USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1951-1953 > Part 56
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No gifts are more welcome than the many flowers local gardeners generously share. We single out for special mention the Norwood Garden Club and their Christmas decorations, and Mr. James Sutherland who continuously shared beauties from his place.
Conferences
Doris C. Allen and Mary Knowles helped plan the Young Adult section of the Boston conference of the Massachusetts Library Association. Miss Phillips served as an M.L.A. delegate at the United Council on World Affairs and as a panel member on "The Library and the Community" at the Cohasset meeting of the Old Colony Library Club. The Library was represented at the New England Library Association Conference in Swampscott, at the first meeting of the Adult Education Association of Massachusetts in Boston, and at most of the monthly meetings of the Pioneer Librarians' Group.
Helen Fraser, for ten years a Substitute, in September accepted appointment to the staff as Assistant. Doris Connolly became a Substitute in Mrs. Fraser's place.
HOSPITAL SERVICE
April 26, 1943 the Morrill Memorial Library started book service to the patients and personnel of the Norwood Hospital. Drawing on less than 200 books, Barbara Jordan and an assistant began, with the circulation of 56 books, what has a decade later become a collection of more than 1.200 with an average circulation of 175 on the once-a-week library day. The service for over five years, has been headed by Mrs. Hallet.
Twice during the year groups of student nurses and instructors came to the Main Library for an introduction. by Mrs. Hallet, to its effective use. We do not know of other hospitals having this as part of their training course.
Two book collections were sent the patients in the Norwood Nursing Home with excellent results reported.
SOUTH NORWOOD BRANCH
Doris C. Allen, Young Adults Librarian, was promoted to the Branch librarian-
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REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
ship in July, succeeding Mary Knowles, who had held that position until June 1st. after nearly five years of service.
During the year, all classes from the Balch School including the Kindergarten, came to the Branch with their teachers, to be introduced to its resources and their use.
Other groups received at the Branch were seven new teachers and their Prin- cipal, Miss Beverley, for a welcome to their library; a group of fifth graders brought for special work on Abraham Lincoln; and Girl Scout Troop 27 and their leader for instruction in books enabling them to earn their 2nd class badge.
The Covi Club met at the Branch until into the spring.
During the school months South Norwood boys and girls enjoyed their Satur- day morning story hours. The Library's summer reading club also met with great favor.
Mrs. Allen speaks of her satisfaction in serving such appreciative people.
NON-PUBLIC SERVICES
Effective public service is directly related to non-public operations. Prominent in this field is the cataloging, in charge of Miss Eaton, of 2,762 books. 69 phono- graph records, for all parts of the library. Miss Eaton met the request of the Special Advisory Council, American Library Association's Division of Cataloging and Classi- fication, to answer a twelve-page questionnaire on proposed changes in the Dewey Decimal Classification.
Mrs. Patterson handles all the statistical and business records of the library, on which in no small measure its smooth running depends.
Carl B. Pearson, Senior Building Custodian, continues his capable supervision of buildings and grounds-which is so vital to our readers' enjoyment of Main Library and its South Norwood Branch.
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT
of which N. Dorothy Shumaker is in charge, has had an active program of special events, and a good gain in circulation.
Twenty-five story hours on Saturday mornings. brought 919 boys and girls to the Library. In this, Miss Shumaker was assisted as story-teller by Mesdames Allen. Fraser and Connolly. The series included moving pictures by Mr. George Darling; a shadow play by the children; a home-made movie by the fourth grade of the Balch School; and an illustrated talk on the Edaville Christmas display by Mr. Harry Fraser, Director of Public Beaches in Massachusetts.
The summer reading plan for boys and girls of grades four to nine was on the camping theme, and was called CAMP TAYKOMABOOK. At its conclusion 32 "Campers" from the Main Library and South Norwood Branch were given a moving picture show and party and awarded certificatcs of merit for having read ten or more books.
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Library visits by all elementary grades is encouraged, with special emphasis on grades four through six. The six grades of the Junior High School elementary unit has completed the project of library visits for instruction. Others will follow in 1954.
"Persis Mason Dean" a 72-year-old doll, with trunk and wardrobe, was a gift to the Library's doll collection, by Miss Nellie C. Dean.
Miss Shumaker is Chairman of the Round Table of Children's Librarians, 1953-1955, and represents this group on the Executive Board and Nominating Com- mittee of the Massachusetts Library Association. She served as Massachusetts Mem- bership Chairman for the Children's Library Association of the American Library Association. She is Chairman of the Norwood Woman's Club Literature-Drama Committee; and has given two book talks for local organizations.
In a year of changes and staff shortage all have carried extra duties. The Librarian is grateful for the Board's wise decisions and for the privilege of working with so fine a staff and Custodian-so more than ready to cooperate and to turn problems into opportunities.
Respectfully submitted,
EDNA PHILLIPS, Librarian
LIBRARY HOURS
ADULT DEPARTMENT
Monday - Friday 9 a. m. - 9 p. m. Saturday 9 a. m. - 6 p. m:
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT
Monday - Friday 12:30 - 6 p. m. Saturday 9 a. m. - 6 p. m.
SOUTH NORWOOD BRANCH
Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 - 5:30 6:30 - 9 p. m. Saturday 9 a. m. - 12 1 - 6 p. m.
NORWOOD HOSPITAL
Monday 1 - 5 p. m.
Trustees
MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, Chairman
MARTIN B. CURRAN MARY L. DUNN RACHEL P. MARTIN
EUGENE A. NELSON
VERN H. RICHARDS
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REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Staff
EDNA PHILLIPS, Librarian, and Secretary of the Board MARTHA C. EATON, Assistant Librarian and Cataloger ELIZABETH G. MYER, Reference Librarian and Readers' Consultant (Resigned) N. DOROTHY SHUMAKER, Junior Department Librarian ESTHER C. HALLET, Circulation Librarian DORIS C. ALLEN, Branch Librarian from July Ist SHIRLEY PATTERSON, Records Librarian HELEN FRASER, Assistant
Building
CARL B. PEARSON, Senior Building Custodian
JOHN P. MALEIKO, Custodian Substitute
Substitutes
RUTH R. KING BETTINA COTTRELL
DORIS CONNOLLY
REPORT OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The Office of Civil Defense for Norwood herein submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1953.
The all-volunteer organization of Civil Defense for Norwood has been main- tained in strength and with but few changes among the heads of the Specialized Groups, as listed below:
Director: George T. Mahoney Deputy Director: John R. Russell Executive Officer: John B. Kennedy Communications Service: Allyn H. Fisher Coordination: Dr. William F. Lovell Education and Training Officer: John J. Corcoran Engineering Officer: William Hyland Fire Service: Chief Alonzo Earle Ground Observer Corps Supervisor: Joseph V. Nuttall Identification Officer: Thomas R. Bowler Medical and Health Service: Charles A. Richardson
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Mutual Aid and Sector Coordinator: Charles L. Donahue
Plant Protection Officer: Harry F. Howard
Police Service: Chief Mark Folan
Police Service Auxiliary: Robert A. Baxter
Rescue Service: John E. Bamber
Shelter Officer: Henry J. Cronan Technical Service: Manrice S. Baker
Transportation Service: Milo R. Bacon
Utilities Service: Albert W. Thompson
Warden Service: Stephen C. Traudt
Welfare Service: Leslie Latham
On Thursday, May 7, 1953 Norwood, among the 42 cities and towns com. prising Massachusetts Civil Defense Region 5, took part in a Public Participation Air Raid Test.
'T'he degree and effectiveness of the participation by Norwood in this test was reported as good by State observers.
The Massachusetts legislature on June 16, 1953 extended indefinitely the Civil Defense Act: (chapter 639; Acts of 1950); due to expire July 1, 1953. This act authorizes and directs the town to establish an organization in accordance with the state civit defense plan and program which means "the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than the functions for which mili- tary forces other than the national guard are primarily responsible, for the purpose of minimizing and repairing injury and damage resulting from disasters caused by attack, sabotage, or other hostile action or by fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural causes; said functions shall include specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, fire fighting and police services, medical and healthi services, rescue, engineering, and air-raid warning services, evacuation of persons Irom stricken areas, emergency welfare services, communications, radiological, chemical and other special weapons of defense, emergency transportation, existing or properly assigned functions of plant protection, temporary restoration of public utility services and other functions."
The town has purchased radio transmitting and receiving .. equipment for emergency use.
Norwood has been represented at all general meetings of the State Civil Defense groups by its Civil Defense Director and other members.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE T. MAHONEY Director
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COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
The Committee on Industrial Development of the Town of Norwood, which has functioned continuously for the past three and one-half years, hereby tenders its second public report.
The primary and permanent program of the Committee is to interest the desirable kind of new industries in coming to Norwood, and to preserve and assist those industries which we now have. In so doing, unemployment is minimized and an ever-increasing tax revenue is assured for the town.
In accordance with the provisions of the Committee By-Laws, General Com- mittee meetings were held during the months of March, May, October and Novem- ber. Average attendance at these General Committee meetings was thirty (30) members. In addition, the Steering Committee held twenty-five (25) meetings during the year for discussion of the many projects in which the Committee was involved. To further the purpose of the Committee and to help bring to a success- ful conclusion some of these projects, it was necessary for the members of the Steering Committee to attend over twenty-seven (27) additional conferences and meetings with representatives of the various industries. Most of these were with either Factory Mutual Insurance Company or Mason-Neilan Regulator Company.
The close of the year 1953 finds all major projects of the Committee completed. The decision of Factory Mutual Engineering Division of Associated Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Companies to locate their main office building in Norwood came after many months of contact with this firm. Their final plans call for the breaking of ground on the land adjacent to their present Research Laboratory in March of 1954 and include expanding their facilities and erecting a new office building costing between two and one-half million and two and three-quarter million dollars. The building will contain approximately one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet of floor space and will be a two-story structure, plus basement. There will be approximately five hundred (500) personnel employed in this new office.
Another major project was brought to its successful conclusion during 1953 with the announcement from the Mason-Neilan Regulator Company that they would purchase approximately twenty-seven (27) acres of land on Nahatan Street, between U. S. Rte. 1 and Coolidge Street for the erection of their new one and one-half million dollar plant. This land had been lying idle since 1924, when it had been sold to hundreds of individual owners. The average lot size was 25 feet by 100 feet, too small for any practical purpose at all. About 52% of the land was controlled by the Town of Norwood due to non-payment of taxes and through the efforts of the Committee on Industrial Development, the remaining parcels of land were cleared for sale. Mason-Neilan's plans call for the erection of a modern one-story building in approximately the center of the area. Present plans also call for the employment of approximately 625 persons. Construction is planned to start in March of 1954.
The Committee is still actively engaged in negotiations concerning vacant Winslow Brothers and Smith Tannery space and the Norwood Press. The possi- bilities of filling these are still very good.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Final plans for the Neilsen Pattern Works adjacent to the Norwood Press property haven't been announced as yet but it is contemplated that they will be made in the very near future.
For the three and one-half years since organization, the Committee has operated on a budget of $1600, spending about $358 a year or a total of $1253.67 to date. This money has been expended for secretarial fees, printing, office supplies and advertising brochures.
The accomplishments and efforts of the Committee on Industrial Development have resulted in a minimum expense to the taxpayers of Norwood during the past year. During this same period, through the efforts of this Committee, either largely or in part, more than four million dollars in new construction for industry has been spent or committed in Norwood, which might well have gone elsewhere. Because of this increase in new industry, the Town of Norwood will realize, among other things, a substantial additional tax revenue, new citizens, new business and a considerable gain in employment.
However, the Committee's many accomplishments could not have been realized without the complete cooperation and support of the entire General Committee. Their splendid effort in behalf of the Committee and the Town are deeply apprec- iated. The Steering Committee also wishes to acknowledge the cooperation received from the various official boards of the Town as well as the many personnel in the various departments of the Town who have so generously given of their time and energy.
C. LOTHROP RICH, Chairman Committee on Industrial Development
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
Mr. John B. Kennedy
General Manager
Norwood, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit my report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1953.
Dogs licensed from January Ist to December 31st 1114
Kennel licenses 17
Stray dogs destroyed 91
Stray dogs returned to owners 187
Complaints answered 655
Dead dogs picked up from January 1st to December 31st 34
Calls made personally to home of dog owners 632
Lost dogs turned over to non-residents 16
Money turned in for sale of 27 dogs $81.00
Respectfully submitted,
MYER DOCTORMAN Dog Officer of Norwood
Committee On Industrial Development-Top: Kenneth Cashen, William Mattson, Samuel Wragg, Timothy Coughlin, Harold Shaw, George Phalen, Matthew Connolly. THIRD Row: Thomas Finley, Herbert Wiggin, Arnold Schaier, George Fredrickson. SECOND Row: James Connolly. William Heatlie, Victor Babel, John McAuliffe, John Murphy, William Dalton, Ernest Paciorkowski. FIRST Row: William Hyland, Leo Murphy, James Drummey, C. Lothrop Rich, Chairman, Robert Gallivan, Albert Nelson, John Bamber, Warren Milliken.
Planning Board-SITTING: Albert P. Nelson, Secretary; James J. Drummey, Chairman; Inez J. Gallazzi, Clerk. STANDING: Albert W. Thompson, Town Engineer; Robert F. Gallivan; John E. Bamber. ABSENT: George J. Devlin.
In Memoriam
ROSEWELL A. NORTON
"To Live in Hearts We Leave Behind. Is Not to Die".
Mr. Norton was born in Everett, Massachusetts on October 13, 1900, died June 28, 1953. He resided in Norwood for fifty years. "Rosey", as he was best known, served as a member of the Town Planning Board from 1935 to 1953. He tackled the myriad problems of town planning with vigor and integrity and will long be remembered for his faithful service to the community.
161
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
The Honorable Board of Selectmen Norwood, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
As a result of Special Town Meeting held December 11, 1952 at which time it was voted to adopt Chapter 41, thereby vesting the powers of the Board of Survey in the Planning Board, it was mandatory that a new Planning Board be elected in January. Elected for the term indicated were:
Albert P. Nelson 1 year
James J. Drummey 2 years
Rosewell A. Norton 3 years
John E. Bamber
4 years Robert F. Gallivan 5 years
Organizational meeting of the Board was held on January 26th and James J. Drummey was elected as Chairman and Albert P. Nelson elected as Secretary. In addition, on January 26th, the Planning Board, Town Counsel and Board of Selectmen held a joint meeting to discuss legality of Town Meeting action relative to the adoption of Chapter 41. It was voted that the Board of Selectmen turn over to the Planning Board all records of the Board of Survey effective immediately.
At a special meeting of the Board on Wednesday, February 11th, Mr. Angus McNeil accepted the invitation of the Board to discuss the provisions of Chapter 41, sub-division control law. Also present were the members of the Board of Health and the Town Engineer.
The Planning Board recommended to the Board of Selectmen that sewer and water extension needed to service Hillshire Lane be installed by the Town.
The Planning Board recommended to the Board of Selectmen that the sewer field line be extended from Edgehill Road to service the proposed development of Frank Simoni.
Public hearing held March 2nd re: Abraham Shagoury and development of Sunnyside Road. Plans approved.
The Planning Board recommended to the Finance Commission that the ex- penditure of $2,000 for a water main on 6th Street between Gay and Arnold Road was not in the best interests of the Town at this time. The reason being that the Planning Board did not have a plan before them.
Public hearing held April 6th re: John Rizzo and development of Ridgewood Drive, from Kenwood Drive northerly 900 feet including lots 64 to 78. Plans approved.
Public hearing held April 16th re: Vito Guisti and development of Arnold Road, Audubon Road and Sixth Street. Plans disapproved.
Public hearing held April 27th re: Michele Stivaletta and development of Earle Street Extension by Tamworth Construction Co. Plans disapproved. (Plans
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
were submitted to Board for signature again on October 13, 1953 under the pro- visions of Chapter 41. On advice of Town Counsel plans were signed by the Board with the notation that "Approval under sub-division control law does not apply").
Public hearing held May 11th re: Frank Simoni and development of Westview Drive. Plans approved.
The Planning Board recommended to the Board of Selectmen and the General Manager that in connection with the water distribution problem, consideration be given to the acquisition of Willett Pond and Ellis Pond as possible sources of water.
The Planning Board agreed to cooperate with the General Manager and the Board of Selectmen in drawing up a list of proposed sreets on which sidewalks were needed under the new plan of expending more money per year for this purpose. Accordingly, a list of streets and their priority were forwarded to the Selectmen.
Public hearing held June Ist regarding the request for a zoning change from Single Residence-2 to Business on Walpole Street and Wilson Street. After con- sidering the matter the Board voted to make a favorable recommendation for the change in zoning at this location. This recommendation was upheld at the Town Meeting of July 13, 1953.
Public hearing held June 15th regarding the request for a zoning change from Manufacturing to General Residence on Laurel Road and Holly Drive. After con- sidering the matter the Board voted to make a favorable recommendation for the change in zoning at this location. This recommendation was upheld at the Town Meeting of July 13, 1953.
The Planning Board recommended to the Board of Selectmen that considera- tion be given to installing an elevated water tank in the vicinity of Rock Hill to help balance the present water system and a study be made along these lines; also, that an additional study be made for another storage tank in the vicinity of Neponset Street Plains as a secondary location.
Public hearing held July 27th re: Abraham Shagoury and development of Pellana Road. Plans approved.
The l'lanning Board attended meeting with the Board of Selectmen, Building Inspector and General Manager on July 14th in reference to formal complaint filed with the Board of Selectmen by the Planning Board concerning possible violations of the Building Code in houses constructed by the Tamworth Con- struction Co. on Cameron Road.
George J. Devlin appointed to fill vacancy created by the death of Rosewell A. Norton. Mr. Devlin's appointment to expire at the end of the year.
Public hearing held September 14th regarding amending existing zoning by- laws Section 13. Proposed amendment as follows:
Section 13 be amended by the addition of the following: " ... pro- viding that the aggregate floor area for any residential building intended for three (3) family units or more shall not exceed thirty per cent (30%) of the lot area." Action postponed.
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board held joint meeting with the Dump Committee on Septem- ber 17th to discuss possible dump locations.
The Planning Board attended meeting with the Board of Selectmen September 22nd regarding possible violations of the Building Code in houses constructed by the Tamworth Construction Co. on Cameron Road.
The Planning Board met with the Recreation Advisory Committee, General Manager, Town Engineer and Richard E. Ready to discuss the advisability of installing a swimming pool at the Father McAleer Playground. Meeting held as a result of a petition received by the Planning Board.
Public hearing held October 19th re: Mr. John Lanzoni and development of Redwood Drive and Jacobsen Drive by the Bornwood Land Co. Plans approved for Jacobsen Drive.
Public hearing held October 19th re: James V. Flaherty and development of Jaybarry Lane. Plans approved.
Public hearing held November 2nd regarding the request for a zoning change from Manufacturing to General Residence on Hill Street. After considering the matter the Board voted to make a favorable recommendation for the change in zoning at this location. This recommendation was upheld at the Town Meeting of November 23, 1953.
The Planning Board met with Mr. Charles Downe, Department of Commerce, for explanation and discussion of the new regulations as set forth in the recently adopted Chapter 41 as amended.
Public hearing held November 18th regarding the request for a zoning change from General Residence to Manufacturing on Nahatan Street. After considering the inatter the Board voted to make a favorable recommendation for the change in zoning at this location. This recommendation was upheld at the Town Meeting of November 23, 1953.
Public hearing held November 30th regarding request for a zoning change from THA to THB of land located on the Boston-Providence Highway, northerly of Sumner Street. After considering the matter the Board voted to make a favorable recommendation for the change in zoning at this location. This recommendation will be brought before the next special town meeting for action.
The Planning Board met with the Committee of Nine to study and discuss the area for a school site in the Westover Properties on December 21st.
Public hearing held December 28th re: Mr. Abraham Shagoury and develop- ment of Kathleen Lane and Geraldine Drive. Plans approved.
During the year the Board conducted 48 meetings and spent a total of 192 hours at said meetings. Thirty field projects were covered and a total of 68 hours spent on said projects.
The following is a resume of the Board of Survey activities for the year 1953
Layouts Submitted and Received
Plot Plan Total Lots 20 537 109
Approved
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Under Study 385
Disapproved 43
Total
537 Lots
We wish to extend our thanks to all the town officials and departments who have cooperated with us during the past year and to the community for their sus- tained interest and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. DRUMMEY, Chairman ALBERT P. NELSON, Secretary JOHN E. BAMBER ROBERT F. GALLIVAN GEORGE J. DEVLIN
Town Planning Board
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Mr. John B. Kennedy General Manager Town of Norwood Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The Board of Health submits the following report for the year 1953:
At the organizational meeting of the Board of Health held on February 12, 1953 Mr. John P. Dixon was elected to serve as Chairman for the year. Mr. James F. Foley and Mr. John J Bayer continued to serve as members of the Board of Health. Regular Board of Health meetings were held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, special meetings being called if necessary.
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