USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1963-1964 > Part 18
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Sidewalks
Sections of hot top sidewalks were rebuilt on the following roads: Beacon, Bullard, Chapel, Lenox, Vernon, Washington, Winter Streets and Grant, Lenox, Press, Saint Joseph, Wheelock and Winslow Avenues.
Granolithic sidewalks were laid on Sections of Broadway, Atwood Ave- nue, Elliott, Nichols, Vernon, Walpole and Winter Streets.
Maintenance and Control of Traffic
Traffic lines, parking lines, crosswalks, curb painting both on the highway as well as in our five town-owned parking areas were painted when needed.
New regulatory signs such as "Go Children Slow," "Stop" signs and various types of "Parking Signs" were placed as ordered. Existing traffic markers were replaced or repaired where needed.
The recent acceptance by the Town of the new "Pedestrian Control Law" will increase the materials and labor required to conform to its rules and regulations.
Parking Meters
Meters were checked daily, collections made weekly and either meters or their posts repaired as needed.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Pennies do not jam the new style heads and the stronger construction cuts down on the amount of vandalism.
We are continuing to set posts in metal sleeves when granolithic sidewalks are reconstructed. Placing of sleeves has lessened the damage to sidewalks when posts are struck by vehicles.
Drainage
The grading of the regulation baseball field along the location of the main drain, which was laid during the Winter of 1962 at Father McAleer's Playground, was concluded this Spring.
A new manhole was constructed on the Devon Road drain opposite to Nottingham Drive for the purpose of extending a main drain in and through Nottingham Drive.
Gutters have been regraded in sundry locations for the purpose of improving drainage.
A catchbasin and an eight inch lateral was added on Audubon Road. Several drain connections to buildings were laid.
Damage to both main and lateral pipes were promptly repaired. Broken castings on catchbasins and manholes were replaced. Several catchbasins and manholes were rebuilt.
A regular schedule for cleaning brooks, piped drains and catchbasins was maintained.
Highway Construction
The department extended Alpine Road westerly from Springvale Road to meet the roadway constructed in the new Oldham School grounds. A bituminous concrete mixture was used for sidewalk, curbing and street pavement.
SEWER DIVISION
One hundred linear feet of the eight inch asbestos cement Deerfield Road sewer main was extended and one manhole constructd at the end.
The cost for maintaining the Spruce Road Station has steadily in- creased due to obsolescence. And a study has been made of the need for improving the method of handling the sewage in this area.
A large group of mains sewers which frequently clog are inspected every second week. These lines become blocked mostly because of old age but in some cases due to either poor construction or laid to too flat a grade.
We had pictures taken of the internal condition of two of these lines namely, Warren Street and Roosevelt Avenue.
A camera is pulled through the main and a fiash picture is taken every three feet. Developed slides shows many sections of broken pipe exists in
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REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
the Warren Street main. We recommend immediate replacement of the entire Warren Street line.
Our budget requests an appropriation to continue such camera studies on other main lines in 1964 where frequent stoppages occur.
A complete cleaning of all mains should be an annual chore. Stoppages on liouse lines often are repeaters usually due to roots within sections of the pipe. Maintenance of this nature could be eliminated by replacing these pipes.
Sewer Statistics
1. Number of dwellings, January 1, 1963 5877
Number of dwellings built in 1963 102
Total number of dwellings, December 31, 1963 5979
2. Sanitary house connections made in 1963 128
3. Total number of sanitary house connections in operation 5786
4. Total length of sewer mains in operation January 1, 1963 77.07 miles
5. Total length of sewer mains built in 1963
4.5 miles
6. Total length of sewer mains in operation December 31, 1963
81.57 miles
7. Broken mains repaired during year
2
8. Broken services repaired during year 4
9. Services abandoned during year 2
10. Manholes rebuilt
5
11. Broken or worn castings replaced
6
12. Locked type covers installed 0
13. Main stoppages 14
14. Service stoppages 138
15. Services relaid
2
16. The department supervised the construction of all services laid by developers.
WATER DIVISION
1. Number of water services, including all services for public and private buildings, cemeteries, parks and fountains excepting services for fire purposes only, in use December 31, 1963
2. Number of above services equipped with meters
6321
4. Number of fire hydrants connected and ready for use, December 31, 1963
5. Length in feet of each size of main pipes four inches and above, in use December 31, 1963:
6321
3. Number of fire services connected and ready for use, December 31, 1963
59
718
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
4"
2,973'
6"
199,739'
8"
180,400'
10"
31,256'
12"
27,908'
14"
11,349'
16"
11,982'
20"
35'
24"
2,416'
468,058' - 86.66 miles
6. Number of meters set (new)
7. Number of meters replaced
192
8. New water services added to system
116
9. Water services renewed
7
10. Water services frozen
5
11. Water services abandoned
4
12. Water services leaks repaired
78
13. Hydrants broken by vehicles
4
14. Hydrants removed and relocated
4
15. Water main leaks
9
Water Statistics
Monthly Consumption in Gallons
Buckmaster
M.D.C.
Westwood Well
Station Ellis (Westwood) Station
Gallons Total
January
87,379,700
88,000
87,467,700
February
78,712,400
92,000
78,804,400
March
50,226,200
*30,450,000
99,000
80,775,200
April
77,805,000
* 6,600,000
96,000
84,501,000
May
96,853,300
88,000
96,941,300
June
108,819,000
. ...
84,000
108,903,000
July
123,039,000
.
...
98,000
123,137,000
August
115,980,300
93,000
116,073,300
September
102,920,000
89,000
103,009,000
October
107,291,000
.. ..
91,000
107,382,000
November
88,230,000
....
84,000
88,314,000
December
92,200,000
87,000
92,287,000
1,129,455,900
37,050,000
1,089,000
1,167,594,900
Yearly Total
1,167,594,900
Highest Day - July 25, 1963
5,760,000
Highest Week - July 23-30, 1963
32,090,000
Gallons of water supplied to distributing mains during year .. 1,167,594,900
..
...
....
. . .
...
.. .
116
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REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
*The Town Supply at the Westwood Well was tested twice each week. Wells at Ellis Station were tested once a month.
The well at Westwood was run 24 hours a day from March 11, 1963 until April 6, 1963 in order to keep down the ground water level in and around Buckmaster Pond.
On July 10, 1963 the Ellis Station pumped into the distribution system for eight hours when the M.D.C. supply was shut down in order to repair a leak on a 24-inch pipe.
The town by contract placed the following mains to strengthen the water distribution system.
1. Fourteen inch pipe on the West side of Route One between Sumner Street and Traphole Brook, thence twelve inch pipe to the East side of Route One. The Public Works Department added eighty feet of eight to the end of the twelve inch on the East side.
2. Twelve inch pipe between Nichols Street and Walpole Street (Route 1-A).
3. Eight inch also twelve inch pipe Walpole Street (Route 1-A) in vicinity of Garden Parkway.
4. Sixteen inch main in Nahatan Street from Monroe Street to new Fire House.
The Public Works Department laid:
1. Six hundred feet of six inch line from Everett Street to the Thomp- son Pontiac and the Central Motors buildings.
2. Six inch pipe to building of Norwood Installations, Lenox Street.
3. One hundred and fifty-four feet of eigh inch in and through Not- tingham Drive from Devon Road.
The Department carried out the following assignments:
1. Made all new connections to existing mains.
2. Supervised and inspected all new mains and services laid by de- velopers. Assisted engineers from the Town, State, Consultants and Insurance Groups in determining the location and depth of pipes below ground.
3. Water curb boxes were located and brought to grade ahead of the construction of all new sidewalks.
4. Hydrants on dead end lines were blown off Spring and Fall. Con- stant hydrant inspections were carried on during Winter months. Hydrants either damaged beyond repair by vehicles or inoperative due to age were replaced promptly.
5. Private swimming pools were filled on call. Pipe and fittings were transported from stock to locations where new mains were to be laid.
6. Domestic meters were read quarterly and factory meters monthly. Check valves where private supplies were cross-connected to the municipal supply were inspected quarterly. Stopped meters were repaired and replaced. Meters were set on new services and service calls were promptly made when requested.
232
TOWN OF NORWOOD
7. The water properties including Buckmaster Pond were regularly patrolled and maintained.
8. All water supply meters and instruments were tested and calibrated.
9. A heavy wire screen replaced an old wooden cover over a large well at old Ellis Station.
10. All main water gates in the distribution system were mechanically closed and opened using a power-driven valve machine.
11. Respond to all fire alarms in industrial and mercantile areas.
FORESTRY
Moth Suppression - Dutch Elm Disease Control
Elm trees when in leaf were sprayed by a contractor for the control of the Elm Leaf Beetle.
A contractor removed many diseased trees and trimmed trees on vari- ous streets of the Town. Ivy and roadsie weeds were sprayed in July.
Undergrowth was cleared at Shattuck Park.
Roadside brush was cut in outlying sections of the town.
Seventy-five Norway Maple trees and some flowering trees were planted in front of property owners' homes.
Rubbish Collection
The monthly collection has been adhered to. Christmas trees were collected in January. A collection was provided during the May Clean-Up Campaign for household items not normally allowed to be set out for pick up by the Town force.
Collection was made at Municipal buildings and at street rubbish cans once each week.
DUMP
The General Manager and his staff held several conferences pertaining to working out a Land-Fill Operation at the Municipal Dump whereby no burning of rubbish is allowed and all waste daily is covered with earth.
The Public Works Department prepared specifications and plans. The project was put out to public bid and a contract was awarded to A. Shagoury and Co., Norwood, Mass.
A Land-Fill Operation has been going on since Mid-Summer and it is proving very satisfactory.
Equipment
The following equipment was purchased for the department. Specifi- cations for the same were written by the department,
233
REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
1-Ford 300 four door sedan
1-Ford 34 ton pickup truck
2-4 cubic yard Model 192 International dump body trucks.
1-8 foot Baughman sand body.
Snow Removal
Plowing, sanding, salting, removal and posting of coasting signs was promptly done.
Catchbasins, hydrants and parking meter locations were cleared of snow. Sand boxes were set out on may hills and kept filled with sand for public use.
Parks and Playgrounds
All the parks, playgrounds, tennis courts and baseball diamonds were cleaned of debris and rolled in the Spring. Grass was treated with lime and fertilizer and mowed during the grass-growing season.
Frequent watering of shrubbery was carried out during extreme hot weather. Shrubbery was trimmed at the end of the growing season.
Brush was cut from wooded park and playground areas. Skating areas were maintained during the ice season. Assistance was given to promote events connected with the town Fourth of July Activities.
All the playground equipment was inspected, repaired, painted and erected at the different playgrounds.
New playground equipment such as swings, picnic tables and slides were also erected at the different playgrounds.
The Civic Tennis Courts, various baseball diamonds including four Little League fields were graded and maintained.
Hawes and Father McAleer's outdoor pools and buildings were main- tained from the opening day in June until Labor Day.
The department used many man hours at work assisting in renovating the indoor pool at the Recreation Center.
Public Works Buildings and Yard
The interior of the Public Works office was completed.
The main garage roof was removed and replaced.
Major repairs were made to the steam boiler.
Above work was by various contractors.
234
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Miscellaneous Work
1. Automotive maintenance work for the following departments: Cem- etery, Engineering, Light, Police and Public Works.
2. Issued gasoline to the following departments: Cemetery, Engineer- ing, Fire, Light, Police, Recreation, School and the Municipal Building.
3. Grounds maintenance to the following departments: Cemetery, Light, Recreation, School and the Municipal Building.
4. Maintenance of Honor Roll.
5. Erection of School Department playground equipment.
6. Handling of Voting Equipment.
7. Installation of flag holders prior to National Holidays.
8. Christmas Lighting.
9. Furnished equipment and labor to Cemetery, Civil Defense, En- gineering, Light and School Departments.
10. Custodian service at Municipal Building.
11. Equipment and labor to place joint filler on runway at Norwood Airport.
12. Drafted specifications for bituminous concrete road improvements at Highland Cemetery and supervised this contract work.
I wish to thank General Manager Walter A. Blasenak, the Board of Selectmen, the various department heads and other town officials, and the personnel of my department for their cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT E. CASEY
Superintendent of Public Works
235
REPORT OF CLERK OF PURCHASES
REPORT OF CLERK OF PURCHASES
Mr. Walter A. Blasenak General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The total amount of purchase orders issued in 1963 was 1750.
On all requisitions in the amount of $1,000.00 or more, advertisements were placed in the local papers and sealed bids were received in accord- ance with proposals and specifications.
Materials and equipment advertised for and purchased during the year included the following:
Automotive Equipment for Police and Public Works Departments; Aerial Cable and installation of same, Installation of underground con- ductors, Line Wire, Poles, Transformers, Switchgear, and Electric Meters for the Municipal Light Department; Road Oils, Bituminous Concrete, Gas- oline, Salt Spreaders, Cast Iron Pipe, for the Public Works Department; and School Supplies, Ice Cream, Milk, Fuel Oil, Painting, Carpentry work at various schools, Roof Repairs, and Renovation of toilet facilities at the Balch, Winslow and Shattuck Schools.
Quotations on many other items were received either by phone or through the mail.
I wish to thank all the other Town departments for their cooperation with this office during the past year.
Very truly yours,
JOHN J. MCAULIFFE Clerk of Purchases
236
TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Mr. Walter A. Blasenak, General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
January 20, 1964
Dear Sir,
It is again our pleasant duty to submit to you a report of activities of the Recreation Department during the year just ended. This is our fifteenth such report of activities and is the nineteenth report submitted since the Departmnt began operation on a full time basis.
The year just concluded again saw a continuance of efforts by all those concerned with the Department to provide for all segments of Nor- wood's population interesting and worthwhile leisure time activities. The continuing and in fact increasing participation in the various activities well reflects the acceptance of the programs by the citizens of the town.
In the paragraphs that follow we have attempted to describe the var- ious programs and activities conducted in 1963. We have also included where appropriate, recommendations for improving facilities and pro- grams.
Summer Playgrounds
Although actual numerical attendance at playgrounds during the nine week summer season was slightly lower than the previous year, interest and participation was good. The extreme heat of the early summer kept many away from playground activities and diverted them in to swimming activities. Five of the playgrounds showed an increase in total attendance while seven showed a decrease, and in all cases the decreases were small.
The playgrounds were conducted under supervision for a nine week season beginning Monday, June 24th through Thursday, August 22nd. The playgrounds were open daily for a six hour period, mornings from 9:00 a.m. to noon and afternoons from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Playgrounds were con- ducted 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 ex- clusively for girls and smaller 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 playgrounds were open. It is recommended that consideration be given to restoration of supervision at the High School Playground and at the new Oldham School area and provision has been made for this in our budget recommendations.
All members of the Playground staff attended a Playground Leader- ship meeting for one whole day prior to the opening of the season. On that
237
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
day a program was presented which was designed to acquaint the mem- bers of the staff with their duties and to cover various phases of the sum- mer program and activities. Subjects covered included Playground Man- agement, Leadership, Games, First Aid, Arts and Crafts and Tennis.
During the season, weekly meetings were held for all members of the Playground staff. These meetings were held to provide additional instruc- tion to the staff, to hear their comments, problems, and suggestions, and to assist them in better carrying out their duties.
We have stressed many times that good leadership is ninety percent of a good recreation program. We in Norwood have been extemely fortunate in the high calibre of applicant seeking summer work in our playground program. The success of the overall program is largely due to their en- thusiasm, loyalty, and industry.
The Supervisor of Sports handled the organization and conduct of all the various leagues in baseball and softball for boys and girls. Base- ball Leagues were conducted for boys of three different age groups with more than 150 games played during the season. Boys from age six up through age fifteen were eligible to play in these day time leagues. Girls age 6 through age fifteen were able to participate in softball leagues in two age groups, with more than 75 games played during the season. The Supervisor of Sports was responsible for all scheduling, equipment, direc- tion of games, and publicity for all five leagues. He also was responsible for direction of the activities of the Playgound Leaders, and assisted them in planning and conducting their programs at the individual playgrounds. He also assisted in planning and conducting the many special events that were part of the program during the season.
The Supervisor of Arts and Crafts had direct responsibility for the conduct of that program which was carried on at each of the playgrounds. Major projects were scheduled each week, with the Supervisor visiting each playground once during the week for usually a half day, instructing the Leaders and the children in the project of the week. The Supervisor also. prepared and distributed a large quantity of material to the Leaders during the season. She met with the Leaders at the weekly staff meetings, thus keeping in close with the Arts and Crafts activities.
Supervision and instruction in tennis was provided by the Tennis Supervisor at the Recreation Center courts and at the High School courts. A regular schedule was set up for the two locations and individual play- grounds could send children for instruction two different periods during the week. Children reporting directly to the courts also received instruction with all equipment furnished by the Department. A tournament was con- ducted near the end of the season with boys and girls of comparable skill competing against each other. Late in the summer two of the four courts at the Recreation Center were lighted for night play. This proved most popular immediately and the fine fall weather permitted night play until mid November. The lights remained on until 10:15 nightly.We strongly urge lighting of the two remaining courts and we have made appropriate recommendations in our budget requests for 1964.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Individual playgrunds conducted many and varied programs of inter- est to them. The traditional games provided many hours of enjoyment at the playgrounds and many groups engaged in such events as Doll Shows, Pet Shows, and the like. A town wide Horeshoe Tournament and a town wide Playground Swim Meet were held during the season and both were very well received.
The three annual special events were held again in 1963, the Nantas- ket Outing, the Red Sox Baseball Game, and the Stagemobile of the Boston Children's Theatre. Participation in all three of these annual features was greater than ever.
Based on our experience and observations and those of members of our staff, the following recommendations are offered to enable us to con- tinue to improve facilities and programs.
1. Continued development of the Ellis Gardens Playground, an excel- lent start having been made in 1963.
2. Continue improvement of Pleasant Park playground by filling, loaming, and seeding area beyond present baseball field.
3. Construct one hard surface tennis court at the Recreation Center, adjacent to the present courts and extend bang board on reverse side. Also install lights on the two unlighted courts.
4. Carry out miscelaneous smaller projects which have been recom- mended in our 1964 budget recommendations.
Indoor Swimming Program
After having been closed for some thirty two years, the indoor pool at the Recreation Center was completely reconditioned and reopened February 22, 1963. The addition of this fine facility has enabled the Department to expand its already active swimming program that has been conducted at the outdoor pools. Initially the pool was open for general swims but in September a regular class schedule was set up for Mondays through Thurs- days, with Fridays and Saturdays set aside for general swim sessions. There are now classes for all ages in all but non-swimming children. The depth of the water requires a child to be able to jump into deep water and swim reasonably well.
Classes are held also for adults and these have been very well attend- ed. The Girls' Water Ballet program has been especially popular as has the Boys' Competitive Class. A steady increase in interest and participa- tion has been noted since the resumption of the program in September and we look forward to ever increasing patronage.
Outdoor Swimming Program
Father McAleer Pool and Hawes Brook Pool opened on Saturday June 22nd and were open each day of the week until Labor Day, the tradi- tional 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
239
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
public swimming. On Saturdays the pools opened at noon, and on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and remained open each of these days until dark.
The prolonged hot spell of weather from opening through most of July brought out larger numbers of patrons than had ever been served at the outdoor pools. The long stretch of hot weather taxed the facilities almost to their limit and required unusual effort on the part of all per- sonnel to insure safe conditions for all those using the pools. Again we wish to compliment all members of the swimming staff for their devotion to duty.
A complete instructional program was offered with classes during the summer for those who could not swim at all up through those who were experts. Registration was conducted in the spring through the local schools with more than two thousand boys and girls signing up for classes and ultimately being 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 the courses and passing the final examinations were awarded suitable Recreation De- partment certificates as well as Red Cross certificates. Of great value to the instructional program was the availability of the indoor pool for teaching of advanced skills with the freeing of the outdoor pools and their shallower water for the beginning skills. A total of 674 certificates were awarded during the season as follows: 323 Beginners, 163 Advanced Be- ginners, 104 Intermediates, 64 Junior Life Savers, and 20 Senior Life Savers. Hundred of others, although unable to pass the final test for their certificate, nevertheless benefitted greatly from the instruction they received.
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