USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1955-1959 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
Respectfully submitted,
CARLTON S. CHENEY,
Inspector of Animals
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
East Walpole, Mass., Dec. 31, 1956
Board of Selectmen,
Medfield, Mass.
Herewith is my report as Slaughter Inspector for 1956:
Number of Cattle slaughtered and inspected 3 Number of Calves slaughtered and inspected 3
Very truly yours,
FRANCIS X. MAGUIRE, V.M.D.
REPORT OF THE TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENTS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my annual Report of the Tree and Moth Depart- ments.
During the past year the usual spraying of the entire roadside trees for the control of the Gypsy Moths, Tentcaterpiller, and the Elm Leaf Beetle was carried on. I recommend an appropriation of $1,000.00 for 1957.
This past year we had an increase in the Dutch Elm Disease to a record number of 135 trees killed with the dread disease. Even if the Moth Department had been granted the $4,000.00 originally recom-
23
mended for the control of this disease instead of the $2,200.00 it received, it would not have been sufficient. It was necessary to return to a special town meeting late in the year for more money and as of December 31, 1956 there are still 59 dead Elms standing. We also sprayed all town elms with a dormant spray to control the Elm Bark Beetle, the carrier of the Dutch Elm Disease. I recommend the amount of $9,200.00 be appropriated for 1957.
The program for the control of Poison Ivy was carried on the same as in previous years covering the badly infested areas along the roadside. There is a definite decrease in Poison Ivy as compared to five years ago. I recommend that $400.00 be appropriated to keep it on the decrease.
There is still a lot of work to be done on the trees in Medfield to repair the damage caused by the hurricanes of 1954. If the trees continue to be neglected and the work is not done we stand a good chance of permanently damaging and losing some of the trees through the entrance of disease and rot. I recommend the sum of $4,000.00 be appropriated for the Care of Trees for the year 1957.
Our tree planting program has been carried out this past year the same as usual, but we are slowly getting behind the number of trees removed each year. I recommend an appropriation of $500.00 for the Planting of Trees in 1957.
Respectfully submitted, ELLIS N. ALLEN,
Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent
NORFOLK COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
Report to Town of Medfield
Chapter 341 was enacted by the Legislature on May 19, 1956 creat- ing the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project.' On July 1, 1956 actual Mosquito Control operations began. The 22 towns within the project include: Avon, Bellingham, Canton, Dedham, Dover, Fox- borough, Franklin, Holbrook, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Milton, Need- ham, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Westwood, and Wrentham.
The aggregate annual appropriation for the project is $70,000.00. This report covers the period from July 1 to December 1, 1956:
24
Annual Appropriation Expenditures to December 1
$1,988.00 482.64
Balance
$1,505.36
On August 2, 1956 a human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (Horse Sleeping Sickness) was reported to the State Health Depart- ment. There followed in rapid succession a number of other human cases as well as infections in horses and pheasants, the latter believed to be a reservoir for the virus disease.
To combat the outbreak within the project area, funds made available by the State were used by the project in the town of Med- field as follows:
Aerial Spraying Mist Blower Spraying
625 Acres
500 Acres
Total Acres Sprayed
1125 Acres
In addition to the above activities, ditching and stream clearance was performed along Vine Brook for a distance of 3,400 feet.
JOHN C. KUSCHKE,
Superintendent
MEDFIELD PARK AND PLANNING BOARD Annual Report for the Year 1956
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Due to the increased amount of work, the Park and Planning Board held its meetings this year twice a month, the second and fourth Thursdays, instead of just the second Thursday. In addition to these regular meetings it has held nine special meetings for the purpose of hearings on zoning and subdivisions.
In line with the duties of the Park and Planning Board, the fol- lowing work was accomplished:
(a) ZONING CHANGES-(1) A "C" area consisting of 80,000 square feet was established by vote of the Town and a portion of land in the southerly part of the Town was placed therein. (2) By vote of the Town, the Zoning Regulations were amended to prohibit the use of Industrial areas for residential purposes. (3) By vote of the Town, the Zoning Regulations were amended so as to limit any residential lots in business areas to the requirement of "B" Residence Districts.
25
(b) SUBDIVISION PLANS-About seventy-five plans were presented to the Board for inspection and signed by the Board as "Approval Under the Subdivision Control Law Not Required".
(c) SUBDIVISIONS APPROVED-No new subdivisions were peti- tioned. Construction work on four subdivisions was closely fol- lowed by frequent inspection trips in conjunction with the Super- intendent of Streets and the Water Board.
(d) BAKER'S POND-With the fine cooperation of the Selectmen and the Highway Department, this pond was cleaned of silt and debris; the sluiceway was rebuilt and the perimeter walls were pointed up in the worst places. More work on these walls should be done in the near future. The Board would appreciate the cooperation of the townspeople in keeping the pond in as good condition as possible.
(e) Hearings on Zoning and other By-Law changes were held and several referred to the Board of Appeals at which the Planning Board was represented.
(f) By vote of the Town, one of the members of the Board served on the Land Needs Committee for the Town.
(g) A contract was awarded to Mr. Stanley C. Fisher of Philip Street for the care of Baxter Square, Baker's Pond area, Metacomet Park, and the Tennis Courts.
(h) The flag pole in Baxter Square was painted as usual.
(i) One member of the Board is working with the Swimming Pool
Committee which plans to present an article at the annual town meeting.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES C. CAIN, Chairman ROGER E. HARDY, Vice Chairman CLAIRE H. SMITH, Secretary EVERETT J. WILLS
ERNEST L. SPENCER
Medfield Park and Planning Board
26
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS ON ZONING
December 28, 1956
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town of Medfield
Report of the Board of Appeals
Gentlemen:
The Medfield Board of Appeals organized for 1956, as follows: Leon H. Ballou, Jr., Chairman; William F. Rogers, Jr., Clerk; Paul Nyren, Member and Mrs. Ellen Crowell, Associate Member.
During the year the Board conducted several public hearings, and in each instance discharged its duties in the best interest of the peti- tioners and townspeople as a whole.
Respectfully submitted, LEON H. BALLOU, Chairman WILLIAM F. ROGERS, JR., Clerk PAUL NYREN
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
January 5, 1957
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
I have issued a total of 108 building permits and 66 for cesspool and septic tanks.
During the year I made a total of 332 inspections on buildings; 68 inspections on cesspool and septic tanks.
Acting Inspector made 12 inspections.
27
New Homes
58
Additions
16
Remodels
15
Garages
6
Factories
1
Car Ports
1
Barns
1
Summer Houses
2
Swimming Pools
1
Additions to Stores
1
Demolitions
4
Cesspool and septic tanks
66
One small building moved from High Street to Millbrook Road.
One building permit revoked.
Total income from all permits. $1,203.00.
We have had ten less new homes this year than in 1955.
The expected increase over 1955 did not materialize due to the slow down on the Hersey development on South Street Extension.
Both local and outside builders have been very cooperative and I wish to thank them for same.
I stopped construction on one building and same is pending before the appeal board at this time.
I wish to thank the Town Officials, Marie Burke, and other Inspec- tors for their help and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLISON T. CARR, SR.
Building Inspector
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
Number of Permits Issued 93
Number of Permits Withdrawn 1
Number of Inspections 158
Permit Fees $520.00
28
I wish to thank the Town Officials, Mrs. Burke, and the other inspectors for their help and assistance.
Respectfully submitted, J. ROGER PETRIE, Plumbing Inspector
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
January 6, 1957
Gentlemen:
We hereby submit our report for 1956.
The year has been another busy year for inspections. The quality of work performed has shown a decided improvement.
There has been no convictions or license revocations requested from the Inspector's office.
We wish to thank the Town Officials, Marie Burke's office and the other inspectors for their cooperation and help.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH F. ERSKINE, JR. , Inspector of Wires
JOHN GOUCHER, Acting Inspector of Wires
REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the past year we have made many contacts with industrial activities in and around the Commonwealth, trying to get interest in locating business in our town.
We feel that we have been of help in some cases, and are available
29
at any time for future contacts with any one interested in locating in our town.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER E. ANDERSON HARRY E. CONWAY, Chairman ROBERT EBURNE FRANK G. HALEY ROGER HARDY ARTHUR L. LEWIS
WILLIAM F. SPANG PAUL E. SEELEY JAMES N. WHITE CHARLES H. WOOD
GORDON YARLOTT, Secretary
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Cemetery Commissioners respectfully submit our report for the year 1956.
Our program of new development for 1956 was of token value and little or no real progress was made. This was due to a heavy work year in the maintaining of the present cemetery.
As the Cemetery grows each year the Commissioners feel that in the near future a superintendent should be employed, using the seasonal growing season to keep the grounds in condition and the winter months to take care of the trees, equipment and the recording of the business of the year that is becoming greater each year.
The present system is not satisfactory. Your Commissioners cannot devote enough of their time to the study and planning necessary to develop modern methods of operation which are necessary to eco- nomically operate to the best interest of the Town.
We are basing our request for 1957 on last year's record which shows an expenditure of $5,377.40 for wages alone and respectfully request that the sum of $5,800.00 be raised and appropriated together with $200.00 from the Sale of Lots Fund.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH A. ROBERTS PETER PEDERZINI KENNETH R. CLARK Cemetery Commissioners
... 30
REPORT OF THE MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, and the People of Medfield:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
The completion of the children's room, which includes pre-primary through grade six, and its adjoining periodical room, has been the main event of the year. In addition to the regular juvenile books, a new set of Book of Knowledge was purchased this year, particularly for this room. More shelf space is needed already, and will be added the first of the year. A new brick walk has been laid, leading to the children's entrance, and a new sign will soon be erected at the street end of the walk, indicating that we have a children's room, particularly for the benefit of newcomers.
STATISTICS
Circulation this year rose to a new high, 24,746, an increase of 4,020 over 1955. 292 new cards have been issued. 650 books have been added to the library, including 194 donations, for which we wish to thank the donors most sincerely. 218 of the total number are juvenile books. We have borrowed by request, 49 books from the Division of Library Extension, on Interlibrary Loan.
This year has seen so many more good books in the non-fiction field, than in the popular fiction class, that it is difficult to choose which to list in this report. Also space does not permit, unfortunately, the listing of the many good books in the juvenile group, both for the younger children and the intermediate group, but always included are the Landmark books, with their background of history and the lives of famous people. Animal and nature books are the most sought among the younger readers, career books and sports by the older group.
Membership in The Book of the Month Club, Literary Guild, American Garden Guild, The Antiques Book Society, and for the chil- dren, Junior Literary Guild and The Real Book Club, obtains for the library many wonderful books for which we would otherwise have to pay a much larger price. In the periodical field, we have acquired this year the excellent and much publicized American Heritage, a magazine in book form.
Most Popular Fiction:
The Fountain Overflows-West The Success-Howe The Great World of Timothy Colt Wreck of the Mary Deare-Innes Rachel Cade-Mercer
Most Outstanding Non-Fiction
Canada and the United States Teen-Age Gangs Nehru, Lotus-Eater from Kashmir Eisenhower, the Inside Story Autumn Across America
31
Afternoon of an Autocrat-Lofts A Little More Than Kin-White Let My Name Stand Fair-Seifert Beyond the Black Stump-Shute Roll Shenandoah-Lancaster Speak to the Winds-Moore Wind in his Fists-Jennings Candle of the Wicked-Balmer Charmed Circle-Ertz The Ninth Wave-Burdick A Single Pebble-Hersey Obedience to the Moon-Gibbs The Ninth Hour-Benson South Cove Summer-Bassett A Thing of Beauty-Cronin We Valiant Few-Mason Imperial Woman-Buck Andersonville-Kantor
Boon Island-Roberts
The Mandarins-DeBeauvoir
Don't Go Near the Water- Brinkley
The Half-Crown House-Ashton
The Rosemary Tree-Goudge
Merry Christmas Mr. Baxter- Streeter
The Last Hurrah-O'Connor
Tolbecken-Shellabarger
The Royal Anne Tree-Campbell Lucy Crown-Shaw
Ten North Frederick-O'Hara No Evil Angel-Ogilvie
Jefferson, Champion of the Free Mind
Three Saints and a Sinner
The Vengeful Sea
Men to Match my Mountains
This Hallowed Ground
Two Hundred Years of American Blown Glass
Changing Greenland
The Struggle for Indochina
The Nun's Story
American Seashells
Arctic Wilderness
The Great Tradition of American Churches
History of the English Speaking Peoples
Treasury of Grand Opera
The Supreme Court Speaks
Israel, its Role in Civilization
African Giant
Profiles in Courage
The Age of Fighting Sail As I See India
The Atlantic Battle Won
Scrolls From the Dead Sea
Dr. Kate, Angel on Snowshoes
The Presidency Today Youth, the Years from 10-16 Mass. State Government
The Mind Goes Forth
Men Against Everest
Wedgewood
MacArthur, his Rendezvous with History
All of these have appeared at one time or another during the year on the "best seller" lists of leading booksellers.
LOOKING FORWARD
This coming year the white trim on the outside of the library will have to be painted, and we hope to have new curtains for the main room to replace the old ones, which have been in place several years, and are now falling to pieces. For these and other repairs, for the extra salary of a children's librarian, and the extra cost of heating and lighting the new room, the library trustees are asking for an appropria-
32
tion from the town of $2,500 together with the usual library fines and dog tax, to assist in the maintenance costs of the library, which existing Trust Funds are inadequate to cover. Salaries, books, periodicals, utili- ties, supplies, rebinding worn books and various repairs cost $5,817.41 in 1956, which figure is slightly incomplete at the time this report is written.
Respectfully submitted, ETHEL G. HERSEY, Librarian EVELYN BYNG, Secretary
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Mr. C. Munroe Clark, Chairman
Mr. Charles Woodard
Miss Anne Donlan Mrs. Henry Byng
Mr. Mark Hollingsworth *Miss Hope Day
*Miss Day is filling the unexpired term of Mrs. Dana B. Jefferson, whose resignation because of illness was accepted with much regret.
LIBRARY STAFF
Miss Ethel G. Hersey, Librarian
Mrs. Alice S. Ripley,
Assistant Librarian
Mrs. Frances Copithorne, Children's Librarian Mr. Charles Patten, Custodian
LIBRARY HOURS
Main Room 2 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Children's 2:30 P.M. - 5 P.M. Both daily excepting Sundays and Legal Holidays
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 1956.
Scales
Sealed
Platform over 10,000
1
3 Scales 100 to 5,000 Scales under 100 19
33
Weights AI 43
Capacity Measures
Liquid
7
Automatic Measures
13
Gasoline Grease and Oil
6
Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
4
Total
96
Trial Weighings of Commodities
Tested Correct Under Over
Meats
64
57
7
Bread
78
78
Dry Commodities
25
14
4
7
Confectionery
20
20
Fruit and Vegetables
34
26
3
5
Total
221
195
7
19
EXPENSES
Salary
$125.00
Supplies and Bond
17.20
Transportation
22.80
Total
$165.00
RECEIPTS
Sealing Fees
$41.90
Use of equipment and share of bond from Dover
5.00
Total
$46.90
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. WHITTIER,
Sealer of Weights and Measures
34
-
-
REPORT OF THE WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENTS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The water division's business continued to expand in 1956, although not at the rate we anticipated. At the end of the year there was a total of 866 services connected, of which 67 were connected in 1956, as against 150 estimated This resulted in a saving of $9,932, which will revert to the general funds, except for such amounts as were trans- ferred to other uses at the Special Town Meeting of November 26. We estimate 75 new services in 1957. Our budget follows, with comparative figures for the two previous years; estimated figures are indicated by letter (E):
New Services
1955 57 64,088 none
1956 67 12,058
1957 75 (E)
Thousand Gals. Water Purchased
none
Thousand Gals. Water Pumped
56,008(E) 80,000(E)
Thousand Gals, Water
Production Total
64,088
68,066(E) 80,000(E)
Thousand Gals. Water Sold
54,151
57,516
67,600(E)
Balance-Fires, Slow Meters, etc.
15.5%
15.5% (E)
15.5% (E)
REVENUE
Water Sold
$26,176
$26,499
$33,000(E)
Service Materials and Labor
1,388
3,184
5,500(E)
$27,564
$29,683
$38,500(E)
EXPENDITURES
Water Purchased
$ 8,179
$ 1,483
Water Pumped
none
2,994
$ none 4,950 (E)
Distribution, Operation, and Maintenance
9,000 (E)
9,286
10,050(E)
New Services and Meters (Capital)
5,666(E)
6,605
7,500 (E)
Water Department Appropriation $22,845
$20,368
$22,500(E)
DEBT SERVICE
New Well and Pumping Station
618
6,188
6,092
New Water Mains
2,228
3,203
3,453(E)
$25,691
$29,759
$32,045(E)
35
Our request is for an appropriation of $22,500, which includes expense of service materials and labor for which we estimate a repay- ment of $5,500. Anticipated total revenue is $38,500, exclusive of assessments for new water mains.
The new Edwin S. Evans Pumping Station was put into partial service in March and went on the line officially May 1, since which time our entire needs have been supplied from our own station, while retaining the use of the State Hospital stand-pipe for storage, fire pro- tection, and emergency service in case of break-down. We wish to thank the Medfield Garden Club for their assistance in landscaping the Pumping Station property. We invite all interested persons to contact the Water Superintendent if they wish to view the Station.
At our present rate of growth, we anticipate that we will need to start engineering studies for additional pumping facilities within one or two years from now. Test wells put down in 1954 and 1956 indicate that such additional facilities can be located on the property now owned and that the underground supply available is adequate for several years to come.
While we do not anticipate the need of erecting a stand-pipe of our own until after such additional pumping facilities are provided, we are continuing our investigation of feasible sites for such a stand-pipe so that the property may be secured before it is taken for other uses.
We recommend the purchase of a new truck for the Water and Sewerage Dept., since the present truck is 5 years old and needs extensive repairs. We feel this money would be better spent towards a new truck.
The business of the sewer division has increased of late years only to the extent of the additional demand put on the sewer beds by a rapidly expanding school population. It seems only a matter of a few years before additional beds must be constructed to care for this problem. However, for the year of 1957, we ask only for an appro- priation of $2,000.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN D. WILLIAMS HARRY R. LEIGHTON MYRON H. SMITH
36
REPORT OF TOWN NEEDS' COMMITTEE
At the annual Town Meeting of March 19, 1956, it was voted to continue the activities of the committee previously appointed to look into and report on Town needs and the acquisition of land for school purposes.
For the particular requirements of their departments, representa- tives of the Police and Fire Departments were directed to serve with the general committee and work out whatever recommendations seemed necessary. The committee would therefore like to report on the investi- gations of the enlarged group and thereafter proceed to report the activities and suggestions of the originally appointed committee.
The immediate requirements of the Fire Department seem to be about covered by the space they occupy in the basement of the Town House, but they anticipate that the additional equipment which they will have to have in the very near future will require a larger space for them to occupy. In addition, we are advised that the present facili- ties, while they physically house the equipment, are not conductive to proper handling and speedy exit of the machines. At the time of a fire, the area becomes congested with volunteers' cars. With additional growth of the town and increased fire equipment requirements, it seems advisable to plan for a new building to take care of fire equip- ment. In such a plan, consideration should be given to providing a place for the storage of the Town ambulance.
The Police Department, at present, should be able to carry on in its present quarters until the force is considerably expanded.
The Highway Department does not have enough space to store its trucks and at present has to rent from private owners space to garage two of its vehicles.
This is the background and these are the problems. Now for the solutions. This Committee has examined several sites which would provide a good spot to place a new fire house and/or combination Fire and Police Department station. After considerable study and after approaching the owners of the most likely sites, we have come to the conclusion that the Town already owns two pieces of property which would meet the requirements. First is that land by the side of Baker Pond and behind the Unitarian Church. The second is the land on the southwest corner of North Street and Dale Street. We feel that while the Police Department, at present, does not want to move from the immediate vicinity of the Town square, they will want to do so even- tually at the time of their increased expansion, and at that time, should move into the same building used by the Fire Department. At this point, they could cover each other's telephones and other services under certain circumstances.
37
To sum up, we suggest:
1. That a committee be appointed to obtain the cost of the con- struction of a combination fire and police station on town-owned prop- erty bounded on the east by North Street and on the north by Dale Street, and to bring in preliminary plans for the construction of such a building and to submit these to a subsequent town meeting.
2. We move that the sum of $1,500.00 be appropriated for the above mentioned purpose.
3. Since the Town also owns adequate land for the eventual erec- tion of inexpensive buildings to house the Highway Department vehicles, that no land be acquired for this purpose, having in mind that if the Fire Department moves to new quarters, the space they now occupy will become available for at least the temporary use of the Highway Department.
4. As you know, the theatre is not operating at present in the Town House. The activities of almost all town departments and com- mittees are expanding. There is constant need for additional rooms for meetings and hearings. The theatre section has grown inadequate to house town meetings and these are now held in the High School auditorium. We feel that the Town House space is not being properly utilized and therefore suggest that an architect draw plans to make the best use of this space for the benefit of the town officials and the public.
We have a firm bid from an architect for doing this work in the sum of 1,500.00. We suggest that the sum of $1,500.00 be appropriated for this purpose in the 1957 Town Meeting.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.