USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1960-1962 > Part 67
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I wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all for their continued assistance and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNA A. TOBIN, R.N.
MILK INSPECTORS
Licenses to sell milk were issued to milk dealers, stores and res- taurants.
Licenses to manufacture frozen desserts were issued to ice cream plants.
One license to maintain a plant for the pasteurization of milk was granted.
Registration certificates for the sale of oleomargarine were issued to stores.
Two complaints about unsatisfactory milk were received in 1962.
Five hundred and eight laboratory tests were made on one hundred thirty one samples of milk and cream. These tests were made in the Norwood Board of Health laboratory and the results were similar to those of recent years.
1. Milk and cream sold in Norwood is within the limits prescribed by law and existing regulations.
2. Although the butterfat tests and total solids determinations were above current legal requirements, they continue to be disappointedly low.
With merchandisers and promoters dominating a large sector of the dairy industry and "milkmen" controlling a smaller part of the industry, the trend to a controlled product, containing less butterfat and total solids, can be expected to continue.
SCHOOL DENTIST Public School
Number of children completed 296
Number of children not completed
2
Number of temporary fillings 861
Number of temporary extractions 126
197
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Number of permanent fillings
301
Number of permanent extractions
14
Number of cleanings
4208
Number of children examined
5014
Number of children without dental disabilities
3195
Parochial School
Number of children completed
98
Number of children not completed
1
Number of temporary fillings
201
Number of temporary extractions
66
Number of permanent fillings
103
Number of permanent extractions
3
Number of cleanings
90
Number of children examined
1502
Number of children without detal disabilities
989
Respectfully submitted,
TIMOTHY J. CURTIN, School Dentist
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
January
20 Permits
July
26 Permits
February
21 Permits
August
30 Permits
March
26 Permits
September
14 Permits
April
30 Permits October
33 Permits
May
47 Permits
November
7 Permits
June
30 Permits
December
28 Permits
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY A. SHANNON
Plumbing Inspector
The Norwood Board of Health attempted to evaluate its worth to the Community in the closing days of 1962. We found to our satisfaction that among the many services extended to the Community:
We immunized 4,771 children with Salk Vaccine.
We furnished enough smallpox vaccine to innoculate 1,812 people.
We furnished 1600 cc of Gamma Glubulin for control of viral diseases.
We furnished 3000 cc of Salk Vaccine for adults.
We returned eight people to a useful life in the community after being hospitalized for the treatment of tuberculosis. We will continue to help maintain their well being by contact with these former patients through our chest x-ray clinic.
We furnished silver nitrate to protect the eye sight of 1,748 new born infants in Norwood.
198
TOWN OF NORWOOD
We helped improve standards in Nursing Homes.
We helped improve and protect the eye sight of school children in our Eye Clinic.
We extended Dental Clinic services to school children.
We conducted environmental inspections throughout the community to help improve the public health.
We immunized 5,874 children with Sabin Oral Vaccine.
Public Health is a changing field. It must constantly adapt its activi- ties to meet new problems and develop new programs. The Board of Health feels confident that it has adapted its activities to meet current problems and it will adjust to new problems of the future.
NORWOOD BOARD OF HEALTH JAMES F. FOLEY JOHN P. DIXON ROY T. LYDON, M.D., Chairman
REPORT OF NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY
Mr. Walter Blasenak Municipal Building Norwood, Massachusetts
RE: Annual Report of the Norwood Housing Authority.
Dear Sir:
The Norwood Housing Authority is authorized by Section 26F of Chapter 121 of the General Laws as amended.
Meetings: Annual Meeting-First Friday after the Annual Town Election. Regular Meetings-First and third Wednesdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Authority Office, 14 Adams Street.
Members: John L. Griffin, Chairman-1964; Frank L. Walsh, Vice Chair- man and State Appointee-1966; Francis E. Donlan, Treasurer-1965; Roger J. Connolly, Assist. Treasurer-1966; Joseph Long, member-1963.
Personnel: Lawrence J. O'Brien, Executive Director and Secretary; John Foley, Maintenance Aide; Sullivan & Schwartz, Accountants; Attorney Dennis P. O'Leary, Counsel; Thomas J. Foley, Servicing Broker-Insurance; Louise Mohan, Clerical Worker.
The Norwood Housing Authority is a public corporation organized in August of 1948 to administer all types of public housing.
It is composed of four elected officials and one state-appointed member. One member is elected or appointed each year for a term of five years.
199
REPORT OF NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY
The Authority currently administers a 75-unit State-aided Veteran's Low-income Development constructed in 1950 under Chapter 200 of the General Laws and, a 50 Unit Elderly Development constructed under Chap- ter 667 of the General Laws.
The Authority received approval of Town Meeting in November of 1962 to apply to the State Housing Board for the construction of 44 additional Elderly Units under Chapter 667. The Authority selected the Percy Everett Property, adjacent to the present Elderly Project, as the site for their second Development. The State Housing Board has not yet approved this selection. An independent appraiser has set a price on the property. Pending State Housing Board approval of the site and the price established, nothing can be done in the way of construction. However, we are of the opinion that this site will eventually be approved, since it will improve the location immensely and will be less costly in the long run than an alternate site.
All of this construction came about as a result of State Legislation under Chapters 200 and 667 of the General Laws. Since the Commonwealth guarantees payment of bonds over a 40 year period and pays a subsidy of 21/2% of the development cost, all major decisions and expenditures must receive final approval of the State Housing Board. There are no Federally- aided Developments in the Town of Norwood.
The primary purpose of Public Housing Legislation is to provide decent housing for low and middle-income groups at rents they can afford to pay.
The Veterans Development 200-1, known as Washington Heights and located at Roosevelt Avenue and Jefferson Drive, has 33 single homes with 3 bedrooms, 12 duplex, and 6 triplex apartment buildings with 2 bedrooms. The present average rent is $47.00 per month. It is 100% occupied and there are 82 applications for admittance on file. In September of 1962, the State Housing Board approved a Contract for the Exterior Painting of this Project. The Contract was awarded to the low-bidder, General Painting Company of Hingham, Massachusetts, for $15,215.00. Work on this Contract was stopped in early November because of cold weather. The job is about 90% coni- pleted and will continue when the weather permits.
The Elderly Development 667-1, known as Willow-wood Terrace and located on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Adams Street, has 50 3-room apartments in 6 brick buildings. It also has a Community Building con- sisting of a completely furnished recreation hall, a coin-operated laundry, fully-equipped kitchen, and the Housing Authority Office. This is the first year that we have had a permanent office. Prior to this, Authority business was conducted from the Executive Director's home, and meetings were held in Room 24 of the Municipal Building. Needless to say, operation of Au- thority business has vastly improved. Many of the furnishings and equip- ment for this building were donated by local organizations and individuals. We wish to express our thanks to the following for their donations:
Norwood Council Knights of Columbus, Norwood J. C. Ettes, Norwood Lodge of Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ameri- can Legion, Womens Community Committee, and Mr. Alec Abdallah.
200
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Willow-wood Terrace was dedicated in October of 1962 with appropriate ceremonies. It too is 100% occupied. There are 20 couples and 30 single occupants in the 50 units. At present we have 99 applications for admittance on file. The average rent is $56.00 per month, which amount includes all utilities.
In order to construct these housing units, the Authority must receive the cooperation and approval of the Town of Norwood's elected officials, department heads, and the town meeting members. We have been very fortunate in this respect, and at this time, we wish to express our gratitude to all the town departments for their assistance in this worthy endeavor.
THE NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY
JOHN L. GRIFFIN
FRANK L. WALSH
FRANCIS E. DONLAN
ROGER J. CONNOLLY
JOSEPH LONG LAWRENCE J. O'BRIEN, Secretary
NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY NORWOOD 200-1 MASS.
BALANCE SHEET-DECEMBER 31, 1962
ASSETS
Appropriation Fund-Norfolk County Trust
3.30
Administration Fund-Norfolk County Trust
7,312.37
7,315.67
Tenant's Accounts Receivable
1,228.84
Debt Service Fund
9,093.46
Debt Service Trust Fund
839.50
Debt Service Trust Fund Investments-U.S. Bonds
1,000.00
10,932.96
Investments -- Norwood Co-op
23,904.64
Investments-Union Savings
30,000.00
53,904.64
Prepaid Insurance
3,693.47
Development Costs
800,000.00
Less-Dev. Cost Liquidation
142,000.00
658,000.00
$735,075.58
TOTAL ASSETS
NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY: (Seated) John L. Griffin, Chairman; Roger J. Connolly, Francis E. Donlan, (Stand- ing) Dennis P. O'Leary, Counsel; Joseph Long, Lawrence J. O'Brien, Secretary; Frank L. Walsh.
REPORT OF NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY
201
LIABILITIES
Sundry Accounts Payable
.02
Withholding Taxes
211.38
Tenants' Security Deposits
750.00
Tenants' Prepaid Rents
2.00
752.00
Bonds Authorized
800,000.00
Less-Bonds Retired
142,000.00
658,000.00
State Aid Unapplied
4,000.00
Matured Interest and Principal
15,492.46
Debt Service Reserve
27,253.51
Unamortized Bond Premium
1,839.50
Operating Reserve
22,746.01
Capital Donation
207.10
Reduction of Annual Contribution
1,000.00
72,538.58
Net Income
3,573.60
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$735,075.58
NORWOOD HOUSING AUTHORITY NORWOOD 667-1 MASS.
BALANCE SHEET-DECEMBER 31, 1962
ASSETS
Administration Fund
2,876.20
Accounts Receivable-State Aid
3,937.50
Prepaid Insurance Development Costs
630,000.00
TOTAL ASSETS
$642,286.74
LIABILITIES
CONTRACT RETENTIONS
130.00
Notes Authorized
630,000.00
Matured Interest and Principal
6,573.30
Operating Reserve
4,794.95
Debt Service Reserve
519.75
11,888.00
Net Income
268.74
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$642,286.74
5,473.04
202
TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
Walter A. Blasenak General Manager Town of Norwood
Dear Sir:
The Committee on Industrial Development of the Town of Norwood herewith submits its twelfth annual report.
In addition to regular meetings of the General Committee and other special meetings of the Steering Committee contacts were made with several new firms.
Industrial progress during the past year is as follows:
The Scovill Manufacturing building on Morse Street, containing 21,450 square feet was completed.
Marrud Building on Dean Street was leased and Marrud expanded to location on Route 1.
Mr. Philip Cushing built a new factory on Lenox Street, area of 30,000 square feet.
Charles Briggs built a new factory on Endicott Street, comprising about 18,000 square feet for manufacture of HB Cough Drops.
Mr. William Dolan, President of the George E. Kent Company, dis- tributors and sales people for electrical trucks used in handling materials for factories has established his business at the corner of Morse Street and Route 1.
Windsor Gardens apartments on Walpole Street is progressing rapidly.
Discussions were held on proposed sale of the Ellis Water Shed land with the Bernat Company and members of the Steering Committee met with the Conservation Commission on protection of waterways through- out the town and industrial sites.
New zoning laws were discussed with the Planning Board.
Reports were submitted by Frederick A. Valentine on the status of the dredging of the Neponset River.
Albert P. Nelson was appointed a member of the Regional Route 95 Committee.
George T. Mahoney, Chairman of the Publicity Committee, prepared a new brochure for the town.
In addition, the Industrial Development Committee participated in the Kiwanis Show of Progress at the Norwood Armory.
As in the past, the Committee is deeply grateful for the cooperation they have received from the entire General Committee, official town boards and town personnel without whose help the above could not have been accomplished.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT P. NELSON, Chairman
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
203
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
To the citizens of Norwood:
January 8, 1963
We transmit herewith the annual statistical and narrative reports of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY L. DUNN Chairman, Board of Trustees
THERESE A. FLAHERTY ROBERT C. FOX THEODORE R. CRAWFORD
MARTIN B. CURRAN GERTRUDE A. TANNEYHILL
MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY 1962
And The Year Ahead
Annual reports generally record past events and facts, sometimes giving a brief look at the future. This one also records the past, but to study it the reader will need to see the appended section "Services and Events" and the annual statistical summary. This report concerns itself with the present and future-and with the past when it shapes and limits that future.
Nonetheless, there was one event of 1962 noteworthy enough to stand by itself and in the lead position-the retirement of Edna Phillips as Li- brarian. Miss Phillips' accomplishments, dedication, and character have been substantially and properly lauded in other documents in the past few months, so no attempt will be made to repeat those praises here. Of Edna Phillips herself it may simply and truthfully be said that she was and is something special as a librarian and a person and that she made it possible for the Library-like the Town -- to grow in 23 years from comfortable, hamlet anonymity to the threshold of medium-sized prosperity and vigor.
Leaving aside the question of the prospects of the Town, the significant fact to the Library is its position at the threshold of maturity. In spite of its 90 years as a Town department, the Library, like the adolescents who increasingly jam its limited space, is still peering ahead at the rewards and responsibilities of maturity. Of course, the Library has enjoyed adolescence so long that it has no fear of slipping back even momentarily into childhood. Nor does the Library lack the will to move into the future. It needs only the assurance of its guardians, the citizens of Norwood, that they desire- indeed, command-it to grow up and to make its full and proper contribution to their well-being.
204
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Naturally, this assurance should take the form of action not merely words. It would be gratifying to say that this action could be the act sup- porting or voting for a building addition, but the situation isnt that simple.
Not that the condition of the Library as revealed by 1962's events, sta- tistics, and services is complicated. Let's look at this condition :
The Library lias a large and increasing registered clientele, about 46% of the Town's estimated 26,000 population. Many of these people seldom or never use the Library, but they and the 14,000 unregistered contribute alike to its middling support-around $3.15 per capita.
This pays for the equivalent of 15 full time staff, six of whom are classed as professional librarians but only two of whom have the qualifica- tions and training that long-established professional standards require and, more important, which first rate service requires.
This support has built up a collection of over 56,000 books and 1,500 recordings. This may seem like a great many, but it is not nearly enough to satisfy either the depth or breadth of Norwood's reading interests. Although all of these materials have been carefully selected. many are now dated and should be replaced by newer items.
The staff is kept busy making this collection useful to the public, as attested by 4,200 information questions answered and 214,000 items circu- lated. This is so in spite of the fact that the Main Library, which had most of the 9,500 increase in circulation, cannot satisfactorily accomodate the rising number of children, youth, and adults who want and need to use it.
Indeed, physical facilities, inadequate as they are, dominate Norwood's library scene. The Main Library, built in 1898 of massive granite blocks, is imposing and, to some, beautiful. To those who use it and work in it, the building is small, crowded, cold, badly arranged, lighted, and ventilated, hard to supervise and maintain, and in general better suited to be a monu- ment than a library.
The system also includes the small South Norwood Branch located in rented quarters less than 11% miles from the Main Library. Volume there has risen gradually to a 25,000 annual cirulation, only 3,000 of which is adult non-fiction. The Hospital station is far less active even than that and declining. It seems to be more useful to the Hospital Staff than to the TV-equipped patients.
None of this is new or complicated, although the solution to it may be both. Trustees and Librarian started campaigning for expanded building facilities in 1943, and the problem ever since has been viewed primarily as one of space and proximity of physical facilities. Perhaps it is time to see it as something more.
Service-first class library service for the people of Norwood-is the problem. What kinds of service? meeting what needs? for what elements in the population ? to be achieved in what ways? are the questions to be asked before planning any building-or any other means to the end of high quality service.
205
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
The Library has an elected Board of Trustees to consider such long range questions. At the 1961 Town Meeting a Library Building Addition Committee was set up "to have charge of such construction or take any other action in the matter." The ideas of these two groups should crystallize during the coming year, probably in something beyond, "What kind of addi- tion should we build ?"
After analyzing the present service, its value to the Town, and the direction it should take, they will need to come to grips with the immediate problem of a Main Library inadequate to serve its purpose. They will need to consider the needs of South Norwood patrons and those across Route 1. They will have to consider the whole concept of extending services by means of branches, stations, and bookmobiles-in a relatively compact area with 10.4 square miles and 26,000 people.
They will certainly consider the value of preserving the aesthetic, his- torical, and sentimental qualities of the present building by adding to it, compared to the disadvantage of compounding and perpetuating its defects by such action.
The idea of a completely new building on the same or another site has been excluded from consideration so consistently that one might wonder what proportion of Norwood's citizens would really regard this as "out of the question" if it were brought to their attention.
So much has previously been taken for granted that it is to be hoped the Board, the Building Committee, and the people will re-examine all aspects of the Library situation with minimum preconception.
Instead of a doubly massive, inefficient, frustrating, and costly monu- ment surrounded by an equally ineffective system of hospital station, branch or two, and bookmobile, they might see a different kind of vision.
The vision, and the reality, could be a single modern, efficient building planned as a library according to the needs of the people of Norwood, beautiful as well as economical, and a monument only to the foresight of its creators.
SERVICES AND EVENTS, 1962
January 19-Dorothy Hogan resigned as records assistant.
January 29-Mrs. Mary Grenon began as records assistant.
July 21-Dorothy Shumaker suffered fractured hip and did not return to library till December 27. Mrs. Irene Olson, carried on the work of the Junior Department in her absence.
October 23-Edna Phillips retired as Librarian, having served since April 1, 1939. She was honored by the Town with a testimonial attended by 200 people at Holiday Haven November 15. She received numerous gifts and tributes including a message from President Kennedy among the con- gratulatory telegrams. On the initiative of the Staff the Trustees pre- sented Miss Phillips with a scroll gratefully commending her service and appointing her Librarian Emeritus.
206
TOWN OF NORWOOD
October 24-31 -- Martha Eaton, assistant librarian and cataloger, served as acting librarian.
November 1-Charles Joyce, former assistant librarian at Winchester, was appointed Director of the Library.
Contributions
-of time, money, displays, or services were made by many organiza- tions, including :
Norwood Woman's Club, Norwood Cooperative Bank, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, Knights of Lithuania, Kiwanis Club, Dedham Trust Company, Central Labor Union AF of L-CIO, seventeen local in- dustries during National Library Week, and of course the Friends of the Library.
Tours and Instruction
-- were provided for:
Peabody School student nurses, Cub Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, Lainy Kay Country Day School, the special public school class, eleven Balch School classes at the Branch, and 384 pupils from 5 schools at the Main Library.
Conferences, Conventions, and Meetings
Like other professions, the library world has its quota of gatherings. Mention will be made of three among those attended by Library representa- tives: The first Governor's Conference on Libraries in Boston, The Ameri- can Library Association Convention in Miami Beach, the University of Chicago Institute on the Medium-sized Library.
New This Year
Edna Phillips' "Tips on Good Books" Talk at the Hospital over closed circuit TV. This is believed to be a library and hospital "first." Hospital service was complicated by the building program. The Hospital's new policy of free TV in every room may have an adverse effect on reading there.
Filmns shown to 50 children at the South Norwood Branch. Two floures- cent lights and a (not quite complete) coat of paint for the interior of the Branch.
Students transferred from the Junior to the Adult Department at the end of the 8th grade instead of during the 9th grade year. This was occa- sioned by the shift of the 9th grade from the Junior High to the High School.
The Junior Department was opened Monday nights till 8 p.m., then later in the year till 8:30 p.m.
Classroom collections were selected by the Teachers themselves for the 1962-63 year. Tho started because of Miss Shumaker's absence, this program had the effect of getting more teachers into the Library and giving them more understanding of its services and problems. It will be continued.
207
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
In Their Second Year
The Film-Lending Service utilizing the collection of the Massachusetts Library Film Coop circulated 229 films.
The 16 MM projector given by the Women's Community Committee continued its usefulness to the many local organizations which borrowed it.
The state aid to libraries law resulted in the Town's receiving $6,224.50 from the State for library purposes.
Miscellany
The weeding of the entire collection, done every 5 years, was completed.
The final check on materials missing in the 1961 inventory showed that 1180 books and 6 recordings were missing for the 5 year period.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES JOYCE Director
To the Board of Trustees:
The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1962, arranged according to the form recommended by the American Library Association :
Name of Library Morrill Memorial Library
Town Norwood, Massachusetts
Name of Librarian Charles Joyce
Date of Founding 1790 Terms of Use Free for lending; Free for reference
Number of Agencies 3
Number of Days open in 1962
291
Number of Staff 10
Population, 1960 U.S. Census of Norwood 24,907
Books
Volumes Added to the Library:
Fiction by purchase 1835
Non-fiction by purchase 2064
Fiction gifts 120
Non-fiction gifts 151
4170
Records
Records Added to the Library by Purchase: 132
Records Added to the Library by Gift: 16
Volumes Withdrawn:
Fiction
1619
Non-fiction 1004
2623
Number of Volumes at end
of year:
56,435
Records Withdrawn .... 8 Total Number of Records at end of year: 1,508
148
208
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Circulation
Books
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Total
Adult Department
47,335
50,712
98,047
Junior Department
42,126
19,772
61,898
Schools
8,496
6,570
15,066
South Norwood Adult
7,445
3,071
10,516
South Norwood Junior
10,217
4,801
15,018
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