USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1955-1959 > Part 21
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COMMUNITY FACILITIES-There should be provi- sions for future community growth, with locations provided for schools, churches, shops, recreation areas, proper lighting and other items that make up good neighborhoods. There should be some open areas left for future parks, swimming pools and other recreational facilities.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
PRICE-All the specialists who have studied present slum conditions warn builders against putting up a large group of houses all in the same price class, especially if they are small, lower cost homes. People want to live in a typical American community, which is a cross section of American life.
STREETS-Proper streets are a major part of any good community. Streets should be safe for children and economical in upkeep.
Randolph Planning Board,
LEO T. O'NEILL LAWRENCE DiCELLE, Jr. EDWARD BERRY JOSEPH CURRAN RAYMOND WALL
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Business and Industrial Commission
To the Citizens of the Town of Randolph:
Do you want industry in Randolph ?
What are you doing about it?
What can be done about furthering the orderly development of your community.
You have a Business and Industrial Commission dedi- cated to the purpose of presenting Randolph as an at- tractive location for business and industry.
BUT, making our town attractive to industry cannot be done by five men. A town is attractive FIRST by having the proper attitude toward industry and SECOND by planning realistically for the orderly development of the community. Location, water, power, accessibility, etc., are all valuable assets, important in variousc combi- nations, to each individual business or industry. A towns planning and attitude are important to all businesses -- those we have, as well as those we wish to attract.
"To attract by being attractive," your Business and Industrial Commission has :
1. Studied brochures, booklets, and books other towns have prepared to sell themselves to commerce.
2. Interviewed men in business who have received these expensive pieces of municipal advertising. We were informed that most of these are only flipped through once and filed in a waste basket.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
3. Prepared an attractive inexpensive four page file size brochure, copies of which are now being mailed to a carefully compiled list.
4. Endeavored to run a High School essay and poster contest.
5. Met with a group of Randolph Businessmen to as- certain what assistance we could expect from this group.
6. Attended out of town meetings, including the Seventh Annual Governors Conference, and those of the Greater Brockton Regional Development Agency.
7. Discussed our zoned areas with industrial real estate agents.
8. Discussed with a local businessman his willingness to construct (for lease) commercial buildings on his property.
Looking ahead, thinking ahead, and working for the future of Randolph, the Business and Industrial Com- mission will continue to pursue the above projects as ex- tensively as possible, and :
Study, with the Planning Board, the advisability of joining a regional development area.
Add to our file of statistics and information con- cerning Randolph.
Mail our brochures and letters to as many "select- ed" persons as we can. (You can help your commun- ity by forwarding to this commission or the Town Manager any business you hear about that is plan- ning to expand, decentralize or move.)
To sum up our report, we have found-"Business is attracted to a town with the location they want, the land they need (properly zoned), fair government policies,
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
and an attitude of 'welcome' on the part of the towns- people."
Your participation in Randolph's future is always welcome.
Respectfully submitted,
LEO J. O'NEILL, Chairman FRANK B. KESPERT, Clerk FRANCIS BOURBEAU
ROBERT COHEN
HAROLD VROOM
Report of The Police Department
Mr. Charles R. Iovino
Town Manager
Randolph, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit report of the work done by the Police Department of the Town of Randolph, for the year ending December 31, 1956:
Calls answered and investigations made
27,156
*Summonses served
336
* Arrests
200
Arraignments in Court
152
Held for the Grand Jury
6
Pending in District Court
21
Pending in Superior Court
10
Found guilty in District Court
86
January 14, 1957
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Appealed to Superior Court
4
Found guilty in Superior Court 6
18
** Dismissed for want of Prosecution Nol-prossed in Superior Court
2
Acquitted
19
Filed
31
Probation
15
Fined
33
*Released
36
Committed to State Hospitals
11
Committed to State Prison
4
Committed to House of Correction
4
Committed to Middlesex Training School
1
Stolen Property Recovered $36,270.33
Put up for the night
3
Notices Posted 171
Doors and windows found open by the Police Department 617
Net returns paid to Town Treasurer from fines over and above expenses of prosecution $6.50 Fines taken in by District and Superior Courts $835.00 Total number of warnings on Motor Violations 1265
Total number of suspension of licenses 152
Total number of miles covered by Police cars 99,143
Total number of miles covered by motorcycles 18,709
*Some arrests and summonses were served for Out of Town Police.
*Of the 18 cases dismissed for want of prosecution the police were complainant on 2.
Of the 36 cases released 21 were juveniles and were turned over to their parents.
Over 27,000 calls were processed by your Police De- partment during the past year. This is approximately 14,000 more calls than were made in 1955, 12,000 more than any previous year.
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
The Police Department now, as always makes every effort to cooperate with the citizens of Randolph. To do this in the efficient manner in which the townspeople are accustomed becomes increasingly difficult. Increased popu- lation, increased automobile registrations and more busi- ness establishments in the town makes it imperative that your present force of 16 men be increased.
At the Annual Town Meeting to be held in March, 1957, I am recommending that two more permanent patrol- men be appointed to the Department and I trust that you will give me your support at this meeting.
Very truly yours,
PATRICK T. McDONNELL Chief of Police
Report of The Fire Department
Mr. Charles Iovino
Town Manager
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit my report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1956.
The department responded to 379 calls classified as follows:
Number of calls
379
Building fires
90
Automobiles 23
False alarms 22
Resuscitator calls 15
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Miscellaneous
23
Aid calls out of town
1
Brush and grass
205
American Legion Ambulance calls
203
Inspections made 1300
Permits granted for oil burners, blasting, etc.
552
Permits granted for out door burning
1520
We moved to our new Quarters on August 3, 1956, and I can truthfully say that the additional space and better facilities are of great help to us.
We have at present three trucks that range from twenty-five to thirty-five years of age. I am asking for replacements for two of them at the 1957 Town Meeting, and sincerely hope that the voters will go along with me.
Also, we are far behind the recommendations of the New England Fire Insurance Rating Bureau as to man power. Therefore I am asking for two more permanent men at the 1957 Town Meeting.
I wish at this time to thank the Town Officials and the citizens of the Town for their cooperation during the past year, and to express my appreciation to the members of the department also.
Yours respectfully,
CARLTON P. HARRIS, Chief of Fire Department
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
Report of The Board of Health
The Board of Health respectfully submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE REPORT
The Health Agent, F. R. Morrissette ; Health officer, Dr. F. Randolf Philbrook; Public Health Nurses Miss Beatrice Scannell and Mrs. Janet Dimmick; school nurses Miss Helen Conlon and Mrs. Signe Heath conducted Polio Immunization clinics throughout the year. First and second doses of Salk Vaccine were administered in public clinics to 4,210 persons six months of age through 19 years of age. 885 others including 135 pregnant women who received first and second doses of vaccine administered by their private physicians. Plans are now being formu- lated to administer 5,035 booster doses to all eligible persons from Jan. 1, 1957 to June 30, 1957.
The Board wishes to thank the following volunteer nurses who gave so fully of their time to assist in this program; Mrs. Lillian Greenstein, Mrs. Madeline Phil- brook, Mrs. Blanche McGuirk, Mrs. C. Farrell Galloway, Miss Pauline Drummond, Miss Mae McGrory, Mrs. Geraldine Drinkwater, Mrs. Betty Bailey, Mrs. Joseph O'Brien, Mrs. George Bonney, Mrs. Christine Ingalls, Mrs. Susan Kelly, Mrs. Herbert Richardson, Mrs. Emery Nor- dahl, and Mrs. Dorothea Robertson of Braintree.
The Board wishes to publicly thank the following physicians whose cooperation made this program such a complete success; Dr. John P. Amerena, Dr. John T. Berry, Dr. Morris C. Cross, Dr. Robert Farrell, Dr. Justin V. McGuirk, Dr. John P. Noonan, Dr. F. Randolf Phil- brook, Dr. William C. Sloane and Dr. Russell F. Thompson.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Immunization clinics for full courses of Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis and boosters for diphtheria and tetanus have been initiated. 371 pupils of the Stetson school were immunized in December. This program will continue during January, February and March for the remaining schools.
Chicken-pox 11 cases; Mumps, 24; Scarlet Fever, 75; Whooping Cough, 2; Pulmonary TB, 5; Meningitis (pfeiffer bacillus) 1; monkey bite, 1; and dog bites, 134.
During the months of January thru June of 1956 there occured an increased incidence of scarlet fever. These cases were chiefly among children and young adults. The disease was mild, and investigation has re- vealed that there were few, if any of the serious complica- tions. Cases were widely distributed over the town and were not associated with any particular school or geo- graphical location. There was no evidence that milk or food was related to the spread. Most of the cases were visited by the Public Health nurses as soon as reports were received and appropriate communicable disease techniques were explained at the involved household.
During the year there were 134 dog bites reported. It is believed that numerous additional instances of dog bite occured which were not reported nor treated by physicians. The reason that dog bite is reportable to the Board of Health is that the bite of a "mad" dog, or of a dog which is coming down with rabies, can transmit this disease to the human who is bitten. Once rabies sets-in in the human it is deadly in almost 100% of cases. When a person is bitten the doctor must decide whether or not to give anti-rabies treatment to that person. This is a serious decision because the anti-rabies treatment involves numerous injections of vaccine and is difficult and ex- pensive. But it is truly a life saving measure when it needs to be used. The expense of the treatment is bourne by the
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
Town in the event that the dog which did the biting was not properly licensed. The Town is reimbursed for the cost of treatment if the dog was properly licensed. This is the reason why it is important that all dogs in the Town be licensed.
Fortunately there has not been any dog or human rabies in Randolph for quite a few years past. The in- oculation of dogs against rabies doubtless has been an im- portant factor in the past. Many dog owners who properly care for their pets have had them vaccinated against rabies. Those dog owners who have not done so are urged to arrange with their veterinarians to have this important inoculation given.
The people of the Town must not become complacent about this large dog-bite problem simply because of the absence of rabies during the past few years. The example of the City of Chicago of a few months ago should be emphasized. There, after an absence of rabies for some time, a mad dog was imported into the City and bit numerous dogs. An epidemic of rabies occurred. Both human and animal deaths resulted. This could happen in Randolph. But if all the dogs were given advance pro- tection by vaccination we could be spared the potential epidemic. One of the most important control measures is to vaccinate dogs now while there is no rabies present. Dog owners are urged to heed this advice as soon as possible.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING PROGRAM
The work of the Health Nurses consisted of care in home of the sick, instructions in carrying out orders left by the Doctor, teaching sound health measures to insure good care during illness and preventing further illness in the home. Instructions and supervision of the mother before and after the birth of the baby and instructions and demonstrations of the care of the new-born and
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
older children. Follow-up on contagious diseases and contacts and teaching preventive measures for all the family.
This year concentration on prevention of disease was stressed. Clinics for this purpose were held and the nurses spent 2181/2 hours in preparing for and assisting at these clinics. As the response to these clinics was good, the nurses are proud to have been a part of such a fine program.
The well-child Conference better known as the "baby clinic" was well attended with total of 319 visits being made to these clinics.
The Boston School for the Deaf was covered by a Health Nurse and assistance at the Blood Banks was given. Transportation of patients when necessary was furnished.
Classes conducted by the State Department of Health were attended. These classes consisted of the newest methods and treatments in various diseases, dicussions and suggestions of various health problems and how to meet them. These courses were very beneficial. Also Conferences with various members of the Health Depart- ment, doctors, other nurses and social workers all helped to make a good health program for the Town.
The Health Officer of the Board of Health wishes to thank the Randolph Visiting Nurses Association for their excellent cooperation with the Health Department. Ran- dolph citizens should know that the nursing staff of the Visiting Nurses Association is the same as that of the Board of Health. The Town of Randolph obtains its Public Health nurses thru an arrangement with the Ran- dolph V.N.A. which provided that the Town pays only the salaries of these nurses. The V.N.A. provides each nurse with a vehicle, its upkeep and maintenance, and provides the telephone and clerical supplies and equip-
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST' ANNUAL REPORT
ment (including some medical material). These nurses while working as visiting nurses provide bedside nursing care in Randolph homes for a very modest fee which is charged only if the patient is able to pay. While working as Public Health Nurses performing preventive medicine functions no fee whatsoever is charged.
The R.V.N. A. deserves the charitable support of the citizens of the Town. The present arrangement with this voluntary organization gives us a much needed combined nursing service which is excellent and which results in saving tax dollars.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
During the Town Meeting of last year the Health Officer sounded the warning that sleeping sickness (East- ern Equine Encephalatis) might occur in South Eastern Massachusetts during 1956 and that the disease would be spread by mosquitoes. He urged that the Town Meeting members should provide the Board of Health with funds to enable speedy and adequate control of mosquitoes in the Town. He also urged that they accept proposed legis- lation setting up the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project. The Town Meeting members are to be commended for their wise action in voting favorably on both of these items, because sleeping sickness did occur as predicted but Randolph was ready.
The Board of Health, using funds allocated to its budget for the purpose, arranged for airplane spraying of. the many acres of swampland during May and June. This early spraying was directed against mosquitoes while still in the larvae stages in swamp waters, and was very effec- tive. During June the Board arranged for a spraying of the Town to kill as many as possible of the "first crop" of mosquitoes which had escaped the earlier larvicidal spraying. This early attack against the vector of sleeping
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
sickness may have prevented trouble because each com- munity which borders Randolph reported either human or animal cases of the disease, but no sleeping sickness was reported in Randolph.
By mid-July the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project was under way and we are appreciative of the excellent work which they did in our Town. Their report to us follows :--
"Chapter 341 was enacted by the Legislature on May 19, 1956 creating the Norfolk County Mos- quito Control Project. On July 1, 1956 actual Mosquito Control operations began. The towns within the project include 22 surrounding towns. The aggregate annual appropriation is $70,- 000.00 for the project. This report covers the period from July 1, to December 1, 1956.
Annual appropriation 5,005.67
Expenditures to Dec. 31 3,922.00
balance $1,083.67
On August 2, 1956 a human case of Eastern En- cephalitis (Horse Sleeping Sickness) was reported to the State Health Department. There followed in rapid succession a number of other human cases as well as infections in horses and pheas- ants, the latter believed to be a reservoir for the virus disease. To combat the outbreak within the project, area, funds made available by the State were used by the project in the town of Randolph as follows:
Aerial Spraying
770 Acres
Mist Blowing 400 Acres
Total
1170 Acres
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
Date of spraying activities: July 11, 12, 23, 24, August 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, September 6, 7, 10, 11."
ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION
There were less nuisance complaints regarding over- flowing cesspools which indicates that the Board is re- ceiving better cooperation from the townspeople who realize the seriousness of this Public Health nuisance and source of disease.
The possibility of sewage contamination in the water supply reservoir still exists and will be eliminated only when the catchment area of our water supply is completely sewered by a sanitary sewerage system.
During June of this year the Board of Health voted to adopt the policy that no piggery would be licensed in the Town of Randolph following December 31, 1956. All piggeries remaining in the town were notified that their licenses were revoked effective Dec. 31, 1956 and that none would be issued for 1957. The reasons for this action were numerous, and included the following :- odor and fly nuisances; the fact that some were located on the watershed of our drinking water supply; and that rapid increase in new development in the Town was bringing a large population group within range of nuisance from those establishments.
FOOD SANITATION
Bacteriological swab testing which has been accomp- lished at intervals during the past year has demonstrated that there is marked improvement in drinking and eating utensil sterilization. It is very gratifying to the Board of Health to be able to report that several food handling establishments have adopted more modern and effective sanitizing processes. This is of great importance in the prevention of the spread of disease and we have reasons
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
to believe that the few bars or restaurants where condi- tions were found to relatively unsatisfactory will be im- proved during the next few months. The Board intends to institute a food handler education program during this coming year.
In milk sanitation program the two Randolph milk plants were inspected in the areas of pasteurization, cool- ing and filling, raw milk handling, cleaning and sanitation, miscellaneous equipment, plant sanitation and personnel. Bacteriological swab tests were taken and recommenda- tions made where deficiencies occured. Permits were is- sued as follows : 2 pasteurization licenses $20.00, 35 Oleo- margerin license $17.50, 42 store licenses $21.00 and 19 vehicle licenses $9.50. Total collected $68.00.
PLUMBING INSPECTION
Mr. Thomas O'Riley, plumbing inspector issued over 300 permits for old and new installations during the year.
The following fixtures were installed, 415 water closets; 395 wash bowls; 400 sinks; 410 bath tubs; 326 tankless heaters; 375 shower baths and other minor in- stallations.
More permits for plumbing installations were issued this year than any other previous year. This increase re- sults in more revenue for the Town as it exceeds the amount paid for the salary and expenses involved.
The sum of $2,976.00 was collected and turned into the Town Treasurer.
ANIMAL AND SLAUGHTER INSPECTIONS
Cornelius J. Crowley, Animal and Slaughter Inspector reports as of Dec. 31,1956 there were in the Town of Ran- dolph 73 cows, 49 horses and 76 swine. The population
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
of swine is 330 less than the number reported as of Dec. 31st of the previous year.
Mr. Crowley reported that during the calendar year of 1956, he quarantined 134 dogs as a result of reported dog bites. As Inspector of slaughter 8 swine, 7 cows, and 3 sheep were inspected after slaughter for fitness for hu- man consumption.
REVENUE PRODUCED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH
The sum of $4468.36 was received. This includes $856.00 for local sewage disposal permits ; regular licenses $30.50 ; hospitalization subsidies, $537.86; Milk and dairy products licenses, $68.00 and $2976.00 for Plumbing In- spections.
SETH W. SWAIN, chairman
F. RANDOLPH PHILBROOK, M.D., M.P.H. Medical Health Officer
ROBERT A. COREY
Report of The Water Commissioners
January 10, 1957
To the Citizens of the Town of Randolph :
The seventy-first annual report of the Board of Water Commissioners is herewith submitted, covering the com- plete activities of the department for the year ending Dec. 31, 1956.
Organization of the Board was as follows:
Frederick D. Driscoll Chairman Martin E. Young . Clerk William J. Almond Associate
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
DEPARTMENT MAINTENANCE
During the calendar year 1956 this department re- ceived applications for 373 new services. These have been recorded and added to the system. In addition there are about 40 other services in developments that have not, as yet, been placed on the department's books.
Fifty-three service leaks were repaired - of these twenty-five were renewed ; twenty-four additional required new shut-offs; five services were relocated; six services were discontinued and four services were lowered to new road grade; eighteen frozen services were thawed out by electricity ; twenty-nine services were rodded out and cleaned; fifteen service boxes and five road boxes, found broken and filled, were replaced.
Ten hydrants were broken by auto collisions during the year. Three were hit and run and the department has been reimbursed for most of the balance through insur- ance. One new hydrant was installed on Lambert Road. Two hydrants were relocated and one additional hydrant was raised to new sidewalk grade.
In conjunction with the continued widening and re- surfacing of South Street seventeen services were renewed from the main to the new curb stop line. One hydrant was gated and reset to the new side line. In connection with the regrading of Lancaster Road, about 200 feet of 6 inch main was lowered five feet. Also, in connection with Highway Department road program, all gate boxes were raised to new road grade on all streets that were black- topped.
MAIN BREAKS
12" C. I. pipe
6" C. I. pipe
6" Transite pipe
Union St. Blown joint
Jane St.
Cracked pipe
Webster St. Broken by Contractor
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
14" C. I. pipe Force feed line in swamp Blown joint
6" C. I. pipe
Grove Ave.
Cracked pipe
6" C. I. pipe
South St. Broken by Contractor (reimbursed) (re- placed 16' of main)
METER DEPARTMENT
In the meter department 114 meters were removed not registering -- 16 for test-19 were frozen and burst --- five were removed to be junked and 19 additional for various other reasons.
Two hundred and thirty-two new domestic meter settings were made. One 6 inch Sparling meter and one 2 inch Empire were set on large lines. Sixteen new meters were set as replacements. One hundred and forty meters were reset after repairs.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
New Main-Extensions-Replacements
POWDRELL AVENUE
360 feet 6" C. I. main, 2 gates, 1 hydrant
WORDSWORTH STREET
65 feet 6" C. I. main, 1 gate
ADELAIDE STREET 300 feet 6" C. I. main
DORR STREET
400 feet 6" C. I. main, 1 gate, 1 hydrant
VINTON STREET
300 feet 6" C. I. main, 1 hydrant (not complete)
CENTRAL FIRE STATION
600 feet 6" C. I. main, 1 gate, 1 hydrant
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
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