USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1950-1954 > Part 26
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Article 8. Voted unanimously to accept as part of a pub- lic way that portion of South Street and Curve Street, which runs along Curve Street in a northeasterly direction for a distance of about 360 feet, thence turning northerly on a radius of about 212.90 feet and running in a northerly direction along South Street for a distance of 194 feet as relocated by the Selectmen and shown on a plan and layout on file in the Town Clerk's office; authorize the Selectmen to acquire by eminent domain or otherwise, such rights, titles and easements on such land as is necessary to accomplish said relocation.
Article 9. Voted unanimously to appropriate the sum of $280.00 from the unexpended balance of an appropriation voted under Article 48 of the Annual Town Meeting of March 14, 1949 to defray the costs of damages to be awarded by the Board of Selectmen for the taking of land for the relocation of a portion of South Street and Curve Street.
Article 10. Voted unanimously to appropriate the sum of $372.25 from the unexpended balance of an appropriation voted under Article 48 of the Annual Town Meeting of March 14, 1949 to defray the cost of Engineering Fees relative to the relocating of a portion of South Street and Curve Street.
Article 11. Voted unanimously to appropriate the sum of
72
$3,500.00 from the unexpended balance of an appropriation voted under Article 37 of the Adjourned Annual Town Meeting of March 17, 1952 for the purchase and installation of an ex- tension of a six inch water main in Harding Street from its present termination about 527 feet in a northerly direction.
Article 12. Voted unanimously to re-name that portion of Frairy Street from the intersection of Frairy Street and Dale Street to its intersection with Bridge Street as Dale Street so that Dale Street will be named from North Street to Bridge Street in its entirety as Dale Street.
Article 13. Voted to amend the Zoning By-Law of Med field as shown on the Zoning Map of Medfield, Massachusetts, revised April 30, 1951, on file with the Town Clerk, by removing the after described premises from "B" Residence District Uses and by placing said premises under Business District Uses:
A certain parcel of land situated both on and off the northeasterly side of Frairy Street and bounded and described as follows:
SOUTHWESTERLY by Frairy Street, as shown on the plan hereinafter referred to, 15.8 feet.
NORTHWESTERLY by lot A, and by land of Helen F. Gil- more, shown on said plan a total distance of 279.96 feet.
SOUTHWESTERLY by land of Helen F. Gilmore, shown on said plan 170.09 ft.
NORTHERLY by other land of said Gilmore, shown on said plan, 50 ft.
EASTERLY by land of NY. NH. & H. RR. shown on said plan, 170.00 ft.
SOUTHEASTERLY by land of Helen F. Gilmore, shown on plan, 328.
Said premises are shown as the parcels marked B and C on a "Plan of land in Medfield, Mass., August 1952, H. A. Kingsbury, Engineer, which said plan is duly recorded with Norfolk County Registry of Deeds.
125 voted in favor. 1 voted against.
Article 14. Voted to accept the following named sums as Perpetual Trust Funds for the care of lots in the Vine Lake Cemetery, the interest thereof or as may be necessary to be used for said care, viz:
Lillian A. Faass Lot $100.00
Joseph Ferrone Lot
100.00
Thomas Hawson 100.00
Pasquale Vasaturo
100.00
Voted that the meeting be dissolved.
A true copy attest:
CHARLES W. KEIRSTEAD Town Clerk
73
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Medfield, in said County, greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth you are directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Medfield, quali- fied to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Medfield on Monday the 29th day of December A.D. 1952 at 7:30 P. M. then and there to act on the following articles:
Article 1. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds in the Treasury a sum of money for the pur- pose of defraying expenses of the Fire Department, or do or act anything in relation thereto.
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from available funds in the Treasury, for the purpose of a survey of additional sources of water supply. (Water & Sewerage Board).
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to accept the fol- lowing named sums as Perpetual Trust Funds for the care of lots in the Vine Lake Cemetery, the interest thereof or as may be necessary to be used for said care, viz:
John T. Guiney Lot $100.00
Helen E. Maclean
100.00
Charles E. White Lot 100.00
Harold Morton Lot
100.00
John A. Fraser Lot
100.00
George P. Kennedy Lot 100.00
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the purpose of installing three (3) Electric Lights on Millbrook Road, or do or act anything in relation thereto. (Petition).
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting an attested copy thereof, in the usual place for posting war- rants in said Medfield, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon, unto the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this 19th day of December A.D. Nineteen hundred and fifty-two.
WILLIAM E. MCCARTHY
JOSEPH L. MARCIONETTE FRANK G. HALEY Selectmen of Medfield
COLEMAN J. HOGAN Constable of Medfield
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
NORFOLK, SS.
Medfield, Massachusetts December 19, 1952
By virtue of this warrant, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Medfield qualified to vote in elec- tions to meet at the time and for the purpose named, by post- ing attested copies of said warrant in not less than five pub- lic places in the Town at least seven days before the time of holding the meeting.
COLEMAN J. HOGAN Constable of Medfield
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING December 29, 1952
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant, the meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk, who in the absence of the Town Moderator asked for Nominations of a Moderator Pro-tem. Mr. Joseph L. Marcionette was nominated and voted to fill said office. After the reading of the warrant the approxi- mately 30 voters present acted on the articles as follows:
Article 1. Voted to transfer the sum of $2,100.00 from available funds in the Treasury to defray expenses of the Fire Department.
Article 2. Taking into consideration the small representa- tion of voters present and the importance of this question of water supply, it was;
Voted that this article be tabled until the next Annual Town Meeting.
Article 3. Voted to accept the following named sums as Perpetual Trust Funds for the care of lots in the Vine Lake Cemetery, the interest thereof or as may be necessary to be used for said care, viz:
John T. Guiney Lot
$100.00
Helen E. Maclean Lot
100.00
Charles E. White Lot
100.00
Harold Morton Lot
100.00
John A. Fraser Lot
100.00
George P. Kennedy Lot
100.00
Article 4. Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $60.00 for maintenance of three electric lights on Millbrook Road.
Voted that the meeting be dissolved.
A true copy attest:
CHARLES W. KEIRSTEAD Town Clerk
75
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Vine Lake Cemetery is in good condition at the present time. We were able to conserve some of our funds during the long dry season and use it for the Fall cleanup.
We therefor submit our request that the sum of $4,200.00 in addition to the amount received from the sale of lots be appropriated for the maintenance of Vine Lake Cemetery for the ensuing year.
We are also requesting that the sum of $468.00 be ap- propriated for the purchase of a Dever, Model No. 24R Lawn mower. The machines we are now operating would cost more in repairs and lost man hours of labor than the cost of re- placing them.
Respectfully submitted,
January 7, 1953
KENNETH R. CLARK, JOSEPH A. ROBERTS, PETER PEDERZINI, Cemetery Commissioners
DOG OFFICER'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby respectfully submit my report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1952.
There were 162 complaints received and investigated. The following cases were taken care of:
Dogs found and turned over to owners 15
Stray dogs taken to Animal Rescue League 6
Dogs killed by automobiles 10
Dogs hit and injured by automobiles 11
Stray dogs picked up by police
20
Dogs bit 3 adults
Dogs bit 3 children
Dogs quarantined
Dogs killed 29 hens
6
All delinquent dog taxes were collected and returns made.
Respectfully submitted, COLEMAN J. HOGAN Dog Officer
76
REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Fire Engineers hereby submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1952.
There were sixty-eight (68) alarms and ten (10) still alarm fires classified as follows:
Grass and brush
49
Buildings
13
Automobile
1
Chimney
1
Oil burners
2
Public Dump
6
Accidents
2
Cats in trees
2
False
2
The cost of putting out some of the needless fires is as follows:
Incinerator fires
$816.00
Public Dump
342.00
July 4th and 5th
224.00
Halloween
182.00
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR W. ALLEN,
KENNETH R. CLARK,
Fire Engineers
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
We hereby respectfully submit our report of the Board of Health for the year ending December 31, 1952.
The following contagious diseases were reported:
Mumps
93
Measles
67
Dog Bite
10
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
8
Chicken pox
7
Scarlet Fever
4
German Measles
3
Undulant Fever
1
Salmononellosis
1
Venereal Diseases (reported by the State)
2
77
5
/
There are two patients at the Norfolk County Tuberculosis
Hospital at Braintree. One patient at the Rutland Training Center at Rutland.
Licenses were issued to dealers selling, buying or trans- porting Methyl Alcohol or Wood Alcohol, so called, or any preparation other than Shellac or Varnish.
The garbage collection contract was renewed and collec- tions are made twice a week during the summer months and once a week during the winter months.
Written complaints have been taken care of throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
A. RITCHIE STAGG, M.D. Chairman
CLARENCE BOYCE MADELEINE HARDING Board of Health
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1952.
The dogs reported to have bitten persons were quarantined and released at the end of the quarantine period. There were no cases of rabies.
There were fifteen (head) of cattle shipped in from Vermont.
In the annual inspection, there were 251 cattle, 41 horses, 2 goats, 16 sheep and 115 swine. The animals showed no signs of contagious diseases and the premises were found to be in a satisfactory condition.
Respectfully submitted, CARLTON S. CHENEY, Inspector of Animals
MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Annual Report for 1952
To the Citizens of Medfield:
The Memorial Public Library of Medfield has been di- rected during the year by Mr. C. Monroe Clark, chairman, Mrs. Dana Jefferson, Sr., secretary; Miss Anne Donlan, Mrs.
78
Evelyn Byng, Mr. Thomas Whiteside and Mr. Charles Wood- ard, and has been supervised by Mrs. Leslie Howlett, librar- ian, and Miss Ethel Hersey, assistant librarian, with Mr. Charles Patten as custodian.
The Library is open daily from 2:00 o'clock through 8:30 P.M. excepting Sundays and holidays, and during July and August the hours are from 5:30 to 8:30 P.M.
The Library has approximately 10,000 volumes. During 1952, 469 volumes were added: 356 for adults and 113 for chil- dren. There were 16,973 books circulated during the year: 4,358 to children and 12,615 to adults, and a daily circulation count of 56 books. There are 1,068 registered patrons, 121 were new applicants.
At the end of 1952, Alice Dixon Bond wrote an article "Looking Backward Discloses Many Worthwhile Books to Brighten Hours." Many of the books mentioned in this article are in your library. The best seller: The Caine Mutiny by Wouk, published in 1951, is still on a reserve list. The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carlson is recommended by each reader to his friends. A Man Called Peter by Catherine Marshall, published in the spring, became popular at the very close of the year and is now circulating from a reserve list. Costain's Silver Chalice is very well liked; our two copies have been in constant demand. Steinbeck's East of Eden is popular. Giant by dna Ferber, My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier and Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway are con- stantly in circulation.
Other books favorably mentioned in Miss Bond's article and most sought after are:
The Catherine Wheel-Jean Stafford
You, the Jury-Mary Borden
This Crooked Way-E. Spencer
The Golden Hand-E. Simon The Spire-G. Brace
Windom's Way-J. Ullman Thudbury-C. Davis
My Brother, My Enemy-M. Wilson
Hold Back the Night-P. Frank Son of Adam Wyngate-M. O'Brien The Shining Tides-W. Brooks Catherine Carter-P. Johnson The Distant Shore-J. de Hartoz The Far Country-N. Shute The River Garden of Pure Repose-G. Boynton Gown of Glory-A. Turnbull Witness-W. Chambers
Glitter and the Gold-C. Vanderbilt Balsan Tallulah-T. Bankhead
Steamboat Gothic-F. Keyes
7.9
Gods, Graves and Scholars-Ceram Melville Goodwin, U.S.A .- Marquand The Confident Years-1885-1915-Van Wyck Brooks I Live Again-Princess of Romania Postmarked Moscow-Kirk
The Big Change-Allen
Wonderful books have been given to the library again this year. New novels have been the predominating gift, but there have been exceptionally fine books for children, and recent adult books of history, science, economics and biography. Members of the Garden Club kept the library room supplied with beautiful flowers during the garden months. Senior Girl Scouts, Joan Swallow, Shirley Shade, Verna Clark and Louise Fisher, contributed hours of work to the library through . their community-help program. The Library Committee wishes to thank the many library friends for their interest and gifts. A 1952 edition of Americana was purchased: a beautiful 30 volume bright blue buckram set which brings our ency- clopedic material up to date. The library continues its sub- scription to the Guide to Periodical Literature which is a monthly index to the outstanding magazine articles. This in- dex together with the new 1952 encyclopedia makes an excel- lent basic reference.
There have been two interesting exhibits at the library: The Medfield Garden Club showed flower arrangements during an exhibit in June and in November the Library sponsored an art exhibit of the work of Medfield artists.
Forty books have been borrowed on the inter-library-loan system for readers who requested technical or any non-fiction books which are not in this library.
Most of the children's books purchased this year were chosen to replace and supplement books in the travel-and-his- tory-of-foreign-countries section. These new books with their many illustrations and colorful covers are attracting young readers to these shelves of more serious reading. The school children choose from library shelves for their regular book re- port reading. Book lists with graded reading suggestions are kept for use by the students or parents. These lists are pre- pared by teachers of the local schools, the Massachusetts De- partment of Education, the American Library Association and the Teachers State Reading group. Parents who wish to en- courage their children to read may suggest that they read for State Certificates, a reading program offered jointly by the school and library. Inquiries should be made at the library.
The Library Board wishes to repair and redecorate the large basement room, possibly for a children's room. As was reported last year, the first repair must be the conversion of the heater to oil. The Board is asking for $1,250 towards this work. To defray regular maintenance costs the committee is
80
asking for the usual appropriation of $1,200, plus the dog tax for 1952 and the library fines; these amounts to supplement the Trust fund income.
Respectfully submitted, EDITH C. HOWLETT, Librarian BERTHA H. JEFFERSON, Secretary
MEDFIELD PARK AND PLANNING BOARD Annual Report
1952
The Medfield Planning Board had its usual meetings on the second Thursday of each month and in addition, held many special meetings for the hearing of petitions for rezoning, developments, and road construction.
The Board introduced a rezoning amendment to the by- laws on May 19th, together with a redrawn zoning map. This was passed at the special Town meeting but it was turned down by the Attorney General's office on a technicality and is being prepared for re-submission to the town by the Board.
The Board has met frequently with the Selectmen in con- nection with road construction and the acquisition of land for the Town dump and for a public parking space. A recom- mendation for such action has been made to the Selectmen.
At the Annual Town Meeting, an appropriation was voted of $1,300 to improve the tennis court, this being the smaller of two figures suggested by the Board. When the time came for the construction, test borings of the surface were made and the sum appropriated was inadequate to lay a proper foundation for a hard top court. It was thought best to wait until additional funds were available so that a complete and proper court could be constructed. This suggestion will be brought up for consideration at the next annual Town meeting.
The clerical work necessitated during the year was not as expensive as anticipated by the Board and it is pleased to report that it has returned to the general fund the unused sum of $474.33. This return of unusued funds should not affect the appropriation for the next year since the amount of money required was considerably less than would be normal if there were more development activity in the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
MEDFIELD PARK AND PLANNING BOARD W. F. MITTENDORF, Chairman R. Rowland Stebbins Claire Smith Charles C. Cain.
81
LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD
Photo by Sproul
NOON HILL BRIDGE (1949)
Photo by Pederzini
١
1952 POLICE REPORT
Assault and battery
2
Drunkeness
5
Non-support
1
Breaking and Entering
2
Violation of Wage Law
1
Unnatural Act
1
Hunting without license
1
Arrest for out-of-town police department
2
Operating under influence of liquor
3
Operating negligently
1
Operating after suspension of license
1
Operating without sticker
7
Operating without license
2
Leaving scene
1
Cases placed on file
4
Released by Probation Officer
5
One fine
$25.00
One fine
35.00
One fine
50.00
Three fines $10.00 each
30.00
Five fines 5.00 each 25.00
Fines at Dedham District Court
165.00
One given 3 months in House of Correction
One given 2 months Probation
One given 6 months Probation
Officers attending District Attorney's Office 3 days
Officers attending Dedham Superior Court 2 days
Officers attending Dedham District Court 24 days
Summons served for other police departments 50
Warrant served
1
Warrant returned to court-no service cause death
1
Men drawn on Jury Duty
8
Women drawn on Jury Duty
1
Three sudden deaths
Miscellaneous, found in auto accident ---
Belgian Auto Revolver
1
German Machine Gun
1
Automobile accidents
57
Injured adults
12
Injured children treated by doctor, sent home
8
One Fatal by train accident
1
Complaints received
182
Complaints investigated
182
Disturbance suppressed- no arrest
35
Messages received and delivered
61
Fires located by police
20
Fires put out by police
15
Windows broken
14
Automobiles tagged
8
85
Automobiles removed from highway 52 Street lights reported out 50 Breaks reported 3
Patients reported missing Patients found by police Closed houses covered
38
5
20
Miscellaneous
Paid details covered by police officers
150
Persons sick-taken home
4
Doors found open, owners notified and secured 15
Registry
Automobile license revoked
2
Automobile license suspended
28
Automobile license returned
10
Automobile license recommended 10
Automobile registration suspended
1
Automobile registration plates found
14
Automobile sales and transfer
133
Automobile registration revoked
1
Right to operate suspended
5
Automobile violator turned in to Registry
40
I recommend two officers to cover town 24 hours and days off.
Respectfully submitted, COLEMAN J. HOGAN Chief of Police
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
During 1952 a total of 70 Old Age Assistance cases, 3 Aid to Dependent Children cases, 5 Disability Assistance cases and 5 General Relief cases were administered.
Following are the statistics for the year:
Cases Receiving Assistance in Medfield
No. Cases
Jan. 1, '52
New Cases
Cases No. Cases Closed Dec. 31, '52
Category
Old Age Assistance
64
6
15
55
Aid to Dependent Children
3
0
0
3
General Relief
0
5
3
2
Disability Assistance
4
1
4
1
Two Old Age Assistance applications were withdrawn.
One Aid to Dependent Children application was withdrawn.
86
Cost of Payments -1952-
Reimbursements
Total Federal* State Cost to
Category
Expenditures Government Government
Town
Old Age Assist- ance,
$57,8407.60
$20,417.21
$27,703.73
$9,726.66
Aid to Dependent Children
5,569.14
2,294.85
1,856.04
1,418.25
General Relief
1,742.15
0.00
0.00
1,742.15
Disability Assistance
1,566.65
676.65
460.86
429.14
4
* Reimbursements from the Federal Government return to the appropriate Public Welfare accounts and are available to the Board directly.
Reimbursements from the State Government return to the General Fund of the Town and are not available to the Board directly.
On Old Age Assistance, payments amounting to $1,830.74 were made to other towns for Medfield settled cases.
Cancelled checks in the amount of $528.42 for Old Age Assistance and Disability Assistance were returned to the General Fund.
This year there have been two major changes in Policies and Procedures which directly affect local Boards of Public Welfare:
(1) On October 1, 1952 Old Age and Survivors Insur- ance benefits (better known as Social Security) were in- creased.
Minimum increases were $$5.00 per person to recipients of Primary Benefit. This was a resource which was deductible from welfare grants.
(2) The Federal Government has increased the reim- bursement allotted to cities and towns on all categories of re- lief, except General Relief, by 16%.
It is interesting to note that the case load for Old Age Assistance for January, 1952 was 64, as against 55 for De- cember, 1952. This is a decrease of 14%. Another compari- son of interest-total payroll for January 1952, $5,328.25 -- total payroll for December, 1952, $4,156.67. This is a de- crease of 22%. The changes noted in the preceding para- graphs are the major reasons for these decreases.
We anticipate a reduction in the payrolls during 1953. How- ever, administrative duties have shown no decrease. Reports
87
and case recordings required by the Department of Public Welfare must be done with extreme accuracy in order that the Town receive its proper share of reimbursements.
Mrs. Doris Carras Agent and Mrs. Helen Kennedy as Clerk have continued to serve commendably. The Board wishes to thank them publicly for their assistance during the year.
In conclusion this Board would like to express its appre- ciation to town officials, doctors and private business men with whom we have dealt during the year and publicly thank them for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, LAWTON B. KINGSBURY, Chairman THEODORE B. PEDERSON, Clerk WILLIAM S. FARMER, Member
December 31, 1952.
88
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit the annual report of the Department of Weights and Measures for the year 1952.
Work Performed
Sealed
Not Sealed
Scales over 10,000
1
Scales 100-5,000
7
Scales under 100
19
1
Weights
45
Liquid 1 gal. or under
13
Meters Gasoline
12
Meters Grease
5
1
Meters Bulk Storage
2
Yard Sticks
4
Totals
108
2
Weighing of Commodities
Correct
Over
Potatoes
20
16
4
Bread
100
100
Meat
75
57
18
Flour
28
26
2
Grain and Feed
12
12
Total
235
211
24
Expenses
Salary
$125.00
Supplies and Bond
19.47
Transportation
20.00
$164.47
Receipts
Sealing Fees
$50.70
Share of Bond and Use of Equipment of Dover
5.00
Total
$55.70
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. WHITTIER, Sealer
REPORT OF THE SEWER DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
As the result of work done during the year, we now have one additional sewer bed, and the entire sewer system is in
89
first class condition and adequate for such increased load as is anticipated in the immediate future.
For proper care to keep the system in its present condi- tion, we ask for an appropriation of $1,825.00 for the year 1953. Respectfully submitted, John S. Williams, Chairman, Harry R. Leighton, Myron H. Smith, Water and Sewerage Commissioners
REPORT OF THE SLAUGHTER INSPECTOR
Board of Selectmen Medfield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Herewith my report as Slaughter Inspector for 1952.
12 pigs slaughtered and inspected
3 cattle slaughtered and inspected
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS X. MAGUIRE, V.M.D., Slaughter Inspector
REPORT OF VETERANS' SERVICE
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