.


Pupils loved and respected her for what she was-an excellent teacher.


183


REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE School Committee 1948


Term Expires 1949


Anthony O'Donnell


299 Railroad Avenue, NOr. 7-0632-M


James J. Curran 1949


347 Washington Street, NOr. 7-1012-W


John F. Reynolds 1950


31 Oak Road, NOr. 7-0851


John F. Kiley 1950


14 George Street, NOr. 7-0198


Thomas R. Bowler 1951


112 Winslow Avenue, NOr. 7-1180-R


John J. Cook 30 Adams Street, NOr. 7-0981-R


1951


Organization


John F. Kiley, Chairman Elizabeth Syverson, Clerk


Standing Committees


Appointment of Teachers: Mr. Bowler, Mr. Kiley, Mr. Curran


Educational Program, Purchase of School Books and Supplies: Mr. Kiley, Mr. Bowler, Mr. O'Donnell.


Finance : Mr. O'Donnell, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Cook.


Janitors, Schoolhouses, and Grounds : Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Cook, Mr. Curran.


Committee Meetings


The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held in the Committee room, Room 100, Junior High School Building, at seven-thirty o'clock, on the third Wednesday of each month.


Superintendent of Schools


Lincoln D. Lynch, 21 Florence Avenue, Telephone NOrwood 7-1266.


The Office of the Superintendent of Schools is at the Junior High School and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, from Monday through Friday, inclusive. Telephone NOrwood 7-0133.


Secretary and Clerks


Elizabeth V. Syverson, 68 Elm Street, Tel. NOr. 7-1461-W, Principal Clerk and Secretary to Department Head.


Elvie A. Schaier, 44 Highview Street, Tel. NOr. 7-2227-R, Junior Clerk and Stenographer.


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


School Calendar 1948 - 49


Schools Open : Tuesday, September 7, 1948-Teachers Report. Wednesday, September 8, 1948 Grades 1-12. Monday, September 13, 1948-Kindergarten.


Holidays


Columbus Day, October 12, 1948.


County Convention, October 29, 1948.


Armistice Day, November 11, 1948, and Friday, November 12, 1948.


Thanksgiving Recess, November 24th at noon ; re-open November 29, 1948.


Christmas and New Year's Recess: December 22nd at noon, re-open Jan- uary 3, 1949.


Winter Recess: Friday, February 18, schools close ; re-open Monday, February 28th ; excepting High and Peabody Schools which re-open on Thursday, February 24th.


Spring Recess: Thursday, April 14th, schools close; re-open Monday, April 25th, excepting High and Peabody Schools which re-open on Thursday, April 21st.


Memorial Day, May 30, 1949.


No-School Signal 2-2


Repeated at 7:15 a.m. No forenoon session, Kindergarten through 12th grade.


Repeated at 7:30 a.m. No forenoon session, Kindergarten through 9th grade.


Repeated at 7:45 a.m. No forenoon session for Kindergarten through 6th grade. Repeated at 12:15 p.m. No afternoon session, Kindergarten through 9th grade.


Repeated at 12:30 p.m. No afternoon session, Kindergarten through 6th grade. Repeated at 6:15 p.m. No session for Evening School.


Note : When the No-School Signal is sounded, all street lights are illuminated for three minutes.




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