USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1957-1959 > Part 69
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155
REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Listed in the table below is the monthly case count for 1959.
January
186
July
177
February
182
August
179
March
179
September
180
April
180
October
179
May
180
November
177
June
177
December
175
The average monthly active case count was 179.
There has been a small reduction in the average number of active Old Age Assistance cases during 1959.
The increased allowances being paid under the Social Security Program as of Jan. 1, 1959 had some bearing on the case load. This increase, also, is reflected in the amount of aid rendered and cases receiving Social Security Benefits.
Medical care in the Old Age Assistance group continues to be high with a considerable number of recipients needing hospitalization for varying periods.
Hospital rates paid by Welfare Departments were increased as of January 1, 1959. These rates are established by the State Commission on Administration and Finance.
As of January 1, 1959 the nursing home per diem rates were increased.
There was no increase in the cost of living adjustment percentage in the year 1959.
The Federal Government via the Social Security Administration renders cash grants to the Town to be used to help meet the direct cost of Old Age Assistance to recipients and also contributes towards the cost of administration.
The Town also receives funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts due to their participation in this program.
The annual report of the Town Clerk and Accountant shows the receipts and expenditures of Old Age Assistance.
The Bureau of Old Age Assistance, at this time, expresses their appreci- ation for the co-operation of all Town Departments and officials.
Respectfully submitted :
RICHARD G. NEAD ERNEST G. PACIORKOWSKI JOSEPH G. BREEN
156
TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
Mr. Walter A. Blasenak General Manager Town of Norwood
Dear Sir;
The following is the annual report for the year ending December 31, 1959 of the Department of Building Inspector:
No. Permits
New Dwellings
190
Estimated Cost $2,464,900.00
Dwelling Alterations
95
112,400.00
Private Garages
27
39,700.00
Comm. and Mfg. Bldgs.
9
1,416,836.00
Comm. and Mfg. Alterations
33
256,045.00
Appt. Bldgs.
5
106,000.00
New Churches
1
284,000.00
Church Alterations
1
37,000.00
Medical Bldgs.
1
80,000.00
Convent Addition
1
40,000.00
Private Clubs
2
150,521.00
Parochial Schools
1
440,000.00
Minor Out Bldgs.
6
1,646.00
Swimming Pools
4
11,045.00
Signs
28
24,635.00
TOTAL
404
$5,464,728.00
Fees for permits
$ 7,752.00
Fees for church buildings rescinded by the Board of Selectmen
966.00
Fees for water meters in new bldgs.
190
5,700.00
All necessary inspections were made and buildings approved.
Occupancy permits were issued for all new houses which were first occupied during the year. These houses were given a final inspection by the Plumbing Inspector, the Wire Inspector, the Fire Department and the Building Inspector; after which certificates were issued. During this inspection many minor defects were found and were corrected before certificates were issued.
All elevators were inspected and certificates issued after repairs were made to elevators found defective.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY J. CRONAN Building Inspector
157
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Mr. Walter A. Blasenak General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Blasenak,
It is with pleasure and pride that we submit to you our eleventh annual report of activities of the Recreation Department. This is the fifteenth report submitted since the Department began operation on a full time basis.
The year 1959 saw an increase in the number of facilities available for recreation programs as well as a marked increase in the number of participants in each and every program conducted. The growth of the population in Norwood, particularly in the school age group and in the senior citizen group, the two groups most in search of leisure time activities, is reflected in their increased par- ticipation in the programs of the Department. Our efforts, as always, have been directed toward providing interesting and worthwhile activities for all segments of the population, but especially for the school age children and the oldsters.
The many and varied programs and activities of the Recreation Department are described below in narrative form. Where appropriate, we have submitted recommendations for improving recreation services to the people of Norwood.
Summer Playgrounds
Playground attendance for the year 1959 showed a marked increase over the preceding year, and total attendance was higher than most of the eleven years for which we have kept such statistics. Major cause of the increase was the opening of playgrounds at the two new school locations, the Prescott and Cleve- land schools. The opening of the swimming pool at Father McAleer Playground caused a slight drop in actual playground attendance at that location and at the nearby Shattuck Playground, but nearly every other playground showed an in- crease over 1958 attendance figures.
Playgrounds were conducted under supervision for a nine week season beginning Monday June 22nd through Thursday August 20th. Playgrounds were open daily for a six hour period. They were open mornings from 9:00 a.m. to noon and afternoons from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Playgrounds were conducted at seven School Department locations - Callahan, Shattuck, High School, Balch, Winslow, Prescott, and Cleveland. Playgrounds were also conducted at the six Recreation Department areas - Endean, Wilson Street, Pleasant Park, Father McAleer's, Bond Street, and the Recreation Center. The Recreation Center was operated exclusively for boys and Bond Street exclusively for girls and small boys. All other playgrounds were operated for both boys and girls with both a male and a female Playground Leader on duty.
Prior to the opening of the Playground season, a one day Playground Leadership Institute was held for all members of the staff. Meetings were held during this day to acquaint the Leaders with their duties and to cover various phases of the summer program. Subjects covered included Playground Manage- ment, Leadership, Games, First Aid, Arts and Crafts, and Tennis.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Staff members participated in weekly Staff Meetings held at the Recreation Center during the season. At these meetings, instruction was given, criticisms heard and given, and suggestions made that were intended to help the staff members in performing their work efficiently.
As we have often pointed out, leadership constitutes upwards of ninety per cent of a good summer playground program. The year 1959 was no ex- ception to our fine record of having an outstanding staff of Leaders devoted to their work. Without their sincerity, loyalty, initiative, and devotion to duty, the playground program could not have realized the success that it did.
The Supervisor of Sports handled the organization and conduct of the vari- ous leagues in baseball and softball for boys and girls. Baseball leagues were run for three different age groups with a total of approximately one hundred fifty games being played during the season. Boys from age 6 up through age 15 participated in these leagues. The softball program was conducted for girls in two leagues, also taking in girls from age 6 through age 15, with a total of sixty games being played during the season. The Supervisor handled all phases of scheduling, equipment, direction of games, and publicity for the various leagues and the success of these two programs is a tribute to the efforts of the Supervisor of Sports during the season. In addition, the Supervisor was re- sponsible for supervision of the Playground Leaders, advising and criticizing where indicated, and in general assisting them in carrying out their duties. He also assisted in running off of the many special events during the season.
The Supervisor of Arts and Crafts had direct responsibility for the con- duct of the Arts and Crafts program carried on at the various playgrounds. Eight major projects were carried out during the season, with the Supervisor visiting each playground once during the week to instruct the Leaders and the children how to carry out the particular project of the week. In addition, the Supervisor prepared and distributed a considerable amount of material to the Playground Leaders during the season, and met with them at the weekly Staff Meetings. Arts and Crafts once again was perhaps the most appealing program for girls attending playground, and the success of the program is due in large part to the imagination and enthusiasm shown by the Supervisor in planning and carry- ing out her duties.
The Supervisor of Tennis handled all phases of the Tennis program con- ducted at the Recreation Center courts on each day of the season that playgrounds were open. The Supervisor set up a schedule for children from particular play- grounds to report for instruction, two and one half hours each week being set aside for each playground. In addition, others coming to the courts were provided instruction. The erection of a bang board near the courts was a great asset to the Tennis program. It was particularly valuable in teaching basic skills, while at the same time enabling experienced players to practice by themselves. Near the end of the season, a tournament was conducted among the children in the program, and the winners were taken to Longwood Tennis Club in Brookline to watch the National Doubles matches as a prize. In addition to Tennis, the Supervisor set up a Badminton court near the Tennis courts and provided in- struction and supervised play in this popular sport. With the encouragement of the Tennis Supervisor, many hundreds of boys and girls benefitted greatly from
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REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
the Tennis program in 1959. His efforts were in large part responsible for the interest and enthusiasm shown.
In addition to the scheduled games in softball and baseball and the Arts and Crafts program, playgrounds engaged in many different activities during the year, the activities varying according to the interests of the children. Individual playgrounds sponsored such events as Doll Shows, Talent Shows, Pet Shows, Picnics, etc. The Recreation Department sponsored a Horseshoe Tournament, a Playground Swim Meet, and several other such events that attracted participants from all the playgrounds.
The three annual special events that have been so popular in previous years were conducted again in 1959 and proved even more popular than ever. These events, the Outing at Nantasket, the trip to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox, and the visit to Norwood of the Boston Children's Theatre Stagemobile were all most enthusiastically received and attendance at all three was higher than ever before.
Our specific recommendations for improving the playground program for next year and future years are as follows. These recommendations are based on our own experiences and observations as well as those of members of the staff.
1. Develop facilities at Ellis Gardens at least to such an extent that small children can be accommodated. The nearest area, the Callahan School area, is much too far for small children.
2. Continue improvement of Pleasant Park by developing the area beyond the present fence around the ball field and by planting shade trees.
3. Develop two hard surface tennis courts at the corner of East Hoyle and Washington Streets to meet the expanding needs for playing areas for tennis. Such an area could also be used for basketball and could be flooded in the winter months for ice skating.
4. Continue development of facilities and purchase equipment for various Recreation Department areas. Specific recommendations covering many of these projects are contained in 1960 budget recommendations.
Twilight Baseball League
The Twilight Baseball League was operated during the summer months for boys up to age 20. Six teams took part in league activities in 1959, with each team playing a total of 10 games during the year. Games were played on two evenings of the week at three different fields, with equipment and supervision being provided by the Recreation Department. It is estimated that one hundred boys participated in league activities in 1959 with many spectators enjoying the games too. Overall supervision for the Twilight Baseball League was shared by the Superintendent and the Supervisor of Sports.
Girls' Softball League
Only in its third year of operation, the Girls' Softball League continued to grow in interest along with a great improvement in the caliber of play. Eight
160
TOWN OF NORWOOD
teams took part in the League in 1959, playing an average of one night a week Monday through Thursday at the Recreation Center softball field. Many spectators attended these games during the year and enjoyed the exceptionally keen com- petition in the League. Each team played fourteen games, and at the end of the season, the League held a banquet at a popular Boston restaurant.
Fourth of July Celebration
It had been originally planned to repeat the 1958 program in 1959 since it had been so well accepted - a concert and block dance followed by fireworks the night before the Fourth and a program at the individual playgrounds the morning of the Fourth. Unfortunately only the morning program went off smoothly. Through the generosity of the Star Market Company, permission was granted to hold the concert and block dance on their parking area, but midway through the program lighting failure blacked out the area. After adjustments however, the program was able to resume and ran smoothly until its con- clusion. The concert and dance ran from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Meanwhile how- ever, feverish efforts to arrange the scheduled fireworks display at Hartshorn's Swale at 11:00 p.m. were in vain when the fireworks company which had con- tracted for the display and which for many years had provided an excellent dis- play, was unable to carry out the program. The fireworks portion of the pro- gram had to be cancelled. The usual program of activities was conducted at the individual playgrounds, climaxed by the distribution of ice cream to all boys and girls in attendance. Needless to say, this was a most popular activity.
Swimming Program
The opening of the new Father McAleer Pool and the installation of fil- tration equipment at Hawes Brook Pool more than doubled participation in the swimming program in 1959. Both pools opened on Saturday June 20th and were open each day of the week until Labor Day. The pools were open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon for swimming classes and from noon until 8:00 p.m. for general public swimming. On Saturdays the pools opened at noon, and on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and remained opened until 8:00 p.m. It was no longer necessary to close one day of the week for cleaning as was done before the installation of filtration equipment, and this equipment enabled us to have sparkling water in the pools at all times.
We are once again happy to report that no serious accidents happened. The few emergency situations that did arise were very efficiently handled by the staff on duty at the pools. The staff of Lifeguards at both pools and the Swimming Supervisor are to be commended for the excellent manner in which they carried out their most responsible duties. The duties of a Lifeguard are most tedious and they must constantly be on the alert to prevent accidents. Our record for 1959 is a tribute to their talents.
In conjunction with the Water Safety Division of the American National Red Cross, of which the Superintendent is local Chairman, a complete program of swimming instruction was offered at both pools. Registrations for these classes was carried out through the local schools, with upwards of 1800 boys and girls enrolling in the various classes. Classes were arranged for a two week period, with each class meeting for a one hour period mornings, Monday through
161
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Friday. Red Cross certificates of successful completion of courses were awarded to 547 boys and girls as follows: Beginners, 365; Intermediates, 144, Junior Lifesaving, 24, and Senior Lifesaving, 14. Hundreds of others, although they were unable to pass their final test, nevertheless benefitted greatly from their courses.
The Norwood Women's Community Committee again in 1959 cooperated with our swimming program, making two scholarships to Red Cross Aquatic School available for young people to be employed as Lifeguards by the Recreation Department. In addition, for the first time in 1959, Red Cross itself made two Aquatic School scholarships available to the Norwood Branch, enabling us to send a total of four young people to this fine school in South Hanson, Massa- chusetts. These four returned to join four other members of the staff previously trained at Aquatic School to give us a fine crew of Water Safety Instructors. Without the scholarships provided by the Norwood Women's Community Com- mittee and by Red Cross, our extensive instructional program could not have been offered.
The Annual Regional Swim Meet was conducted late in the season at Hawes Brook Pool with swimmers from seven nearby communities taking part. Earlier in the year, a Playground Swim Meet was conducted at Father McAleer Pool. Both these Meets provided healthy competition while at the same time stimulating interest in the participants in improving their skills in swimming.
The erection of a bathhouse at the new Father McAleer Pool will do much to correct several problems encountered there in 1959. We again strongly recommend the erection of a bathhouse at Hawes Brook Pool. As we have pointed out many times in the past, the existing structure is completely inadequate and by its very location not much used. Only with such facilities can both pools be operated efficiently with assurances that they are meeting all health standards. Other minor conditions are covered by our budget recommendations submitted earlier.
Golden Age Club
Organized in 1953, the Golden Age Club has continued to grow in mem- bership with each passing year. Statistics nationally tell us that this age group increases in numbers each year and Norwood is no exception. The Golden Age Club attempts to provide leisure time activities for at least some of the men in this group. The Club holds regular monthly meetings at which speakers, enter- tainers, films, etc. are presented. The Club also enjoys trips to ball games, fairs, points of interest, and takes part in many other such activities of interest to the members. The first floor of the Recreation Center is available daily as a Lounge for Club members, and it is utilized for card playing, checkers, television, etc. The Norwood Lions Club has continued their interest in the Club by providing bus transportation for the members to baseball games in Boston during the year. For this we are deeply grateful.
Women's Senior Citizens Club
Formerly known as the Happy Hours Club, the Women's Senior Citizens Club is organized to provide leisure time activities for Norwood's aging female population. Under the skilled direction of a member of the staff, membership in
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
the Club has grown from twenty-one when the Department took over sponsor- ship two years ago, to a present membership of forty. The Club members engage in many and varied activities during the year, including making favors for local hospitals, going on trips, hearing speakers and other forms of entertainment at regular bi-weekly meetings, and enjoying the opportunity to get together regu- larly with friends for a social hour. On several occasions during the year, the Club joined with the Golden Age Club for joint meetings and trips.
Baton Twirling
Baton Twirling continued to be a most attractive program for girls in the age group of six to eighteen. Twirling classes are held on one afternoon of the week at the Recreation Center, and following classes, expert instruction in marching is given to those in the marching unit. The marching unit, known as the Rec-Ettes, has continued to appear colorfully costumed in local parades. In the spring of 1959 a most successful Open House and Competition was staged at the Junior High School for girls in the classes. The Norwood Twirling Club, an organization of parents and friends of the girls in the classes, staged the Second Annual National Baton Twirling Association Open Competition at the Norwood Armory in November, with contestants from all over New England competing. The Competition was a success financially and competitively and all who participated in any way are to be commended for their help.
Rifle Club
Boys in the age group from fourteen through eighteen may avail themselves of the opportunity to learn the proper use of firearms under expert instruction and supervision in the Norwood Recreation Junior Rifle Club. The Club is divided into a Beginners Group and an Advanced Group, with each group meeting one evening a week during all except the summer months at the range on the top floor of the Municipal Building. After learning the fundamentals of marksman- ship and safety, the boys are able to fire for individual awards and take part in team postal matches conducted nationally by the National Rifle Association, of which the local Club is a member. There are presently sixty members in the Club, the maximum number that can be accommodated.
Recreation Basketball League
From early December through early March of each year, the Recreation Basketball League is operated for young men beyond high school age to provide them with much needed physical exercise and healthy competition. Eight teams with a total registration of more than a hundred young men took part in 1959 and a like number returned upon resumption of the program in December of 1959 for the 1959-1960 season. Supervision, equipment, and rental fees for the Senior High School gym are taken care of by the Department. Three games are played on two nights of the week during the season, with many spectators on hand to enjoy the games.
Girls' Drama
Drama has continued to increase in popularity among girls in the age group of seven to thirteen, with in excess of one hundred and fifty girls taking part in the program during 1959. Six different sessions are held during the
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REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
week after school at the Recreation Center under the direction of a highly quali- fied Supervisor and Associate Supervisor. During the sessions, many activities related to the field of Drama are carried out. On three occasions during the year, Open House is staged, when parents and friends of the girls in the program have an opportunity to observe first hand the work the girls do. Through this program, the girls are able to gain poise and confidence in expressing themselves as well as learning fundamentals of Drama.
Women's Sports Club
Formerly known as the Women's Physical Exercise Club, the Women's Sports Club operated for the third year in 1959. The Club is organized to pro- vide physical exercise under supervision for young women beyond high school age. Sessions are held one evening a week at the gym at the Recreation Center, there being two sessions each Monday evening from September through May, each session lasting one hour. Enrollment was high for the current season, and the maximum number that can be accommodated is now taking part in various activities such as calisthenics, volley ball, basketball, square dancing, etc.
Halloween Program
Two parties were conducted on Halloween night in 1959 for the young people of Norwood. Seventh and Eighth graders had their party at Social Hall of the Recreation Center, while ninth through twelfth graders had their party at the Norwood Armory. Both parties were supervised by members of the Depart- ment staff with an assist from the local Police Department and members of the National Guard Company at the Armory. Both parties were extremely well attended and were run off most smoothly, a fact that must be considered as a tribute to Norwood young people. Once again Norwood's record of vandalism on Halloween night was negligible, attesting to the value of the Halloween program.
Friday Dances
Dances are conducted for young people of junior high age each Friday evening from September through mid June at the Recreation Center. An orchestra is engaged to play for dancing in Social Hall, the dance beginning at 7:30 and ending at 10:00 p.m. Activities during the evening are supervised by members of the Recreation Department staff and a Police Officer is on duty at each dance. A token admission charge is made, with receipts being turned over weekly to the Treasurer. Attendance at this very popular series of dances averages between 250 and 300 throughout the year.
Saturday Dances
During 1959, dances were conducted for young people of high school age each Saturday evening from September through mid June at the Recreation Center. An orchestra played for dancing in Social Hall from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., with activities during the evening supervised by members of the Department staff and with a Police Officer present during the evening. Here again, a token admission charge is made, with receipts turned over weekly to the Treasurer. With the start of the high school hockey season in December, the program of Saturday Dances was temporarily discontinued, since the hockey team is sched-
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