USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1950-1954 > Part 35
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Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds in the Treasury the sum of $300.00 for the purpose of carrying out any additional instructions in conjunc- tion with the revision of the By-Laws, or do or act anything in relation thereto.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By-Laws of the Town of Medfield adopted April 5, 1938, and as revised April 30, 1951, and as on file with the Town Clerk by removing the after described premises from "B" Residence District Uses and placing said premises under Business Dis- trict Uses:
A certain parcel of land situated both on and off the southeasterly side of Main Street and bounded and described as follows:
Beginning at a point on the westerly line of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company land, said point being 120 feet south of the southerly line of Main Street, thence continuing southeasterly along said railroad property line a distance of 789.42 feet to a point now or formerly of Charles Hamant et al to a point 120 ft. southeast of the southerly line of Main Street, thence turning and running northeasterly a distance of 42 feet to the point of beginning, said parcel containing ap- proximately 19,920 square feet and being the southerly portion of a parcel shown on a plan recorded with the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, Book 2455, Page 551.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By-Laws of the Town of Medfield adopted April 5, 1938, and as revised April 30, 1951, and as on file with the Town Clerk by removing the after described premises from "B" Resi- dence District Uses and placing said premises under Business District Uses.
A certain parcel of land situated on the northeasterly side of Spring Street and bounded and described as follows:
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Southwesterly by Spring Street, 180 feet, southeasterly by land formerly of Charles G. Tapley, 210 feet, north- easterly by land of Alfred Colantonio, 180.78 feet and northwesterly by lands of Pauline Carlson & Alfred Colantonio, 185.88 feet.
Article 7. To hear and act on the report of the School Building Needs Committee appointed under Article 24, of the Annual Town Meeting of 1953.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a School Building Committee of not less than (5) registered voters who shall act with the School Committee which Committee shall report to the Town at the earliest possible date concern- ing plans and other relevant data for an addition to the schools, and transfer from available funds in the Treasury a sum of money for this purpose, or do or act anything in relation thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to accept the follow- ing 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 C. Dailey Lot $ 25.00 Michael Horgan Lot 100.00
Rubin Proffitt Lot 15.00
James W. Lansberg Lot 15.00
And you are directed to serve this warant by posting an attested copy thereof, in the usual place for posting warrants 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 18th day of November A. D. Nineteen hundred and fifty-three.
JOSEPH L. MARCIONETTE WILLIAM E. MCCARTHY Selectmen of Medfield
JOHN F. MCCARTHY Constable of Medfield
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Medfield, Massachusetts November 18, 1953
NORFOLK, SS:
By virtue of this warrant, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Medfield qualified to vote in elec-
53
tions to meet at the time and for the purpose named, by post- ing attested coppies of said warrant in not less than five public places in the Town at least seven days before the time of holding the meeting.
JOHN F. MCCARTHY Constable of Medfield
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING November 30, 1953
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant the meeting was called to order by the Moderator at 7:30 P.M. and due to the absence of the Town Clerk on account of illness, Mr. James T. Frame was appointed Clerk, Pro-Tem and recorded the results of the meeting as follows:
Article 1. Voted to transfer the sum of $1700.00 from the Road Machinery Fund to the Highway Operating Account to defray the expenses of the operation and maintenance of Highway Machinery.
Article 2. Voted that the sum of $88.70 be appropriated for the following unpaid bills incurred in the years 1951 and 1952 and that the sum of $88.70 be taken from the unexpended bal- ance of an appropriation voted under Article 14 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1953:
Acme Electric Co., Inc. 1951
$162,
Acme Electric Co., Inc.
1951
1.10
Acme Electric Co., Inc.
1951
2.30
Acme Electric Co., Inc. 1952
7.10
Acme Electric Co.,
Inc.
1952
10.98
Acme Electric
Co.,
Inc. 1952
2.04
Acme Electric Co.,
Inc.
1952
48.93
$88.70
Article 3. Voted that the report of the By-Law Committee be accepted as progress; that the Committee is hereby auth- orized to proceed with the re-writing and revision of the Town By-Laws and the Committee is instructed to present the new By-Laws at a future Town Meeting.
Article 4. Voted that the sum of $300.00 be appropriated for the purpose of re-writing and revising the Town By-Laws and to accomplish said purpose that the sum of $67.94 be taken from the unexpended balance of an appropriation voted under Article 5 of the Special Town Meeting of November 20, 1952, and the sum of $33.77 be taken from the unexpended balance of an appropriation voted under Article 3 of the Spec- ial Town Meeting of November 20, 1952 and the sum of $7.91 be taken from the unexpended balance of an appropriation
54
voted under Article 15 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1953 and the sum of $190.38 be taken from the unexpended balance of an appropriation voted under Article 14 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1953.
Article 5. Voted to dismiss this article wherein an amend- ment to the Zoning By-Laws was asked relative to a parcel of land on Main Stret adjacent to the Railroad.
Article 6. Voted to dismiss this article wherein an amend- ment to the Zoning By-Laws was asked relative to a parcel of land on Spring Street.
Article 7. Voted to accept the report of the School Build- ing Needs Committee appointed under Article 24 of the 1953 Annual Town Meeting and extend said committee a vote of thanks for their work.
Article 8. Voted that the Moderator appoint a School Building Committee which shall consist of five (5) registered voters who shall act in conjuction with the School Committee, said Committee to report to the Town at the earliest possible date concerning plans and other relevant data for an addition to the schools and that the sum of $2,500.00 be appropriated to accomplish said purposes and that the sum of $81.92 be taken from the unexpended balance of an appropriation voted under Article 14 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1953 and the sum of $838.38 be taken from the unexpended balance of an appro- priation voted under Article 55 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1953 and the sum of $1579.70 be appropriated by transfer from available funds in the Town Treasury.
The Moderator appointed the following persons to serve as the School Building Committee.
Henry A. Kingsbury
John W. Kellar, Jr.
Winthrop B. Johnson
Arnold C. Fields Harvey M. Tompkins
Article 9. 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 C. Dailey Lot $ 25.00
Michael Horgan Lot 100.00
Rubin Proffitt Lot 15.00 John W. Lansberg Lot 15.00
Voted that the meeting be dissolved. A true copy attest:
JAMES T. FRAME
Clerk Pro-tem
55
Main St. looking East. Medfield, Mass.
Main Street looking East Medfield, Mass .. 1906
-12
Photo by Dick Fenton
Main Street looking East
Medfield, Mass., 1953
Main St looking West Medfield, Maso
Main Street looking West
Medfield, Mass., 1906
SONOONO0018. ·AVMOYOU# 10
Photo by Dick Fenton
Main Street looking West
Medfield, Mass., 1953
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen respectfully submit to the citizens of Medfield the progress made in 1953 and the problems that will be encountered in the year 1954 and its recommendations for solutions to the several problems.
EXECUTIVE: Increased work in this department due to in- creased activity in the several departments which it serves requires that additional clerical assistance be assigned in or- der to maintain proper efficiency and orderly discharge of necessary Town business.
Therefore, it is recommended that additional funds be ap- propriated to provide for part time clerical assistance in this department to relieve the burden of work of the one full time secretary.
POLICE: If it is desired by the citizens of the Town to have adequate 24-hour a day police protection that the permanent po- lice force consist of five officers; one to serve from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M., one to serve from 4 P.M. to 12 midnight, two to serve from midnight to 8 A.M., and the fifth to serve on the four days off of the other officers and to be used for other auxiliary pur- poses. The need for added protection is accentuated by the certainty that the Town will soon be served by dial telephone service only.
TELEPHONE CONVERSION: The Board of Selectmen have been informed by the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company that the tentative date for the installation of the dial telephone system is January 13, 1955. The conversion presents to the Town the problem of sounding the fire alarm and defense alert since no operator will be stationed in Medfield. Accord- ingly, the Board of Selectmen have filed a bill in the General Court which will authorize the Commissioner of Mental Health to enter into an agreement with the Town for the purpose of having the operator at the Medfield State Hospital perform this essential duty.
RAILROAD LIGHTS: Due to the continued effort of the Board of Selectmen the installation of flashing warning light signals have been installed at Farm, West and West Mill streets. Before the completion of the West Mill and West Street signals it will be necessary to retire the present bulk delivery track which sub- ject is being processed with the Public Utilities Commission. All grade crossings are now protected by flashing signals.
PUBLIC DUMP: During the past several years improvement has been made to the public dump for the health, safety and convenience of the inhabitants of the Town. It is proposed if funds permit to erect a wire fence on the northwesterly side of the dump to prevent paper and other refuse matter from
60
being deposited by the wind on the land of adjoining property owners.
Approximately nine additional acres of land was purchased during the year 1953 for dumping purposes and should provide for all foreseeable future needs.
TOWN HALL: During 1953, the exterior walls of the Town Hall were cleaned and waterproofed. The woodwork was painted. The entire buiding inside and out is in good repair and should remain so for some time. The wooden floor in the Select- men's Office is, however, in very poor condition and should be replaced with tile in the interest of appearance and safety.
CIVIL DEFENSE: Although world tension has been somewhat relieved by the signing of the armistice in Korea, the need for an alert civil defense continues. A civil defense program is particularly necessary for Medfield because Boston is considered a critical target area and evacuation to the environs of the ci. would be a certainty in the event of an attack.
STREET LIGHTS: Because of increased traffic in the square and attendant pedestrian danger, it is recommended that a street light be installed on pole #56 by the taxi stand and on the southeasterly corner of the Town Hall, facing James Avenue.
DRAINAGE: As has been mentioned in a previous report by the Board the problem of surface drainage increases with the construction of new homes. Both the natural sloping of lawns and surfaced driveways to the road causes more water to be discharged on the roadway and in many cases with no further disposal point. The area in and about Dale, Cottage, Mitchell, Adams and Frairy streets is under engineering survey and the initial installation of part of a drainage system is a necessity. There are several other pressing street drainage problems that also must be solved during the ensuing year.
BRIDGES: As a result of a conference with the Board of Se- lectmen of the Town of Millis, an engineering examination was made of Brastow's Bridge on Bridge Street by a private con- cern and by engineers of the Department of Public Works and found to be in poor condition.
The bridge should be repaired at an early date in order to maintain its structural stability and to avoid much greater cost of repair or replacement at some later date since the type of disintegration is progressive.
The cost will be shared by the two towns, the county and the state.
The bridges on Causeway street and Philip Street, although structurally safe, will eventually require new floorings. It is recommended that the present wooden floorings be replaced by using steel I beams and a surfaced flooring.
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HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT: The highway trucks consist of a 1948 Sterling, a 1940 Brockway and a 1934 White. Because of the age and as a result of gasoline consumption tests and the excessive repair bills, it is economically prudent to dispose of the 20-year-old White truck and purchase a new one to re- place it.
HIGHWAYS: Two permanent improvements were made on Chapter 90 roads during the past year.
A drainage and snow disposal problem on Main Street near the Dover line was remedied by channeling water that formerly flowed across the road from the southerly side to the northerly side so that it will flow along the southerly side and discharge into Millbrook.
Another problem of traffic safety was rectified by banking the shoulder of a curve on High Street near the Walpole line.
Chapter 90 Construction: Due to increased traffic the dan- gerous conditions and the fact that Route #27 may become a feeder route to the new toll road to New York, it is recom- mended that an appropriation for the reconstruction of part of High Street be made.
Although the sum requested may not be sufficient to com- plete a new segment that will unite with the present roadway, the Department of Public Works and the County will as a matter of policy encumber their contributive allotments for a year so that with additional appropriations and allotments in the year 1955 essential construction can be commenced and completed.
During the past year many vital problems have been en- countered and successfully met by the Board of Selectmen. The accomplishment of administration is due to the coopera- tive effort of all Town employees and Town officials who con- tributed their time and talent unstintingly.
The Board of Selectmen wish to thank again the Boy Scouts for delivering notices of Special Town Meetings, Mr. John Fraser for assisting in preparing charts for the Town Report, Mr. Mario Pederizini and Mr. Ralph Sproul for contributing pictures for the Town Report and Mr. Charles Cain for his as- sistance and advice in highway matters.
The Board of Selectmen wish to thank them and the towns- people for their cooperation, assistance and understanding during the year 1953.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH L. MARCIONETTE, WILLIAM E. MCCARTHY, Board of Selectmen of Medfield.
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LIST OF JURORS 1954
Alley, Willis W. Bowden, Leon M.
C'ain, Charles C.
Callow, Edward W.
Fireman
Bartender
Farmer
Connors, Louis S .
Straw Worker
Coulter, Robert L.
Foreman
Darling, Jesse L.
Janitor
Dick, Sedgren Farmer, William S. Fraser, John A.
Manufacturer
Adv. Manager
Giberson, Leslie H.
Attendant
Grogan, Joseph L.
Operator
Housewife
Insurance Manager Hospital Road
Hebert, Edgar J.
Howlett, Leslie J.
Bank Personnel
Ins. Executive
Mech. Engineer
Retired
Foreman
Insurance
17 Adams Street
Mandin, Arthur J.
Mechanic
551 Main Street
Marcionette, Mildred McCarthy, Henry V. Mckay, Leslie J.
Housewife
Salesman
58 Pound Street 478 Main Street Curve Street
Mitchell, Jeanette P.
Housewife
Molloy, Matthew
Electrician
10 Curve Street Harding Street High Street
Ripley, Alice Rossi, Lawrence G.
Inspector
15 Cottage Street
Ryan, William M.
Retired
8 Adams Street 44 South Street
Sauer, John R.
Clerk
Smith, Laura H.
Teacher
402 Main Street 6 Miller Street Harding Street
Postman
18 Miller Street 38 Miller Street
White, James N.
Investment Broker Elm Street
Custodian
Broker
47 Janes Avenue South Street
13 Pleasant Street Summer Street 55 North Street Main Street 135 North Street 42 Adams Street 121 North Street Summer Street Farm Street 20 Miller Street Hospital Road 16 North Street Pine Street
Gronberg, Evelyn Haigh, Charles W. Hazel, Mary
Housewife Machinist
22 Frairy Street
8 Adams Street
Jenkins, Richard R.
Jewell, Ralph L., Jr.
Kennedy, Francis D. Larsen, Harry W. Limric, Joseph W. Mamas, Ruth
Housewife
23 Pleasant Street Causeway Street 15 Johns Avenue 38 Pleasant Street 7 Mitchell Street Philip Street
Carpenter
Pelrine, Raymond
Attendant
Housewife
551 Main Street
Spring, Rennie J. Tompkins, Harvey M. Vasaturo, Alfred C. Walsh, Francis D.
Carpenter Salesman
Instructor
Whittier, J. Fred Whittier, Nathaniel
Hospital Road Bridge Street
63
Proprietor Carpenter Civil Engineer
Clewes, John Connors, John J.
Salesman
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
We wish to report that the Vine Lake Cemetery is progress- ing with the times. We have a new area ready to survey and mark out into lots and graves. Our grass land has withstood the dry seasons well but is badly in need of fertilizing; our drives and avenues are going to need some attention this year and our mowing equipment will stand another year with the minimum of repair costs.
We are also in position now to ask the Town to act on the proposed purchasing of two plots of land originally of the Dab- ney Property that has been offered for sale. This land borders our present property on Bridge St.
If this could be brought about the Cemetery would encom- pass enough area if used wisely to last approximately 150 years.
We recommend that the sum of $4,200.00 plus the Sale of Lots Fund be appropriated for the maintenance of Vine Lake Cemetery for the year 1954.
We also recommend the sum of $500.00 be appropriated for the surveying and laying out the lots in the newly graded area which is badly needed. We have at the present time 43 lots available for sale and it will take about two years to plot out and seed down the area available.
We are also asking action to be taken on the proposed purchasing of the land adjoining the Cemetery on Bridge Street for which a separate article will be inserted in the Report of the Finance Committee for the next Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER PEDERZINI,
KENNETH R. CLARK, JOSEPH A. ROBERTS, C'emetery Commissioners
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I heheby respectfully submit my report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1953.
There were 170 complaints received and investigated. The following cases were taken care of :
Dogs found and turned over to owners 10
Stray dogs taken to Animal Rescue League 6
Dogs killed by automobiles 13
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15 4
Stray dogs picked up by police Dogs attacked sheep Dogs bit 1 adult Dogs bit 3 children 1 Dog pulled out of river All delinquent dog taxes collected and returns made.
Respectfully submitted,
COLEMAN J. HOGAN, Dog Officer
1953 POLICE REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby respectfully submit my report as Chief of Police for the year ending December 31, 1953.
Drunkenness
7
Breaking and Entering
2
Arrest for out-of-town police department 2
Operating under influence of liquor
2
Operating after revocation of license
1
Operating without a sticker
2
Operating negligently
1
Allowing improper person to operate
1
Using automobile without authority
1
Leaving scene of accident-property damage
2
Delinquent child-breaking and entering at night
1
Delinquent child-runaway
1
Non-support
3
Runaway from Wrentham School
1 3
Cases placed on file
Released by Probation Officer
4
One fine
$25.00
One fine
35.00
One fine
10.00
One fine
5.00
Fines at Dedham District Court $75.00
Two given 30 days Suspended Sentence, put on Proba- tion 1 year
One given 3 months in House of Correction
Two given 2 years Probation in Superior Court
Officers attending District Attorney's Office
3 days
Offcers attending Grand Jury
1 day
Officers attending Dedham Juvenile Court
5 days
Officers attending Dedham Superior Court 1 day
Officers attending Dedham District Court
Officers attending Dedham District Court Inquest 1 day
Officers attending Wrentham District Court 1 day
65
Summons served for other police departments Held for Grand Jury
76
1
Warrants served 2
Warrants returned to court-no service
2
Women drawn on Jury Duty
1
Men drawn on Jury Duty
Two sudden deaths
2
Complaints received
188
Breaking and Entering at night-homes
2
Breaking and Entering at night-business
6
One missing person found in auto at Noon Hill
Miscellaneous
Automobile accidents
48
Injured adults
17
Injured children
0
Disturbances suppressed-no arrest
15
Messages received and delivered
35
Fires located by police
15
Fires put out by police
15
Windows broken
190
Automobiles tagged
10
Automobiles removed from highway
12
Street lights reported out
15
Patients reported missing
31
Patients found by police
6
Closed houses covered
22
Automobile stolen in Milford recovered here
Dump truck stolen here and recovered here
Chevrolet stolen here and recovered here
One English bicycle stolen here
50
Doors found open, owners notified
10
Registry
Automobile license revoked
2
Automobile license suspended
26
Automobile license returned 13
Registration plates found, turned in to Registry
4
Automobile license recommended
6
Automobile sales and transfers 136
12
Automobile, Class Two
19
Right to operate suspended
3
Automobile violator turned into Registery
34
Respectfully submitted,
COLEMAN J. HOGAN, Chief of Police
66
Paid details covered
Automobile, Class One
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEALS ON ZONING
December 31, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Medfield Board of Appeals on Zoning held its annual meeting and election at the Town Offices on July 5, 1953, and organized as follows for the following year: Edwin H. Gron- berg, chairman; Leon H. Ballou, Jr., secretary, and Orrin E. Wilkins.
During the year, the Board conducted several hearings on petition of townspeople and property owners within the town, and in each instance discharged its duties with the best in- terest of the community as a whole and the petitioners in mind.
It has ever been and will continue to be the object of the present Board to execute its duties within the intent and pur- pose of the present Zoning By-Law.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN H. GRONBERG, Chairman LEON H. BALLOU, JR. ORRIN E. WILKINS.
ANNUAL REPORT OF MEMORIAL LIBRARY-1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Library Hours: 2 to 8:30 P.M. Daily Except Sundays and Holidays. Summer Hours: 5:30 to 8:30 P.M.
To the Citizens of Medfield:
During 1953 the circulation of books has numbered 17,151, a gain of 178 over the previous year. 308 new books have been purchased, including both fiction and non-fiction, of which 92 were juvenile books. 128 books have been donated. We have borrowed, by special request, through Interlibrary loan, from the Division of Public Libraries 35 books. 138 new applications for library cards have been received. Following is a list of the most outstanding books purchased during the year:
Queen's Gift-Fletcher The Power of Positive Thinking-Peale
Holy Bible Revised Version Always the Young Strangers-Sandburg
The Golden Admiral-Mason The Silver Chalice-Costain Prince of Players-Ruggles Annapurna-Herzog
Back Down the Ridge-White
The World and the West-Toynbee
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The Silent World-Coustear U. S. 40-Stewart The Dark Angel-Waltari Life Is Worth Living-Sheen Triumph and Tragedy-Churchill
Sunset Touch-Spring True Tales of Pirates and Their Gold-Snow Lelia, the Life of George Sand-Maurois To Keep Us Free-Allis Desiree-Selinko Beyond This Place-Cronin
Time and Time Again-Hilton
Too Late the Phalarope-Paton
The Spirit of St. Louis-Lindbergh Gone With the Windsors-Brody
Age of the Moguls-Holbrook
Battle Cry-Uris
Lord Vanity-Shellabarger Fire in the Ashes-White The Female-Wellman
The Betrayers-Chatterton A Fair Wind Home-Moore
The Lady of Arlington-Kane
The Unconquered-Williams The Tudor Rose-Barnes
It is interesting to note that the library has a large pro- portion of the books listed each week in the New York Herald Tribune Book Review's "What America Is Reading." The library is also a member of Book of the Month Club and Literary Guild. For your enjoyment we have also many periodicals, all of which, except for the current copies on the tables, may he borrowed from the library. Many of these are listed in Read- ers' Guide to Periodical Literature, which is constantly in use by students, particularly in reference work, as are our Ency- clopedias Brittannica, Compton's and the recently acquired Americana, the World Almanac, Information Please and Who's Who in America.
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