USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1954-1956 > Part 62
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I am recommending that in the next five years all of this old or inadequate equipment be replaced with modern and efficient appartus. The type of
199
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
apparatus that is designed from front to rear. from wheels to ladders, and from motor to auxiliary equipment to fight fires. We then will have depend- able fire trucks.
The goal of your fire chief is to equip this department with three 1000 gallon pumping engines. Norwood has operated with two 750 gallon pumping engines for the last 30 years and the growth of our town warrants 1 additional engine company to be added to the department.
I would replace the present Engine #3, built on an International chassis, with a modern rescue and disaster truck, equipped with a 500 gallon pump and large water tank.
This truck, by its very nature, design and construction could be assigned for emergency duty of all kinds.
It would be invaluable in affording maximum protection against disaster on our busy streets should any of the many gasoline transport trucks become involved in an accident which would cause fire and explosion on our streets. Such an accident could spray death and destruction along 2 or 3 blocks of Washington Street, before our present facilities could successfully cope with this ever existing danger.
It would be used in conjunction with our local airport which is expanding at a very rapid pace. Large planes. landing and taking off present a very serious problem to the fire department when it master plans Norwood's protection.
I submit this problem for your most serious consideration.
It is possible to use 1 small 500 gallon pumper on a commercial chassis for brush or grass fires.
I further suggest to the Honorable Board of Selectmen that Norwood should consider the purchase of a second aerial ladder. An aerial ladder is the truck most used in rescue operation, and in a town where we are con- cerned with simultaneous alarms, the danger of one ladder truck being tied up at a fire prohibits the possibility of dispatching it to a second fire. I am aware that this equipment is expensive but I am also aware that when the need for it is at hand, none would hesitate to expend the funds.
This program for the modernization of equipment for the Norwood Fire Department can be realized also over a five-year plan as follows:
1957 - Replacement of present Engine #1, a Maxim 750 gallon pumping engine, with a new 1000 gallon pumping engine and also, the purchase of a rescue and disaster wagon to replace the present Engine #4.
1958 - A new 1000 gallon pumping engine.
1960 - The purchase of an additional ladder truck.
Recommendation C - Housing :
The problem of housing our personnel and equipment in adequate quar- ters presents two possibilities:
1. The construction of a new four or five door station, more centrally located which would provide proper facilities for officers and men, and much needed
200
TOWN OF NORWOOD
space for our apparatus. It would provide a fire station built to mcet present day requirements.
2. The town could spend considerable money repairing and modernizing the present fire station and, then be faced with the construction of a second fire station, smaller in design than what is recommended in item 1 to be located perhaps in the South Norwood section of the town. The demand would most certainly be forthcoming from other sections for other stations, and it is possible that 3 or 4 stations might easily be in operation 10 years from now if this alternative is adopted. I submit that the present station was built and occupied in 1907, when Norwood had a population of six or seven thousand, its equipment was horse drawn and personnel all volunteers.
The only extensive expenditure made on this building was the instal- lation of a cement floor some few years ago. Certainly, a building this old could not be considered adequate for our needs today, and any effort to make it so, would be costly and results questionable.
As Chief of your fire department, I am prepared to recommend the construction of a new 5 door station, to be erected on the Southwest corner of the civic property at Washington and E. Hoyle Streets, and when it is ready for occupancy, the present fire station to be abandoned for fire depart- ment purposes.
I know of no community our size operating with a single fire station. In fact, if this recommendation is adopted we would probably be the only town in the country, of comparable size without 2 or 3 fire stations. My approach will undoubtedly be criticized in the light of this situation. How- ever, I make this recommendation for two reasons.
1. Economy - It is far less expensive to operate a single, yet large unit when it would be to operate 2 or more units. Maintenance and operational costs would be less, personnel would not have to be spread thin or divided into six groups, rather than the three which we now have and would be continued in larger quarters.
Under the plan of 2 or more stations, the present fire station would be used after considerable expense of modernization, but we can never get away from the fact that this is essentially an old structure and will be costly to operate and maintain.
2. Area of the Town - Norwood is 10 or 11 square miles, and because of the relatively small area, a large single fire station is possible for the town.
If centrally located, response to the borders of our town would mean approximately 2 miles of travel in all directions. This is not uncommon in planning fire department coverage.
The construction of the new fire department headquarters should bc undertaken not later than 1957 and should be a part of the capital outlay program of the town for that year.
Gentlemen, may I point out that the fire department has not kept pace with the growth of our town, and I trust this program will not be stalled'
NORWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT-1956
201
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
on the planning boards until disaster strikes, and public demands the action recommended herein. Such a condition existed in a town not too many miles from here, not too long ago. When six children lost their lives in a series of fires, the town began its improvement of the department. Let us not be shortsighted when considering human life. The time is none too soon to institute this program for the rebuilding and modernization of your fire department.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY J. BUTLER Chief of Department
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The Norwood Board of Public Welfare submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
On May 1, 1956 the Selectmen appointed the following persons to serve as the Board of Public Welfare for a term of one year-Martin J. Foley, Richard G. Nead and Ernest G. Paciorkowski.
At a regular meeting of the Welfare Board Mr. Richard G. Nead was elected Chairman.
A monthly summary of the number of active Aid to Dependent Children, Disability Assistance and General Relief cases, and showing the total number of people aided, follows this report.
Employment conditions throughout the year were such that there was no large influx of new cases added to the Welfare rolls. Cases which were added involving an employable person were the result of sickness, accident, and in some instances domestic difficulties.
The number of Aid to Dependent Children cases dropped off a little during the year, and it is felt that a minimum has been reached.
There is an increasing tendency for people to move to suburban areas, and Norwood will receive its share of indigent persons due to this population trend.
Disability Assistance cases remained on a fairly constant level during the first eleven months of 1956. However, due to chapter (53 of the 1956 Acts and Resolves certain recipients of Disability Assistance became eligible for Old Age Assistance.
Those eligible cases were transferred during the month of November 1956 to the Old Age Assistance Category.
The Aid to Dependent Children and Disability Assistance categories are participants in the Federal Social Security Program. As such the Town receives cash grants-in-aid from the Federal Government as part payment of these categories.
202
1956 PUBLIC WELFARE CASE LOAD
Month
Aid to Dependent Children
Disability Assistance
General Relief
Boarding
Institu- tional
Hospital
Total
Total
Cases
Cases
Cases
Cases
Cases
Cases
Cases
People
January
14
25
33
6
3
0
81
137
February
14
25
30
6
3
0
78
128
March
13
25
27
5
3
0
73
116
April
15
25
27
5
3
0
75
124
May
16
23
26
4
3
0
72
119
June
15
23
27
4
3
0
72
120
July
15
24
25
5
3
0
72
103
August
15
24
26
4
3
00 0 0
72
120
September
13
24
25
4
2
68
109
October
12
24
26
4
2
0
68
109
November
12
14
17
4
2
0
49
89
December
12
11
18
3
2
0
46
86
TOWN OF NORWOOD
203
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH
The Federal Government also shares in the Administrative Expenses of the Welfare Department and allows cash grants-in-aid on a percentage basis.
The Commonwealth of Mass. via the State Department of Public Welfare shares in the cost of the Aid to Dependent Children and Disability Assistance categories. These funds are paid to the Town Treasurer and are available for the future use of the Town.
The Medical Care Plan as set up by the State Department of Public Wel- fare in July 1954 continues in effect. There has been no improvement in the services rendered because of the plan and consistent appeals to the State Department of Public Welfare for modification in order to adjust the plan to the problem existing in the Town, have been to no avail.
The cost of Medical Care in all categories continues to be a major item in the care of Public Assistance recipients.
The Town Clerk and Accountant's report shows in detail the receipts and expenditures of the Welfare Department.
The members of the Board of Public Welfare take this opportunity to thank all Town Departments and Officials for their co-operation during the year.
Respectfully Submitted :
RICHARD G. NEAD ERNEST G. PACIORKOWSKI MARTIN J. FOLEY
REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The Norwood Bureau of Old Age Assistance submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
Listed below is the number of active Old Age Assistance cases as of the first of each month. Each case represents one person :
January
172
July 163
February
171
August 160
March
164
September 160
April
166
October
159
May
165
November 178
June
164
December 181
The average monthly case load from January 1, 1956 to October 31, 1956 was 164.2.
204
TOWN OF NORWOOD
The rise in the number of active Old Age Assistance cases during Nov- ember and December is due for the most part to Chapter 653 of the 1956 Acts and Resolves that amended the Old Age Assistance Law to allow certain aliens to become eligible for this type of Public Assistance commencing as of November 7, 1956.
This amendment made a group of persons receiving General Relief and Disability Assistance eligible for Old Age Assistance.
These cases were transferred to the Old Age Assistance category during November 1956. *
Commencing as of July 1, 1956 the Cost of Living budget adjustment was increased from 14.2% to 20%. This was an added cost that was not anticipated when the 1956 budget was made up.
The State Department of Public Welfare Medical Plan has not been revised and the local Bureau has been unable, up to the present time, to make desired changes so that local Old Age recipients receive Medical Care in the local hospital.
Regular cash grants-in-aid are received from the Federal Government for use in the Old Age Assistance Category.
Quarterly grants-in-aid for Administrative purposes are received from the Federal Government by the Town.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the State Department of Public Welfare pay to the Town Treasurer a portion of the total cost of Old Age Assistance. These funds are available for appropriation by the Town.
The Town Clerk and Accountant's report shows the detail of the receipts and expenditures with respect to the Old Age Assistance category.
The Bureau of Old Age Assistance thanks all persons, organizations and Town Officials for the co-operation given during the past year.
Respectfully Submitted
RICHARD G. NEAD ERNEST G. PACIORKOWSKI MARTIN J. FOLEY
* With the growth of population in Norwood it is believed there will be a gradual rise in the number of active Old Age Assistance cases during the next few years.
205
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Mr. John B. Kennedy General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Kennedy:
It is my happy privilege to submit to you my eighth annual report of the activities of the Recreation Department, the twelfth such report sub- mitted since the Department lias been in existence on a full time basis.
1956 was another very successful year in every respect in the Recreation Department with the many programs and activities of the Department en- joying record numbers of participants. The general increase in numbers in the youth and older age groups has been reflected in an increase in partici- pants in activities planned and conducted for both groups. We have con- tinued to strive to offer interesting and worthwhile activities for these and all other groups in Norwood.
We have set down below a brief description of the various programs and activities sponsored by the Recreation Department. Along with this we have set down recommendations for improvements and changes in programs and facilities which we have found to be indicated, based on our experiences over the past year.
Summer Playgrounds
With ideal weather conditions and no polio epidemic such as we experi- enced in 1955, our Playground program enjoyed one of its most successful seasons to date. During the entire nine week season, Playgrounds were forced to cancel activities on only three days because of inclement weather, with the result that all Playgrounds and all activities had capacity attendance through- out the season.
Playgrounds operated from Monday June 25 through Thursday August 23 for a total of nine weeks. They were opened daily Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Playgrounds were run at the six School Department areas-Callahan, Shattuck, High School, Winslow, Balch, and Cedarcrest. They were also run at the Recreation Department areas-Endean, Wilson Street, Father Mc- Aleer's, Cleveland Park (Bond Street), Pleasant Park, and the Recreation Center. Cedarcrest and Cleveland Park had only a female Playround Leader, the Recreation Center only a male leader, with all other areas having both a male and female Playground Leader to supervise the activities of the children.
Overall attendance figures for the Playgrounds show a substantial in- crease over 1955 and as a matter of fact are in the highest group for the period since we have been keeping such records. Favorable weather, lack of health conditions such as the polio epidemic of 1955, interesting programs, and excellent leadership accounted for the most part for the fine attendance.
A one day Playground Leadership Institute was held the Friday prior to the opening of Playgrounds for the purpose of familiarizing personnel
206
TOWN OF NORWOOD
with their duties and giving them helpful training in their functions as Playground Leaders. Included in the subjects presented at the Institute were: Playground Management, First Aid, Arts and Crafts, Games Leader- ship, Sports and Athletics, and other valuable subjects. Assisting our own staff in the conduct of the Institute were members of the staff of Community Recreation Service of Boston and Mr. Joseph McAuliffe of the Norwood Fire Department.
Further training and orientation was provided staff personnel through weekly staff meetings held at the Recreation Center on Tuesday afternoons at the close of Playground for the day. Discussion was held at these meetings of various phases of the playground program and from the meetings came many worthwhile suggestions, comments, and criticisms.
As we have indicated many times in the past, the key to a successful Recreation program is able leadership. It in fact constitutes as much as ninety percent of the program. We are happy to say that during the past season we had a most able, willing, and cooperative staff. The overall success of the Playground program is due largely to the enthusiasm and interest which the staff showed toward their work with the children on Playground.
During 1956 we reorganized our supervisory staff somewhat. All sports and athletics were under the supervision of a Supervisor of Sports. Mr. John J. Doyle handled this assignment most satisfactorily, carrying out the job of keeping the various girls' and boys' leagues and other activities running smoothly in an excellent manner. Miss Jean Charron handled the position of Supervisor of Arts and Crafts extremely well in the first year that we have had a person assigned to this position exclusively in many years. We found that this new supervisory set-up enabled us to do a much more thorough job in every way throughout the season.
The Crafts Supervisor visited each Playground once a week during the season. There was a weekly project planned, the Supervisor providing basic instruction in the project, thereby enabling the youngsters at the Playground to continue work on the project even after the Supervisor left to move on to another location. Many useful and attractive articles were made by the children during the year. The individual Playground Leaders were enthusiastic in the approval of this new approach to the Crafts program.
A complete program of sports and games was conducted for both boys and girls, this phase of the Playground program being under the immediate supervision of the Supervisor of Sports and Athletics. Leagues were con- ducted for Intermediates and Midgets in both baseball for the boys and softball for the girls. In addition, an informal league was conducted for Pee Wees in baseball. In all, better than two hundred twenty five games were played as part of the sports program. Besides baseball and softball, the children took part in volleyball, horseshoes, and many other games of interest to the different age groups attending Playground.
Several Playground-wide events were sponsored during the course of the season with each being received with a great deal of success. Examples of these activities are the Horseshoe Tournament, the Playground Swimming Meet, the Boys' Field Day. the Leaders versus Intermediates Baseball Game, Pet Shows, Doll Shows, Talent Shows, and many such interesting activities.
207
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Norwood Playgrounds were the guest of the Boston Red Sox for their game on August 9 with Baltimore. The largest crowd of children to attend in eight years made this trip in ten busses-upwards of four hundred fifty children. During the final week of Playground, more than three hundred fifty children attended the all-day outing conducted at Nantasket Beach. Another special event of great interest to the younger children in particular was the visit to the Recreation Center Field by the Boston Children's Theatre Stagemobile for the presentation of two performances, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Hundreds of children from all playgrounds attended the two performances.
A complete program of Tennis Supervision and Instruction was offered at the Recreation Center courts, with Mrs. Sally Peter again doing an out- standing job in her capacity as Supervisor of Tennis. Persons of all ages availed themselves of the opportunity for instruction in the fundamentals of Tennis. The Department provided rackets and balls for those not having them, thereby making the game available to that many more individuals. Weather-wise it was an excellent year for tennis, and the large number in attendance each day at the courts attested to the popularity of the program again this year.
The following suggestions and recommendations are presented as a result of the observations, comments, and criticisms of the Playground Leaders, the Playground Supervisors, and of the Recreation Superintendent.
1. That we continue to add to the amount of playground equipment such as swings, slides, etc., now on hand at the various playgrounds. With Norwood's growth leading to increased attendance at our playgrounds, it is imperative that we keep pace by providing adequate facilities at the playground locations. Further specific recommendations for next year.
2. That a Male Playground Leader be assigned to Cedarcrest Playground.
3. That sand boxes be installed where not now located, these being particularly good for small children.
4. That volleyball poles be put up at certain locations in order that nets may be strung.
5. That work be continued to improve Pleasant Park in the area beyond the fence around the ball field and that shade trees be planted there.
6. That facilities be developed and supervision provided for children in the Ellis Gardens area.
7. That work be started without delay on Father McAleer Playground so as to have it ready for the 1957 season.
Junior Twilight Baseball Laegue
There were six teams in the Junior Twilight Baseball League during the 1956 season. This league is conducted for boys up through the age of 18. Games were played at three different Recreation Department Fields on two nights of the week, with all equipment and personnel (umpires) pro- vided by the Recreation Department. A total of sixty games were played during the season with more than one hundred boys taking part.
208
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Recreation Softball League
The Superintendent of Recreation again served as Softball Commissioner for the Norwood area for the Amateur Softball Association of America. There were nine teams in the league in 1956 with better than one hundred fifty men availing themselves of the opportunity for physical exercise. Games were played four nights of the week at two different locations, with specta- tors taking in the games at the two fields. Organization and general super- vision was provided by the Recreation Department, with the individual teams providing for equipment and umpiring personnel through an entry fee.
Swimming Program
Hawes Brook Pool opened for general public swimming on Monday, June 25th and remained open through Wednesday, September 5th. The same factors that contributed to high attendance in the Playground program also led to a good year attendance-wise at the Pool, with no drop off in attendance at the end of the season as we have experienced in recent years. We point once again to another year without a serious accident of any sort at the Pool, a record due in large part to the conscientious way in which the staff of Lifeguards carried out their duties. Their job is a most responsible and at times a most tedious one, and they are to be complimented for the fine way in which they conducted themselves at all times.
Working in cooperation with the Water Safety Division of the American Red Cross, of which the Superintendent is the local Chairman, in excess of one thousand boys and girls were registered through the local schools for swimming classes. From July 2nd through August 24th, classes were con- ducted mornings at the Pool with members of the Lifeguard staff serving as Instructors. Red Cross and Recreation Department certificates were awarded to two hundred and twelve youngsters who successfully completed their courses, a figure regarded as being outstanding. Of this total, approximately one hundred seventy five were beginners who could not swim at all at the start of the course.
Our accomplishments in this area are due in large measure to the contribution of the Norwood Women's Community Committee in continuing to make two scholarships available for members of the Lifeguard staff to attend Red Cross Aquatic School at the start of the season. Of our staff of five Lifeguards, four had had the training at Aquatic School through the efforts of the Women's Community Committee. We are deeply grateful for the continued support by this group of our Swimming program.
As we have done several times in the past, we wish to recommend instal- lation of equipment at the Pool needed to bring it up to standard. This involves adequate toilet, locker, and water purification and recirculation facilities. In order to be guaranteed a safe and clean Pool, these facilities are essential.
Golden Age Club
One of the most popular and best attended programs of the Department has continued to be the Golden Age Club. This is a group organized for men over age 65, intended to provide leisure time activities. Begun in 1953 with only ten members, the Club now boasts a membership of more than one-
209
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
hundred. Monthly meetings are held with interesting programs arranged for the meetings. Trips to sporting events, points of interest around Boston, and other such special events are also arranged. Assisting us in carrying out the program have been the Norwood Lions Club which has most gener- ously provided bus transportation on the occasion of trips, and the Norwood American Legion Post #70 which has permitted use of their quarters at the Recreation Center as a Lounge for the Club members. The members have use of the Lounge four afternoons of the week for card playing, checkers, TV, and such other activities. Norwood was one of the first communities in the state to organize a Golden Age Club and has seen it grow most success- fully.
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