USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1961 > Part 10
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THE VOTE OF THE TOWN MEETING.
"That the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,500 from tax levy to prepare plans and specifications for a new main li- brary building to be built on Broad Street on, land transferred from the Park Department to the Trustees of Tufts Library, said sum to be expended by a committee of fourteen (14), consisting of the nine (9) Trustees of the Tufts Library and five (5) citizens of the Town.
"That the committee be instructed to make a further review of a site or sites for a proposed $400,000.00 main library and report back at a future Town Meeting; and that the Trustees be further instructed to take the necessary legal steps to determine whether, under certain wills and trusts, the Town can vote to transfer the Tufts Library to another site in the Town."
THE LEGALITY OF CHANGING THE SITE OF THE LIBRARY
The legal basis for removing the Tufts Library from its present site is in the decree of the Superior Court of Norfolk County, given on January 3, 1952 and reading as follows:
"A petition under General Laws, Chapter 214, Section 3 (11)
Superior Court for Norfolk County, inhabitants Town of Weymouth vs Attorney General in equity No. 51680.
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This cause came on to be heard at this sitting, and thereupon, upon consideration thereof, it is ordered, adjudged, and declared that the inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth be and hereby are permitted to convey certain property in that part of the Town of Weymouth known as Weymouth Landing, and known as "The Tufts Library," to such persons on such terms and conditions as they may determine and best serve the inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth.
By the Court, Felix Forte, Judge, sitting at Boston.
Signed Francis P. Murphy. Entered January 3, 1952."
EFFECT OF WILLS AND TRUSTS ON THE LIBRARY SITE
The trust funds which have been bequeathed to the library through the years make no reference which is any longer in effect as to the location of the building.
REVIEW OF ALTERNATE SITES.
The Building Committee has given careful consideration to all sites that have been suggested to it or that members of the committee could suggest. A total of fourteen sites were visited and considered. The Building Committee had the help of nationally known library building consultants in assessing these sites for library purposes. Most of them are privately owned. They would have to be purchased or taken by eminent domain and buildings razed, greatly increasing the cost to the town for its new library building. It would mean at least an additional forty or fifty thousand dollars.
A number of the sites had to be eliminated either because they were too small, too remote from population centers, or because the ter- rain was swampy or obviously contained ledge. The committee also feels that it would be undesirable for the town to locate its main library too far away from its present library facilities, since that would require the continued maintenance of library services at Weymouth Landing and would multiply maintenance costs for the town. This would be true of the suggested site in Libby Field, opposite the present High School, even if that location were not school property and needed by the School Department.
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Other considerations were the flow of traffic through the town, the avoidance of proximity to high tension wires, and the accessibility and safety of the approaches, especially for children. Adequate space for parking is an essential in this motor age.
The sites left for further consideration included one in East Wey- mouth and two or three possible locations in the Weston Park area in Weymouth Landing.
The site at East Weymouth is the Clark estate, opposite the Ma- sonic Temple. It would have the advantage of eliminating the necessity for a branch library in East Weymouth. On the other hand, the town would need to maintain a very large and active branch library in Wey- mouth Landing. The Clark estate would have to be purchased; three large buildings would have to be razed and a great deal of fill provided. for low land at the back and side. Unless adjacent land, now owned by the Norman Realty Trust were acquired, the frontage of this site would be too narrow. And the adjacent land is low and swampy.
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The locations in the Weston Park area, other than the one opposite the Hunt School, which the town has voted to use for a library, are:
A. Fronting on Washington Street just above the Post Office. The town would have to acquire valuable business property and raze the present buildings. To obtain an adequate frontage it would require two adjacent lots and it would also need a section of park land in back of these lots. Besides the great expense of purchasing and clearing this' land, the terrain in that section of the park is less favorable for library construction than is the land on Broad Street. The approach from Washington Street would be hazardous because of the heavy traffic on the hill.
B. The other suggestion was that a library be constructed in the park but not fronting on any street. Access would be from Front Street. This would involve acquiring a lot on Front Street, now built upon, clearing it and building a driveway into the library site. Such a plan would cut into the recreational area of Weston Park far more than the proposed site on Broad Street. It would require patrons to leave the street and enter through the park. This might be pleasant by daylight but in the evening, when the use of the library is maximum, it could be unsafe, especially for young people.
Either of these park locations would require further action by the Massachusetts legislature which has already approved the Broad Street location for a public library.
The remaining sites investigated by the Building Committee are:
1. King Avenue at the corner of Broad Street.
There is high ledge at this corner, a factory adjacent, and high tension wires so near that there would be interference in the use of the electronic equipment that is increasingly a part of good public library service. The area is zoned for industrial use, which would tend to decrease library patronage and would be a disadvantageous setting for a building that should be an asset to the town and a source of civic pride.
2. King Avenue and Kensington Street.
Still the high tension wire area and some of the land is swampy. The comment above in regard to the industrial area would apply to this site also.
3. Town property back of Bell Road, west Central Junior High School. Again the high tension wires run near. There is a gully on the property and there would be a drainage problem. Access to a library building would be difficult.
4. Property on Hunt Street opposite the brick apartment houses and now owned by Mr. Edward M. Dwyer.
This land has too narrow a street frontage. The additional lots between this property and Washington Street, now built upon and occupied, would be needed to provide adequate space for a library building and the necessary parking area.
5. Essex Street, adjacent to the Central Junior High School.
This is so remote from Weymouth Landing that it would be necessary for the town to maintain a branch library in the Landing area. The area is not the center of any activity except the school and that has its own library. The functions of a public library and a school library are not the same.
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6. Broad Street at the rear of the Academy Avenue School.
This area was under water when the committee visited it.
7. Site of the old Center Portable School.
Not adequate in size. There is ledge on the site and it drops off into a gully. It is too remote and the traffic problem would be serious.
8. Middle Street, adjacent to Howe & French, Inc.
This is remote from centers of population. It is low lying and would involve expensive fill.
9. Libby Field on Middle Street.
School property and needed for recreational purposes for both the present High School and the new High School. If it were available it would not be desirable because it is swampy and contains considerable peat. It would leave the Weymouth Landing area without library service.
10. Corner of Maple and Chard Streets, East Weymouth, opposite the new High School.
This land is part of the school property and will be a thorough- fare for students between the new High School and the recrea- tional fields, and possibly for bus routes. A brook runs through which drains all the area of the school property. The site is irregular in shape and would require acquisition of private property to make it adequate for a library building.
This site, and all those listed above from No. 5 through No. 10 are so remote from Weymouth Landing that the town would have to maintain a large active branch library in the Landing area, in addition to the proposed Main Library building. This would multiply main- tenance costs for the town and is not recommended by the Building Committee.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE.
After a very careful review of all possible sites, and after a study' of the whole situation by our library consultants, the committee, diver- gent in opinion at the start, now recommends unanimously that the new Tufts Library be built on Broad Street, opposite the Hunt School, in that section of Weston Park that the Town Meeting designated for library purposes and that the Massachusetts Legislature approved for this use.
The committee appreciates the concern of those who desire to con- serve park property for recreational use. It would do all in its power to construct a library that would be an asset to the park as well as to the town. No trees would be sacrificed needlessly. Many of the trees in the area are old and could not be saved many more years in any event. The landscaping around the library building could and would be park-like. The committee would welcome suggestions and help in landscaping from Garden Clubs and other organizations. There would be no need to cur- tail the recreational facilities of Weston Park. In fact a library has a recreational function as well as an educational one and could add to the effectiveness of the town's recreational program.
The terrain in this section is ideal for library construction. All of the main services of the library could be on street level, easy of access, and arranged for economical and efficient control from one center. And
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because the land slopes down, away from the street, there could be a. basement level largely above ground, to be entered from the parking- area, and affording room for storage and many of the auxiliary activi- ties of the library. There would be plenty of access to the park from Broad Street without 'going through the library building. The com- mittee will cooperate with the Park Department in every possible way.
The Building Committee has engaged the services of Ralph A. Ulveling and Charles M. Mohrhardt, nationally known Associated Li- brary Building Consultants. These consultants aided in the study of alternate sites, visiting them with the members of the committee. They are developing a building program, outlining the space requirements for the library, and are preparing a schematic plan, drawn to scale, showing the locations and interrelation of the various library services and activities. An approximate cost estimate of the building can be made from this plan, and the Building Committee expects to have it ready for presentation to the Annual Town Meeting in March 1962.
The Building Committee wants to express its appreciation for the cooperation it has received from the various departments of the town, and its asks your careful consideration of this report and hopes for. favorable action when the matter is presented to the Town Meeting.
Dr. Wallace H. Drake Francis N. Drown
Richard Reidy
H. Forrest Wilson
Alice E. Fulton
Rosamond Cunniff
Henry F. Godin
Lester Fulton
Walter C. Gutterson
Lucille Geever
Philip T. Jones
Barbara Thayer
Franklin N. Pratt
Christine E. Evarts, Chairman
REPORT OF PERSONNEL BOARD
January 10, 1962
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, 1961.
Personnel work this year consisted of setting up a new salary and wage plan, which was recommended, for the most part, by the Charles Evans Associates, who were retained by this Board, as voted at the. Annual Town Meeting in 1960. Meetings were held with department heads and the Appropriation Committee prior to Town Meeting to recommend the best method of application. A revised personnel by-law was presented to the Town Meeting which, by vote of that meeting, was referred to a committee for recommendation in the 1962 Town Meeting.
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Routine work of general activities for the year included necessary changes in classification, classifications of and approval of new em- ployees, disapproval of requests, settling of grievances; all in accord- ance with the recommendations of the Personnel Officer, who was a new appointee in April, 1961.
We wish to thank all who cooperated with our Board and particu- larly the Personnel Officer for his excellent work.
Respectfull submitted,
EDWARD F. BUTLER, Chairman
WILBUR F. WEEKS
JOSEPH F. HARRAGHY ANDREW A. CHISHOLM
FRANCIS L. KELLY FRANKLIN FRYER, Personnel Officer
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 9, 1962
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit the Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1961.
The department responded to ten hundred and twenty one calls. This is a reduction of thirty calls from the previous year. Seventy seven were for fires involving buildings. This constitutes a reduction of twenty one from the previous year. A complete breakdown of all calls is listed below.
The Junior Fire Marshal Program, an educational program on fire hazards was carried on in the schools throughout th Town. The per- sonnel of the department gave instruction to 1099 students on fire safety. This program resulted in the removal of 8655 fire hazards from the homes of the Town during 1961. The department has now been conducting the Junior Fire Marshal Program for ten years.
The forty-eight hour working schedule for the personnel of the de- partment was instituted during the year, requiring the addition of thir- teen new men. An intensive training program was carried on to instruct these men. Drills and instructions were carried on at all Stations on continuing basis.
Residential 57
Non-Residential 1
Mercantile 3
Manufacturing 1
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1
Storage
Miscellaneous
14
Grass & Brush 326
Autos, Boats, Outdoor Machinery
92
False Alarms 50
Smoke Scares, Accidental Alarms
177
First Aid, Accidents, Accidental Alarms, Emergency Calls (Resuscitator 49)
266
Mutual Aids 33
1021
The year 1961 has, on the whole, been a good one for the de -- partment and I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen and all others who have contributed to making it so.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER R. MURRAY, Chief of Fire Department: January 9; 1962:
REPORT OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
Walter R. Murray, Chief
Weymouth Fire Department
Dear Sir:
I respectfully submit my report of the Fire Alarm System for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Box Alarms for Fires 228
Second Alarms 1
.
Third Alarms 1 False Alarms 45
No School Signals 6:
The outside lines are in good condition. Seven (7) Fire Alarm Boxes have been added to the System at new locations.
In concluding I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all for services- and cooperation rendered at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
EDRIC J. SALISBURY Superintendent of Fire: Alarm)
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SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE LABAN PRATT HOSPITAL
December 31, 1961
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 1966: Mr. Roy F. Kendall Mr. Laughton B. Dasha Mr. Francis A. Farr Term Expires in 1965: Mrs. Marguerite W. Shaftoe Mrs. Eleanor E. Jack Mr. George H. Thompson 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
Subsequent to the Annual Town Election, Selectman Robert S. Carter was made Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of the Town and ex-officio assumed the Chairmanship of the Laban Pratt Trustees.
During the year 1961 the Trustees of the Laban Pratt Hospital, in accordance with instructions given them by the Annual Meeting of the Town and by vote of the citizens of the Town, continued to conduct conversations with the Trustees of the South Shore Hospital with reference to the possibility of constructing a Laban Pratt Memorial Wing to the South Shore Hospital. As a result of several meetings, differences of opinion between the two groups were ironed out and the Laban Pratt Trustees are hopeful that definite constructive results will be achieved.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS A. FARR, Clerk
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REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF CIVIL DEFENSE
January 11, 1962
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Weymouth Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Committee on Civil Defense is pleased to submit their report covering Civil Defense activities for the year 1961.
Our active units have continued to operate with satisfaction. The Auxiliary Police although reduced in numbers, gave excellent service during the recent Hanover incident. The Rescue Group was alerted during the hurricane and were called on several occasions to assist neighboring towns. Our Emergency Group served during the Hurricane keeping continuous contact with Civil Defense Headquarters.
All units were alerted during the National test to determine the efficiency of the Alarm and Communications System.
An operational plan for Weymouth is in progress which is being developed in accordance with the responsibilities of the Town under the Massachusetts Civil Defense Act, Chapter 639, Acts of 1950 as amended, this plan specifies various conditions of war emergency which might occur, and the actions to be taken by Weymouth Civil Defense in each of these various conditions.
A Public Shelter survey is now in progress. This is being conducted by the Federal Government and will be completed by early spring 1962.
This year we acquired a fully equipped Rescue Truck. This was purchased on a matched basis. The truck will be assigned to the Fire Department and should prove to be an important adjunct to the Town.
We thank those who have given their time and effort, and especially thank all Town Departments for their continuous cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, Weymouth Civil Defense Committee
HERBERT W. CAUSER, Director ELTON B. GIVEN, JR, Asst. Director CLARENCE W. TAYLOR, Asst. Director
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
January 10, 1962
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town Hall, East Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
We submit herewith the Annual Report of the Park Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1961.
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In the interests of brevity, many of the regularly scheduled activ- ities of the recreation program are mentioned without comment. Only those programs that are new or those that call for special attention ·are enlarged upon.
The sunmmer playground program was arranged to include activ- ities at twenty-two supervised playgrounds. The program started on June 26 and extended through August 25, with a staff of two super- visors, specialists in Archery, Tennis and Crafts, and thirty-six instruct- ors. The annual competitive examination was given to seventy-one applicants to fill ten vacancies.
As a result of the new pay scale which was established under the Personnel Board, we were able to employ experienced and qualified workers; especially in the supervisory positions.
A one-week training institute was held at Central Junior High "School for the playground personnel.
New playgrounds which were supervised included - House Rock Playground, Joseph Fern Court Playground, the Birches Playground and the James T. O'Sullivan Memorial Playground.
Dedication ceremonies at the James T. O'Sullivan Playground, in memory of the late Selectman, James T. O'Sullivan, were conducted on October 1, 1961.
"In grateful memory of James T. O'Sullivan, the Wey- mouth Park Commission, with the approval of the Annual Town Meeting of March 6, 1961, respectfully dedicate, this day, the playground on Pilgrim Road, North Weymouth, "The James T. O'Sullivan Memorial Playground.
The establishment of the playground has been made pos- sible through the untiring and unselfish cooperation of James T. O'Sullivan in the interest of youth recreation in the Town of Weymouth."
The regular summer playground program was conducted for the mentally retarded children of the Town at the South Junior High School Playground and gymnasium. 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.
The non-segregated daily playground program for the blind chil- dren was successfully conducted once again 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 program by the Commonwealth.
The improved facilities at Wessagusset Beach and Lake Street Beach resulted in a new high in swimming class registration and over- all attendance. A very capable staff of one supervisor, one assistant supervisor, eight swimming instructors and eleven life guards super- vised the two Town beaches. Once again through the cooperation of the Red Cross, instructors were trained at Aquatic School at Hanson, Mass. A competitive swimming and life-saving test was conducted for the hiring of new life guards.
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The Town beaches at Wessagusset and Lake Street opened on June 19, 1961 and closed September 4, 1961. An estimated 25,000 bathers used the facilities at Whitman's and over 70,000 at Wessa- gusset Beach. 2,200 youngsters and adults took advantage of the swimming lessons. Nine instructors taught an average of seven classes. a day in the following classifications: Non-swimmers,: Beginners, Ad- .vanced Beginners, Intermediates, Swimmers, Advanced Swimmers, Junior Lifesaving, Senior Lifesaving, Water Safety Aids, Adult Swim- ming, Synchronized Swimming, Adult and Children, and the Blind Children's swimming program. These classes were conducted in two sections, one through the month of July, the second in August. Pre- testing instruction period, final testing, the awarding of Red Cross pins, badges and certificates to those passing was the procedure during both sections. The Red Cross has seen fit to include in their grouping the classification of Advanced Beginner, a grouping started in our pro- gram a few years ago.
The baseball and softball diamonds were once again scheduled to capacity throughout the season with the many leagues playing full- schedules. Permits were issued fairly to control the heavy use of the fields.
The fall and winter programs carried on in the school gymnasiums were expanded to accommodate the increased attendance.
The Senior Citizens' program included monthly meetings and many special events for the five hundred active participants.
The Park Commission wishes to thank the Weymouth Junior Cham- ber of Commerce for their donation of a tandem bicycle for the Blind Children's Program and for the Senior Citizens' Outing at Cedarville; the Kiwanis Club of Weymouth for the Senior Citizens' Theatre Party and the invitation to the Blind Children and the Exceptional Children to attend their Circus; to the American Legion Post No. 79 for the use of their building for the Senior Citizens; to- the Weymouth Teachers' Association for the Senior Citizens' Night at the Pops.
The Park Commission wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the appointed committees, various town officials and branches of our town government for their continued cooperation, 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 DAVID W. KELLEY JOSEPH D. SLATTERY
Park Commissioners
WILLIAM F. KIRRANE
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WEYMOUTH VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION, INC.
Statement of Income and Expense for the Year Ended December 31, 1961 Balance January 1, 1961 $ 1,664.89
Income:
Nursing service
$8,344.05
Town of Weymouth-Nursing services
8,000.00
United Community Services
9,698.00
Other
772.63
Total Income 26,814.69
Total
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