USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1954-1956 > Part 17
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The Committee is still actively engaged in negotiations with various plants, but at the present time a full report cannot be made.
Sub-committee activity at present includes a committee of three investigating the possibilities of an Industrial School in this area. Another committee of three is studying and will report on the possible usage of the land along US Route 1 from Access Road to Ellis Water Station.
The Sub-committee of Facts and Statistics have prepared and printed a revised brochure regarding the statistics of Norwood.
For the year 1954 the sum of $500 was appropriated for use of the committee. Of this amount only $142.04 was expended, and the major portion of this was for stenographic services and the purchase of stationery. This committee operated at a minimum of expense to the taxpayers.
Special meeting held Monday, December 13, for the express purpose of obtain- ing an expression from the General Committee in connection with the establish- ment of Dog Racing in Norwood. It was unanimously voted that the Board of Selectmen be advised by letter that the committee was opposed to the location of a Dog Track in Norwood.
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COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
The Lions Club of Norwood feted the Committee on Industrial Development on October 27, 1954 at which time Chairman Rich accepted on behalf of the com- mittee a plaque.
At a Town Meeting on Sept. 27, 1954 it was voted to accept the provisions of Chapter 297 of the Acts of 1954, "An Act Authorizing Cities and Towns to Estab- lish Commissions to Promote Business and Industry". The provisions of this Act authorizes the Town Manager to appoint a Commission not to exceed fifteen (15) members. Accordingly, on November 26, 1954, the following named persons were appointed by the Manager to serve as indicated:
Charles L. Rich
3 Years
Harry F. Howard
1 Year
John R. Russell
5 Years
James J. Callahan
3 Years
Foster Babcock
1 Year
James O. Connolly
2 Years
William J. Dalton
4 Years
William Hyland
5 Years
John W. Murphy
4 Years
Robert F. Gallivan
2 Years
James J. Drummey
5 Years
In connection with the reorganization of the Committee it was voted at a meet- ing held December 8, 1954, that the existing organization be continued for the duration of the normal business year, which is April 1955.
The Committee's 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 appreciated. The Com- mittee 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.
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 1954:
At the organizational meeting held on Feb. 11, 1954 Mr. John J. Bayer was elected to serve as Chairman for the year. Mr. James F. Foley and Dr. Roy T.
224
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Lydon served as members of the Board of Health. Regular Board of Health meet- ings were held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, special meet- ings being called if necessary.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. BAYER, Chairman JAMES F. FOLEY ROY T. LYDON, M.D. Board of Health, Town of Norwood
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
Board of Health Town of Norwood Norwood, Massachusetts Attn: Nora P. Hayes, Clerk
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Milk Inspector for 1954.
Licenses
Licenses for the sale of milk and cream were issued to milk dealers, stores and restaurants.
Licenses for the manufacture of ice cream and frozen desserts were issued.
Permits for the sale of oleomargarine were issued.
Licenses for establishments to pasteurize milk were issued after inspection to ascertain that the plants were being operated according to the rules and regu- lations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Laboratory
Samples of milk and cream were taken at random from milk dealers and stores. The following tests were made on these samples in the Board of Health Laboratory.
1. Standard plate count for number of bacteria per cubic centimeter.
2. Total solids determination.
3. Phosphatase test for pasteurization.
4. Babcock test for per-cent of butterfat.
5. E. Coli test for fecal contamination.
6. Babcock test for completeness of homogenization.
In 1954 six hundred and fifty-six (656) laboratory tests were made on one hundred and thirty-eight (138) samples of milk and cream.
The results of this intensive laboratory work indicated that the quality of milk and cream sold in Norwood is satisfactory and as high or higher than the requirements set by Mass. State Law.
Board of Health-Bartley J. King, Agent, Roy T. Lydon, M.D., John J. Boyer, Chairman, James F. Foley.
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Hurricanes
Hurricanes "Carol" and "Edna" caused serious power failures at all pas- teurizing and milk plants in Norwood. Power was restored to all milk plants as fast as was humanly possible. There was much inconvenience but through the co-operative efforts of the owners and workers in the various dairies all the milk that was produced during the emergency was pasteurized and bottled. Some milk for out-of-town dairies was also pasteurized in Norwood during the time power was out following the hurricanes.
Very truly yours, LEONARD E. CURRAN Inspector of Milk
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
The following is the report of the Plumbing Inspector, Harry A. Shannon, for the year 1954:
January
17 permits
July
35 permits
February
17 permits
August
43 permits
March
37 permits
September 32 permits
April
38 permits
October
63 permits
May
30 permits
November
62 permits
June
14 permits
December
43 permits
Total number of permits issued during 1954
431
REPORT OF HEALTH AGENT
The following is the report of the Health Agent, Bartley J. King:
Recent major revisions of the Planning and Subdivision legislation has placed greater responsibility upon the Board of Health. Much of our time and considerable effort has been devoted to subdivision control. Consultations were held and advice given to many developers in regard to the sanitary problems in their particular subdivisions.
The Board approved the plans for twenty-five (25) new subdivisions in the past year.
The Norwood Board of Health admitted 10 cases of Pulmonary tuberculosis to the various approved county and municipal hospitals in Massachusetts. Several cases were discharged as inactive after only a short period of hospital- ization, but for a great number of the patients a longer period of treatment was necessary.
The Town of Norwood was chosen as one of the communities in Massachu- setts to participate in the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis Salk Polio Field Trials in 1954. The Norwood Board of Health voted to participate in the
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
program and with the co-operation of the Norwood Public and Parochial School officials, members of the various community organizations, the medical and nur- sing profession in Norwood we were able to successfully carry out our part of the program. Seven hundred and ninety-three (793) children received the in- jections in Norwood during the trial period.
Dr. Hugo B. Riemer who served the Town of Norwood as Eye Clinic Physician for a good many years passed away on July 10, 1954. Dr. Riemer, a highly esteemed member of the medical profession will be greatly missed by all who he faithfully administered to during his many years in the service of the Town of Norwood.
The Board of Health appointed Dr. William F. Ryan to the position of Director of the Board of Health Eye Clinic left vacant by the death of Dr. Hugo B. Riemer.
The Board of Health entered into an agreement with the Nisby Brothers of Abington, Mass. for the removal of garbage from the Town of Norwood for a three-year period beginning January 1, 1955 and ending December 31, 1957. The contract calls for a payment of $25,500.00 per year. Nisby Brothers have held the garbage contract with the Town of Norwood since 1952.
The meetings of the Board of Health have been changed to the second and fourth Friday of each month in the Board of Health office in the Municipal Building.
Sanitary inspections were made in all food handling establishments through- out the year.
Respectfully submitted, BARTLEY J. KING
REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES
The following is the report of the Public Health Nurses for the year 1954:
During the year 1954 the Visiting Nurses averaged 400 calls and forty-one office calls per month. These calls which include treatments, medications, bedside care, administration of hypodermics and post-natal care are made only on doctor's requests.
We have added a new call on our books which consists of visiting all new mothers of first babies and answering any questions or settling any difficulties which might arise after they once arrive home. These calls have been appreciated and worthwhile.
We have had eight admissions to Norfolk County Hospital this year and these families and contacts have been followed up for examinations and x-rays. There were six discharges from Norfolk County Hospital which were referred to us for follow-up work.
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
During the months of May and June we assisted the doctors in the POLIO FIELD TRIALS at the scheduled schools.
There were only two Polio cases in Norwood this year and both were the non-paralytic type. These cases have been followed up with blood tests which were sent to the Forest Hills Laboratory.
Mrs. Mary Connolly, R.N., resigned as Public Health Nurse in June and Mrs. Marion O'Neil was appointed to a permanent position.
Mrs. Norma Herig joined us and is replacing Mary McKeown, who has been granted a military leave of absence.
In Room 8 of the Municipal Building we have office hours every afternoon Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 o'clock for the patients who find it more convenient to come to the office.
We wish to thank the members of the Board of Health and the other mem- bers of the Health Department who have co-operated with us during this year.
Respectfully submitted,
MARION O'NEIL, R.N. NORMA C. HERIG, R.N.
REPORT OF ST. CATHERINE'S SCHOOL NURSE
It is my privilege to present my third annual report explaining my program at St. Catherine's School.
School Physician
Dr. Thomas H. O'Toole visited the school twice each week and examined the children recommended plus routine work. This year he examined three hundred children physically and the following defects were noted:
Throats
35
Heart
10
Speech
54
Diphtheria Control
Dr. Thomas H. O'Toole conducted the shick tests and administered the neces- sary toxoid to positive reactors.
Schick tested
198
Positive Reactors 31
Toxoid Infections 31
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Communicable Disease
The following rules regarding the exclusion of children are still in effect. Children will be excluded from school for these reasons:
Temperature under 97 degrees or over 99 degrees.
Skin eruptions until diagnosed.
Evidence of reddened or sore throat.
Vomiting.
Returning to school without a certificate from the doctor after having had a communicable disease.
The following is a list of reported cases of contagious diseases this year:
Scarlet fever 0 Infantile Paralysis 0
Pertussis 3 Measles 2
Chicken Pox 110
Mumps 183
Rheumatic Fever
0
German Measles 0
We wish to thank the parents for their fine co-operation in the matter of com- municable disease control.
Audiometer Tests
The children from the first to the eight grades had their hearing tested this year.
Number tested 850
Number failed
16
Recommended for Lip Reading 3
Attending Lip Reading class
2
Number seen by physician
7
Number treated by physician
3
The Eye Clinic Physician ande the Public School Nurse conducted the Eye Clinic each week at the Norwood Junior High School. Usually we are allowed five appointments each week.
All of the children at St. Catherine's School received the Massachusetts Vision Test this year. This test is divided into three parts: Part I is the test for acuity (clearness of vision); Part II for far-sightedness; and Part III for muscular control. Any child failing this test is recommended for examination by an eye doctor.
Number given Vision test 850
Number failing 80
Number needing new glasses 25
Number wearing glasses 61
Number to report next year
10
Dental Clinic
The Dental Clinic is held each week at the Junior High School. In September Dr. T. J. Curtin, assisted by Mrs. Curran examined the teeth of all the children in school. Clinic permission slips were sent to all the parents of children needing
229
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
care. We send twenty children each week to the Dental Clinic. All dental work was completed on defective teeth this year.
Number going to school clinic 129
Number going to family dentist 118
Weighing and Measuring
All children are weighed and measured three times a year and a record is kept of all gains and losses.
Speech Correction
Pupils recommended by the classroom teacher as needing corrective speech vork are taken by Mrs. Rose Nicholson in individual or group instruction classes, depending on the degree of defect.
Mrs. Nicholson is a graduate of the Rooney School of Expression and has taken advanced courses under Dr. Pronovost of Boston University. She devotes five hours a week to group work and five hours a week to individual work. Special cases now receiving assistance are:
Articulatory disorders
24
Lispers
26
Cleft Palate 2
Hard of hearing 3
Stuttering
3
Respectfully submitted,
PATRICIA M. LANG, (R.N.)
Public Health Nurse
REPORT OF SCHOOL DENTIST
Board of Health
Norwood, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted the report of the School Dentist for the year ending December 31, 1954:
Public School
Number of children completed 449
Number of children not completed 6
Number of temporary fillings
976
Number of temporary extractions 222
Number of permanent fillings 544
Number of permanent extractions 14
Number of cleanings
377
Number of children examined 2917
Number of children O.K. at examination
1586
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Parochial School
Number of children completed
162
Number of children not completed 3
Number of temporary fillings 306
Number of temporary extractions 90
Number of permanent fillings 232
Number of permanent extractions
4
Number of cleanings
121
Number of children examined 750
Number of children O.K. at examination
391
Respectfully submitted,
T. J. CURTIN
School Dentist
REPORT OF CIVIL 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, 1954.
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 Officers: 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: Winslow F. May
Identification Officer: Thomas R. Bowler
Medical and Health Service: Charles A. Richardson
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: Maurice S. Baker Transportation Service: Milo R. Bacon
Utilities Service: Albert W. Thompson
Warden Service: Stephen C. Traudt Welfare Service: Leslie J. Latham
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REPORT OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE
On Saturday, April 24, 1954 Norwood as one of the 42 cities and towns com- prising Massachusetts Civil Defense Region 5, took part in a Public Participation Practice Alert. The Norwood Police and the 50 Civil Defense members maintained an excellent control of all pedestrian and motor traffic.
On Thursday, June 14, 1954 Norwood participated in the first continental Civil Defense exercise. Again Civil Defense members: auxiliary police, radio opera- tors, air observers (in airplanes furnished by Wiggins Airways) and photographers performed all practice functions with major success.
During the hurricane Edna, September 11, 1954, members of the Civil De- fense Staff and Auxiliary Police were activated to supplement, in traffic control, the regular police.
The Civil Defense organization in Norwood exists by virtue of the Civil De- fense Act, Chapter 639, Acts of 1950, Massachusetts law. This act authorizes and directs the town to establish an organization in accordance with the state civil de- fense plan and program which means "the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than the functions for which military 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, sabo- tage, 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 fore- going fire fighting and police services, medical and health services, rescue, engineer- ing, and air-raid warning services, evacuation of persons from stricken areas, emergency welfare services, communications, radiological, chemical and other special weapons of defense, emergency transportation, existing or properly assigned func- tions of plant protection, temporary restoration of public utility services and other funtions."
The Civil Defense Director wishes here to thank all the members, heads of the Specialized Groups and the General Staff for the generous donations of their efforts and their time. And, also, for himself and all other Civil Defense members, wishes to thank the Selectmen, the General Manager, the Town Clerk and Ac- countant, the Treasurer, the Engineer, the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, the Ad- ministrator of the Welfare Department and their staffs, and indeed all others, in- cluding of course, the townspeople at large for their generous cooperation and support.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE T. MAHONEY Director
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Mr. John B. Kennedy General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as Town Engineer for the year 1954. .
The amount of work required from the Engineering Department continues to increase each year and with the various housing deelopments along with the other work it is almost impossible to get out all the work on time. All departments and various boards require engineering work or advice and these requests are so numer- ous and varied that it is impossible to list them all. A brief review of the more important requests and work done are listed as follows:
Sewer Construction and Drain Construction
Plans, budget estimates, contract documents, lines, grades and supervision dur- ing construction were furnished for the following jobs:
Nahatan Street, Sewer Fr. McAleer Playground, Drain
Birch Road, Drain
Winter St., Sewer
Union St., & Washington st., Drain
Rock Street, Sewer
Walpole Street, Sewer
Washington Street, Drain
Winter Street, Sewer
Approval of plans and inspections for sewers, water mains and drains installed by Developers on the following:
Westview Drive, Jacobsen Drive, Pellana Road, Ridgewood Drive, Juniper Drive, Azalea Drive, Hillside Avenue Extension, Forrest Avenue, Meadow Road, Norton Drive, Allandale Parkway, Sixth Street, Arnold Road, Audu- bon Road, Geraldine Drive, Bird Road, Industrial Way, Mckinley Road, Lane Drive, Bruce Road, Fulton Street Extension and Redwood Drive.
Plans and Orders of Takings for the following streets accepted in 1954:
Brierwood Lane Hickory Road Longwood Terrace
Rosemary St. Extension Spruce Road Westview Drive
Morrill Road
Miscellaneous Work
1. Plans and descriptions for the following zoning changes:
Neponset St., east side, Meadow St. to Neponset River
Neponset St., west side, Prescott Rd. to Neponset River
2. Plans of proposed school site Walpole Street to Nichols Street.
3. Locating and posting tree removal notices.
4. House locations, measurements and calculations on 439 buildings for the As- sessors.
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REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
5. Plotting 1954 land transfers on Assessors Plans.
6. Plans and descriptions for tax sales.
7. Plans and staking out new burial section at Cemetery.
8. Plotting 1954 burials on individual lot plans.
9. Estimating sewer and water connections to new houses.
10. Pole locations on various streets.
11. Installing master meter for checking water complaints.
12. Various reports for state agencies and attendance at appropriation meetings.
Various water reports and investigations for various agencies.
13. 14. Conferences and plans relative to Norwood Airport.
16. Investigations and reports on various drainage conditions.
Gas main locations on various streets.
17. Attendance at Selectmen's meetings, Planning Board meetings, and Board of Health meetings for advice on Engineering problems.
18.
19. Plotting water, sewer and drainage extensions on record plans.
Various plans for location of new traffic signals.
20. Investigation for emergency water supply.
21. Bird Road agreement and reports.
22. Dean St. Chapter 90 project plans.
23. Plan and description of sewer easements.
24. Conferences, estimates for utilities to Mason, Neilan Co.
25. Sewer Assessment plans, cost calculation and committments on the following streets:
Pleasant Place
Pleasant Street
Neponset Street
Prospect Street
Talbot Avenue
Cambridge Road
Oxford Road
Rock Street
Walpole Street
Franklin Street
Tamworth Road
Belnap Road
Cranmore Road
Prescott Road
Edgehill Road
Lancaster Lane
Windsor Road
Dean Street
Neponset Street
Richland Road
Total sewer assessments committed $41,801.94
26. Parking study plans and estimates:
Talbot Property
Washington Street
Central St. opposite Post Office Guild School Lot
27. Planning Board-90 various reports on estimates of costs, progress reports on various streets in new developments, recommendations on the various develop- ments, new street extensions and zoning changes.
We still have our personnel problem as qualified engineers are reluctant to enter municipal service when there are better opportunities with increased salaries outside of municipal employment.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT W. THOMPSON
Town Engineer
15.
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REPORT OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMISSION
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The Finance Commission was organized for the year 1954 as follows:
James J. Hawley, Chaiman Andrew M. Monahan, Member Ambrose J. Kelly, Clerk
Mr. Kelly resigned as of June 8, 1954 and Mr. Frank E. Mauritz was elected August 18, 1954 to fill Mr. Kelly's unexpired term.
On January 1, 1954 the debt of the Town of Norwood was $138,000.00 with maturities in 1954 of $43,000.00
The sum of $385,000.00 was borrowed during the year for the following pur- poses:
Light Construction
$175,000.00
(Authorized in 1953)
School Construction
110,000.00
Sewer Construction
15,000.00
Water Construction 45,000.00
Light Construction
40,000.00
The Special Town Meeting of November 9, 1954 authorized the borrowing of $83,000 for Sewer Construction.
In addition to the above the Special Town Meeting of June 30, 1954 authorized the Board of Selectmen to make application on behalf of the town for membership in the Metropolitan Water District, and to enter into and execute on behalf of the town an agreement with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, said agreement to provide for the payment by the town of not more than $1,000,000.00 as its portion of the cost of constructing the water main, extending from the present distribution system to the Norwood-Westwood town line.
After examining the request for appropriations submitted by various depart- ments the Commission met with Department Heads and Committees charged with the disbursement of appropriations and discussed in detail the basis for such re- quests.
On completion of the work of the Commission a public hearing was held prior to the Adjourned Town Meeting.
The sum of $35,000.00 was appropriated for the Reserve Fund and transfers were made as follows:
Police Department New Equipment $ 1,000.00
Public Welfare Administration Personal Services
90.00
Expense of Officials Out-of-State
100.00
General Government Incidentals
600.00
Police Department Incidentals
1,100.00
Printing Annual Town Report
82.18
Election & Registration Incidentals
1,000.00
Finance Commission-James J. Hawley, Chairman; Bartley W. Connolly; Frank E. Mauritz, Member; Andrew M. Monahan, Member.
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMISSION
235
Police Department Salaries Special
400.00
Callahan School Addition
10,000.00
Interest
47.50
Police Salaries Special
1,000.00
Maintenance of Municipal Building Incidentals
250.00
Town Clerk & Accountant Personal Services
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