USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1960-1962 > Part 40
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After a careful interpretation of the Law the Board voted "To prepare a By-Law to be presented to Town Meeting for action."
The Norwood Board of Health and the Norfolk County Tuberculosis and Health Association sponsored a mobile x-ray unit which visited Norwood on May 22, and again on Oct. 23, 1961, over one thousand people were x-rayed on both visits.
The Board of Health admitted twenty patients to Norfolk County Hospital, Westfield State Sanatorium, Middlesex County Sanatorium and Boston Sanatorium in 1961. Eight patients remained hospitalized on December 31, 1961.
The Board made plans to conduct Polio clinics for school and pre-school children in Norwood during 1961.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
The Scherer Hydrospray Jet-Injector was used for injection of Salk polio vaccine for the first time in Norwood at these clinics. The Hydrospray injector proved to be painless and most efficient. The technique was observed by Public Health Officers from other communities.
The Board approved the proposed method of providing for a sanitary water supply, sewage disposal system and drainage in one subdivision and disapproved the method in another subdivision in 1961.
REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES
Our nursing staff extends all services connected with the care of the sick which includes bedside care of the patient, instruction to the family regarding his care and the prevention of the spread of infection and health supervision of patient and family. Care is given for practically every type of sickness, including tuberculosis, cardiac diseases, diabetes, surgical dressings and communicable diseases.
The Norfolk County Hopital Chest X-Ray Unit comes to Norwood on the third Wednesday of every month. The Clinic is held at the Board of Health offices in the Town Hall from 1:30 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. with Dr. E. K. Jenkins, attending physician and Mr. Thomas Turner, x-ray technician. The Clinic is open to tuberculosis patients and their contacts. Physicians may refer patients with questionable chest conditions for consultation. During 1961 the number of patients attending the clinics was 136.
For the first time in thirty years a case of diphtheria had been reported. Throat cultures were taken on all members of the family. The family was given instructions in the care of the patient and isolation technique. The case was followed up until all members of the family had three negative throat cultures.
A Polio Clinic for pre-school children was held in Memorial Hall in May. The Nurses also assisted with the polio clinics at St. Catherine's School and all of the public schools.
The nurses make visits to homes in Norwood by order of the attending physician. Visits are also made to new mothers to give any needed instruc- tions and answer questions.
Ambulatory patients may come to the office which is in the Town Hall between the hours of 1:00 and 3:00 P.M. During 1961 there were 316 patients who visited our office.
TOTAL NUMBER OF CALLS FOR 1961: 3842
Medical
3369
Surgical
263
Postpartum-Neonatal
65
Communicible
4
Premature
2
Tuberculosis
17
Infants
6
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Parochial School
Number of children completed
106
Number of children not completed 2
Number of temporary fillings 223
Number of temporary extractions 50
Number of permanent fillings 118
Number of permanent extractions
2
Number of cleanings 97
Number of children examined 1448
Number of children O.K. at examination
929
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
Licenses for the sale of milk and cream were issued to milk dealers, stores and restaurants.
Licenses for the manufacture of ice cream and frozen desserts were issued.
One license to maintain and establishment for the pasteurization of milk was issued.
Dealers in oleomargarine were registered.
Dairy plants were inspected for general sanitation and compliance with Massachusetts State Laws relative to the processing and pasteurization of milk.
One hundred and thirty eight samples of milk and cream were tested in the Board of Health Laboratory in 1961. Five laboratory tests were used to determine the quality and safety of Norwood's milk supply.
1. Babcock test for per cent of butterfat.
2. Total solids determination.
3. Standard plate count.
4. Coliform count.
5. Phosphatase test for pasteurization.
The results of the laboratory tests made in 1961 are as follows:
1. Except in a few instances, butterfat content continues to be disap- pointingly low. This is due to the fact that the "Cream line" is no longer a factor in the sale of milk. Homogenization is almost universally accepted and Standardization is now widespread in the dairy industry. The indiscri- minate use of these two processes is, in my opinion, to the determent of the ultimate consumer in that buyers can no longer see what they are buying. When we add to these two factors the non-transparent container, the low prevailing price of milk, modern merchandising, and the de-emphasis on milk supervision by several city health departments in our area the future butterfat content in Norwood's milk will be as low or even lower than it was in 1961.
195
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
2. Total solid contents was also low in most samples tested in 1961. As the butterfat content of milk drops so does the total solids content. It must be noted in reference to lower total solids, content that a standardizer does not remove fat from milk, but actually removes cream. It is possible that some vitamin A is removed in standardization.
3. Standard plate counts, an indication of the cleanliness and care taken in the handling of milk, were excellent. This was due to good management on the part of milk companies and milk retailers. Also the use of higher pasteurization temperatures is producing lower bacteria counts and increasing the "shelf life" (the length of time milk will keep) of milk.
4. Coliform counts, an indication of contamination after pasteurization, were excellent. This can be attributed to good dairy plant sanitation, and properly operating filling and packaging equipment.
5. Thosphatase tests, a test for improperly pasteurized milk, were excellent. This is because of automatic and sometimes automated pasteuriza- tion equipment in operation in the dairy plants which serve Norwood.
A total of five hundred and ninety five laboratory tests were made in 1961. Norwood's laboratory testing is intensive enough but should be more extensive. Four tests for the sanitizing of bottles were made.
From time to time I find milk stored out of refrigeration in retail stores. Also, the open type refrigerated sales cases are often overloaded. Owners, managers and supervisors are outwardly very co-operative about correcting their practices but with ever changing personnel this problem seems to be a continuing one. I think that a food handlers school might be of some value in combating this inconsistency in an otherwise well managed dairy industry. The school could consist of a movie concerning food handling, a few short talks about local and pertinent problems and laboratory demonstrations of the decomposition of milk when stored under adverse conditions.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
The Norfolk County Mosquito Control project reported the following activities in the Town of Norwood for the year ending December 31, 1961:
Aerial Spraying
478 Acres
Aerial Pre-Hatch dusting
120 Acres
Ground Spraying
2,5751/2 Acres
Ground Pre-hatch dusting
63 Acres
Drainage
2,170 Feet
Brush Clearing
100 Feet
Culverts Cleaned
4 Culverts
Catch Basins Treated
3,467 catch Basins
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
The following is the report of the Plumbing Inspector for the year 1961:
January February
31 inspections
10 inspections
March
16 inspections
April
56 inspections
May
37 inspections
June
45 inspections
July
31 inspections
August
42 inspections
September
27 inspections
October
26 inspections
November
23 inspections
December
36 inspections
TOTAL 381 inspections
NORWOOD BOARD OF HEALTH JOHN P. DIXON ROY T. LYDON, M.D. JAMES F. FOLEY, Chairman
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
January 23, 1962
Mr. Walter A. Blasenak
General Manager
Norwood, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit my report of the Cemetery Department for the year 1961.
During the past year we conducted 230 interments, and made 3 trans- fers at Highland Cemetery.
We built 54 foundations for monuments and set 28 markers.
The following avenues were refaced with Bituminous Concrete, N. Highland View, St. Catherines Ave., St. Andrews Ave., Franklin Ave., Angelus Ave., Calvery Ave., Bethany Ave., St. James Ave., and St. Paul Ave.
Rebuilt and surfaced Sylvan Ave. to the woods with Bituminous concrete. About 200 Lineal feet of Bituminous walks were built in the general section.
Mowing and trimming of grass and trimming of shrubs were continuous all summer.
The Winter St. section is ready to be laid out for lots and should be done soon.
The old cemetery was mowed and cared for during the year.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES F. MURPHY Supt. of Cemetery
197
REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER
REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER
The Honorable Board of Selectmen Norwood, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit detailed reports of the various departments under the administrative control of the General Manager.
1961 was a year with many and various activities in all municipal departments. The usual services were rendered together with prompt atten- tion being given by the various departments to special and emergency problems. With close cooperation from all department heads, the General Manager is of the opinion that efficient and courteous service has been rendered, and will continue to be rendered.
While it is our intention to render public service to all members of our community promptly and efficiently and within the appropriations for the same, we must also take into consideration the operating costs which are vital in continuing a stable, favorable tax rate.
The General Manager would like to review with the citizens some of the projects completed in 1961 and with further attention being given to anticipated projects in the year to come.
1. The Municipal Light Department continues to grow with a 12.5% increase in kilowatt hours consumed. This growth places additional responsibilities in the operation of the Department. However, the Department has met these responsibilities and has operated the Depart- ment on a profitable basis. 1962 points to another year of record performance.
The closing of Lenox Street in order that Plimpton Press could expand, required a great deal of re-routing of transmission lines which was accomplished with no inconvenience to customers in that area.
The policy adopted by the Selectmen as Electric Light Commis- sioners with respect to Christmas Decoration Lighting, and which was complied with very successfully by our customers during the week before Christmas, is an indication that the citizens display their willingness to cooperate with the Town authorities in running and operating the Department at a minimum of cost.
The General Manager wishes to express personal appreciation to all electric light customers who cooperated with the Town Officials in this request.
2. Participation in the various programs of the Recreation Department, particularly those concerned with youth groups and golden age groups, continued to grow in 1961 in direct proportion to the growth in numbers of these groups of our population, and the Department continued to extend itself in efforts to meet the needs of these and other groups. The
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
growing popularity of the programs offers proof of their attractiveness and worth to the citizenry. The past year also saw a revival of the well known Norwood-Norfolk County Orchestra and along with it the revival of the Norwood Christmas Festival of Music, an event which once again provided Norwood with a fitting means of ushering in the Christmas season.
Completion of the bathhouse at Hawes Brook Pool in 1961 enabled the Recreation Department to operate its outdoor swimming program there and at Father McAleer Pool at a high degree of efficiency, safety, and sanitation. The facilities and program offered in swimming in Norwood certainly compare favorably with any waterfront program and facilities in this area.
3. Under the leadership of the Junior Chamber of Commerce together with cooperation of Civic, Fraternal and Religious Groups, and other civic minded citizens, a Fourth of July Celebration Program was introduced to the citizens of our community. The activities covered the full day of July 4th and ended with a gala fire works' display at Hartshorn's Swale. Here is another indication where the citizens of Norwood cooperated splendidly with Town Officials and the Fourth of July Celebration Committee in making this an outstanding affair and which is to be continued each year to come. For 1962 the Committee is working for an even greater celebration and all indications are that such a celebration will be second to none.
4. Improvement continues at the Highland Cemetery and the burial grounds in the so-called "park area" is expected to be open in 1962. This improvement will provide much needed burial grounds in the Highland Cemetery.
The Town is in the process of acquiring additional areas in the rear of the present cemetery and when this has been consummated, it is planned to have a comprehensive engineering study made with the thought in mind of producing a master plan for cemetery development.
"
5. Chapter 90 Construction, Sumner Street, was completed from Route 1 to Pleasant Street.
Under Chapter 90 Maintenance, work was done substantially in guard rail restoration along Chapter 90 roads in Norwood.
6. The Public Works Department has in the past continued to render the usual maintenance work as required by such a department.
Particular attention should be made at this time relative to the fine work done by this department in the construction of bituminous concrete sidewalks. This program has proceeded in an orderly fashion - with a moderate appropriation made each year. However, there is much to be done in this direction and with increased appropriations, this can be accomplished. The General Manager, because of the limited personnel in the Public Works Department, has and is considering that this side- walk work be done under contract.
199
REPORT OF GENERAL MANAGER
The annual report of the Superintendent of Public Works shows in detail all the activities of the department. This being one of the largest municipal departments with respect to public service, the General Manager recommends that every citizen read this report and become familiar with the activities of the Public Works Department.
7. The status of the Neponset River Flood Control Project as of the end of 1961 is as follows:
The work to be done by the Metropolitan District Commission will be carried out in three stages. The first will cover that portion of the Neponset River between the Walter Baker Dam at Milton Lower Falls and the Mattapan Mills Dam at the Tileston and Hollingsworth Plant in Milton. The second stage will run from Mattapan Mills Dam to the Neponset Valley Parkway, and the third from the Neponset Valley Parkway to Traphole Brook in Sharon.
Preliminary surveys and design for the first section have advanced to a point and it was expected that the construction contract would be advertised in the early part of December 1961. Work on the other sections are planned to follow on a reasonable schedule and it appears that actual construction in the Norwood area may not be under way for at least twelve months' time.
S. Installation of automatic traffic control was completed at the inter- section of Nahatan and Prospect Streets. With this installation, we have eliminated a very dangerous situation and it is one stage further in our program of traffic control at strategic intersections in the Town. Such other similar installations are planned for other locations within the Town in 1962.
The General Manager, Board of Selectmen, and Industrial Committee are in constant contact with the Metropolitan District Commission on this project and as indicated above, it would appear that we can reasonably expect some activity in the Norwood area during 1962.
9. Through the cooperation of the Norfolk District Council of Carpenters, Local 42, Bricklayers, Masons and Plasters' International Union, and Local 747 Painters' Union, a model fall-out shelter was constructed adjacent to the Fire Station on Central Street. As Acting Director of Civil Defense, the General Manager urges all citizens to give serious consideration to the fall-out program. We are looking forward to expanded activities in the Civil Defense Program within the community and its is expected that by the middle of 1962, a more definite program at the Federal level will be in operation together with some financial assistance to the local level of government.
The General Manager expresses his personal appreciation to the Norfolk District Council of Carpenters, Local 42, Bricklayers, Masons and Plasters' International Union, and Local 747 Painters' Union for their generous offer and contribution of labor in the construction of the model fall-out shelter.
200
TOWN OF NORWOOD
10. The tree planting program has been expanded by the additional planting of a number of flowering shade trees on the perimeter of private property. It is planned to continue this type of planting along with the usual planting of hardy northern maple trees.
The General Manager wishes to express deepest appreciation to the various town committees which have cooperated with him throughout the year. Again special commendation must go to the Christmas Decoration Committee for their continued efforts in bringing to Norwood one of the finest displays of Christmas decorations. So much favorable comment has been received by the Office of the General Manager that every effort will be made to continue and expand this program.
To all civic groups, service clubs and individual public spirited citizens, the Manager expresses appreciation.
In closing, I wish to express appreciation and gratitude to the Board of Selectmen, Town Officials and employees together with citizens who have worked and cooperated so generously in all activities under the control and direction of the General Manager during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER A. BLASENAK General Manager
REPORT OF CLERK OF PURCHASES
Mr. Walter A. Blasenak General Manager Norwood, Mass.
Dear Sir:
The Purchasing Department issued 1892 purchase orders in 1961.
All orders were issued in response to requisitions from all Town departments.
Competitive prices were obtained whenever possible, either by adver- tisement for sealed proposals, or by quotations by mail and telephone.
Some of the items purchased through advertisements include the following:
School supplies, school furniture; Wire, Cable, Transformers, for the Municipal Light Department; Cast Iron Pipe for the Water Department; Vitrified Clay Pipe for the Sewer Department; Automotive Equipment for the Police, Public Works, and Municipal Light Departments; Bituminous Concrete, Road Oils, and Rock Salt for the Highway Department. Printing of Annual Town Report, Printing of Street List, Gasoline and Fuel Oil.
201
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Quotations by mail and telephone were received on Pole Line Hardware, Cast Iron Fittings, Water Department Supplies, Gravel, Chemical Supplies, Office Supplies and Machines, Electric and Water Meters, and Highway materials.
Maintenance and Repairs of all Town Buildings including heating problems, plumbing repairs, roof repairs, electrical repairs and carpentry work was handled as quickly as possible to prevent additional damage to Town property.
I wish to thank all departments for forwarding requisitions well in advance of their anticipated needs so that the proper bids and quotations could be received and the Town in return receive the best available prices.
Very truly yours,
JOHN J. MCAULIFFE Clerk of Purchases
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Mr. Walter A. Blasenak General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit my report as Town Engineer for the year 1961.
In 1961, the proposed work program for the year was substantially completed. Private engineering help was needed for part of the construction projects, with the remainder of the work being done by the Engineering Department which at the time consisted of the Town Engineer, Assistant Town Engineer, and six members of varying engineering grades.
By tlie end of 1961, however, the department had lost three of the six members. There has been one replacement at this moment, and the work load in 1962 appears to be at least as heavy as the past year. Therefore the acquisition of permanent capable personnel still remains a problem. The Engineering department positions must be made attractive salary-wise or the plan for a balanced, stable, and capable department will never be fulfilled.
A sunniary of the more important projects handled by the Engineering Department in 1961 follows:
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
SEWER CONSTRUCTION 1961
Town Contract - Town Engineering
Neponset St .- Existing M.H. to Access Rd.
968' 8" AC
Neponset St .- To service houses west of Nahatan St. ramp
143'
6" AC
Access Rd .- Ridgewood Drive easterly
187' 8" AC
Access Rd .- Ridgewood Drive westerly
320' 8" AC
Ridgewood Drive-Existing M.H. to Access Rd.
162' 10" AC
Elk Parkway South-Chapel St. to 270' North
270' 8" AC
Prospect St .- Existing M.H. to Myrtle St.
422' 10" AC
Myrtle St .- Prospect St. to 327' East
327' 8" AC
Geo. Willett Parkway-Main Sewer to Walpole St.
469'
8" AC
Walpole St. (near Garden Parkway for Simoni Apartments) Existing sewer west side of Walpole St. to east side and 200± south
260' 8" AC
Town Forces - Town Engineering
Boston Prov. Highway-Main Sewer-west side to east side (Friend Lumber)
86' 8" AC
Development Sewer with Town Inspection when possible
Kettering Rd .- Burnley easterly 315' - 8" VC
Devon Rd .- Malvern to Norwich 365' - 8" VC
Burnley Rd .- Malvern to Kettering
410' - 8" VC
Malvern Rd .- Westover Pkwy. to Albermarle Harrow Rd .- Yarmouth to Albemarle
1285' - 8" VC
Albemarle Rd .- Harrow northerly & southerly
360' - 8" VC
Yarmouth Rd .- Harrow northeasterly
343' - 8" VC
St. Catherine Rd .- Eisenhower to Fales Carpenter St .- Earle to Fales
360' - 8" VC
Fales Ave .- St. Catherine to Carpenter
245' - 8" VC
Yarmouth Rd .- Malvern south westerly
720' - 8"AC & VC
Orleans Rd .- Easement easterly & westerly Easement-Wilson St. to Orleans
809' - 8"AC & CI
583' - 10" AC & CI
DRAIN CONSTRUCTION 1961
Town Contract - Town Engineering
Easement-Geo. Willett Parkway to Ellis Pond, Easement-Geo. Willett Parkway to Ellis Pond Geo. Willett Parkway-At Easement
Easement-Union St. northerly @ #198 Union Street-Easement westerly
Laurel Road-Holly Drive northerly
Railroad Ave .- Hill St. to Housing Development
Hawes Pool Parking Area-Hawes Brook to Parking Lot
139' - 48" RCP
132' - 18" RCP 36' - 12" RCP 351' - 24" RCP 55' - 12" RCP 400' - 15" RCP 138' - 15" RCP
294' - 10" CP 220' - 6" Corr.
290' - 8" VC
Westover Parkwy .- Leyton Rd. westerly
1700' - 8" VC
600' - 8" VC
203
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
State Contract & Engineering
Sumner Street-Pleasant Street easterly
390' - 12" Conc.
Boston Prov. Highway-Main Drain northerly
400 - 36" Conc.
65' - 24" Conc.
Boston Prov. Highway-Northwest Turning Area
688' - 12" Conc.
Boston Prov. Highway-Southwest Turning Area
236' - 12" Conc.
Boston Prov. Highway-Dean St. to Neponset River
450' - 12" Conc.
Developments - Town Inspection when possible
Yarmouth Road-Malvern south westerly Burley Road-Malvern to Kettering 325' - 12" Conc.
Devon Road-Malvern to Norwich 225' - 12" Conc.
1250' - 18" & 15" Conc.
295' - 12" Conc.
1100' - 12" Conc. 275' - 12" Conc.
125' - 8" VC
677' - 12" VC
570' - 10" VC
120' - 12" VC
Fales Avenue-St. Catherine to Carpenter
240' - 12" VC
WATER MAIN CONSTRUCTION 1961
Town Contract & Town Engineering
Irving Street-From existing main to Forrest Ave.
-From Forrest westerly
Fire Sprinkler lines for Schools:
Shattuck School
77' - 6" C.I.
Callahan School
Balch School
112' - 6" C.I. 162' - 6" C.I. 52' - 6" C.I.
Junior High School
Winslow School
110' - 6" C.I.
Town Forces & Town Engineering
Boston Prov. Highway-West side to east side (Friend Lumber) 67' - 8" C.I. 45' - 8" C.I.
Boston Prov. Highway-Northerly and southerly
Town Contract - Private Engineering - Town Inspection
Senior High School-Relocate main from Victoria Circle to Standpipe
Bonney Lane-Extension to tie-in with Victoria Circle Westover Parkway-Nichols to East & West legs
Westover Parkway-Leyton to East leg
1033' - 12" C.I. 320' - 8" C.I. 538' - 12" C.I. 218' - 8" C.I.
160' - 6" C.I. 146' - 8" C.I.
Malvern Road-Westover Pkwy. to Albemarle Harrow Road-Yarmouth to Albemarle Westover Parkway-Croyden to Malvern Orleans Road-Wilson Street westerly Greenleaf Road-Susan St. northerly Eisenhower Road-Earle St. to Hill St. St. Catherine Road-Eisenhower to Fales Carpenter Street-At Fales Avenue
468' - 12" Conc.
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