USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1963-1964 > Part 50
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10. Custodian service at Municipal Building.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation given me by the personnel of this Department and all officials and per- sonnel of other departments of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT E. CASEY Superintendent of Public Works
REPORT OF CLERK OF PURCHASES
Mr. Walter A. Blasenak General Manager
Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I wish to submit my report as Clerk of Purchases for the year 1964.
Purchase orders issued in answer to requisitions from all departments totaled 1780.
On all requisitions that the purchase price exceeded $1000.00, adver- tisements were issued for sealed proposals and bids were awarded in accordance with Town by-laws.
Sealed proposals were received for the following:
General Government
Printing Annual Town Report Printing Street List
Cemetery Department
Bituminous Concrete Installation Chain Link Fence - Old Parish Cemetery Backhoe - Grave Digger
Town Clerk
Accounting Machine
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REPORT OF CLERK OF PURCHASES
Public Works
Automotive Equipment Street Oil
Bituminous Concrete
Bank Gravel and Sand
Water and Sewer Pipe Rock Salt
Water Meters
Engineers
Automotive Equipment
Playgrounds
Painting exterior of Civic Building
Installation of walks and driveway at Civic
Repairs to deck and walls - Hawes Pool
Utilities
Sewer, Water, Drain Construction - various locations
School Department
Renovation of Football Field - Senior High
Science Equipment
Language Laboratory Equipment Overhead Projector School Program Service
Heavy Duty Jointer
School Furniture
Instruction Supplies Renovation Toilets at Balch, Shattuck and Winslow Schools
Annual Ice Cream and Milk Supplies
Roof Repairs at various schools Exterior Painting - various schools
Light Department
Pad Mounted and Standard Transformers Electric Meters
Installation of Ducts - various locations
Installation of Cable and Fixtures - various locations
Street Light Standards and Installation of same
Cable and Wire Poles
Additional work at Substation 353
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Police Department
Police Cruisers Ambulance
On many other purchases competitive bids were received either by phone or if possible by mail depending of the needs of the various de- partments.
I wish to thank all departments for their cooperation in furnishing requisitions well in advance of their anticipated needs so that proper bids and proposals could be sent out and the Town in turn receive the best available prices.
Very truly yours,
JOHN J. MCAULIFFE Clerk of Purchases
REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Mr. Walter A. Blasenak General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Once again it is our pleasure to submit to you a report of activities and programs of the Recreation Department during the year just ended. This is our sixteenth such annual report and is the twentieth report pre- pared since the Department began operation on a full time basis in 1945.
The Recreation Department continued in the past year in its efforts to provide interesting and worthwhile leisure time activities for all citizens of Norwood. The growth of the town is reflected in the increasing par- ticipation in the various programs offered. The reception of the programs offered was most enthusiastic and reflected a genuine interest on the part of the various segments of the population served.
In the paragraphs that follow we have set down a narrative description of the various programs and activities conducted in the year 1964. Where appropriate we have included our recommendations for improving facilities and programs.
Summer Playgrounds
Weatherwise, the summer of 1964 left much to be desired as far as outside activities were concerned. Inclement weather with few ideal warm sunny days combined to account for a slight decrease in actual attendance at several playgrounds. Participation by those attending, however, was no less enthusiastic and the overall program was conducted most successfully.
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REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
The playgrounds were conducted under supervision during the usual nine week season beginning Monday, June 22nd and continuing through Thursday, August 20th. The playgrounds were open daily for a six hour period, mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Playgrounds were conducted at five School Department locations -- Callahan, Shattuck, Winslow, Prescott, and Cleveland. Playgrounds were also conducted at seven Recreation Department areas-Endean, Elliot Park, Wilson Street, Pleasant Park, Father McAleer's, Bond Street, and the Rec- reation Center. The Recreation Center was operated exclusively for boys and Bond Street exclusively for girls and smaller boys. All other play- grounds were operated for both boys and girls of all ages, with a male and female Playground Leader on duty to supervise activities at all times the playgrounds were open. To continue to serve the expanding population adequately, it is recommended that in 1965 there be playground supervision at the new area at Ellis Gardens and at the Oldham School area, and pro- vision has been made for this in 1965 budget requests.
All members of the Playground Staff attended a Playground Leadership meeting for one whole day prior to the actual opening of the season. On that day a program was presented to those present which was designed to acquaint the members of the staff with their duties and to cover various phases of the program. Subjects covered included Playground Management, Leadership, Conduct of Games, First Aid, Arts and Crafts, and Tennis.
Each week during the season, a meeting of all personnel in the Play- ground program was held to provide additional instruction and to hear comments, problems, and suggestions of the staff members.
Again we were most fortunate in 1964 in having a staff of loyal and dedicated Playground Leaders. The key to any successful recreation pro- gram is outstanding leadership and without it the program will fail. We are deeply grateful to the 1964 staff for their understanding cooperation, and devotion to their work.
All sports activities in the Playground program were under the general direction of the Supervisor of Sports. Baseball leagues were conducted for boys of three different age groups with more than 150 games played during the season. These leagues which were conducted during the day time, provided the chance for play for boys age six through fifteen. The same age girls participated in two softball leagues with more than 75 games played during the season. Participation was excellent and interest remained high throughout the year. The competition was good, although no special premium was placed on winning. Participation rather was the keynote. The Supervisor of Sports was responsible for all scheduling, equip- ment, direction of games, and publicity for the five leagues. In addition, he had responsibility for direction of the activities of the Playground Leaders and assisted them in planning and conducting their programs at the indi- vidual playgrounds. He also assisted in planning and conducting the many special events that were part of the program during the year.
The Supervisor of Arts and Crafts had direct responsibility for the conduct of that program which was carried on at each of the playgrounds.
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Major projects were scheduled each week, with the Supervisor visiting each playground at least once during the week for usually a half day, instructing the Leaders and the children in the particular project of that week. The Supervisor also met with the Leaders at the weekly staff meetings, and prepared and distributed a large amount of printed material to the Leaders during the season.
The Tennis program enjoyed a real revival during the 1964 summer season, with the initiative and enthusiasm of the Supervisor of Tennis accounting for much of the revival. He provided supervision and instruc- tion at the Recreation Center courts and at the High School courts, with a regular schedule set up throughout the week. During the season three tournaments were conducted, all for males. One was for age 12 and under, one for age 12 through 15, and the third for age 16 and up. The latter tournament attracted some 35 entries and drew large crowds to witness the matches. Eventual winner and the recipient of a handsome trophy was Frank Clem, long a familiar name in Norwood tennis circles. The three tournaments did much to sustain and stimulate interest in the game. The lighting of the two remaining courts at the Recreation Center early in the year also provided additional time for play and the lighted courts were indeed well patronized during the year. We have recommended that con- sideration be given to the construction of four additional courts at a site as yet to be determined. Thirty-five years ago Norwood had four courts at the Recreation Center and four at the High School. No new courts have been built since that time. Increased participation certainly warrants con- sideration of this project in the very near future.
The individual playgrounds conducted many different programs of in- terest to the children at their particular locations. The traditional games provided many hours of enjoyment and these along with Doll Shows, Pet Shows, Talent Shows, and the like enabled the children attending play- ground to enjoy the happy summer season.
Townwide, a playground horseshoe tournament was staged with a high degree of success. A Playground Swim Meet was held midway through the season that attracted a large number of participants. The Boston Chil- dren's Theatre Stagemobile again attracted hundreds of children to their two thrilling performances at the Recreation Center and more than 500 children enjoyed a day-long outing at Nantasket Beach. A quirk in the schedule did not permit the annual trip to Fenway Park for a Red Sox baseball game, but it is hoped to resume this event another year.
Based on our own experience and observations and those of members of our Playground Leadership staff, the following recommendations are offered to enable us to continue to improve facilities and programs in sea- sons to come.
1. Construction of one hard surface tennis court at the Recreation Center, adjacent to the present courts and extension of the bang board on the reverse side. Construction of four new tennis courts at a site to be determined,
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REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
2. Acquisition of land area in the Union Street neighborhood to pro- vide future playground.
3. Continuation of improvements at Pleasant Park playground by filling, loaming, and seeding area beyond present baseball field and by planting of trees around perimeter of playground.
4. Carrying out of miscellaneous smaller projects which have been recommended in our 1965 budget recommendations.
Indoor Swimming Program
A well rounded program of activities was presented during the winter, spring, and fall with interest in and participation in the various activities increasing steadily. Regularly scheduled programs and classes are con- ducted on Monday through Thursday with general swim periods scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays. There is competitive swimming for boys and girls, instructional classes for boys and girls, Junior and Senior Life Saving classes for boys and for girls, instructional classes for men and women, and a Water Safety Instructor class for young men and young women.
During the winter and spring of 1964 the boys swim team engaged in several dual meets with other teams and made a most respectable showing. During the fall of 1964 this program increased in numbers considerably with the employment of a full time Swim Supervisor who serves as coach of the competitive groups. The team has already had several dual meets with several boys also participating in N.E.A.A.A.U. meets. The girls com- petitive group also increased greatly in the fall of 1964 with this team also having dual meets and sending swimmers to the A.A.A.U. meets. The future for both these groups should be excellent with several very young boys and girls participating and making swimming their number one interest.
The Girls' Water Ballet program has continued as one of the most popular of the entire Department's schedule of activities. In the spring of 1964 the girls presented an Open House which featured a ninety minute show put on before parents and friends of the girls, with a guest solo performer also on the program. The group continued through the summer months and in the fall of 1964 expanded even further to the point where there are now some fifty girls in the various classes held on Thursday evenings. A similar Open House is planned in the spring of 1965.
Gradually interest is building up in indoor swimming. As an example, a quick comparison of attendance for the period September through Decem- ber of 1963 and 1964 shows an increase of seventy-five percent for 1964 over 1963. As young swimmers make this their primary interest, both quantity and quality will increase in the overall program.
Outdoor Swiming Program
Father McAleer Pool and Hawes Brook Pool opened on Saturday, June 20th and both were open each day of the week until Labor Day. The pools were open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for swim-
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ming 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 re- mained open each of these days until dark.
For the most part, 1964 was considered a cool summer with the result that attendance at the pools was somewhat below that of recent years. The early part of the season featured warm weather with large crowds but the last month or so of the season was cool. Our fine staff of Life- guards were nevertheless on duty each day the pools were open and again carried out their arduous duties in most admirable fashion. We are deeply grateful for their continuing cooperation and 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 twenty-two hundred 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 in the morning. Those successfully com- pleting the courses and passing the final examinations were awarded suit- able Recreation Department certificates as well as Red Cross certificates. Again great use was made of the indoor facilities at the Recreation Center for the teaching of advanced skills which in turn freed the outdoor pools and their shallower water for the beginning skills. A total of 792 certifi- cates were issued during the season as follows: 328 Beginners, 209 Advanced Beginners, 103 Intermediates, 25 Swimmers, 110 Junior Life Savers, and 17 Senior Life Savers. In addition 10 young men and women received their Water Safety Instructors certificates at the indoor pool. Hundreds of others, although unable to pass the final test or not completing the courses, never- theless benefitted greatly from the instruction they received.
During 1964 the Norwood Sting Rays, the competitive groups for both boys and girls, were members of the Suburban Swim League made up of eight teams representing towns in this area. A total of 14 dual meets were held during July and August, with Norwood finishing in fourth place, a good showing for their first year in the league. At the end of the season a mammoth Regional Meet was held at Hawes Brook Pool with swimmers from all eight teams competing. Many hundreds attended this event. Throughout the season the boys and girls had the opportunity to compete in their own age groups against swimmers of equal ability. Much was gained from the program and the future is bright for this unique swim league.
Senior Set
The Recreation Department continued to offer a program of activities for Norwood's Senior Citizens, with activities planned approximately twice a month during the year. Activities held at the Recreation Center included speakers, card parties, socials, films, entertainers, and other such inter- esting and enjoyable programs. The members went on tours of industrial concerns, attended theatre parties, and enjoyed other such outings. The current mailing list has approximately 300 members with between fifty and seventy-five in attendance at each of the activities during the year.
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REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Baton Twirling
Baton Twirling classes continue to be among the most popular activities in the Recreation Department. During 1964 more than a hundred girls participated in this program. Classes are held one afternoon a week at the Recreation Center with expert supervision and instruction available. The popular Rec-Ettes, the uniformed marching unit made up of girls in the classes, took part in several local parades and made an excellent showing in each one. Another highly successful "Open House" was held in the spring with parents and friends in attendance to see the girls perform and compete among themselves. In the fall, the Norwood Twirling Club, an organization composed of parents and friends of the twirlers, joined with the Recreation Department to sponsor the seventh Annual National Baton Twirling Association Open Competition at the Norwood Junior High School. The top twirlers in New England, including several Norwood girls, competed in this highlight of the year's program of twirling.
Recently the Norwood Twirling Club lost its Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Stella Georgeu, who passed away suddenly. Mrs. Georgeu was a charter member of the Club and was one of the actual founders of twirling activities in the Recreation Department. She was on hand faithfully at the weekly classes to assist and devoted countless hours to twirling. Her contribution to the Open House and Annual Competition was exceptional. We are all deeply grateful for her efforts over the years, and we shall all miss her presence in times to come.
Rifle Club
Boys in the age group from fourteen through eighteen participated in this very popular activity during the fall, winter, and spring. In Rifle Club the boys learn the proper use of firearms under expert supervision and instruction. There is a Beginners Group and an Advanced Group, with each group meeting one session a week. In September the Club moved into the new range at the Police-Fire Station, and the modern facilities have con- tributed much to make the program even more attractive. After learning the fundamentals of marksmanship and safety, the boys can fire for indi- vidual awards, take part in team postal matches conducted by the National Rifle Association with which the Club is affiliated, and they can fire in shoulder-to-shoulder matches with other clubs in this area. Some sixty boys participated in the program in 1964.
Twilight Baseball League
Five teams of young men up through age twenty-one took part in the Twilight Baseball League during the summer of 1964. Games were played two evenings of the week with a total of fifty games played. More than one hundred young men participated with many spectators also enjoying this evening activity. Equipment and supervision were provided by the Department.
Girls' Softball League
Six teams of young women participated in the Girls' Softball League during the 1964 summer season with something in excess of one hundred
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twenty-five girls registered on the teams. Beginning in early May and con- tinuing through August, games were played on three evenings of the week at the Recreation Center softball field. This activity made it possible for young women to obtain desirable physical exercise and to enjoy wholesome competition. At the end of the season, the girls in the league had a banquet at a well known local restaurant as a climax of the season.
Men's Softball League
Five teams of young men participated in the Men's Softball League during the 1964 summer season with approximately one hundred partici- pants. Games were played three evenings of the week at Endean Field with many spectators also enjoying the fine competition that highlighted the season. Some fifty games were planned during the year. The Recreation Department assisted in organization and supervision of the league activities, with the teams entered in the league providing equipment and officials during the season.
Fourth of July Celebration
Again in 1964 the Recreation Department cooperated in every way possible with the Annual Fourth of July Celebration. The Superintendent participated in planning sessions during the early part of the year. The Department had direct responsibility for the N.E.A.A.A.U. Swim Meet which was held on the afternoon of the holiday at Hawes Brook Pool. As always, this event attracted the outstanding swimmers from all New England to the championship events on the program. The Department also cooperated in conduct of the Junior Olympics program held in the morning at Elliot Park, and had responsibility for the evening fireworks display. The Rec- Ettes, the marching twirling corps, participated in the parade held the holiday evening. All in all, the entire program was once again an outstanding success, and all the various participating community organizations and individuals are to be highly commended for their continuing efforts to make the observance of Independence Day such a memorable event.
Recreation Basketball League
The Recreation Basketball League is operated during the winter sea- son for young men beyond high school age to provide needed physical exercise and supervised competition. Six teams were entered in the league in the 1964 season and the same number entered in the fall of 1964 for the new season starting in December. Games are played two evenings of the week at the Senior High School court with close to a hundred young men participating at one time or another during the season. Supervision, equip- ment, and rental fees are provided by the Recreation Department. The games also provide enjoyment for the spectators that attend.
Stamp Club
This newest of the Recreation Department programs (started in 1963) has continued to grow in interest and participation. Started slightly more
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than a year ago with some twelve to fifteen members, the Club has grown to a membership now of thirty-five members. Meetings have been expanded from one a month to two a month with young people interested in the hobby of stamp collecting getting together on these occasions for programs of interest to them. The group had a party in the spring of 1964 and a Christmas party in December. One of the highlights of the year's activities was a trip in October to the Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Museum at Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts.
Friday Dances
In the early part of 1964 the program of social dances for seventh and eighth graders continued Friday evenings at the Recreation Center with dancing to be enjoyed to the music of a live orchestra. A decline in interest and attendance had been noted for approximately a year however, and in early spring it was decided to temporarily discontinue the dances. As with many other recreational activities, interest tends to run in cycles and when interest and attendance is low, it is most often best to discontinue the activity. It is hoped to re-introduce this program again in the fall of September 1965 with possibly a somewhat different format.
Camera Club
Membership in the Norwood Recreation Camera Club has continued to climb to the point where there are now about fifty active members in the Club. Through its own officers and executive committee, the Club holds a regular program twice a month with activities and programs of interest to color photographers, black and white photographers, and those with other related interests. Field trips are conducted, regular competitions are held, and valuable instruction in camera techniques and other subjects is offered. During 1964 the Norwood Club was rated second in their class in the New England Council of Camera Clubs competition, indeed a remark- able achievement for a club functioning only two years.
Miscellaneous
Members of the staff of the Department assisted many individuals and organizations during 1964 with projects in the field of recreation. The De- partment cooperated with other municipal departments in such programs as skating areas, lighting of areas, coasting streets, maintenance and preparation of areas and the like. The Superintendent appeared before local groups to discuss the programs and activities of the Department. Material describing the programs and activities of the Department were prepared and distributed to new residents of Norwood through the Welcome Wagon. Assistance was given to other communities with their problems and ques- tions in the field of recreation. The Superintendent also served on various committees concerned with town affairs, directly or indirectly related to the program of the Department.
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