USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1960-1962 > Part 37
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105
50
3,560
4,798
5,091
1955
6,561
1,541,850
36,357,840
37,899,690
50.00
1,908,106.50
5
152
45
3,500
4,517
5,082
1950
5,581
1,464,850
26,551,480
28,026,330
39.90
1,129,422.99
5
158
24
3.000
3,233
5,076
1945
5,502
1,080,800
23,354,150
24,434,950
31.50
780,714.40
6
192
6
2,200
2,909
5,000
1940
5,232
1,008,350
22,048,760
23,057,110
33.40
780,571.47
12
191
11
3,450
2,736
5,550
1935
4,989
2,913,090
21,464,450
24,377,540
32.60
804,685.83
38
155
8
14
3,382
2,552
5,091.5
1930
4,678
3,770,169
23,262,712
27,032,881
29.00
793,309.56
42
198
7
9
2,540
2,510
6,096
1925
4,497
4,477,510
19,612,360
24,089,870
26.50
647,383.68
114
193
7
81
1
2,369
2,203
6,096
1920
3,716
4,158,640
14,488,848
18,647,488
18.00
354,234.78
147
335
15
86
9
1,438
1,904
6,096
1915
3,296
5,528,300
11,460,934
16,989,234
12.80
224,054.57
282
375
10
85
1
4,325
1,759
6,096
1910
2,545
5,614,895
8,418,385
14,033,280
9.20
134,196.17
370
358
17
70
14
375
1,286
6,130
1905
2,070
1,167,405
4,254,265
5,421,670
17.40
98,477.05
360
375
10
40
300
1,160
6.135
1900
1,670
892,595
3,584,214
4,476,809
18.00
83,922.56
397
328
10
20
1
890
1,069
6,151
1895
1,410
684,795
2,673,970
3,358,765
16.90
59,583.00
358
408
5
202
920
810
6,162
1890
1,096
513,373
2,051,085
2,564,558
16.60
45,398.36
300
410
17
84
698
6,200.5
1885
880
447,014
1,618,928
2,065,942
13.00
28,618.09
271
420
7
129
1
415
6,231
1875
551
448,633
1,343,867
1,792,500
11.80
22,195.81
198
365
354
6,255.5
1872
472
518,540
1,100,016
1,618,556
11.40
19.397.79
185
405
Other Neat
Cattle
Swine
Sheep
Fowl
Dwelling
Houses
Acres
of Land
Assessed
1961
Male Polls
Valuation
of Personal
Estate
Valuation
of 'Real
Estate
Total
Assessed
Rate per $1,000.00
Total Taxes
Assessed
Horses
Cows
240
382
1880
650
456,635
1,338,793
1,795,428
11.80
22,486.32
511
6,216
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
157
320
6,275
:
Valuation
158
COMPARISON OF TAX RATE RECAPITULATIONS OF THE YEARS 1960 AND 1961
1960
1961
Increase (+)
Decrease (-)
Appropriations by Taxation
$5,473,396.38
$5,762,792.63
$289,396.25
Appropriations from Available Funds
578,137.59
67,817.45
$510,320.14
Emergency Expenses Hurricane Donna 9/12/60
None
22,861.16
22,861.16
Emergency Expenses for 1960 Snow & Ice Removal
None
10,742.16
10,742.16
Appropriations for Final Court Judgments
None
8,546.62
8,546.62
State Assessment System
150.00
842.08
692.08
State Parks and Reservations
10,932.56
19,698.18
8,765.62
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
7,444.13
398.86
7,045.27
State Examination of Retirement System
121.44
782.32
660.88
Metropolitan Water - Connection charge
95,000.00
95,000.00
Metropolitan Water - Consumption charge
88,191.60
88,030.00
161.60
Metropolitan Sewerage - South System
85,016.72
83,311.87
1,704.85
Mosquito Control, Norfolk County Project
6,322.63
6,674.13
351.50
County Tax and Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
126,514.00
129,117.22
2,603.22
Overlay
84,409.71
93,922.86
9,513.15
Gross Amount to be Raised
$6,555,636.76
$6,390,537.54
$354,132.64
$519,231.86
Estimated Income Tax
231,430.34
308,943.84
77,513.50
Estimated Corporation Tax
223,505.00
246,418.05
22,913.05
Estimated Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
300,000.00
320,000.00
20,000.00
Poll Tax
14,290.00
14,510.00
220.00
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Free Cash in Treasury to Reduce Tax Rate Public Service Enterprises Other Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
150,000.00
100,000.00
50,000.00
1,537,000.00
1,652,000.00
115,000.00
902,073.82
388,500.80
513,573.02
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds Net Amount to be Raised by Taxation of Property
$3,358,299.16
$3,030,372.69
$235,646.55
$563,573.02
3,197,337.60
Assessed Valuation 1960, $49,958,400.00 @ $64.00
3,197,337.60
Assessed Valuation 1961, $53,335,950.00 @ $63.00
$3,360,164.85
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
159
160
TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The Norwood Board of Public Welfare submits its annual report for the year 1961.
The present Board was re-appointed May 1, 1961 by tlie Selectmen for a me year term.
At a regular meeting of the Welfare Board on June 19, 1961 Mr. Joseph G. Breen was elected Chairman for the ensuing year.
Made a part of this report is a monthly summary detailing the number of cases active at the end of each month. This table also gives the total number of individuals involved. Three types of aid are represented namely- Aid to Dependent Children, Disability Assistance and General Relief.
The Aid to Dependent Children category shows an increasing trend. This can be attributed to several reasons-liberalization of the Aid to De- pendent Children policies, general increase in Norwood's population and transfers from other municipalities.
There has been much activity by the Department in the obtaining of complaints against deserting and non-supporting husbands by action at Dedham District Court. Findings have been made and a considerable amount of funds have been made available to the families involved.
Disability Assistance has leveled off during the last six months of 1961. The cost per case remains in the higher bracket due to the medical needs of the persons in the group.
Recipients not eligible for the Aid to Dependent Children or the Dis- ability Assistance category are given General Relief.
Those persons receiving General Relief included those temporarily out of work due to sickness, accidents, loss of income and some unemployable persons. Also included were persons boarded in private families and some in Institutions.
There were only a few persons receiving General Relief because of lay-offs in industry. Through the efforts of the State Unemployment office and by close supervision this type of cases was of slight duration.
The Town Counsel during 1961 has been called upon often for advice and to do necessary legal work in connection with the needs of the Welfare Department.
Inquiries are made to the Welfare Department from many sources for advice and information and these are referred to other agencies if not within the scope of the local Welfare Department.
1
161
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The State Department of Public Welfare Medical Care Plan still does not allow the local Department to pay for the services of physicians or surgeons attending Welfare recipients who are patients at the Norwood Hospital. This policy means that in some instances patients must be taken to hospitals in Boston, necessitating transfer by ambulance.
Hospital rates as certified for the Welfare Departments, by the Com- missioner of Administration and Finances were increased generally as of January 1, 1961.
Federal Government monthly grants are received which are applied directly to the Welfare payments to Aid to Dependent Children and Dis- ability Assistance cases.
Federal Government grants are also received which are applied directly to the Administrative costs of the Welfare Department.
The Commonwealth of Mass. shares in the cost of the Aid to Dependent Children and Disability Assistance programs. These funds are not applic- able directly to the costs of these categories, but must be deposited with the Town Treasurer in the Excess and Deficiency Account.
During 1961 legislation was passed allowing the Commonwealth of Mass. to share in the cost of the Administrative expense of the Welfare Department. These funds are not directly available to the Welfare Depart- ment but are deposited in the Excess and Deficiency Account with the Town Treasurer.
The yearly report of the Town Accountant gives the detail as to the receipts and expenditures of the Welfare Department.
The Welfare Board and employees of the Department express their appreciation to all Town Departments and officials for their co-operation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH G. BREEN RICHARD G. NEAD ERNEST G. PACIORKOWSKI
162
1961 WELFARE CASELOAD
Aid to Dependent Children Cases
Disability Assistance Cases
General Relief Cases
Boarding Cases
Institution Cases
Hospital Cases
Total Cases
Total People
January
14
13
12
2
2
0
43
106
February
15
14
13
1
2
0
45
119
March
14
13
16
1
2
0
46
117
April
14
13
18
1
2
0
48
120
May
16
13
17
1
2
0
49
126
June
21
11
14
1
2
0
49
126
July
20
11
14
1
2
0
48
118
August
20
11
14
1
2
0
47
122
September
20
11
14
1
2
0
48
123
October
20
11
15
1
2
1
50
130
November
21
11
15
2
2
2
53
. 130
December
19
11
15
1
2
1
49
133
TOWN OF NORWOOD
163
REPORT OF BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
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, 1961.
The Bureau at its regular meeting on June 19, 1961 elected Joseph G. Breen as Chairman.
Listed below is a table showing the caseload by month of the Old Age Assistance and Medical Aid for the Aged.
Medical Assistance for the Aged has been in effect for a full year in 1961. Some forty cases were transferred from Old Age Assistance in November 1961. This accounts for the drop in the Old Age Assistance case- load over 1960-
Ο.Α.Α. Μ.Α.Α.
O.A.A. M.A.A.
Jan.
123
39
July
118
45
Feb.
123
40
Aug.
116
46
Mar.
121
46
Sept.
116
48
Apr.
117
47
Oct.
116
51
May
116
48
Nov.
116
54
June
119
47
Dec.
116
54
In the Medical Assistance for the Aged category the eligibility requirements have been broadened. It is also possible for the time a person receives this type of aid to be of short duration, but with a cost per case high. Cases admitted to hospitals for acute sickness come under this group.
As in any new program of assistance, the caseload gradually increases, and during 1961 the number of active cases was increased by fifteen.
In the Old Age Assistance category the caseload showed little variation during the last nine months of the year.
The Federal Government participates in the cost of Old Age Assistance and Medical Assistance for the Aged by rendering monthly grants for the direct use of the Welfare Department.
The Commonwealth of Mass. also shares in the cost of Old Age Assistance and Medical Assistance for the Aged and these funds are deposited with the Town Treasurer.
The Federal Government also contributes funds to be used directly to defray the administrative costs in the Welfare Department.
The Commonwealth of Mass. commencing in 1961 participated in the administrative costs and these funds are deposited with the Town Treasurer.
164
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Medical Costs continue to increase in 1961-hospital per diem costs as charged the Department are higher and Nursing Home rates increased slightly.
The Norwood Housing Board Project for the Aged opened in December 1961. This facility will provide modern and centrally located apartments for the elderly at a reasonable rental.
Several Old Age Assistance cases have been selected and are now living in the apartments.
The Annual Report of the Town Accountant shown elsewhere in the Town Report contains the financial report of the Old Age Assistance Bureau.
The Bureau express their appreciation for the co-operation of all Town Departments and Officials during 1961.
Respectfully Submitted :
JOSEPH G. BREEN RICHARD G. NEAD ERNEST G. PACIORKOWSKI
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
January 22, 1962
Mr. Walter Blasenak
General Manager
Town of Norwood
Dear Sir:
The following is the annual report of the Department of Building Inspector:
Classification
No. Built
Estimated Cost
New Dwellings
141
$1,912,700.00
Dwelling Adds. & Alts.
125
178,159.00
New Businesses
7
1,138,400.00
Business Adds. & Alts.
14
162,517.00
New Signs
23
15,670.00
Swimming Pools
9
21,900.00
Multi Family Dwellings
11
312,000.00
New Private Garages
23
29,650.00
Minor Out Bldgs.
6
1,345.00
Two Family Dwellings
3
36,000.00
Elderly Housing (50 Units)
1
400,000.00
Church Additions & Alts.
1
3,125.00
165
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Ice Dispenser
1
5,000.00
Broadcasting Booth
1
3,000.00
Demolition
3
Dog Kennel
1
75.00
New Churches
2
682,000.00
Greenhouses
1
400.00
Fallout Shelters
1
820.00
374
$4,902,761.00
The fees collected for Building Permits were $6,882.00, and the fees collected for Water Meters were $4,230.00.
All buildings for which permits were issued were inspected and approved.
Occupancy permits were issued for all dwellings occupied during the year after a final inspection by the Wire Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, the Fire Department and the Building Inspector.
All elevators were inspected and certificates issued after repairs were made if required.
Yours truly
HENRY J. CRONAN Building Inspector
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Mr. Walter A. Blasenak General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
January 1, 1962
Dear Sir:
It is once again our pleasure to submit to you our report of activities of the Recreation Department, the thirteenth such report we have submitted, and the seventeenth since the Department began operation on a full time basis.
We have continued our efforts in the year just past to provide interesting and worthwhile leisure time activities for all segments of Norwood's citizenry. Their acceptance of the program is reflected in the general increase in participation in and attendance at the various activities. Activities for the school age group and the senior citizen group particularly showed increases in participation and attendance, while activities for young adult and adult groups remained about the same.
166
TOWN OF NORWOOD
The many and varied programs and activities of the Recreation Department are described in narrative form in the ensuing paragraphs. Where appropriate, recommendations have been included for improving facilities and programs.
Summer Playgrounds
Playground attendance for the year 1961 showed an increase of 2739 boys and girls over the previous year and the total attendance figures for the season were the highest since such records have been kept. Eight playgrounds showed net gains for the year and four showed slight net losses in attendance over the preceeding year. Four and one half days were lost out of the nine week schedule because of rain, and this makes the high figures even more remarkable.
Playgrounds were conducted under supervision for a nine week season beginning Monday June 26th through Thursday August 24th. 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 six School Department locations - Balch, Callahan, Shattuck, 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 of all ages, with a male and a female Playground Leader on duty to supervise activities at all times the playground was open. Because of construction work still going on at the Senior High School, no playground was run there, but it is contemplated that this area will be reopened in 1962 with supervision for boys and girls as at all other areas.
Members of the Playground staff attended a one day Playground Leadership meeting prior to the opening of the season. A program was presented on that day designed to acquaint the staff with their duties and to cover various phases of the summer program and activities. Subjects covered included Playground Management, Leadership, Games, First Aid, Arts and Crafts, and Tennis.
Weekly Staff Meetings were held for all members of the playground staff. At these meetings, additional instruction was provided, suggestions were made and criticisms offered, all intended to help the staff members in carrying out their duties more effectively and efficiently.
Norwood is indeed fortunate in having such a fine group of young people interested in serving as Playground Leaders. Without them, our Playground program could not continue to realize the success that it has enjoyed for many years.
The organization and conduct of all the various leagues in baseball and softball for boys and girls was handled by the Supervisor of Sports. Baseball leagues were run for three different age groups with approximately 160 games being played during the season. Boys from age 6 up through age
167
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
15 participated in these leagues. The softball leagues were conducted for girls in two age groups, with girls age 6 through age 15 participating. A total of 70 softball games were played during the year. The Supervisor handled all scheduling, equipment, direction of games, and publicity for all five leagues. In addition, the Supervisor had the responsibility of directing the activities of the Playground Leaders, advising and criticizing where indicated, and in general assisting the Leaders in carrying out their duties. He also assisted in planning and conducting the many special events that were part of the program.
The Supervisor of Arts and Crafts had direct responsibility for the conduct of the Arts and Crafts program that was carried on at each play- ground. Major projects were scheduled each week, with the Supervisor visiting each area once during the week to instruct the Leaders and the children. In addition, the Supervisor prepared and distributed a large amount of material to the Leaders during the season. She also met with the Leaders at the weekly Staff Meetings. Girls and small boys attending play- ground find Arts and Crafts activities perhaps their most interesting and enjoyable activity, and the success of the program in the year past is again due largely to the imagination and enthusiasm demonstrated by the Super- visor of the program.
Each day of the season, the Supervisor of Tennis was on duty at the Recreation Center courts to conduct a program for boys and girls of all ages. A schedule was set up for the children from each playground to report for instruction on a regular basis, with each Playground having two such periods a week. Instruction was also provided those coming to the courts on their own. All equipment was furnished by the Department. A tournament was conducted near the end of the season with participants graded according to age and skill. Several hundred boys and girls participated in the program during the season, many of them improving their skills noticeably.
Many other activities were engaged in by the various playgrounds, these varying according to the interests of the children at each playground. Individual playgrounds sponsored such activities as Doll Shows, Pet Shows, Talent Shows, Picnics, Nature Walks, etc. The Department sponsored a town wide Horseshoe Tournament, a Playground Swim Meet, and other similar events that proved interesting to large numbers of participants.
The three annual special events that have been so well received for the past several years were conducted again in 1961. These events were the Nantasket Outing, the trip to Fenway Park for a Red Sox baseball game, and the visit to Norwood by the Boston Children's Theatre Stagemobile. All three events proved to be more enthusiastically received than ever before with record numbers participating.
In order to continue to improve the playground program for 1962 and for coming years, certain specific recommendations may be made, these based on our own experience and observations as well as those of members of the staff.
168
TOWN OF NORWOOD
1. Develop facilities in Ellis Gardens area at least to such an extent that small children can be taken care of. The nearest playground, the Callahan School playground, is much to far for small children. Existing town owned land in the area can be utilized.
2. Continue improvement of Pleasant Park playground by further filling, loaming, and seeding of area beyond the ball field.
3. Construct two hard surface tennis courts at the Recreation Center, adjacent to the present courts, at the corne of East Hoyle and Washington Streets. This woud permit play much earlier in the season than now possible and would extend the season further in the fall. The area could also be used for basketball, could be flooded for winter skating, and could be used for other such purposes.
4. Correct, drainage problem at the Father McAleer baseball diamond. Wet weather the past two spring seasons has prohibited use of the field until mid June.
5. Carry out miscellaneous smaller projects which have been recom- mended in 1962 budget requests.
Twilight Baseball League
The Twilight Baseball League was conducted during the 1961 summer season for boys and young men up to age 21. Six teams took part in league activities which involved approximately ninety participants. A total of fifty games were played during the season. Games were played on two evenings of the week at three different fields. Equipment and supervision was pro- vided by the Recreation Department. In addition to the many participants, the games provided enjoyment for many spectators.
Girls Softball League
More than one hundred girls and young women playing on six different teams participated in the Girls Softball League in the 1961 season. Beginning in early May and continuing until the end of August, games were played on three evenings of the week at the Recreation Center softball field. Each team took part in three rounds of play with a total of 45 games being played. At the conclusion of the season, the girls in the league enjoyed a banquet which was held at a popular nearby restaurant.
Fourth of July Celebration
The Fourth of July Celebration was greatly expanded in 1961. Early in the year a committee was called together from the various veteran and civic organizations and a greatly improved and expanded program was undertaken. In addition to the funds appropriated for the Celebration, funds were solicited from the public to support the program. Beginning with a dance the night before the holiday, and continuing through a mammoth fireworks display the night of the holiday, there was almost continuous activity with events and activities for all. The Recreation Department had responsibility for an N.E.A.A.A.U. Swim Meet which was held the afternoon
169
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
of the holiday and which attracted outstanding swimmers from the entire east coast. Upwards of two thousand spectators witnessed the Meet. The Department also cooperated in conduct of the Junior Olympics held the morning of the holiday. All in all, the Celebration was one of the finest Norwood has seen in many years, and all connected with it in any way are to be warmly congratulated for their efforts.
Swimming Program
Father McAleer Pool and Hawes Brook Pool opened on Saturday June 24th 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 12:30 p.m. until dark for general public swimming. On Saturdays the pools opened at noon, and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and remained open each day until dark.
The opening for the first time of the new bathhouse at Hawes Brook Pool enabled us to offer a clean and sanitary facility, something not possible before the bathhouse was built and the old building some two hundred feet from the pool had to be used. Both pools now meet recom- mended standards for safety and sanitation.
We are happy to report that the safety record for 1961 was another unblemished one. No serious accidents occured. The few emergency situa- tions that did arise were handled in a most efficient manner by the members of the Lifeguard staff on duty. The entire Lifeguard staff and the Super- visor of the Swimming Program are to be commended for the excellent way in which they carried out their most responsible duties.
A complete instructional program was offered with classes during the summer for those who could not swim at all up through expert swimmers. Registrations for classes was conducted in the spring through the local schools with some 1800 boys and girls signing up for classes and ultimately assigned to classes. Classes were arranged for a two week period, with each class meeting for a one hour period mornings, Monday through Friday. Those successfully completing courses were awarded suitable Recreation Department certificates. A total of 667 such certificates were awarded as follows: 305 Elementary, 119 Advanced Elementary, 173 Ad- vanced, 58 Junior Lifeguard, and 12 Senior Lifeguard. Hundreds of others, although unable to pass the final test for their certificates, nevertheless benefitted greatly from the instruction they received.
Two Swim Meets were held during the season, a Playground Swim Meet for Norwood children only and the Annual Regional Swim Meet with swimmers from several nearby communities participating. The latter Meet was won by the Norwood team in 1961. These meets provide healthy competition while at the same time stimulating interest in the individual to improve his swimming skills. As mentioned previously, an N.E.A.A.A.U. Swim Meet was held at Hawes Brook Pool as part of the Fourth of July Celebration.
Recommendations for improving facilities and program are contained in the 1962 budget requests.
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