Norwood annual report 1951-1953, Part 34

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1951
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1128


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1951-1953 > Part 34


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Junior Basketball


On each afternoon of the week and on Saturday mornings from late November through the month of March, Swimming Pool Hall of the Civic is the scene of the basketball under the supervision of a trained recreation leader. Boys of all ages and all degrees of skill can avail themselves of this program which is conducted on an informal basis for all who wish to take part. No formal games are played, no teams formed, but rather the emphasis is on the participation by the individual at the time he attends. Many times in excess of 50 boys appear at the sessions. Proper supervision insures that each boy will have an equal chance to play and that he will enjoy as much as possible the facilities and program presented.


Hallowe'en Parties


Three Hallowe'en parties were conducted in 1952-one for high school pupils at the Senior High School, one for ninth graders at the Civic, and one for seventh and eighth graders of both St. Catherine's School and the Junior High School at the Junior High School auditorium. With the cooperation of members of the faculties of the various schools involved, Parent Teacher Associations, and members of the Recreation Department staff, all of whom volunteered their services for the evening, the parties were all successful. The low incidence of damage and destruc- tion throughout the Town was indicative of the fact that the young people were busily engaged in wholesome activities to keep them occupied through the evening.


Girls' Drama


Under the supervision of Mrs. Virginia Bergeron, this program for girls has continued to be very popular. Girls between the ages of 7 and 15 meet twice a week and take part in various activities associated with dramatics. The group stages two or three presentations throughout the season when families and friends are able to see the results of the work of the girls. Through such a program the girls


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


acquire poise and confidence, while at the same time taking part in enjoyable recreation sessions at their meetings.


Symphony Orchestra


The Norwood-Norfolk County Orchestra, composed of some 55 persons ranging in age from 15 to 75 meets weekly from September through May in Memorial Hall of the Municipal Building. Approximately 50% of the Orchestra are from Norwood with the other 50% coming from surrounding towns, thus enabling us to have a well rounded and nearly complete symphony group. Professor Jean V. Dethier volunteers his services as Conductor of the Orchestra and is deserving of the highest praise for the outstanding service he has performed for the Orchestra and for the Town of Norwood with the group. In addition to their weekly meetings, the Orchestra presented five concerts in 1952, climaxed by the joint concert with the "All Churches Choir of Norwood" given as a fitting demonstration of brotherhood during Brother- hood Week in Norwood, with the proceeds of the concert going to the Norwood Hospital.


Fourth of July Celebration


The Recreation Department cooperates yearly in the conduct of the various activities connected with the General Manager's Fourth of July Celebration for Children. The 1952 celebration of this holiday was well received. A concert and dance started festivities the night before with a monstrous bonfire touched off at midnight the climax of the evening. On the following morning, special games and other events, and free ice cream were featured at the various playgrounds through- out the town, with members of the Summer Playground staff assisting in the running of the program.


Swimming Program


The Recreation Department provided a complete program of swimming and swimming instruction during the summer months at Hawes Brook Pool. Miss Elizabeth Corcoran and her staff of Lifeguards at the Pool are to be commended for the fine way in which they discharged their most important duties in connection with the operation of the Pool throughout the summer. Their expert supervision of activities has been in large measure responsible for the safety record of which we are justly proud at the Pool.


The School Department again cooperated generously in publicizing the instruc- tional program and assisted in registering youngsters for the classes which began immediately the day the Pool opened in late June. Close to 300 boys and girls took part in the instructional program, with Recreation Department and Red Cross certificates being awarded in the various groups to over 165 persons upon successful completion of their respective courses. Many others who did not complete courses for one reason or another none-the-less profited greatly from attendance at classes.


Swimming meets were held throughout the season with surrounding towns. These meets served to stimulate and maintain interest in swimming while at the same time provided healthy competition for boys and girls. Norwood's record in these competitions was a good one, and the achievements of the young swimmers reflected the instruction which they have received in recent years at the Pool. Climax


149


REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT


of the competitive season was a meet held at Hawes Brook Pool in which reperesent- atives from eight communities took part.


Lifeguard protection was provided at Willett Pond to the extent of two life- guards being provided by the Town and one being provided by the concessionaire at the Pond, with general supervision in matters of waterfront work being under the Recreation Department.


Summer Playgrounds


We began the Summer Playground season in 1952 on the Monday immediately following the close of school in June and ran for a period of nine weeks through August 21st. Playgrounds were open daily from 9:00 A. M. to Noon and from 1:30 to 4:30 P. M., Monday through Friday. Playgrounds were operated at ten locations throughout the Town, with both a male and female Recreation Leader at seven, a female only at two, and a male only at one.


Prior to the opening of the playground season, a one day Training Institute was held for all Playground Leaders here in Norwood, with members of the staffs in Dedham and Canton also taking part. Leadership of the institute was provided by the Community Recreation Service of Boston, Inc. Instruction was given in Operation of Playgrounds, Arts and Crafts, Social Recreation, and Mr. Joseph McAuliffe of the Norwood Fire Department lectured to the group on First Aid Techniques.


The Supervisors, Mr. Charles Parker and Miss Nancy Chandler, as well as the seventeen Playground Leaders are to be congratulated for the excellent way in which they carried out their duties in 1952. In spite of rather unusual weather conditions, attendance continued to run high and participation in the various activities was most enthusiastic on the part of the boys and girls attending the playgrounds. The early part of the season saw a prolonged stretch of hot weather, while the latter part brought considerable rainy weather. These unusual conditions often taxed the Leaders in their efforts to keep the children occupied, but their efforts did enable us to enjoy one of the most successful suinmer seasons to date.


We conducted baseball leagues for boys in their respective age groups up through high school age, with teams representing various playgrounds meeting in league competition. Softball leagues were organized on much the same basis for girls. In addition, the boys and girls engaged in many other activities which are always of interest to the children and took part too in some new and different programs from time to time. We attempted to keep our program as flexible as possible, since interests vary from playground to playground, and what is popular at one area may have no appeal at another. Playground leaders are therefore left to their own devices much of the time to work out programs to fit the desires of the children at their particular location, with guidance and help being given by supervisory personnel.


Under the able direction fo Mr. Joseph Conti, the program of Tennis enjoyed a distinctly successful season. Participation was larger than for many years, and the program in general proved attractive to young and old alike. Many boys and girls took part in tennis activities for the first time, and many others who had


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


previously taken part rekindled their interest last season. Mr. Conti is to be com- mended for the fine work which he did as Tennis Supervisor.


Miscellaneous Activities


The Recreation Departinent was called on from time to time during 1952 to assist in various cominunity projects by way of providing leadership or facilities or both. The Department cooperated with other departments of the Town in such projects as arranging for coasting and skating facilities when weather and other conditions permitted. The Department was represented in various community organizations such as the Norwood Community Council and the American Red Cross. The Departinent was also represented at conferences and meetings conducted by such organizations as the Eastern Massachusetts Rccreation Association, the National Recreation Association, United Community Services of Greater Boston, Mass. Community Organization Service, and other such organizations concerned directly or indirectly with the work of the Department.


Conclusion


The success of a program such as ours depends on the continued support and cooperation of all segments of the community. For that support and cooperation we are deeply grateful and we ask for a continuation of the same in order that the coming years may bring us closer to our goal of providing wholesome leisure time activities for all groups in Norwood.


Specifically we wish to acknowledge the active interest of the Recreation Advisory Committee, the Board of Selectinen, the General Manager, and other groups that have been directly concerned with the work of the Recreation Department. We wish also to commend again the personnel of the Department without whose loyal and unselfish labors our programs would not be so successful. Finally we want to thank the citizens of Norwood wlio have aided us so greatly in so many ways throughout 1952 to make our program a better one.


Respectfully submitted,


RICHARD E. READY Superintendent of Recreation


REPORT OF FISH AND GAME WARDEN


Time spent patroling, answering complaints and law enforcement 1,042 hours


Total of miles traveled in car 1,520 miles


Total number of complaints 13


Number of complaints investigated 11


Number of prosecutions resulting from complaints 1


Number of licenses checked 422


Respectfully submitted,


JAMES E. BUNNEY Town Fish & Game Warden


151


REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR


REPORT OF THE ANIMAL INSPECTOR


The Honorable Board of Selectmen


Gentlemen:


I submit herewith my report as Inspector of Animals for the year of 1952.


I quarantined 36 dogs for biting. All were released at the end of the required quarantine period and none showed any signs of Rabies at any time.


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


I made the annual inspection of livestock required by the Massachusetts Di- vision of Livestock Disease Control and it revealed the following: 157 cows, 4 horses, 1 pony, 14 heifers, 26 calves, 4 bulls, I goat, 17 sheep, 51 swine, 8 steer.


The head of one dog was taken to the Wasserman Laboratory - reported negative.


Respectfully submitted, THOMAS U. MAHONY Inspector of Animals


REPORT OF NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Norwood, Mass.


Dear Sirs:


The Norwood Housing Authority hereby submits its Annual Report, and we extend to your honorable board our thanks for your many acts of kindness and general cooperation during the past year.


NAME OF DEVELOPMENT: Washington Heights State-aided 200-1


Meetings: First and third Wednesdays of the month in Room 24 of the Norwood Municipal Building.


Members: Chairman - Frank B. Coughlin, Vice Chairman - Daniel Collins, Treasurer - John E. Bamber, Assistant Treasurer - Roger J. Connolly State Appointee - John J. Mulvehill.


Personnel: Executive Director & Secretary (ex-officio) - Lawrence J. O'Brien Manager-accountant - Kenneth H. Berkland Insurance Representative - Thomas J. Foley Legal Representative - Attorney Dennis P. O'Leary


Washington Heights, Norwood's State-aided Housing Develoyment under Chiap- ter 200 of the State Housing Laws has been in operation for 27 months. Its primary purpose has been to provide homes for Veterans of Low Income who are in need


152


TOWN OF NORWOOD


of adequate housing. At the present time 75 families are occupying tlie 33 single, 12 duplex, and 6 triplex houses. As a security measure, the Norwood Housing Authority has filed with the State Housing Board an informal application for 50 more state-aided housing units as provided for under Chapter 550 of the State Housing Laws.


In August, 1952 the books and records of the Authority were audited by the State Auditor. A copy of the Auditor's Report has been forwarded to your honor- able board. As provided for by law, the Authority has paid to the Town of Norwood, in lieu of taxes, the sum of $1,869.37-said sum being five per cent of the yearly rent collections.


In order to eliminate a drainage problem and an nnsightly hill, the hill was levelled and a so-called "play area" was constructed, together with the installation of two additional catch basins. We trust that this problem has been eliminated. The contract for this work was awarded to the L. C. Reardon Co. of Norwood, the lowest of three bidders. A Utility Shed was constructed during the year. This building is used for storage of equipment used in maintenance. This contract was awarded to the E. C. Young Co. of Randolph, the lowest of four bidders.


The contract for the cleaning and maintenance of heating and hot water equipment was awarded to George F. Abely of Norwood, the lowest bidder of four local service men. The policy of the Authority is to give all maintenance work and contracts, if possible, to local business men. Plans are being considered to have some of the dwellings painted in the spring if funds are available.


Respectfully yours,


FRANK B. COUGHLIN Norwood Housing Authority


The Commonwealth of Massachusetts - State Housing Board OPERATING STATEMENT For Period Ended December 31, 1952


PROJECT NO. 200.1 - NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY


Current Quarter 10-1-52 to 12-31-52


Cumulative-Fiscal Year to Date 4-1-52 to 12-31-52


Actual Amt. Budget 225 225


Classification Number of Unit Months


Budget Pum Actual Amt. 675 675


INCOME


9,626.00


9,450.00


3100


Dwelling Rent Schedule


28,350.00


42.10


28,417.60


14.70


24.00


3200 Less: Dwelling Vacancy Loss


72.00


.02


14.70


9,611.30


9,426.00


Dwelling Rent Income


28,278.00


42.08


28,402.90


7100


Commonwealth Contribution


20,000.00


29.62


20,000.00


9,611.30


9,426.00


TOTAL INCOME


48,278.00 71.70


48,402.90


EXPENSE


1,213.25


1,095.00 4100 Management Expenses


3,285.00


1.66


3,148.65


153


REPORT OF HOUSING AUTHORITY


142.50


183.00 4200


Operating Services


574.00


.66


441.75


419.32


425.00


4300


Utilities


1,275.00


1.41


950.12


1,481.10


900.00 4400 Repairs, Maint. & Replace.


2,900.00


2.70


1,825.25


315.84


305.00 4711 Insurance Expense


916.00


1.22


820.29


Collection Losses


141.00


500.94


471.25


2.13


1,437.12


1,125.00


1,125.00


4790 Prov. for Operating Reserve


3,375.00


5.00


3,375.00


633.80


633.80 4794 Prov. for Debt Serv. Reserve


1,901.41


2.82


1,901.41


7,500.00


7,500.00


5100


Debt Service Requirements


22,255.50


32.83


22,158.59


13,331.75


12,685.05


TOTAL EXPENSE


38,036.66


63.43


36,058.18


(3,720.45) (3,259.05)


SURPLUS (Deficit)


10,241.34


12,344.72


Prepared by:


Approved by:


KENNETH H. BERKLAND


JOHN E. BAMBER


Manager-Accountant


Treasuer


NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY No. 200.1 BALANCE SHEET December 31, 1952


ASSETS


Cash


1111


Development Fund


14,120.99


1111A


Development Fund


634.66


1112


Administration Fund


24,720.36


39,476.01


Accounts Receivable


1122


Tenants


228.50


1500


Incompleted Contracts


5,063.00


5,291.50


Fixed Assets


1151 Debt Service Fund


21,149.11


1170


Investments


2,000.00


1181


Debt Service Trust Fund


489.90


1400


Development Costs


800,000.00


823,639.01


TOTAL ASSETS


868,406.52


LIABILITIES & CAPITAL


Accounts Payable


2111 Development


10,755.65


2112 Contract Retentions


3,000.00


2400


Contract Awards


5,063.00


18,818.65


Accrued Liabilities


2134.1 Water Expense


133.00


47.00 4730 4740 Payments in Lieu of Taxes


1,413.75


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


2137 Accrued Pilot


332.24


-


465.24


Undistributed Credits


2140 Matured Interest & Principal


22,500.00


2210 Tenants Security Deposits


750.00


23,250.00


Fixed Liabilities


2321 Bonds Issued & Outstanding


800,000.00


Reserves


2136


Insurance


2,211.00


2550 Debt Service


1,901.41


2551


Unamortized Bond Premium


2,474.50


2590


Operating


5,941.00


Total Liabilities


12,527.91 855,061.80


CAPITAL


2630 Capital Donations


1,000.00


Surplus


12,344.72


13,344.72


TOTAL LIABILITIES & CAPITAL


868,406.52


NOTE: Accounts Receivable - Tenants includes a $38.00 Credit Balance resulting from a rent collected 12-52 not due until 1-1-53.


NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY No. 200.1 BANK RECONCILIATION STATEMENT


December 31, 1952


BANK BALANCES


1111 Development Fund


14,120.99


1111A Development Fund


634.66


1112 Administration Fund


24,873.02


Deduct - Checks Outstanding:


No. 489


44.70


No. 490


10.00


No. 491


19.60


No. 492


19.59


No. 493


19.59


No. 494


19.59


No. 495


19.59


152.66


24,720.36


TOTAL ADJUSTED BANK BALANCES


39,476.01


155


REPORT OF HOUSING AUTHORITY


CHECK BOOK BALANCES


1111 Development Fund


14,120.99


1111A Development Fund


634.66


1112


Administration Fund 24,720.36


TOTAL CHECK BOOK BALANCES


39,476.01


REPORT OF VETERANS' HOUSING BOARD


To the Citizens of Norwood:


The Norwood Veterans' Housing Board, which operates the temporary housing project for World War II veterans located off Winter Street, is pleased to submit the following statement of cash receipts and disbursments for the year ending June 30, 1952.


Statement of Cash Receipts and Disbursements For the Year Ended June 30, 1952


Cash Receipts:


Rent Income


$13,590.00


Security Deposit, contra


60.00


Total Cash Received ........


$13,650.00


Cash Disbursements:


Repair, maintenance and replacement:


Grounds


123.80


Structures


1,536.20


Plumbing and gas


665.34


Electrical


8.16


Ranges


117.02


$2,450.52


Management


1,337.76


Operating Services


360.00


Dwelling Utilities, water


480.00


Insurance


23.75


Rent of land


600.00


Furniture allowance, heaters


196.80


Taxes


2,519.05


Security deposit refund, contra


60.00


Payment to United States Government for year ended June 30, 1951


5,476.23


$13,504.11


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


Net increase in cash for the year ended June 30, 1952 Caslı in bank, July 1, 1951


145.89 11,333.18


Cash in bank, June 30, 1952


$11,479.07


Disposition of Cash Balance


Due United States Government


$5,543.89


Reserve for repairs and maintenance


6,442.18


Security deposits


390.00


Collection losses


(509.00)


Rent Receivable


(388.00)


Cash balance, June 30, 1952


$11,479.07


The amount paid in cash to the Town of Norwood was $3,795.85.


The life of the project was again extended for one more year by the Govern- ment authorities. There are no vacancies at the present time.


Respectfully submitted,


FRANCIS W. SMITH, Chairman THOMAS A. RORKE JOSEPH V. NUTTALL WALTER A. BLASENAK JOSEPH LONG


Veterans' Housing Board


157


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


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, 1952.


Respectfully submitted,


MAUDE A. SHATTUCK


Chairman, Board of Trustees


MARTIN B. CURRAN MARY L. DUNN


RACHEL P. MARTIN


EUGENE A. NELSON VERN RICHARDS


To the Board of Trustees:


The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1952, 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 1952 295


Number of Hours Open each Week 69


Number of Staff 7


Population, 1950 U. S. Census 16,693


Books


Volumes Added to the Library:


Fiction by Purchase 1,443


Non-Fiction by Purchase 1,418


Fiction Gifts 81


Non-Fiction Gifts 106


3,048


Number of Volumes at End of Year


42,509


Records


Records Added to the Library by Purchase 55


Records Added to the Library by Gift


94


Volumes Withdrawn:


Fiction


862


Non-Fiction


525


1387


Records Withdrawn


1


Number of Records at


End of Year


254


149


158


TOWN OF NORWOOD


Circulation


Books


Fiction


Non-Fiction


Total


Adult Department


41,149


28,287


69,436


Senior High School


4


120


124


Peabody School


140


98


238


Junior Department


12,916


6,176


19,092


Schools


6,963


2,086


9,049


South Norwood Adult


5,918


4,052


9,970


South Norwood Junior


4,928


3,093


8,021


Hospital Adult


6,483


2,291


8,774


Hospital Junior


440


129


569


Church & P.T.A. Deposits


9


105


114


Books, Total


78,950


46,437


125,387


Records


1,883


Pictures


598


Total Circulation


127,868


Finance


SEE REPORT OF TOWN ACCOUNTANT.


$2,302.23 returned to the Town Treasurer, of which $107.50 was from annual fees of $2.50 cach from non-resident members. The balance was fines, and payment for loss or damage to books or records.


New registrations


1,235


Total, registered borrowers


8,125


Reference and book selection questions


4,792


Respectfully submitted,


EDNA PHILLIPS Librarian


THE LIBRARY AS A CHANNEL FOR CONSTRUCTIVE ACTION


This is accomplished if a library- Puts life forward. Heightens the level of enjoyment. Furthers cooperation.


Looking at one year in one library's life, we can see ways good reading service thus operates in the field of ideas, civics, work with youth, patterns for living, and of aesthetics.


This is the qualitative gain. It is more important than the gains we can measure statistically-but we have gained in that way, too: this year's is the largest circulation the library has ever had in a non-depression year-125,387 in books, 1,883 in recordings, and 4,792 in adult readers' questions answered.


In reporting results, attention is called to the steady, voluminous, effective work done behind the scenes, which in no small measure makes the end results


159


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


possible. A growing volume of cataloging, of 3,048 books and 149 recordings done or supervised by Martha C. Eaton, Assistant Librarian and Cataloger; the smooth functioning of business and circulation records carried by Shirley Day Patterson, Records Librarian; an immense amount of background work, as well as immediate service, done and supervised by Esther C. Hallet, Circulation Librarian; and the care and problems of buildings and grounds for which Carl B. Pearson, Senior Building Custodian, is responsible-are all vital.


The Library Stimulates Ideas and Insights


This is carried out by giving readers a chance to explore for themselves sig- nificant books on all sides of important topics; by a strong reference and readers' consultation service, including bibliographies made for individual needs; by dra- matic thought-provoking subject exhibits of books; and by offering special events for all ages linking people's vital interests with library resources.


Fruitful ideas for better serving readers were encouraged by offering for the first time a round table meeting on "Cataloging Problems of Interest to Adminis- trators, Catalogers, and Reference Librarians". Those taking part were represent- atives from the membership of the Pioneer Librarians Group.


The Old Colony Library Club held an excellent and well-attended fall meeting here.


A pioneering group in the field of ideas in which Edna Phillips, Librarian, had a part as a member of the Planning Committee, was the three day Human Relations Book Fair held at the Boston Public Library. She spoke on "Library Resources, for Readers from Other Countries" before the Adult Civic Education classes; on "Books about Cooperative Living" for the Literature Committee, Nor- wood Woman's Club; and the "Needs of the Library" for the Women's Community Committee.


Civic Progress


The Covi Club, now in its second year, is a community project sponsored by the South Norwood Branch. It is of value to its town in many ways-among them the planting of two living Christmas trees in front of the Balch School; the solic- itation of South Norwood residents for the annual appeal of the American Red Cross; and fortnightly programs throughout the year on such topics as applied psychology, how to review a book, modern methods of child care, civil defense, and fall gardening.


Mary Knowles, Branch Librarian, spoke before the Jewishi Women's Council on "Library Resources"; reviewed books on "Nature and Human Nature" for the Literature Committee, Norwood Woman's Club. Miss Shumaker gave a book talk before the latter group on "Japan and International Relations".


On behalf of the Norwood Community Council, at the request of the Select- men, Miss Phillips arranged a well-attended Forum on the "Fluoridation of a Municipal Water Supply". The panel participants were authorities of note. It was held at the library and was given reading support of selected material for and against the subject.




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