USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1957-1959 > Part 20
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It was necessary to restrict the use of water for a period to essentials and the press and public was very cooperative. Thus we were able to meet the demand without placing rigid restrictions on the use of water. The demand exceeded all previous records.
Additional facilities for the storage of water together with larger primary water mains will allow us to take more of our water from the M.D.C. and reduce pumping from local supplies.
Forestry
All elm trees were sprayed with a 12% solution of D.D.T. and later all trees were sprayed with a 6% solution of D.D.T.
The Joseph Hart Company of Randolph, Mass. was given several contracts to remove dead trees around the Town.
Some trimming and removal of smaller trees was done by men in the Public Works Department.
Rubbish Collection
The Rubbish Collection throughout the Town has grown to such pro- portions that during the second and third weeks of each month a second truck had to be put on to keep up with the collections and finish the districts on time.
A second rubbish truck was purchased and placed in service January 1, 1958 in order to keep up with the collections.
The collection schedule was revised and a new rubbish schedule was mailed to all homes in Norwood.
Restrictions were placed on the use of oil drums and the people were requested to use containers holding not more than 100 1bs. per container.
Parks and Playgrounds
All the parks, playgrounds and baseball diamonds were cleared and rolled in the Spring and the grass was mowed during the grass growing season.
All the playground equipment was inspected, repaired, painted and erected at the different playgrounds.
New playground equipment such as swings, picnic tables and slides that were purchased by the Recreation Dept. were also erected at the different playgrounds.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
The Civic Tennis Courts were graded as usual and the Allen Road Play- ground Little League field was re-loamed and re-seeded.
The softball diamond at Wilson Street was converted to a Pony League diamond and players' benches and bench protectors were built.
The parking area at Endean Swimming Pool was graded and oiled.
Also a new 1" water line was constructed into the Field House at Endean Swimming Pool Grounds.
The Endean Pool was repaired and repainted before the opening of the pool in June.
MISCELLANEOUS WORK
Light Department
The public works force cared for the lawns and shrubbery at both the main and sub-station grounds. Also performed the necessary trench excava- tion for the Municipal Light Department.
Cemetery Department
The public works department supervised the activities of Highland Cemetery for several months following the resignation of the Superintendent.
Public Works personnel augmented the cemetery force frequently during the past year whenever help was required.
Other Departments
Automotive maintenance, gasoline, building and grounds maintenance was rendered to the many municipal departments upon call.
Senior High School
The Senior High School baseball diamond was regraded as well as part of the football field.
The track was graded with new cinders.
Balch School
The new parking area was white lined for 24 car spaces and an exit was made to Washington Street by removing curbing and old sidewalk. The setting of curb blocks and pouring of a new concrete driveway opening was accomplished.
Peabody School
The parking area was white lined to make several spaces for car parking.
Maintenance & Control of Traffic
Traffic lines, crosswalks, center lines were painted by the Public Works Department men this year.
A number of "Go Children Slow" signs were erected in different sections of the Town.
Additional "No Parking" signs were erected on different streets together with "Stop" signs as designated by the Police Department.
237
REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Snow Removal
The past year was a normal year for snow removal. Considerable sanding and salting of streets and sidewalks was done.
Obvious improvements needed in the Public Works Department are (1) an office building; (2) a storage shed; (3) additional garages; (4) a fenced yard; (5) immediate replacement of obsolete equipment supplemented by modern machinery to replace hand labor; and (6) to employ more equipment operators.
We have annually requested proper housing to no avail. We are decentral- ized and could operate at considerable less effort and cost if attention was given to our housing needs.
It is also an established fact that the addition of sufficient chauffeurs could improve not only services but allow the department to do more of its own work thereby saving the tax dollar.
In conclusion, we wish to thank the various department heads and other town officials for their cooperation during the year and to express my sincere appreciation to all for a job well done.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT E. CASEY Supt. of Public Works
IN RETIREMENT
Henry Bergeron started work for the Town in the Public Works De- partment on April 1, 1926 and worked as a Roller man and then as a Pump- ing Station Operator until March 12, 1957 when he retired.
IN RETIREMENT
John J. Flaherty started work for the Town in the Public Works De- partment in July of 1921 and worked as a Laborer and Pipe Layer in the Water Department until he retired on February 1, 1957.
IN RETIREMENT
Patrick J. Devine started work for the Town in the Public Works De- partment on July 1, 1946 and worked as a Pumping Station Operator until he severed his connections on April 4, 1957 to go back to sea in the tanker service.
IN MEMORIAM
Timothy O'Donnell came to work in the Public Works Department as a Laborer June 1, 1932.
He retired March 1, 1954 due to ill health and died April 22, 1957.
The Town of Norwood extends this expression of gratitude for his faith- ful service and accords its appreciation and its expression of condolence in his departure.
238
TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health submits the following report for 1957.
Mr. John P. Dixon was elected to serve as Chairman on February 8, 1957. Mr. James F. Foley and Dr. Roy T. Lydon also served as members of the Board. Regular Board of Health meetings were held on the second and fourth Fridays of each month. Special meetings were called at other times when necessary.
The Board of Health successfully completed all Salk Vaccine Clinics for school and pre-school children in Norwood in the Spring of 1957.
The Board has distributed 28, 449. c.c. of Salk Vaccine in clinics and to the medical profession for innoculating people under twenty years of age and pregnant women against poliomyelitis.
The Norfolk County Hospital has discontinued the yearly chest x-raying of High School seniors on the advice of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
This year all second and eleventh grade students in the public and parochial schools in Norwood were tuberculin tested for the presence of Tuberculous infection in place of the usual chest x-ray. Two cases of active tuberculosis were found as a result of the study in Norwood.
12 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were admitted to the Norfolk County Hospital and other institutions by the Board during the year.
Monthly chest clinics were conducted on the third Wednesday of each month in the health unit at the Municipal Building.
The Eye Clinic under the supervision of Dr. William R. Ryan is held weekly in the Norwood Junior High School.
Dr. Timothy J. Curtin conducted the Dental Clinic located in the Junior High School Building.
The biologic Distribution Center in the Municipal Building maintained an adequate supply of biologics for protective innoculation or treatment against contagious disease.
Regulations for septic tanks and use of public sewers were approved by the Board of Health.
Ninety (90) lots in six subdivisions were examined and approved by the Board of Health in 1957.
The Board of Health must approve the sanitary water supply, sewage disposal and drainage in a subdivision before the lots can be released for building purposes.
The public sewer, water and drainage facilities were extended to all new developments again last year to continue the policy of the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Board of Health that public facilities must be provided before a sub-division can be approved.
239
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health conducted sanitary surveys of ponds and streams within the Town to prevent polution or contamination of the streams.
The Board of Health held a public hearing on March 20, 1957 on the request of the Board of Selectmen for permission to use the public garden area of Highland Cemetery for burial purposes.
The area was approved for burial purposes by the Board of Health.
The Board of Health recommended to the Board of Selectmen that the area be reserved as a Bronze Memorial Park Section of the Highland Ceme- tery, where headstones can not be erected.
The Board of Health further recommended that cement vaults be man- datory for all internments and that a hedgerow of arborvitae be planted along the Winter Street side of the Public Garden Area.
The Board of Health passed a regulation requiring the installation of an electric garbage disposal in all newly constructed or altered buildings within the Town where food may be prepared or stored.
The Board signed a new contract for the collection of garbage in Nor- wood with the South Shore Disposal Inc. of Abington, Mass. The contract expires on December 30, 1960.
Respectfully submitted,
B. J. KING, Health Agent
BOARD OF HEALTH NURSES REPORT FOR 1957
During the past year, the staff of three registered nurses carried out various services under the direction of the physicians in Norwood and sur- rounding towns. We also had referrals from Boston physicians, clinics and the Veterans Hospital.
Total Number of Calls Made In 1957
4077 VISITS 3197 VISITS Nursing care and treatment, including hypodermic injec- tions, to sick patients.
650 VISITS
Surgical dressings.
140 VISITS Guidance to mothers in care of themselves and their new baby.
15 VISITS Made to homes of premature babies, prior to baby's dis- charge to help the mother in preparing for its home com- ing. A report is returned to the Maternity Department at the Norwood Hospital.
215 VISITS Ambulatory patients come to our office for treatment.
103 VISITS Medication and health guidance to tuberculosis patients.
2 patients: Report to State Dept. on instructions on Para-typhoid.
240
TOWN OF NORWOOD
A clinic was held in November for the administration of the Asian Influ- enza vaccine for the Town Employees. One hundred and twenty (120) people took advantage of this clinic.
The Chest X-Ray Clinic is held every third Wednesday of the month from 1:30 to 4:00 P.M. in the Municipal Building. It is conducted under the direction of Dr. N. R. Pillsbury and his staff. Dr. Jenkins is our presiding physician, who examines all patients at the clinic. Mr. Thomas Turner is our capable x-ray technician.
This Clinic is a consultant clinic for all chest cases referred by the family physician. All tuberculosis patients and their contacts are examined and x-rayed periodically. Children under twenty-one are given tuberculin skin tests and x-rayed if the reaction is positive.
246 patients attended the clinic this past year.
Our services are available to anyone in Norwood who needs care in the home. Referrals are made through the family physician. A small feee is charged. Some visits to eligible recipients are paid by agencies such as the Blue Cross-(prolonged illness) Veterans Administration and Cancer Society.
Board of Health Nurses Report for 1957
We have office visits Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 o'clock P.M. at the Municipal Building for ambulatory patients.
A nurse is always available Saturday P.M. to Sundays, also Holidays from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. for emergency calls.
Respectfully submitted,
MARION O'NEIL, R.N.
REPORT OF ST. CATHERINE'S SCHOOL NURSE
The annual report of the School Health program of St. Catherine's School is herewith submitted:
Dr. Thomas H. O'Toole, the school physician, made weekly visits to the school in addition to the examination of children recommended for physical examination. The parents are notified of any physical defects found at the time of the examination and in many cases remedial work was done. Diph- theria immunization is administered to children in the first grades who desire to be immunized.
Vision Test
All children in the school were screened for visual defects with the Massachusetts Vision Test.
1066 Children were tested 19 Children failed the test 17 Children were seen by an Eye specialist.
241
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Audiometer Test
All children in the school were screened for hearing defects with the Maico Prnetone Audiometer.
1062 Children were tested 33 Children failed the final individual test.
28 Children were seen by an Otologist. There are two (2) children attending the Lip Reading Class twice a week.
Dental Clinic
In September, all the school children were examined by Dr. T. J. Curtin and Mrs. Margaret Curran. Parents are notified of work to be done at this time and the children have the opportunity to attend the school clinic or have the necessary work done by their own dentist. The Dental Clinic is held each week at the Norwood Junior High School.
This year, a program of dental hygiene was conducted by the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. The program included the children in Grades 3-7 inclusive in an attempt to reduce dental decay. It was very gratifying to see that parents realize the necessity of good dental care as seen by the tremendous response to this program.
Communicable Diseases
During the school year of 1956-1957 the following number of children were excluded because of contagious diseases.
Mumps
9 Scarletina 1
Chicken Pox 3 Scarlet Fever 1
German Measles 1
Mrs. Rose Nicholson conducts classes for children needing help with speech difficulties. It is amazing the number of children entering the first grades that require corrective work done.
Weighing and measuring is done twice a year unless otherwise indicated.
I wish at this time to thank all those who have aided me in my work as School Nurse at St. Catherine's School.
ANNA T. TOBIN, R.N. St. Catherines School Nurse
MILK INSPECTOR
Following is the report of the milk inspector for 1957:
Licenses were issued for the manufacture of frozen desserts and ice cream mix.
Licenses were issued to maintain establishments for the pasteurization of milk.
Permits were issued for the sale of oleomargarine.
242
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Licenses were issued for the sale of milk and cream.
Nine hundred and forty-four (944) tests were made on two hundred four (204) samples of milk and cream in 1957. The testing was done in the Norwood Board of Health Laboratory. The results of this intensive laboratory testing indicated that the quality of milk and cream sold in Norwood is highly satisfactory.
Several requests were received in 1957 for detained appraisals of parti- cular brands of milk. It is difficult to appraise all of the brands of milk sold in Norwood with the limited amount of laboratory work done. Our testing is intensive enough but our sampling should be more extensive.
Very truly yours, LEONARD E. CURRAN Milk Inspector
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
The following is the report of the Plumbing Inspector for the year 1957:
January
10 permits
July 33 permits
February
30 permits
August
29 permits
March
17 permits
September 20 permits
April
25 permits
October
28 permits
May
29 permits
November 20 permits
June
71 permits
December
14 permits
HARRY A. SHANNON Plumbing Inspector
SCHOOL DENTIST
Herewith is submitted the report of the School Dentist for the year ending December 31, 1957:
Public School
Number of children completed
489
Number of children not completed
1
Number of temporary fillings
808
Number of temporary extractions
184
Number of permanent fillings 696
Number of permanent extractions
9
Number of cleanings 461
Number of children examined
3650
Number of children O.K. at examination
1840
Parochial School
Number of children completed
127
Number of children not completed
0
Number of temporary fillings
224
243
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Number of temporary extractions
69
Number of permanent fillings 146
Number of permanent extractions 3
Number of cleanings 119
Number of children examined
1046
Number of children O.K. at examination
554
Respectfully submitted,
T. J. CURTIN School Dentist
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Submitted herewith is the report of the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project of its activities in the Town of Norwood for the year ending December 31, 1957.
Aerial Spraying
1,000 Acres
Ground Spraying
822 Acres
Pre-hatch Dusting
25 Acres
Drainage
9,591 Feet
Brush Clearing
6,405 Feet
Culverts Cleaned
5 Culverts
Catch Basins Treated
651 Catch Basins
The basis for control of relief from any condition which is detrimental to the welfare of a community rests in the knowledge of its existence. It therefore follows that the first requisite for the prevention or control of communicable disease is that the local Health authorities should early learn of the existence of each and every case of communicable disease occurring within the limits of the town.
When a report is made to the local health authorities of the existence of communicable disease the obligation passes in part from the individual to the community and the case becomes a community problem, subject to the regulations of the Board of Health. For the protecting of the public, the Board of Health requests the co-operation of all citizens in the prevention of the spread of disease.
Norwood Board of Health JAMES F. FOLEY R. T. LYDON, M.D. JOHN P. DIXON, Chairman
244
TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEAL
Board of Selectmen Norwood, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The following hearings were heard by the Board of Appeal during the year 1957:
February 25-Kenneth Gemelli-52 Juniper Drive
Variance granted for the construction of a breezeway and garage on property located at 52 Juniper Drive, said garage and breezeway to be built up to a point of five feet (5') from boundary line between properties.
February 25-Alexander Piantadosi- 213 Edenfield Road, Watertown, Mass.
Variance granted on zoning restrictions of Section 18, Sub-section 22 on premises located on Lots 47, 48, 49 and 50 Manchester Road, Norwood, Mass. Minimum frontage to be measured along line which marks the minimum re- quired front set-back of thirty feet (30') for the dwellings on said lots, is waived, provided however, that said lots shall have a minimum street frontage of one hundred twenty-five feet (125') a minimum area of 15,000 sq. feet, and a minimum front set-back of thirty feet (30')
February 25-Joseph K. Dolaher-298 Nahatan Street
Variance granted to convey lot of land measuring less than 6,000 square feet (6,000 sq. ft.) located on Curran Avenue in Norwood .
March 25-John A. Foley-28 Geraldine Drive
Variance granted to erect a breezeway and garage up to a point of twenty-seven feet (27') from line of proposed street on northern boundary of property.
March 25-John Costello-42 Highview Street
Variance granted to erect dwelling on Lot 19, 96 Maple Street, setting said dwelling forty-two feet (42') back from Maple Street and eleven feet (11') at nearest point to the boundary line.
May 20-John J. Misiewicz-478 Pleasant Street
Variance granted of Section 10, Paragraph B to erect a breezeway and garage on property located at 478 Pleasant Street, said breezeway and garage to be built up to a point of seven feet (7') from boundary line between properties.
May 27-John O'Connor-124 Azalea Drive
Variance granted for the construction of a porch at 124 Azalea Drive, said porch to be constructed up to a point of five feet (5') from property line of abutter, 131 Azalea Drive.
May 27-John R. Powers-284 Prospect Street
Variance granted for construction of a garage to be added to present structure up to a point of thirty four inches (34") from property line of abutter at 278 Prospect Street.
245
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEAL
May 27-Andrew M. Monahan-66 Hoyle Street
Variance granted to allow subdivision of lot of land located at 66 Hoyle Street according to plot plan filed with the Board of Appeal.
June 24-J. Leo and Irene M. Kelley-96 Winter Street
Variance granted to allow conveyance of a parcel of land measuring 880 square feet, or 11'x80', said land being located on Winter Street in Norwood.
June 24-Russell R. Logan-129 Pellana Road
Variance granted to allow the construction of a breezeway and garage to be added to present dwelling located at 129 Pellana Road, up to a point of five feet (5') from boundary line of abutter, 137 Pellana Road.
July 29-Abraham Shagoury-209 Winter Street
Variance granted for the excavation and removal of gravel from pre- mises on Nichols Street, Norwood, such excavation not to be below the level of Nichols Street, subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
1. Petitioner will be allowed to remove gravel on a month to month basis beginning at 8:00 a.m. on September 17, 1957. The permit will re- new automatically each month unless revoked by this Board; over a period not to exceed 24 months unless extended by it. This Board re- serves the right to revoke and terminate the permit on 24 hours written notice to the petitioner.
2. Work shall not start prior to 8:00 a.m., and must not continue after 5:00 p.m.
3. No trucks shall pass Norwood High School on Nichols Street before 8:20 a.m. or between 2:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. on days when the Nor- wood High School is in session.
4. All truck loads of gravel taken from the premises in excess of eight (8) per day must leave by way of Wilson Street to Route 1A.
5. No loam may be removed from the premises but must be stored and distributed over the same upon completion of the work.
6. Upon completion, the petitioner must restore the terrain to a 3% grade northerly from Nichols Street.
7. Time referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 above, shall be construed as meaning Eastern Daylight Saving Time or Eastern Standard Time, whichever is in effect in Massachusetts during the life of this permit.
August 26-John J. Burke-241 Pleasant Street, Norwood, Mass.
Variance granted to erect a dwelling on Lot 13A, 81 Sixth Street, Norwood, up to a point of eleven feet, five inches (11'5") of rear boundary instead of the required fifteen feet (15').
September 3-Leah C. O'Leary-269 Walpole Street
Variance requested for the conduct of a restaurant or tea-room on premises located at 269 Walpole Street, Norwood, Mass. After consulting with Town Counsel, it was ruled that this Board had no jurisdiction in the matter.
246
TOWN OF NORWOOD
September 9-Ann G. Flaherty et al-6 Summit Avenue, Norwood
Variance granted to allow subdivision of land measuring 17,670 sq. ft. into two (2) parcels containing 9636 sq. ft. and 8034 sq. ft. respectively. Also, per- mission granted to convey said two lots containing the dwellings thereon.
September 16-John J. Martin, Jr .- 161 Azalea Drive, Norwood
Variance granted to allow the erection of a garage on property located at 16 Azalea Drive, said garage to be built up to a point of six feet (6') from the property line.
October 14-First Congregational Church in Norwood-Walpole Street
Variance granted to allow the construction of a new building in the place of the present Pingree Hall located on the grounds of the First Con- gregational Church in Norwood. The new structure to extend to a point no closer to the property line of Mary F. Feeney than the present building, no nearer than 4' to the line of John J. and Eleanor D. Kenney's property, and up to the property line of land owned by the Town of Norwood, and occupied by the Morrill Memorial Library.
October 14-Philip Cushing-293 Lenox Street, Norwood, Mass.
Variance granted for the construction of two apartment houses to be located at 5 Chapel Street, Norwood, on the corner of Washington Street. One structure is to be built up to a point of twenty feet (20') from the prop- erty of Esther L. O'Connell and Maurice F. Maher, 9 Chapel Street, and fifteen feet (15') from the property line of William and Victoria Grinkevitch, 11 Chapel Street. The other structure is to be built twenty feet (20') from the property of Valentine and Jean R. Balutis, 955 Washington Street, Nor- wood, Mass.
October 28-John Santoro-960 Boston Providence Turnpike
Variance granted to allow the building presently occupied by the Emerson Rug Co. and located at 960 Boston Providence Turnpike to remain on its present site, set-back 48' 8" from Route 1 instead of the required 50' setback.
November 18-Mrs. Dorothy B. Compton-29 Dover Terrace, Westwood
Variance granted to maintain a glass and metal porch of a temporary nature located on property at 858 Boston Providence Turnpike up to a point of 48' 2" from the boundary line of Route 1 instead of the required 50'.
October 21-Andrew B. and Ida M. Boch-859 Boston Prov. Turnpike.
Variance granted to allow present structure located at 859 Boston Provi- dence Turnpike to remain up to a point forty-five feet (45') from present Route 1 line, instead of the required fifty feet (50').
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