USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1960-1962 > Part 70
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Based on our own experience and observations and those of mem- bers of our staff of Playground Leaders, the following recommendations are offerred for your consideration :
1. Develop facilities in Ellis Gardens area for playground purposes. A start has been made on this project and early completion is desirable.
2. Continue improvement of Pleasant Park playground by filling, loaming, and seeding of area beyond baseball field.
3. Construct two hard surface tennis courts at the Recreation Center, adjacent to the present courts, at corner of East Hoyle and Washington Streets. This would permit play earlier in the season that now is possible and would extend the season fur- ther into the fall. Also install lights at present courts to extend playing day.
4. Carry out miscelaneous smaller projects which have been rec- ommended in the 1963 budget requests.
Twilight Baseball League
Seven teanis of boys and young men up to age twenty-one were participants in the Twilight Baseball League during 1962. There were approximately one hundred young men involved in this popular summer time activity with more than fifty games being played at three different locations on two evenings of the week. Equipment and supervision was provided by the Department. Many spectators also found enjoyment in this activity.
Girls' Softball League
The Girls' Softball League expanded from six to eight teams in 1962 with more than one hundred twenty-five girls and young women seeing action during the season. Beginning in early May and continuing through August, games were played on four evenings of the week at the Recrea- tion Center softball field. A total of fifty-four games were played during the year. At the conclusion of the year, the girls in the league enjoyed their annual banquet at a popular Boston restaurant.
Men's Softball League
In its second year of revival, the Men's Softball League expanded from six to seven teams with more than one hundred thirty-five young men taking part in the forty-two games that were played. Games were played on three different evenings of the week at Endean Field with many
238
TOWN OF NORWOOD
spectators also in attendance to watch the keen competition. The Depart- ment assisted in organization and supervision of the league, with partici- pating teams providing for equipment and officials throughout the season.
Fourth of July Celebration
The second year of the expanded Fourth of July Celebration saw an even bigger and better affair than the preceeding year. The Recreation Department participated in planning sessions during the early part of the year and had direct responsibility for the N.E.A.A.A.U. Swim Meet which was held on the afternoon of the holiday. The Department also cooperated in conduct of the Junior Olympics held the morning of the holiday, and had responsibility for the evening fireworks display. Once again the entire program on the fourth of July drew loud praise from everyone, and all those from the various community organizations who participated in the day are to be commended for their continuing coopera- tion in making this such a wonderful event in Norwood.
Swimming Program
Father McAleer Pool and Hawes Brook Pool opened on Saturday June 23rd and were open each day of the week until Labor Day, the traditional closing day. The pools were open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon for swimming classes and from 12:30 p.m. to dark for general public swimming. On Saturdays the pools opened at noon, and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and remained open each of these days until dark.
Although there were no prolonged spells of hot weather, attendance at both pools was noticeably up over preceeding years. Once again we wish to pay public tribute to the entire staff of the program for their devotion to duty and their efficiency of performance in this most respon- sible activity.
A complete instructional program was offered with classes during the summer for those who could not swim at all up through experts. Registration was conducted in the spring through the local schools with some two thousand boys and girls signing up for classes and ultimately assigned to classes. Classes were arranged for a two week period for each participant, with each class meeting for a one hour period Monday through Friday. Those successfully completing tlie courses and passing final ex- aminations were awarded suitable Recreation Department certificates. A total of six hundred ninety-one such certificates were awarded, the highest total in any one year to date. These were broken down as follows: 356 Elementary, 154 Advanced Elementary, 135 Advanced, 39 Junior Lifeguard, and 8 Senior Lifeguard. Hundreds of others, although unable to pass the final test for their certificate, did however benefit greatly from the instruction they received.
Two Swim Meets were held during the season, a Playground Swim Meet for Norwood children exclusively and the Annual Regional Swim Meet with a record number of swimmers from several nearby communi-
239
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
ties participating. Canton emerged as winner of the Regional Meet, edging Norwood by the slim margin of 31/2 points. Those meets provided healthy competition while at the same time stimulating interest in the individual swimmer to improve his swimming skills. Evidence of this was found in the fact that six Norwood swimmers competed in the N.E.A.A.A.U. Meet on the Fourth of July, the first time they have entered such a Meet iu recent history.
We have recommended that attention be given in 1963 to repairing the floor of Hawes Brook Pool and to rebuilding the walks around the Pool. Built in 1949, the Pool has stood up extremely well, but now needs attention to these two situations. Recommendations concerning this and other minor projects concerning the two pools have been made in our 1963 budget requests.
Re-opening of the indoor pool at the Recreation Center early in 1963 will add much to the overall program of recreation and will give us a facility that can be used fifty-two weeks of the year as against the short ten or eleven week season we now have outdoors. It is contem- plated that the indoor pool can be used in the summer instructional pro- gram, particularly with the more advanced pupils, thereby freeing the outdoor pools for beginning swimmers.
Senior Set
The Department continued to offer a series of programs for Norwood's senior citizens during 1962. Meetings were held approximately every three weeks at which speakers, films, entertainers, and other such pro- grams were presented. In addition, the members went on tours, attended sporting events, shows, and the like. There are at the present time in excess of two hundred on the mailing list, and attendance at meetings averages fifty.
Baton Twirling
This activity conducted exclusively for girls has grown in popularity and during 1962, more than one hundred girls came weekly to classes which were held one afternoon of the week at the Recreation Center with expert instruction and supervision available. The well known Norwood Rec-Ettes, the uniformed marching unit made up of girls in the classes, appeared in several local parades and were very well received. Another highly suc- cessful "Open House" was held in the spring of the year when parents and friends of the girls had the opportunity to see the girls perform in competition among themselves. In the fall of the year, the Norwood Twirling Club, an organization of parents and freinds of the girls, joined with the Department in sponsoring the Fifth Annual National Baton Asso- ciation Open Competition at the Norwood Junior High School, with con- testants from all New England states competing. The competition was again most successful, and sincere thanks are due the members of the Norwood Twirling Club for their untiring efforts.
240
TOWN OF NORWOOD
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 Riflle Club. The Club is divided into a Beginners Group and an Advanced Group, with each group meeting one evening of the week during all except the summer months at the range at the Municipal Building. After learn- ing the fundamentals of marksmanship and safety, the boys can fire for individual awards, take part in team postal matches conducted by the National Rifle Association with which the Club is affiliated, and they can take part in shoulder-to-shoulder matches with other clubs in this area. Approximately sixty boys participated in the program in 1962.
Recreation Basketball League
The Recreation Basketball League is operated for young men beyond high school age during the winter months to provide this group with much needed physical exercise and healthy competition. Five teams participated in the season that ran through last February and there are also five teams in the league now in action. A total of approximately ninety young men take part at one time or another in league activities. Supervision, equipment, and rental fees for the Senior High School gym are provided by the Recrea- tion Department. Games are played on two evenings of the week with many spectators on hand to enjoy the competition.
Girls Drama
The Girls Drama program has continued to grow in popularity and during 1962 the maximum number that could be accomodated in the pro- gram participated. The girls, ranging in age from seven through thirteen, meet in regular weekly sessions at the Recreation Center after school under the direction of the Supervisor of Drama and her Associate Super- visor. During the sessions, many activities related to the field of Drama are conducted on a somewhat informal basis. On three occasions during the year, "Open House" is staged wlien parents and friends can observe the work of the girls. The frenzied activicy of the girls on the nights of "Open House" remind one of real theatre. In their activities in this program, the girls are able to gain poise and confidence in expressing themselves as well as learning some basics of Drama, all the time enjoying themselves in this most worthwhile activity.
Halloween Program
Two parties were conducted on Halloween night in 1962 for the young people of Norwood. Seventh and eighth graders had their party at Social Hall of the Recreation Center, while high school age young people had their party at the Norwood Armory. Both parties were supervised by members of the Department staff with assistance from the local Police Department and from members of the National Guard Company at the Armory. Both parties as always were very well attended and were run off without incident, a fact
241
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
worthy of tribute to the young people attending. Norwood's continuing negli- gible record of vandalism on Halloween attests to the value of the parties conducted each year.
Friday Dances
Each Friday evening except during the summer months, dances were conducted for seventh and eighth graders at the Recreation Center. An orchestra is hired to play for dancing in Social Hall and they play between 7:30 and 10:00 p.m. Activities are supervised by members of the Department staff. A token admission charge of twenty-five cents is made, with receipts being turned in weekly to the Town Treasurer. Attendance at this tradition- ally popular social event ranges from a low of one hundred to a high of two hundred, depending on the weather, the season of the year, and conflict with other activities.
Boys Activities
Supervision was provided at the gym at Swimming Pool Hall through mid April of 1962, the regular time for suspending this activity. Boys of all ages and sizes were able to play basketball on an informal basis under supervision. Attendance varied according to the schedule of outside activi- ties, with never less than twenty-five and often many more than fifty in attendance. This program had to be suspended with the re-opening of the swimming pool, over which the gym had previously been built. Suitable facilities were not available at the times desired since school gyms were extremely busy with school activities afternoons after school and on Satur- day mornings. Were suitable facilities available, the program could well be re-activated.
Symphony Orchestra
After a promising start in the fall of 1961 and a fine Christmas Festival of Music, interest and attendance at rehearsals of the Norwood-Norfolk County waned again and early in 1962 it was deemed advisable to suspend activities. Competition for people's time cost us members, since those en- gaging in this type of activity were usually busy with other activities too. It was wth deep regret that the decision was made to suspend activities, and the Department would be quick to resume the program if it appeared that there might be sufficient interest.
Camera Club
At the request of the members of the Plimpton Camera Club, the De- partment took over sponsorship of this group in the spring of 1962. Mem- bership was immediately thrown open to any Norwood resident, with many new members joining. Meetings of the Club, now known as the Norwood Camera Club, are held twice a month at the Recreation Center, with speak- ers, Club competitions, and many other features on the program. The Club has a set of officers which looks after Club affairs, with the Department assisting where needed. There were fifty members at the end of 1962.
242
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Miscellaneous
The Department and its staff were able to assist many individuals and organizations during the year with projects related to recreation. The De- partment cooperated with other municipal departments in such programs as coasting streets, skating areas, lighting of areas, maintenance of areas, etc. The Superintendent appeared before local groups to interpret the pro- grams of the Department. Material was prepared and distributed to new comers to Norwood through the Welcome Wagon. The Superintendent also served on various committees concerned with town affairs, directly or in- directly related to the program of the Department.
Conclusion
The programs and activities described in the preceeding paragraphs could not have been possible without the cooperation of many other indi- viduals and groups. Special appreciation is due the General Manager, his able staff, the Board of Selectmen and their Recreation Advisory Committee, and to many other official and unofficial town organizations. Thanks are due to the many persons employed in various capacities during the year for their continuing loyalty, efficiency, and fine performance. Finally, we are deeply grateful to the countless participants in the various programs and activities of the Department for their understanding and cooperation during the year. With their continuing help, we pledge a continuation of efforts to provide Norwood with the best recreation programs and facilities possible.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD E. READY Superintendent
243
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Mr. Walter A. Blasnak General Manager Town of Norwood, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I present you herewith, the annual report for the Dept. of Weights & Measures of the Town of Norwood, for the year ending December 31, 1962.
The total measuring devices used commercially that were inspected, tested and sealed during the year were 754 units. The 739 units sealed as correct for use within legal tolerances required 141 adjustments. There were 6 units not sealed as commercial devices and prohibited for such use, and 9 units were condemned and removed from service.
There were 1082 spot check trial reweighings and measurements of commodities sold or put up for sale during the year. These findings in- dicated some 591 units as correct, 134 units were under weight and 357 units were over weight. Exceptional findings were removed from sale, with appropriate instructions for adjustments and proper merchandising.
The total fees of $424.65 were collected by the sealer and deposited with the town treasurer during the year.
The sealer attended the sixty-seventh annual conference of the Mass. Weights & Measures Association, held this year in Auburn, Mass., which is always a source of enlightment for improving service.
I wish to thank the Manager, Selectmen, Police Dept., State Dept. Of- ficials, together with local merchants, industrial representatives, and the public, for their respective cooperation with this department thus making it possible to quietly and efficiently realize the achievement of this report.
Very respectfully,
FREDERICK F. BROWN
Sealer of Weights & Measures
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BUILDING COMMITTEE
The Elementary Schools Building Committee, appointed by the Mod- erator following action taken by the Town Meeting on December 5, 1956, presents herewith its fourth and final report. Details of previous reports may be found in each of the published Town Reports of 1957, 1958, and 1960.
Again, the Elementary Schools Building Committee wishes to express its appreciation to all those who have assisted in the completion of two very fine elementary schools in the Town of Norwood. We are confident that the school plants, buildings, equipment, and grounds were planned, pro- cured, and secured, in such manner as to provide the best educational facility for the children, for the teachers, and for the neighborhoods for which they were provided, and were in accordance with the thinking of school officials and approved by the Massachusetts School Building Assist- ance Commission.
Minor matters have, since the last report, been cleared and settled to the satisfaction of your Elementary School Building Committee. The Com- mittee, following several years of planning and action, having met together in Committee meetings since organization, 121 sessions, therefore recom- mends that the Town Meeting accept this, its final report, and further re- quests that its members be discharged.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR B. RODGERS, Chairman MARY H. HEMMAN HENRY W. DIGGS CHANNING W. SOUTHER, Jr. ERNEST PACIORKOWSKI J. HERBERT LINDBLOM
245
SCHOOL HOUSING COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HOUSING COMMITTEE
PROGRESS REPORT
The Elementary School Housing Committee appointed in May, 1960 in its 1961 report to Town Meeting recommended the building of another Elementary School on the Prospect Street site, a recommendation ac- cepted by the Meeting and a new school is presently being constructed on the site.
In November, 1961, the Committee began further study of the need for Elementary, Junior High and High School housing under the Chair- manship of Arthur Rodgers. At a meeting with Dr. Coakley, the Super- intendent outlined the expected housing needs for the next five years - another elementary school, a new Junior High, and an addition to the Senior High School.
Before the Committee began considering any more new buildings, it was felt that the next logical step would be the exploration of the possibilities of renovating, remodelling, and adding to buildings. Accordingly, the Committee members arranged to visit the various schools and the recommendations of the Committee will be included in our next report to Town Meeting.
The Committee is presently awaiting
(1) A meeting with the School Committee for a discussion and clarification of various questions relating to their plans re- garding the older school buildings, and
(2) The results of a new Census which is being taken through- out the Town of the School population and its distribution.
As soon as this information is available, the Committee will be in a position to make its recommendations and present its report to Town Meeting members at an early date.
The Committee has also been invited to participate in the meetings of the Planning Committee for a Regional Vocational School, and the
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Study Committee has approved the sending of a delegate, and Mrs. Francis Wisgirda was named to join with the two other members from Norwood to serve on this Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR B. RODGERS, Chairman JOHN P. MOGAN ANDREW M. MONAHAN JOHN A. ABDALLAH
JEAN R. BROWN JOSEPH R. OLSHAN
FRANCIS X. SHEEHAN, JR. ALENA WISGIRDA JAMES T. O'SULLIVAN
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE: (Seated) Mrs. John P. Dixon; Mr. Edward Governman, General Con- tractor; Mr. Joseph R. Olshan, Chairman of Committee; Mr. George Stoner, Architect; Mrs. Robert Hemman; Stand- ing) Mr. Ambrose Kelly, Miss Elizabeth Syverson, Clerk of Committee; Dr. P. O. Coakley, Supt. of Schools; Walter A. Gotovich, Town Counsel; Mr. John A. Abdallah, Mr. Francis X. Sheehan, Jr.
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
247
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER January 1, 1962 to December 31, 1962
Balance January 1, 1962
$1,209,699.77
Received from:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Corporation Taxes
273,146.05
Income Taxes
School Aid - Chapter 70
222,610.36
State Tax Apportionment
115,700.00
Vocation Education
43,614.64
Meal Tax
6,861.00
Transportation of Pupils
15,268.00
English Speaking Classes
378.13
State Aid Free Public Libraries
6,224.50
Highway Reimbursement - Chapter 90
9,411.15
Reimbursement School Construction
150,744.97
Reimbursement Loss of Taxes, Paraplegic Veterans
1,203.30
National Defense Education
14,014.66
U. S. Grants:
Aid to Dependent Children (Regular)
14,095.13
Aid to Dependent Children (Adm.)
3,739.19
Disability Assistance (Regular)
7,519.21
Disability Assistance (Adm.)
1,143.98
Old Age Assistance (Regular)
61,055.72
Old Age Assistance (Admin.)
3,465.02
Medical Assistance for the Aged (Regular)
63,879.54
Medical Assistance for the Aged (Admin.)
1,793.15
Smith-Hughes-Geo. Barden Acct.
6,240.00
Norfolk County :
Dog License Returns
1,511.06
Highway Reimbursements - Chapter 84
4,747.88
Court Fines
2,351.00
Court Fines (Parking Violations)
568.00
248
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Taxes and Assessments :
Property Taxes
3,437,655.67
Polls
12,390.00
Motor Vehicle Excise
582,673.58
Sewer Assessments Apportioned
8,346.25
Water Liens
12,105.71
Committed Interest
1,865.54
Street Betterments Apportioned
168.81
Sewer and Street Assessments Paid in Advance
16,687.60
Costs
2,735.60
Interest:
Taxes and Assessments
1,743.22
Tax Titles
114.56
Stabilization Fund
21,807.31
Cemetery Trust Fund
4,355.89
High School English Prize Fund
20.00
Harriet W. Lane Fund
32.00
E. Florence Morse Fund
20.00
Anna M. Day Trust Fund
200.00
William T. Whedon Fund
20.00
Alice H. Plimpton Trust Fund
440.00
Post War Rehabilitation Fund
13.44
Warren H. Cudworth Fund
20.00
Electric Service Deposit Fund
2,118.68
Chickering Fund
25.12
Surplus Revenue Invested
16,289.10
Intercepter Sewer (Norwood)
2,303.68
Intercepter Sewer (Walpole)
1,773.04
Accounts Receivable :
Police
1,175.00
School
28,943.79
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
249
Old Age Assistance
22,737.78
Playground
65.00
Veterans Services
17,891.33
Medical Assistance for the Aged
43,803.92
Disability Assistance
11,232.72
General Government
101.00
Garage
545.10
Aid to Dependent Children
12,721.67
Water Maintenance
158.87
Light
4,117.26
Welfare
977.87
Sewer
20.37
Health
911.42
Electric Light Rates
1,538,264.18
Water Rates
327,831.11
Cemetery Care of Lots
2,990.00
Certificates of Municipal Liens
1,206.00
Certificates for Dissolving Betterments
14.00
Guarantee Deposits :
Electric
15,515.00
Water
14,077.83
Sewer
19,906.77
Drains
1,674.63
Permanent Sidewalks
105.00
Departmental Receipts:
Town Clerk and Accountant:
Marriage Intentions
440.00
Recording Fees
58.50
Certifying Fees
1,114.00
Dog Licenses
2,515.50
Sporting Licenses
4,331.50
250
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Street Lists
430.00
Mortgages
1,959.50
Cemetery Interment Fees
8,895.00
Cemetery Sale of Lots
6,049.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care
5,900.00
Cemetery Private Work
1,150.03
Selectmen:
Liquor Licenses
15,800.00
Auto Licenses
190.00
1-Day Liquor Licenses
1,180.00
Permits
47.50
Pinball Machine Licenses
320.00
Miscellaneous Licenses
962.00
Health :
Dental Clinic
420.50
Eye Clinic
74.50
Plumbing Fees
3,470.00
Miscellaneous Permits and Licenses
106.50
School:
Special School Lunch Fund
56,553.45
A. A. Revolving Fund
27,188.25
Special School Lunch Fund (Comm. of Mass.)
29,368.40
Women's Club (Free Milk)
483.68
Miscellaneous Receipts
416.25
Peabody School:
Special School Lunch Fund
5,311.10
Dressmaking
163.81
Tea Room
1,665.64
Bakery
598.95
Business
27.85
Beauty Culture
1,556.40
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
251
Boys' Vocational
30.00
Dining Room
1,460.80
Special School Lunch Fund (Comm. of Mass.)
1,594.94
Building Permits
10,417.00
Light Permits
3,527.90
Water
4,953.00
Recreation
630.00
Police
297.75
Fire
23.50
Library
4,988.95
Dance Permits
854.00
Hall Rentals
10.00
Sale of Junk (Public Works)
376.00
Sale of Junk (Welfare)
10.00
Sale of Junk (Light Dept.)
20.00
Sale of Junk (Manager's Office)
5.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
424.65
Group Insurance Dividend
2,518.00
Carnival Permit
1.00
Salvage Rights
1,000.00
Restitution for Damaged Parking Meters
474.00
Parking Meter Receipts
17,005.65
Hydrant Rentals
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