USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1954-1956 > Part 39
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On Sunday, July 24, 1955, the Water Main on Pleasant Street from the Neponset River to Water Street was cleaned. The work started at 5:00 A.M. and was finished at 4:00 P.M.
FORESTRY
In the early Spring the State sprayed the entire area from the air by helicopter with a DDT solution for control of the Gypsy Moth.
During 1955, the Joseph Hart Company of Randolph, Massachusetts removed many dead Elm trees on different streets in all sections of the Town and also trimmed a number of other trees around Town.
In addition to the work, tree men from the Public Works Department trimmed trees when it was necessary.
RUBBISH COLLECTION
We are still having trouble with people overloading large metal oil drums, as well as having garbage thrown in with the rubbish.
The different districts are fast growing. In 1948 the rubbish crew covered the Town by working three (3) days in the first three weeks of the month. To-day the same crew work three (3) full weeks or longer to get around the Town once. Shortly with the growth of the Town, the one collection will take the entire month.
179
REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
SNOW REMOVAL
The year 1955 was a light year on Snow Removal, but sonsiderable salting and sanding of the streets was done.
Twelve hundred (1200) Tons of sand and salt to the amount of one hundred (120) Tons were used.
Coasting signs were maintained on the streets designated for sliding by our Board of Selectmen.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
All the Parks, Playgrounds and Baseball Diamonds were cleaned and rolled and prepared in the Spring and mowed during the grass growing season.
All shrubbery in the Parks and Playgrounds were trimmed and shaped also.
All the Playground Equipment was inspected and repaired and erected at the different playgrounds.
New picnic tables were erected at the various locations as well as new swings, sandboxes and slides.
The Allen Road Playground was graded with loom and seeded, the base lines marked out and the infield put in shape for the Little League games.
The Civic Tennis Courts were graded as usual.
MISCELLANEOUS WORKS
Light Department
A trench for an underground conduit was dug and backfilled on Nichols Street near Fisher Street.
Mowing of grass and cutting of the hedge at the Light Station grounds was also done.
Senior High School
Both the Baseball Diamond and the Football Field were graded with loam, fertilized and seeded.
A two (2) inch water line was installed at the Senior High Field so that both the Baseball Diamond and Football Field be watered when needed.
Additional radiators were added and piping was done in the corridors to the Peabody School to give more heat in that area.
Drains both inside and outside of the school were cleaned.
Callahan School
A Shuffleboard Court was laid out and painted in the rear of the school.
Shattuck School
All the old wire fence at the rear and side of the School grounds was removed and seven (7) trees were cut down in order that a new high wire fence could be erected.
Cemetery
All the avenues were patched and a few avenues and walks were capped with hot-top.
180
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Winter Street Dump
A new road was built from the end of the Cemetery wall to the top of the Dump.
All the rubbish was covered with gravel hauled from the Town Pit.
The road was oiled and sanded and now all rubbish is dumped in one locality and a Bulldozer is used about twice a month to level off the top of the Dump.
MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL OF TRAFFIC
Traffic lines were painted on Washington Street from Granite Street to Guild Square by the White Traffic Line Company of Boston.
The work consisted of painting parallel parking lines on both sides of Wash- ington Street, as well as two (2) northerly and two (2) southerly lane lines from Howard Street to Guild Square.
Center dividing lines were run on Walpole Street from Guild Square to Winter Street. Washington Street from Railroad Avenue to Granite Street, Washı- ington Street from Guild Street to Central Street and Guild Street from Wash- ington Street 200' east.
"Go Children Slow" signs were erected at locations selected by the Police De- partment.
A center line was painted at the corner of Washington Street and Chapel Street.
AUGUST FLOOD
During the month of August, Norwood experienced a bad flood and the Nepon- set River overflowed its banks. The homes in the Dean Street, Pellana Road, Rich- land Road sections of Norwood had flooded cellars. The Public Works Department was called on to pump out these cellars and all pumps owned by the Department were put to use. Contractors who had pumps were hired to assist in this work.
It was necessary to block off Neponset Street going to Canton as the Neponset River had covered Neponset Street at the Norwood-Canton line.
Considerable damage was done to streets due to washouts by the heavy rain.
The Forrest Construction Company was hired to replace the side of Washing- ton Street at the foot of Hill Street, rebuild the Drain Manhole and erect the fence along the side.alk at this area.
Willow Street was washed out and it had to be recapped from Lenox Street to Pleasant Street.
The Main Drain Line from the New Haven Railroad tracks to the intersection of Willow Street had to be recovered with several hundred yards of gravel.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation for the co-operation given me by the personnel of the Department and all officials and personnel of other depart- ments of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT E. CASEY
Supt. of Public Works
181
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
Board of Health Town of Norwood Norwood, Massachusetts
Att: Nora P. Hayes:
Following is the report of the Inspector of Milk for 1955:
Licenses were issued for the sale of milk and cream.
Licenses were issued for the sale of oleomargarine.
Licenses were issued for the manufacture of ice cream and frozen desserts.
Licenses were issued to pasteurizing plants.
Six hundred and thirty six (636) laboratory tests were made on one hundred thirty-four (134) samples of milk and cream. The results of the laboratory work indicated that the quality of milk and cream sold in Norwood in 1955 was good and in many cases outstanding.
It was necessary to investigate several reports that dairy products of unsatis- factory quality were being offered for sale in Norwood. It was found in each instance that reports were without factual foundation. It is regrettable that such reports are circulated.
Very truly yours, LEONARD E. CURRAN
Inspector of Milk
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
The following is the list of Plumbing Permits issued during the year 1955:
January
51
July 52
February
52
August
42
March
56
September 83
April
45
October
52
May
54
November
38
June
44
December
30
HARRY A. SHANNON Plumbing Inspector
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, 1955:
182
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Public School
Number of children completed
403
Number of children not completed 4
Number of temporary fillings 959
Number of temporary extractions 214
Number of permanent fillings 503
Number of permanent extractions 29
Number of cleanings 386
Number of children examined
3145
Number of children O.K. at examination
1613
Parochial School
Number of children completed
168
Number of children not completed 2
Number of temporary fillings 294
Number of temporary extractions
86
Number of permanent fillings
222
Number of permanent extractions
1
Number of cleanings
131
Number of children examined 882
Number of children O.K. at examination
404
Respectfully submitted
TIMOTHY J. CURTIN
School Dentist
REPORT OF ST. CATHERINE'S SCHOOL NURSE
It is my privilege to present my fourth annual report explaining my program at St. Catherine's School.
School Physician
Dr. Thomas H. O'Toole visited the school for two days each week and examined the children recommended for examination plus routine work. This year he examined 500 children physically and the following defects were noted.
Heart
7
Throats
31
Feet
2
Lungs
0
Speech 60
Twenty-five children had their tonsils removed since school started in the Fall and many have appointments to have them removed during summer vacation.
Diphtheria Control
Boosters
187
Triple toxoid
20
183
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Communicable Disease
The following rules regarding the exclusion of children are still in effect. Children will be excluded from school for the following reasons:
Temperature - under 97 or over 99
Skin Eruptions - until diagnosed and a certaification by a physi- cian that it is not contagious.
Evidence of sore throat
Vomiting
Returning to school after having had a communicable disease, without a doctor's certificate.
The following is a list of reported cases of contagious diseases for this year:
Scarlet Fever 0 Infantile Paralysis 0
Pertussis 0 Measles 220
Chicken Pox 70
Mumps 0
Rheumatic Fever
1
German Measles 5
We wish to thank the parents for their fine co-operation in the matter of communicable disease control.
Audiometer Tests
The children from the first to the eighth grades had their hearing tested with the audiometer this year.
Number tested 978
Number failed 21
Attending classes
2
Number seen by physician
17
Number treated by physician
6
Eye Clinic
Dr. William Ryan and the public school nurse conduct the Eye Clinic each week at the Norwood Junior High School. Usually we are allowed three appoint- ments each week. All the children at St. Catherine's received the Massachusetts Vision Test this year. Any child failing this test is recommended for examination by an eye doctor.
Number given M.V.T. 925
Number Failing 114
Number needing new glasses 20
Number wearing glasses
86
Dental Clinic
The Dental Clinic is held each week at the Norwood Junior High School. In September Dr. T. J. Curtin, assisted by Mrs. Curran examined the teeth of all of the children in school. Permission slips were sent to parents of all children need- ing care. We send eighteen children each week. All dental work was completed in defective teeth this year.
Number examined
882
Number O.K. 404
Number to School Dentist
184
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Weighing and Measuring
Pupils recommended by their teachers as needing corrective speech work 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 requiring assistance are:
Articulatory disorders
Delayed speech Cleft Palate Hard of hearing Stuttering
Polio Program
Number of children in Field Trials in 1954 to receive inert material 152 Number of children in Field Trials in 1954 to receive vaccine 154
Number to receive first shot 1955 216
Number to receive second shot 1955 138
Number to receive booster 127
I am very grateful to all who gave me assistance in my work during this school year.
Respectfully submitted
PATRICIA M. LANG, R.N.
REPORT OF HEALTH AGENT
Biologic Distribution Station
The Norwood Board of Health established a Biologic Distribution Station in the Board of Health Office in the Municipal Building on July 1, 1955.
The Office Hours are from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Monday through Fri- day. Any physician in need of biologics on Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays or at any hour when the Station is not open will be admitted to the center by contacting the officer on desk duty at the Norwood Police Station.
Chest X-Ray Clinic
The Board of Health made arrangements with the trustees of the Norfolk County Hospital, So. Braintree, to conduct a chest X-Ray clinic on the third Wednesday of each month in the Norwood Municipal Building.
The first Clinic was held on September 21, 1955. The facilities of the Clinic are made available to all residents who are over fifteen years of age. Any child under fifteen will be X-Rayed if he has been exposed or has been recommended to the Clinic by the family physician.
The Clinic is being conducted under the direction of Nahum R. Pillsbury, M.D. Superintendent of the Norfolk County Hospital and his staff. Each patient is
Board of Health and Nursing Staff-FRONT Row: Bartley J. King, Agent, Roy T. Lydon, M.D. Member, James F. Foley, Chairman, Anne S. Blume, R.N. SECOND Row: Marion O'Neil, R.N., Norma Herig, R.N., Anna Tobin, R.N., Public Health Nurses. MISSING: Nora P. Hayes, Clerk and Dr. James L. Monahan, DDS on Military Leave.
185
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
given a physicial examination, blood sedimentation and tuberculin test in addition to the X-Ray examination using 14" X 17" plates. There were one hundred and thirty nine (139) examinations made from September to December 1955.
Mobile Chest X-Ray Program
The Board of Health and the Norfolk County Tuberculosis and Health Associa- tion were co-sponsors in a food handlers and industrial chest X-Ray survey on September 20, 1955. A total of 522 persons were X-Rayed in a single day of which 253 were employed in various foodhandling capacities in Norwood.
Norfolk County Mosquito Control Committee
On September 21, 1955 the Norwood Board of Health sponsored a meeting of public officials interested in establishing effective mosquito control measures in Norfolk County.
At that time a Committee was appointed to prepare the necessary legislation for the establishment of the Norfolk County Mosquito Control District. The District shall include any city or town in Norfolk County not already a member of a regional mosquito control project.
The Committee prepared the necessary legislation and filed the bill with the Clerk of the House of Representatives on December 7, 1955. The Bill now known at House No. 336 bears the endorsement of the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Committee, the Norfolk County Selectmen's Association, the Norwood Board of Health, Representatives Francis A. Harding, Harold Putnam, Herbert B. Hollis, Charles F. Holman, William F. Nourse and Senator Leslie B. Cutler.
The Bill has an excellent chance of being passed by the State Legislature in the early part of 1956.
Salk Vaccine Program
The Board of Health with the co-operation of the Public and Parochial school authorities conducted clinics for the vaccination of children enrolled in grades one to four in all schools in Norwood. The clinics were held in May and 777 children received one injection, 408 children received two injections, and 390 children who were in the field trials of 1954 received a booster injection in 1955. A total of 1575 injections were given to participating students.
Polio
The Town of Norwood along with many other communities in Massachusetts experienced an increase in the incidence of Poliomyditis in 1955 - there were 28 cases in Norwood of which ten were paralytic and 18 were non-paralytic.
Gamma Globulin
In July 1955 the Board of Health received 13,000 c.c. of Gamma Globulin from the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, for distribution through the family physician to all contacts of Poliomyelitis and to pregnant women.
Subdivision Control
The Board of Health approved the plans for the sanitary water supply, sewage disposal and drainage for ten subdivisions wtih a total of 198 building lots for 1955.
186
TOWN OF NORWOOD
The Board of Health made periodic sanitary inspections of food establishments, nursing homes, funeral homes and other institutions throughout the year.
Dr. James Monahan Resigns
Major James L. Monahan a member of the Board of Health submitted his resignation to the Board, effective Oct. 17, 1955 due to recall to active military service.
Dr. Monahan, an oral surgeon, was elected to the Board of Health on Janu- ary 21, 1955.
Respectfully
BARTLEY J. KING
REPORT OF VISITING NURSES
The Visiting Nurses made the following visits during 1955:
Medical
3589
Surgical
643
Obstetric 139
Tuberculosis
90
Polio
51
Orthopedic
10
Office Calls
297
Total
4628
This past year we have added home visits to Mothers of premature babies. This visit is made before the baby comes home and its purpose is to instruct the mother and determine facilities for taking care of the baby.
During the summer plans were made to conduct a Tuberculosis Chest Clinic for Norwood and vicinity. The first clinic was held on September 21, 1955 and every third Wednesday thereafter of each month. This Clinic is for consultant purposes rather than diagnostic. Dr. Jenkins from Norfolk County Hospital examines the patients, does skin and blood tests on those people - when necessary. The Technican takes X-Rays of all patients and we have averaged from twenty- five (25) to forty (40) patients at each clinic.
We have had six new admissions and two discharges from the Norfolk County Hospital this past year.
This past summer we had twenty-eight cases of Polio in Norwood, ten of which were paralytic cases. All patients referred to us from the hospitals were visited and we supervised any exercises required.
NORWOOD BOARD OF HEALTH
JAMES F. FOLEY, Chm. ROY T. LYDON,M.D., Member
E
Finance Commission-LEFT TO RIGHT: Frank E. Mauritz, Andrew M. Monahan, Chairman, Frederick A. McDonough. STANDING: Bartley W. Connolly, Secretary.
187
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMISSION
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMISSION
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The Finance Commission was organized for the year 1955 as follows:
Andrew M. Monahan, Chairman Frank E. Mauritz Frederick A. McDonough
On January 1, 1955 the debt of the Town of Norwood was $480,000.00 with maturities in 1955 of $62,000.00.
The sum of $377,000.00 was borrowed during the year for the following pur- poses:
Light Construction
$129,000.00
Water Construction 165,000.00
Sewer Construction
83,000.00
(Authorized Nov. 9, 1954)
In addition to the above the town is obligated to pay to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the sum of not more than $1,000,000.00 as its share of the cost of constructing the water main from the present Metropolitan distribution system to the Norwood Westwood town line.
After examining the request for appropriations submitted by the various de- partments the Commission met with Department Heads and Committees charged with the disbursement of appropriations and discussed in detail the basis for such requests.
On completion of the work of the Commission a public hearing was held prior to the Adjourned Town Meeting.
The sum of $40,000.00 was appropriated for the Reserve Fund and transfers were made as follows:
Public Health Incidentals
$ 575.00
Fire Department Incidentals
2,700.00
Repairs and Improvement of Town Owned Real Estate
600.00
Highway Maintenance 200.00
Water Department Maintenance
5,000.00
General Government Incidentals
200.00
Public Health Incidentals
50.00
Parks Maintenance
1,750.00
Health Personal Services
1,000.00
Police Incidentals
200.00
Civil Defense
1,200.00
Pensions and Vacations
1,100.00
Garage Maintenance and Operation
2,000.00
Morrill Memorial Library Incidentals
100.00
Maintenance of Municipal Building
Boiler Replacement Account
5,000.00
Expense of Officials Out-of-State
200.00
Drains Construction - Upland Road to Clapboardtree Street to Everett Street
10,000.00
188
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Expense of Officials Out-of-State
117.60
Nichols Street Curbing
560.00
Settlement of Claims - Highway Maintenance
2,650.00
Public Welfare Incidentals
1,225.00
Public Health Personal Services
1,450.00
Maintenance of Municipal Building
Boiler Replacement Account
362.65
Town Clerk and Accountant Personal Services
302.56
Purchase of Electric Energy
441.53
Christmas Decorations 32.65
Schools Fuel
539.26
$39,556.25
The year of 1955 found the Town of Norwood in a difficult period. The fast- rising debt will surely reach $2,000,000.00 within the next two years and will greatly exceed that amount within five years. It is gratifying to note that this year found the cost of materials and the cost of living on a steady level, increasing but slightly. This appears to indicate a stabilization in the cost of the Town's opera- tion, except for any increased costs which will occur from the physical growth of the Town. It should be kept in mind that the healthy increase in valuations due to industrial and residential construction has in no way kept pace with the in- creasing cost of operating the town. The tax rate continues to increase at a steady rate to make up for the deficiency.
Except for needed capital improvements, the general operating budget should remain stable for a few years which is desirable during this period in which heavy debt is being assumed. We hope that all departments will cooperate in the effort to stabilize the budget.
Respectfully submitted,
ANDREW M. MONAHAN, Chairman FRANK E. MAURITZ FREDERICK A. McDONOUGH
Finance Commission
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, 1955.
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: John Dziubaniuk
Coordination: Dr. William F. Lovell
Education and Training Officer: John J. Corcoran
189
REPORT OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE
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
Civil Defense activities during the year, in addition to the regular weekly meetings of the Auxiliary Police and the Communications sections, were:
1. February 22 - Search for three lost boys - 22 men mobilized.
2. April 11-C.D. Radio Test Emergency Alert; 15 Communications men manned radio equipment 26 hours.
3. June 16-17 - International Civil Defense exercises "Alert"; 12 Communica- tions and Staff men.
4. August 12- 12 men alerted for hurricane "Connie", no action required.
5. August 18-19- 36 men, 3 women in action for hurricane "Diane".
During the year Norwood was represented at every State and Sector meeting by the Director, and/or John A. Russell, Dr. William F. Lovell, Winslow F. May, Robert A. Baxter, John Dziubaniuk.
The Civil Defense organization in Norwood exists by virtue of the Civil De- fense Act, Chapter 639, Acts of 1950, Masachusetts law. This act authorizes and directs the town to establish an organization in accordance with the state civil defense 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, sabotage, or other hostile action or by fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural causes; and functions shall include specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing fire fighting and police services, medical and health services, rescue, engineering, and air-raid warning services, evacuation of persons from stricken areas, emergency welfare services, communications, radiological, chemical and other special weapons or defense, emergency transportation existing or properly assigned functions of plant protection, temporary restoration of public utility services and other functions."
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.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE T. MAHONEY
190
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 1955.
As the Town continues to grow the work load on the Engineering Departinent continues to increase each year. The various housing developments require con- tinuous service of the Town Engineers in order to maintain some sort of control over their work. All departments and special boards require engineering work and advice and these requests are so numerous 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 and grades were furnished for the following jobs:
Sewer
West Border Road, Sewer 500' 10"
Dean Street, Sewer 398' 10"
Walpole Street, Field Line to Nichols Street 2100' 24" Dean Street, Sewer 592' 8"
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