USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1960 > Part 17
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The increase in attendance at all playgrounds proved the over-all program popular with new activities, new and improved facilities, special events and competitive leagues.
A regular summer playground program was conducted for the mentally retarded children of the town. The playground facilities and gymnasium at the South Junior High School were used for the group. Transportation was provided for all in attendance. The town was reimbursed 50% of the incurred expenses of the program by the Commonwealth, as provided by an amendment to Chapter 69 of the General Laws.
A non-segregated daily playground program, an original in this area, for the blind children, which we introduced in 1959, was successfully con- ducted at Negus Park. The blind children were also included in the swimming instruction program at Wessagusset Beach. Transportation was provided and the town was reimbursed 50% of the entire cost of the pro- gram by the Commonwealth. The program attracted many (workers and visitors) from the field of recreation and the Department of Education.
The further improved facilities at Wessagusset Beach and Lake Street Beach resulted in a new high in swimming class registration and over-all attendance. A capable staff of one supervisor, nine swimming instructors and eleven life guards supervised the two town beaches. Through the co-operation of the Red Cross, instructors were trained at Aquatic School at Hanson, Mass. A competitive swimming and life saving test was con- ducted for the hiring of new life guards. Four full time special police officers were appointed for duty at the beaches.
The baseball and softball diamonds of Weymouth were once again scheduled to capacity throughout the season, and permits were issued to control the many leagues within the town.
The fall and winter programs carried on in the school gymnasium were expanded to accommodate the increased attendance. New programs in- cluded model building, over-all recreational gym programs for girls, women's slimnastics, Civil Service strength testing for men, additional basketball leagues, and the monthly Wey-Rec dances for teen-agers.
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The Senior Citizens' year-round recreation program expanded to in- clude activities for the 50% increase in attendance over last year. Numerous outings and special events for all residents of the town sixty years of age and over were conducted periodically.
The Park Commission wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the various town officials and branches of our town government for their con- tinued co-operation, understanding and support in the promotion of a sound, progressive and expanding recreation program.
Respectfully submitted, OTTO C. MASON, Chairman CHESTER L. BOYLE, Vice-Chairman WILLIAM G. RENNIE, JR., Clerk JOSEPH D. SLATTERY DAVID W. KELLEY Park Commissioners
WILLIAM F. KIRRANE
Director of Recreation
REPORT OF VETERANS GRAVES OFFICER
37 Highland Place
South Weymouth, Mass.
January 16, 1961
Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall East Weymouth 89, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The appropriation for care of veterans' graves was expended in 1960 in accordance with State Law, Chapter 143, "An Act Relative to the Care of Veterans' Graves."
I have enjoyed the full co-operation of the superintendents of the larger cemeteries and your Honorable Board.
Yours respectfully, WILLIAM A. CONNELL Veterans' Graves Officer
PLANNING BOARD
Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Weymouth Massachusetts
January 15, 1961
Gentlemen:
The Weymouth Planning Board met regularly on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during the year 1960. In addition to these meetings, public hearings were held when required by Town By-Laws and Massachusetts Statutes.
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A forum was held for the purpose of acquainting the people of Wey- mouth with a Master Plan Program and an Urban Renewal Program. All Town Officials received written invitations to attend this forum.
The Planning Board met with five Planning Consulting Firms in order to secure information for use in future planning.
Members of this Board attended several Planning Seminars conducted by the Department of Commerce and the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards.
It is the intent of this Board to conduct special public meetings in 1961 to better acquaint the citizens of Weymouth with ideas and needs for the future in the field of planning for Weymouth.
The death of a long-time member, Frank G. Hale, was a great loss to the Board. At a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board members, John J. Savage, Jr., was elected to fill the vacancy until the Town Election in 1961.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER B. HEFFERNAN, Chairman
WILLIAM F. WHITE, Secretary MERLE AVERILL
FRANK J. HOMEYER
RALPH LARSEN
JOHN F. NEWTON JOHN J. SAVAGE, JR.
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
January 5, 1961
Board of Health 402 Essex Street
Weymouth 88, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith the annual report of the Health Officer for the year ending December 31, 1960.
The following is a list of the communicable diseases reported to this Health Department during 1960:
Chicken Pox
26
Dog Bites
273
Measles
78
Meningitis 4
Mumps
28
Scarlet Fever
10
Tuberculosis
13
Whooping Cough
2
A Polio Clinic was held on August 14, 1960. 4,719 inoculations were given.
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Dairies and Milk plants have been inspected regularly. Samples of milk, cream and food products have been taken and laboratory tested.
Eating and drinking establishments have been inspected and swabs taken of the glasses, dishes, spoons, etc.
Bathing beaches were tested for bacteria monthly during the summer months.
The Board of Health meets the second Thursday of every month at the Health Department Office.
HENRY F. GODIN Health Officer
WEYMOUTH VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION, INC. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER INCOME AND EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR OF 1960
BALANCE JANUARY 1, 1960 1
$ 1,047.67
INCOME:
Services
$8,105.30
Town of Weymouth
7,999.92
Rentals
458.00
Clinics
122.45
Other
423.88
United Community Services
9,500.00
Total Income
26,609.55
Total
$27,657.22
EXPENSES :
Salaries, including pension and insurance
$21,548.68
Nursing supplies and expense
470.37
Transportation
3,249.29
Clinic expense
204.00
Office expense
101.00
Telephone
239.73
Meetings
102.89
Miscellaneous
76.37
Total Expenses
25,992.33
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1960
$ 1,664.89
Respectfully submitted, ELLEN WINTERS
Treasurer
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REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
January 10, 1961
Board of Health 402 Essex Street Weymouth 88, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I am pleased to submit to you my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1960.
SCHOOL HEALTH
Vision
Vision
1,397 Children tested
130 Children failed Parents notified
Hearing
1,400 Children tested
133 Children failed Parents notified
Physical Examinations
663 Children examined by School Physicians.
Parents notified of any defects found.
Toxoid Clinic
Parochial Schools
Elementary
264
High
Public Schools
Elementary
1063
High
432
Total
1845
The eight Nursing Homes and three Rest Homes were visited periodi- cally. Sanitary conditions were recorded after each visit.
In closing, I wish to thank you and the Health Agent for the assistance and co-operation given me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, NORMA I. KILEY, R. N. Public Health Nurse
DENTAL CLINIC
ANNUAL REPORT - 1960
Patients
750
Total New
217
234
86
Fillings
Amalgam
One Surface
233
86
Two Surfaces Three Surfaces
24
343
Silicates
14
Cement
39
Treatments
Prophylaxis
160
Zinc Oxide
87
Silver Nitrate
6
Bases
Cement
72
Calcium Hydroxide
35
Cavitec
61
Extractions
Primary
163
Permanent
53
Anesthesia
Regional
418
X-Rays
50
Pulpotomy
4
Emergency Treatments
17
Patients Completed
43
Total Clinic Hours
414
Cash Received
$152.15
Children Examined
4803
Defect Notices Sent Home
950
MARY E. NUSSBAUM Dental Assistant
REPORT OF THE HARBOR MASTER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Weymouth, Mass.
I respectfully submit my report of activities for the year 1960:
The Harbor Master's boat was in continuous operation from May 7 to December 15, 1960, on the Weymouth Waterfront. I attended the ma- jority of Auxiliary Coast Guard meetings and activity during the year.
The following reports were received during the year:
Stolen boats and equipment reported 25
Drifting and lost boats reported 22
Missing persons reported 5
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Oil smoke damage reported 1
Water pollution reported
13
List of activities during 1960:
Investigations
36
Police calls answered
85
Warnings to violators of safe boating
9
Lost and drifting boats returned to owners
18
Fore River launchings patrolled 3
Stolen boats and equipment recoveries
6
Drifting and lost sail and outboard boats recovered 25
Assists to disabled and capsized crafts
66
Boat races convoyed
25
Search for missing body
1
Fire calls answered
1
Miscellaneous calls answered
7
During September, we received a visit from Hurricane Donna. This involved an extremely busy day before preparing for the same, warning boat owners of the danger of leaving their craft afloat. For several days after the hurricane considerable time was spent trying to locate missing craft, and unreported boats that had drifted or blown away during the storm.
An extensive search was made for nearly a month trying to find the body of a missing person who drowned in out waters. The body later drifted into the Hull shores.
Again I wish to thank all officials of the Town and Coast Guard, and also all civilians who assisted me in the pursuit of my duties.
Respectfully submitted, CECIL L. EVANS
Harbor Master
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FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE LABAN PRATT HOSPITAL
December 31, 1960
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Weymouth Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
By direction of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Laban Pratt Hospital, the undersigned is duly authorized to submit to your Board this Annual Report required by the provisions of Section 3, Chapter 246, an Act of the Massachusetts Legislature approved April 26, 1946, creating the Laban Pratt Hospital as a corporation.
The terms of office for the Trustees are as follows: Term Expires in 1965: Mrs. Margaret W. Shaftoe Mrs. Eleanor E. Jack Mr. George H. Thompson, Esq.
Term Expires in 1964: Hon. Kenneth L. Nash Mrs. Harriett S. Berry Mrs. Elizabeth M. Pruden
Term Expires in 1963: Mr. Roland T. Seabury Mr. James F. Reilly Mrs. Lucy P. Mahoney
Term Expires in 1962: Miss Olive Sylvester Mr. George F. Keating Mr. Martin P. Davis
Term Expires in 1961: Mr. Roy F. Kendall Mr. Laughton B. Dasha Mr. Francis A. Farr
The year 1960 was one of activity for the Trustees. Early in the year the Trustees had a second meeting with the Trustees of the South Shore Hospital for the purpose of exploring further the possibility of making positive use of the monies in the hands of the Laban Pratt Trustees. Subsequently, at the Annual Meeting of the Town of Weymouth held on March 9, 1960, the Trustees were instructed, under Article 40, to arrange an agreement with the Trustees of the South Shore Hospital to construct a Laban Pratt Memorial Wing to the South Shore Hospital. The complete text of Article 40 which authorizes these instructions is included elsewhere in this Annual Town Report.
Subsequent to the Annual Town Election, Selectman Ralph J. Amabile, Jr., was made Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of the Town and ex-officio assumed the Chairmanship of the Laban Pratt Trustees. A petition for a referendum was filed and on May 7th the referendum was
237
held seeking to set aside the action of the Town Meeting instructing the Trustees to enter into an agreement with the Trustees of the South Shore Hospital. The referendum failed in its purpose. A record of the results of the referendum and the cost to the Town thereof is included elsewhere in this Annual Town Report. Being in general accord with the instruc- tions received from the Town Meeting, although not bound thereby, according to an opinion by the Town Counsel, the Trustees appointed a sub-committee to meet with a sub-committee of the Trustees of the South Shore Hospital. The meeting was held and the views of the Trustees of the Laban Pratt with respect to the steps which would have to be taken to work out an agreement were expressed to the South Shore people. They were summarily rejected.
Consequently there appears to the Laban Pratt Trustees no solution to the impasse which currently exists. The Trustees will continue the supervision of the funds in their control until some solution can be worked out.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS A. FARR, Clerk
REPORT OF PERSONNEL BOARD
January 15, 1961
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
We herewith submit the Annual Report of the Personnel Board for the year ending December 31, 1960.
By vote of the 1960 Annual Town Meeting, the Personnel Board was instructed to have a survey made of the Classification and Pay Plan in effect as of 1960.
Bids were solicited and the Charles M. Evans Associates were the suc- cessful bidders at a cost of $5,000.00.
All jobs and classifications were surveyed and, after several meetings with the Evans Associates, the report was accepted with minor reserva- tions.
The Personnel Board, in accepting the report, reserved the right to make the final determination as to flexible treatment covering unusual situations.
The rates appearing in the various schedules, however, provide the framework within which special situations may be adjusted.
Accompanying this report is a copy of the survey made by the Charles M. Evans Associates with the request that it be printed in the Town Re- port.
Respectfully submtited, EDWARD F. BUTLER, Chairman
WILBUR F. WEEKS JOSEPH F. HARRAGHY ANDREW A. CHISHOLM
FRANCIS L. KELLY
WILLIAM A. TAYLOR, Personnel Officer
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Eighty-Second Annual Report of the Trustees of the Tufts Library Weymouth, Massachusetts 1960
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EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY WEYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
TRUSTEES
Wallace H. Drake, M.D.
Francis N. Drown Alice E. Fulton Henry F. Godin
Walter C. Gutterson Philip T. Jones Franklin N. Pratt Richard Reidy
H. Forrest Wilson
OFFICERS
Franklin N. Pratt, President
Alice E. Fulton, Secretary
TOWN LIBRARIAN Eleanor T. Cooney
ASSISTANTS
Alice T. Mulready
Edith L. Payson
Dorothy E. Trussell
Lorna Draper
Alice K. Fay
Grace Baldwin
Alice Heggblod
Arlene M. Cole
I. Athalie Owen
Judith A. Patt
Ruth K. Philbrick
Senior Assistant in charge of Records and Registration Assistant Children's Librarian Desk Assistant Desk Assistant Secretarial Assistant
BRANCH AND STATION LIBRARIANS
Catherine C. Osborn
Mildred M. McCusker
Ruth Roulston
Ardith Burns
Irene E. Thmpson
Dianne L. Coffey
Alice Heggblod
Margaret Drottar
Mary F. Damon
Emily B. Dilger
Homestead Station Nash's Corner Station
Caroline K. Harris
Librarian, North Branch Assistant Librarian, North Branch Desk Assistant Desk Assistant Librarian, East Branch Desk Assistant Weymouth Heights Station Lovell's Corner Station Pond Plain Station
CUSTODIANS
John A. Johnson Charles H. McColough James Killory
Main Library North Branch East Branch
243
Assistant Town Librarian Cataloger Children's Librarian Young People's Librarian Reference Librarian Assistant Cataloger
LIBRARY HOURS
The Tufts Library, Washington Square, Weymouth Landing
Open 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. daily. Saturdays, 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. During the summer the Library is closed on Saturdays.
The Children's Room, Commercial Street, Weymouth Landing Open 1:30 to 5:30 P.M. Saturdays, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.
During school vacations the Children's Room is open at 9 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. daily. Closed Saturdays, summer only
North Branch, 220 North Street, North Weymouth
Open 2 to 6 and 7 to 9 P.M. daily except Saturday Also open 9 A.M. to 12 noon Tuesdays and Fridays
East Branch, Jackson Square, East Weymouth Open 2 to 9 P.M. daily except Saturday
Lovell's Corner Station, Pratt School, East Weymouth Open 3 to 6 P.M. Tuesday
Nash's Corner Station, Nash School, South Weymouth Open 3 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. Tuesday
Homestead Station, Homestead School, Weymouth Open 3 to 6 P.M. Wednesday
Pond Plain Station, Pond School, South Weymouth Open 3 to 6 and 7 to 8 P.M. Thursday, 3 to 5 P.M. Friday
Weymouth Heights Station, Adams School, Weymouth Heights Open 3 to 6 P.M. Thursday
The Library and its branches are open for circulation of books, refer- ence services and reading as noted above, except on Sundays and legal holidays.
LIBRARY SERVICES
The Library is for the use of all residents of Weymouth. Temporary residents are entitled to the same privileges as permanent residents. Non- residents may borrow books upon payment of an annual fee of $3.00.
A Library card entitles the holder to borrow books, magazines, pamph- lets and pictures for home use. Phonograph records may be borrowed at the Main Library, and the North Branch now circulates children's records. The Library card must be presented when books and records are borrowed.
The Children's Room at the Main Library and Children's Departments at the Branch Libraries provide books and reading guidance for the boys and girls. Children under Senior High School age are entitled to a card if the application is signed by a parent or guardian. Story hours for the younger children are held throughout the winter months:
Main Library-Grades 1-4, Thursday, 2:30 and 3:30 P.M.
North Branch-Pre-School, Friday, 10 A.M .; Grades 1-4, Friday, 3:15 P.M.
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Reference service is available at the Library or by telephone.
For the convenience of residents in the various parts of the Town there is a weekly exchange of books from all Branch Libraries. A Library card is valid at any Branch or at the Main Library.
Telephone:
The Tufts Library-EDgewater 7-1402 North Branch-EDgewater 7-1571 East Branch-EDgewater 7-1677
EIGHTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY
To the Citizens of the Town of Weymouth:
So much has been said in previous years regarding the crowded and dilapidated condition of our main library building in Washington Square further comment is unnecessary. Recognizing the great need of a new library building, the Annual Town Meeting, in March, 1959, voted to take a portion of Weston Park for library purposes. This action was later ap- proved by the state legislature.
The Trustees of Tufts Library have an article in the warrant for the coming Town Meeting asking for an appropriation to secure preliminary plans for a new main library building to be located in Weston Park. They hope this article will be acted upon favorably, so that borings may be made at the site and preliminary plans drawn for the building. In that case they hope to return to the Town Meeting in 1962 and secure another ap- propriation to complete the project.
Another library problem deals with the acceptance or rejection of Chapter 760 of the Acts of 1960. This is the so called Library Aid Act. Libraries in the state which meet the requirements of Chapter 760 will be entitled to apply for library aid. The Trustees of Tufts Library have in- structed the Librarian to inform the Division of Library Extension that Weymouth is planning to apply for state aid under the provisions of Chapter 760.
Some of the provisions of this Chapter are very vague and as of this date (January 13) have not been interpreted by the Attorney General's office. The Trustees of Tufts Library have also asked our Town Counsel whether they or the Town Meeting have the authority to accept Chapter 760.
The amount of money to be given the libraries of the state under Chapter 760 is based on the 1960 census. In the case of cities and towns of the 25,000 to 50,000 population group the amount is 25 cents per capita. The amount coming to Weymouth therefore will be $12,044.25.
The provisions of Chapter 760 seek to raise the standards of library service in the Commonwealth. Weymouth apparently fulfills these require- ments. There is one provision, however, where the town is right on the ragged edge. This is the provision requiring the appropriation for books and periodicals to equal 12 per cent of the entire library budget. Even a slight cut in this item might disqualify the town from applying for state aid under Chapter 760.
Respectfully submitted, FRANKLIN N. PRATT President of the Trustees of Tufts Library
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REPORT OF THE TOWN LIBRARIAN
To the Board of Trustees of the Tufts Library:
Two trends have come to the fore in the Massachusetts public library world, and Weymouth is affected by both. The post-Sputnik emphasis on educational attainment is felt more strongly in the library each year. The public school curriculum sends more pupils to the library for reference and research; widening educational opportunities for adults, whether in junior college, public evening school, educational TV, or the many university ex- tension courses offered in Greater Boston also bring requests for greater service by the public library to these alert adult students.
To cope with these mounting requests for service, public libraries have explored methods of cooperaton and of financial support beyond the local community. The passage of State Aid to Public Libraries legis- lation in 1960 opens a new era for Massachusetts libraries. Under the new law Weymouth may receive a grant-in-aid of twenty-five cents per capita for its public library and may become a member of a larger library re- gion which will have a reference and research center to which Weymouth citizens can look for specialized materials and technical services not avail- able in the local library. The possibilities of cooperation among suburban libraries under this legislation will offer many opportunities for better library service for Weymouth.
The statistics for the year show that the largest gain in circulation of books has been at the Main Library, where there has been a substantial gain in circulation of non-fiction books over fiction. There has been much more activity in the reference room, and it has been necessary to place some restrictions on the use of books in great demand. During the school year the more generous four-week lending period for older material has been shortened to two-weeks, and periodicals are now loaned for one week only. This has enabled us to give everyone a better opportunity to use books in great demand. The increased use of the library accounts for a gain of 8,000 books circulated at the East Branch Library, and the Pond Station Library in South Weymouth also continues to gain.
Increasing use of the Main Library where more material is available for reference and research has only accentuated the crowded conditions there. The 1960 legislature passed the enabling act which allows the Town to use the park site set aside for a new Main Library building. Every busy day in the library makes us realize how urgent it is that the Town proceed as fast as possible to make this building a reality. Beyond a new Main Library building, the needs for larger quarters in East Weymouth should be next on the program.
While activities are limited by our cramped quarters in Weymouth Landing, we have tried to keep our book collection at a peak of usefulness. The total number of books now available in the Tufts Library and its Branches has exceeded the one hundred thousand mark this year. Branch collections have been weeded to allow space for new material. The list of periodicals available at the Main Library has been enlarged this year to answer the needs of high school students and the general public who have a wide range of interests from astronomy to yachting. We have tried to maintain our reference collection with new additions and annual supple- ments. We have purchased the Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology and the first two volumes of the new Art Encyclopedia. The library has set up a separate Weymouth collection of books about Weymouth and books
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written by Weymouth authors. This is the beginning of a permanent collection which might be used in a Weymouth room in a new library building. It makes available in the library complete information about Weymouth. The library will be pleased to receive gifts of any material which it does not now own, including pictures or maps of Weymouth in the past.
As in past years, we have continued many programs which we carry on in co-operation with the School Department. During 1960, 1,854 Read- ing Certificates were issued to children in the elementary schools who had carried on a reading program with the help of their teachers and the Children's Librarians. Many of the sixth and seventh grades of the town's schools visited the Childrens Room or the branch libraries for instruction in the use of the catalog and reference books. We have continued to send classroom collections to the elementary schools where the library does not maintain a branch. Previously we have loaned collections to the junior high school libraries, but this year they have accumulated collections of their own sufficient to meet their needs so we have been able to discontinue this project. We have had good co-operation from the teachers in report- ing assignments and projects for which the children will be coming to the library. This has enabled us to give much better service to these students.
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