USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1950-1954 > Part 18
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Respectfully submitted,
PHYLLIS B. LORING.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM
To the Superintendent of Schools:
We hereby submit the report of the School Health pro- gram for the year 1951.
The children of the Medfield Schools are above average in health, and the year 1951 was marked by less than the average number of cases of the contagious childhood diseases. Physical examinations were conducted in the High and Ele- mentary grades and parents were notified of any defects found.
This year the seniors were X-rayed by the Norfolk County Tuberculosis School Clinic and all reports were sent to the school as having been negative.
The pre-school clinic for registering pupils entering public school in September was held in April, and physical examina- tions were given to each child with a parent present.
This year the Dental clinic is under the School department and Dr. Melvin Gulbrandsen has done dental examinations on all pupils in the high and elementary grades, and work is now in progress. We are limited in funds this year to operate the Dental clinic the full year, and to do X-rays on teeth before
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beginning the dental work. However, we are in hopes that next year to have the necessary funds to carry on a full time dental program.
Hearing tests were done by the State Tru-tone audio- meter for public school pupils in the fourth grade through High school. The Tru-tone test is a new method recommended by the State Educational System and this is a more accurate method for finding the slightest deficiency in hearing, which is reported to the parents for further treatment.
Ten free lunches are given daily to the children of needy families by the Salvation Army Fund.
Minor first aid treatments were given throughout the year and several pupils were taken home because of being ill at school.
We wish to thank the school authorities who have been most helpful in carrying out the several features of the School Health Program.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. A. RITCHIE STAGG, M.D., School Doctor MELVIN GULBRANDSEN, D.M.D., School Dentist MADELEINE HARDING, R.N., School Nurse
REPORT OF PHYSICAL DIRECTOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit my annual report as Physical Education Director.
The Physical Education program offered in Medfield pro- vides a wide variety of activities which will insure the full and complete development of the child.
The Physical Education program in the elementary school consists of the following activities:
1. directed play 5. rhythmic activities
2. small group play 6. stunts and tumbling
3. large group play 7. classroom games
4. team games
8. apparatus activities
A physical education demonstration of grades 4-6 will be put on at the March meeting of the Parent Teachers Associa- tion to show the parents what their children have accomplished during the school year.
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Activities for the Junior High girls include, highly organ- ized sports, formal activities, stunts and tumbling, games, re- lays, rhythms, apparatus, folk, square and modern dancing.
The Junior High School intramural program consists of field hockey, basketball, and softball.
The program for the high school girls consists of appa- ratus, formal activities, games, relays, highly organized sports, rhythms, recreational sports, stunts and tumbling, individual sports, modern, folk, and square dancing.
During the fall, basketball intramurals are conducted, the varsity basketball squad is chosen from the students partici- pating. This year the squad will play the Medfield Alumni, Millis, Westwood, Dover and Holliston.
In addition to basketball, field hockey, badminton and softball are also offered as interscholastic sports. The partici- pants in interscholastic competition develop attitudes of good sportsmanship and fair play.
In April the Junior and Senior high school girls will give a demonstration of their accomplishments throughout the pre- ceding school year.
Respectfully submitted, BARBARA LAMBSON, Physical Education Director.
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The program of music in all the grades consists chiefly in singing activities. This provides an outlet for self-expression and can give the children great pleasure. Other phases of music such as dancing, playing in rhythm bands, listening and creating may all be offered in the future when additional equip- ment and time are made available.
Children should learn to read music. They become ac- quainted with musical ideas in the primary grades. This ap- proach is called reading readiness and leads naturally into the program of music reading and in the intermediate grades. Part-singing is taught in the upper grades sometimes begin- ning as early as the fourth grade.
This year all the children's voices were tested and classi- fied individually and special help was given those needing it in tone matching.
Every grade participated in a Christmas Carol program that was attended by parents.
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The music work of the Junior High students comprised singing many songs in two and three parts, sight-reading in the bass staff, some listening activity, participation in the Christmas program and Spring Festival.
The Senior High Choral Class, though not limited to girls, was selected by girls only this year. Unison songs as well as two and three-part music were taught. Voices were tested and classified. Three of the members of this group were chosen to sing in the New England Festival in February in a chorus of 300. All members participated in the Christmas Carol pro- gram, Spring Festival and Graduation.
The Glee Club listed as a club activity expanded to include all but 15 or 20 students of the High School. It met once every other week. The members participated in the Chrisi- mas Carol program, Spring Festival and at Graduation.
The cooperation and support of the principals and the teachers was excellent in all the music work of this year and the response of the pupils was most gratifying.
Respectfully submitted,
ELEANOR EDWARDS, Music Supervisor
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
School art today is a means of tieing all school subjects to- gether into an integrated whole. The modern art program sees art used in a sensible, practical way, not as a frivolous. really unnecessary subject; too often seen in the past. While there could be danger that art might lose its identity and be come a weak handmaiden to all other subjects where used in this way. The fact that at any time it can, and is, given as a subject in itself, preserves its own right for being. Thus, though the art supervisor usually will drop any lesson plans she might have, in order to keep a teacher with a project or some correlated subject, she reserves the right not to do so, if she feels that some art lesson should be taught instead.
In the first three grades the children are taught the basic fundamentals of art work with emphasis on drawing people. For everything in life centers around the people in it, and all else is minor. As drawing persons in all sorts of actions and situations is the hardest kind of drawing and art work, all else is much easier. Thus the children are prepared for their creative work in drawing situations at home, in school and in their studies which is the present outlet for art work.
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The fourth, fifth and sixth grades find the child more able to express himself creatively through the foundations laid in the primary grades.
The junior high school age finds the child more critical and self-conscious of his efforts. It is here perhaps that art appreciation might be best employed, but often the child who does not like to "draw" does not like to hear art talked about even more.
High school art, being elective, should find the pupil who takes art very interested in the subject. This year, we have experimented with a variety of materials; pencil, charcoal, water color, finger painting, poster-color, and colored chalk. Many times a pupil will "find" himself in a new technique, not used before.
Emphasis is placed on originality with technique and re- sults secondary, although not disregarded.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY WALLACE, Art Supervisor
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen submit to the citizens of Medfield the more important aspects of their activities during the past year and their recommendations for improvements for the ensuing year.
Two years ago the merchants of the Town petitioned the Selectmen to establish parking regulations within the limits of the Town Square.
Congestion and overloading of parking facilities in the center is due to the growth of the Town and the increased number of vehicles that have been registered in the last five years.
A survey and study of the problem was made by the Chief of Police, the Superintendent of the Highway Department and the Board of Selectmen. Accordingly, Traffic Rules and Orders which were approved by the Traffic Division of the Department of Public Works with several minor changes were established.
Although the regulations have alleviated the situation con- siderably, the solution is temporary.
The Planning Board has suggested that a site be acquired for a parking lot near the center of Town before further build- ing occurs and while land is still available.
Therefore, the Selectmen have included in the warrant an article authorizing the Planning Board to make a detailed and complete study of the problem and to report its recommenda- tions at a future meeting.
During the past year improvement has been affected at the corner of North Street and Hospital Road, which has added to the safety of motor vehicle travel on the way.
The Planning Board, in accordance with the last year's recommendations of the Selectmen, has surveyed the outlying streets of the Town and submitted their recommendations as to lay-outs of certain streets in the Town.
The purpose of such lay-outs is primarily to protect the home owner and abutter along the ways by protective pro- vision for future widening of the public ways.
Therefore, it is recommended that Grove, Cross, Dale and Winter Streets be laid out during the coming year.
At present, the Selectmen are in the process of laying out a portion of South and Curve Streets in the interests of public safety.
Last year, the Town accepted as a public way a road known as Lowell Mason Road.
The Selectmen also recommend that a survey of the Town Hall heating system be made with the view of revamping it so that controls may be installed which will result in a saving of heating costs.
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As another saving, the Selectmen are of the opinion that the Town should install its own gas pump which under proper supervision will represent a saving because of both the whole- sale cost and the exemption of the Federal tax.
Through the persistent efforts of the Selectmen, safety warning lights were installed at the Dale Street railroad crossing.
The railroad has been asked to survey and install safety lights at the three remaining unlighted crossings.
Continued efforts will be made to persuade the railroad of the advisability of installing lights at those crossings.
As another factor of safety and protection, the Selectmen recommend additional personnel to be assigned to the Police Department. Twenty-four hour police service is desirable for many reasons, but particularly because of the existence of two banks in the Town.
The interior of the Town Hall is in good condition except for the floors which are unpresentable and dangerous. Your Town Hall is the heart of the Town and you and your Town are judged by its appearance.
Since no repairs have been made in the last twenty years, it is recommended that expenditures be made to make your building presentable and safe.
The Selectmen wish to thank the School Officials and the Boy Scouts for their cooperation in assisting the Board to deliver to the citizens of the Town a copy of the warrant for each Special Town Meeting. .
In their annual report the Selectmen wish to pay special commendation to the Planning Board for their efforts and special accomplishments of the past year, which certainly will inure to the Town's proper development and desirable growth for many years.
It has been the desire of the Selectmen in the past years to make the Town Report more interesting, informative, and helpful to the citizens of the Town.
In conclusion, the Board wishes to thank all who work for the Town, all Committees and Boards and all the people of the Town for their generous and genuine spirit of assistance and cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK G. HALEY WILLIAM E. MCCARTHY JOSEPH L. MARCIONETTE Selectmen of Medfield
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Incorporated May 22, 1651 (43rd town in order of corporation) ORIGIN OF NAME OF MEDFIELD:
In the original grant as extracted from the colonial record for May 22, 1650 "the name of the town is in brackets: evidently the space was left blank at that time. But the name was decided on very shortly afterward, when it was probably inserted. The name is variously spelled in the old records. frequently Meadfield, and Medfield."
"Several reasons have been given for the selection of this name. The most plausible is that the town of Dedham, Med- field, and Wrentham in England lay near each other; that the early settlers here came from that vicinity and perpetuated the memory of their native locality in naming these names. This view is strengthened by the tradition that this town once received the gift of a bell from Medfield in Old England. There is no record, however, in any way relating to it."*
The following information, acquired by inquiry of the British Consulate General of Boston in regard to Meadfield, England, is quoted for the information of the citizens of Med- field, Massachusetts.
"The only reference to Medfield or Meadfield we have been able to find is in the English Place-Name Society, Vol. XI, "The Place-Names of Surrey," where Meadfield is men- tioned as a place-name occurring in the parish of Haslemere. It is marked on a 6-inch Ordnance Survey Map, but not on the popular 1-inch Ordnance Survey sheet. The earliest re- corded spelling is Meddemefeld (1280). The form Medefeld occurs in 1388.
We have no means of ascertaining whether this was the origin of the name Medfield. We note that the nearby towns of Westwood and Norwood also have counterparts in Surrey, but our sources are not sufficient to show whether there was in fact a settlement of emigrants from Surrey in this area."
LOCATION:
Town Hall-Latitude 42° 11' 14.3" North Longitude 71° 18' 20.3" West
ALTITUDE of Medfield Square above mean sea level is: 184.0 feet.
BEARING AND DISTANCE OF STATE HOUSE, BOSTON from Medfield Square is N-46º 06' E. and a distance of 90,525 feet or 17.14 miles.
* Quotations from HISTORY OF MEDFIELD, edited by William S. Tilden with Engravings and illustrations by John S. Monks and published by Geo. H. Ellis, Publisher, Boston, 1887.
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AREA: 8062 square acres.
POPULATIONS: 1940 Federal Census 4384
1945 State Census 4199 1950 Federal Census 4549
(Medfield State Hospital approximately 2135) ,
REGISTERED VOTERS 1951
Male 792
Female 835
Total 1627
TOWN MEETING DATE ANNUAL: By-Laws of the Town of Medfield adopted March 8, 1926-Article L Section 1: The annual Town Meeting for the election of officers and such other matters as may be voted on the official ballot, shall be held on the first Monday in March each year and the Annual Town Meeting for the transaction of business shall be held on the second Monday in March of each year.
REGISTRATION DATES 1952
March 22
7 to 9 P.M.
March 28
Noon to 10 P.M.
Pre-primaries April 29, 1952
August 9 7 to 9 P.M.
August 15
Noon to 10 P.M.
Primaries September 16, 1952
September 27 7 to 9 P.M.
October 3 Noon to 10 P.M.
National Election November 4, 1952
FEDERALLY ELECTED MASSACHUSETTS OFFICIALS:
United States Senate: Leaverett Saltonstall (elected at large).
Henry Cabot Lodge (elected at large)
United States House of Congress:
Joseph Martin (14th Congressional District).
OFFICIALS OF THE COMMONWEALTH:
Governor's Councillor: Otis Whitney (Third District) State Senator: Charles Olson (Middlesex and Norfolk Senatorial District)
State Representative: Frank D. McCarthy (8th Norfolk Representative District)
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OFFICIALS OF THE COUNTY OF NORFOLK:
County Commissioners: Russell T. Bates Clayton W. Nash Frederick A. Leavitt
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION:
+
Police Department:
Telephone 1
Fire Department:
Telephone 95
Board of Selectmen:
Telephone 257-Meet Wednesday 7 P.M. weekly
Board of Assessors: Telephone 25
Board of Public Welfare:
Telephone 545
School Committee:
Telephone 22-High School
Telephone 564-Elementary School
Telephone 448-Adams Street School
Collector of Taxes: Office hours 7- 8 P.M. Thursday evenings
Water and Sewer Commis .: Tuesday 8 P. M. weekly
Park and Planning Board: Second Thursday monthly.
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1951
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Mr. Francis X. Lang Director of Accounts Department of Corporation and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Medfield for the period from October 5, 1949, the date of the previous examination, to May 31, 1951, and report thereon as follows:
The financial transactions as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or sending out bills for collection were examined, checked, and verified.
The books and accounts of the town accountant were examined and checked. The receipts as recorded were checked with the available departmental records and with the treas- urer's books, while the payments were compared with the treasurer's warrants authorizing the disbursement of town funds.
The ledger accounts were analyzed for the period covered by the audit, the appropriations and loans authorized as recorded on the ledger were checked with the amounts voted by the town as shown on the town clerk's record of town meetings; the transfers from the reserve fund were compared with the amounts authorized by the finance committee; and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was pre- pared showing the financial condition of the town on May 31, 1951.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were ex- amined and checked. The recorded receipts were analyzed and verified by comparison with the records in the several depart- ments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the disbursements were compared with the selectmen's war- rants authorizing the payments.
The cash balance on May 31, 1951 was proved by recon- ciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit and by actual count of cash in the office.
The payments of maturing debt and interest were proved with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities and coupons on file.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and checked. The amounts added to the tax title account were compared with the tax collector's records, the tax titles redeemed were checked with the receipts as recorded on
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the treasurer's cash book, and the tax title deeds on hand were listed and compared with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
The savings bank books and securities representing the trust fund investments in custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed, the income being proved and the with- drawals verified.
The savings bank book and a certificate of cooperative bank stock representing the investments of the Moses Ellis Post No. 117 G.A.R. Fund in the custody of the selectmen could not be located during the progress of the audit and will be checked at a later date.
The balance in the savings bank was verified with a statement furnished by the bank.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked. The poll and property taxes and motor vehicle and trailer excise outstanding according to the previous ex- amination and all subsequent commitments were audited and checked to the warrants for their collection. The payments to the treasurer were checked to the treasurer's cash book, the recorded abatements were compared with the assessors' records of abatements granted, the transfers to the tax title account were checked with the treasurer's records of tax titles held by the town, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective ledger accounts.
A determined effort should be made by the tax collector to secure settlement of overdue tax and excise accounts, some of which extend as far back as 1944.
The commitments of departmental and water accounts receivable were examined and checked. The recorded receipts were checked with the payments to the treasurer and with the accountant's books, the abatements as recorded were checked with the departmental records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved to the accountant's ledger.
Verification notices were sent to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town for tax, excise, departmental and water accounts, and from the replies received thereto it would appear that the outstanding accounts as listed are correct.
The town clerk's records of dog, sporting, and miscel- laneous licenses issued were examined and checked, the pay- ments to the State being verified by comparison with receipts on file and the payments to the town being checked to the treasurer's cash book.
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The surety bonds furnished by the several town officials for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of receipts from selectmen's licenses, of the sealer of weights and measures, of the public welfare and cemetery departments, and of all other departments collecting money for the town were examined, checked, and reconciled with the treasurer's and accountant's books.
In checking the records of the cemetery department, it was noted that receipts for opening graves were retained by the employees performing the work in lieu of compensation, in which connection it is again recommended that these receipts be turned in to the town treasury in accordance with the provisions of Section 53, Chapter 44, General Laws, and that the compensation of the employees be paid from an appro- priation provided for that purpose.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and the tax collector's cash, summaries of the tax, excise, tax title, departmental and water accounts, as well as tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust funds.
While engaged in making the audit, cooperation was re- ceived from all town officials, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HBD:ACD
HERMAN B. DINE Assistant Director of Accounts
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REPORT OF THE TOWN ACCOUNTANT TOWN OF MEDFIELD For the year ending December 31, 1951
Receipts
Balance Cash on Hand, January 1, 1951
$310,559.88
Taxes:
Current year
$186,865.26
Previous Years
13,171.03
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
23,466.74
Tax Titles
43.28
Tax Interest and Costs
337.05
State Income Tax
10.804.66
State Corporation Tax
10,966.28
Betterment Assessments
612.00
$246,266.30
Licenses and Permits:
Liquor
$1,500.00
All Other
212.00
$1,712.00
Grants from State and County:
Old Age Assistance
$24,017.15
Aid to Dependent Children
1,288.15
Schools
28,721.69
Highways-State
11,007.60
Highways-County
699.83
Health Subsidy
540.71
Meals Tax
452.97
Public Service
1.62
Dog Licenses
541.89
Reimbursement-Tax Loss
5,432.53
$72,704.14
Departmental Revenue:
Fire Dept. Expense Refund
$5.00
Town Clerk-Dog Licenses
812.00
Town Hall -- Rentals
345.00
High School Auditorium-Rentals
95.00
Sealers Fees
50.20
Library Fees
274.03
Old Age Assistance, Cities, Towns and Ind.
1,750.19
School Tuition and Refunds
241.02
Fire Insurance Dividend
59.22
Court Fines
125.00
Telephone-Refunds
28.97
Interest on Loans-Accrued
5.95
Veterans Benefits-Refunds
98.20
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-
.
Schools-Book Damage Highways-Damages and Refunds Contingent-Refund
13.71
106.38
4.00
$4,013.87
Grants from Federal Government:
Old Age Assistance Aid to Dependent Children
1,816.43
$27,203.06 .
Water Department:
Sale of Water
$14,277.24
Water Service
1,259.52
Water Service Extensions
151.15
Water Expense Refunds
45.82
$15,733.73
Cemetery:
Sale of Lots and Graves
$285.00
Care of Lots and Graves
204.50
Cemetery Expense Refund
.91
$490.41
Interest on Trust Funds:
Library
$207.72
Granville F. Dailey-Library
2,250.80
Cemetery Perpetual Care
750.83
$3,209.35
Loans:
State and County Highways
$12,675.00
Refund
2,000.00
$14,675.00
Road Machinery Funds
5,885.35
Withheld Tax Funds
13,309.91
Cemetery Trust Funds
2,525.00
County Retirement Funds
2,514.12
School Cafeteria Funds
12,477.28
School Athletic Assoc. Funds
647.79
Unidentified
4.14
Total Receipts and Cash on Hand
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