USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1955-1959 > Part 2
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To this end the Commission will continue its work and as time moves on we hope to become more productive.
WALTER E. ANDERSON HARRY E. CONEAY, Chairman ROBERT EBURNE
FRANK G. HALEY
ROGER E. HARDY
ARTHUR L. LEWIS PAUL E. SEELEY WILLIAM F. SPANG
JAMES N. WHITE
CHARLES H. WOOD
F. GORDON YARLOTT
January 18, 1956
24
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
It is a pleasure to submit the Report of the Finance Com. mittee to the Board of Selectmen and Town of Medfield.
The Finance Committee, appointed by the Moderator, is strictly an advisory board whose custom and duty are to rec- ommend appropriations for the consideration of the Citizens of the Town at Annual and Special Town meetings. Each budgetary item of every town department as well as every article in the warrant, which have an appreciable affect on town finance, must be examined with extreme care by the Fi- nance Committee either giving or withholding approval.
The Finance Committee also has the full responsibility of administering the Reserve Fund. The fund is established and appropriated by the voters at the Annual Town Meeting to cover extraordinary and unforseeable expenditures for all town departments. It is obvious that budgets submitted to the committee in December of one year may be slightly inadequate by December of the next year. The committee cannot grant a transfer from the Reserve Fund unless they are reasonably convinced that the request is for an extraordinarly or unfore- seen expenditure.
This past year, in addition to sessions required by ap- propriations review, regular meetings were held monthly. Many of these meetings were held in joint sessions with Town Organizations, Town Departments and appointed committees- all in the interest of resolving town problems and of sound planning both present and long range.
A policy of subcommittees, i.e. the assigning of members of the Finance Committee to each and every town department, will be initiated in 1956. These subcommittees will act as liaison between town departments and this committee to make for more effective understanding and awareness of mutual problems for the best interests of the town.
The Finance Committee was instrumental in bringing be- fore the Town the idea of affiliation with the Central Purchas- ing Agency of Massachusetts. This was done after collabora- tion with the Board of Selectmen and all Town Departments. This affiliation, if adopted, will place at the town's disposal the consulting services and benefits of an experienced purchas- ing agent with the advantages of quantity buying at a min- imum cost.
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In conclusion to all town departments, organizations and individuals who aided us throughout the past year we say THANK YOU.
Respectfully submitted,
FINANCE COMMITTEE: ROBERT L. COULTER, Chairman THOMAS WHITESIDE, Vice Chairman JOHN F. BRADSTREET, Secretary
Martin P. Craven
George W. Ferris
J. Edwin Daniels Rossiter Holt
William C. Blackett William F. Mittendorf
REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Fire Engineers hereby submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1955.
There were 103 Fires, classified as follows:
Grass & Brush
53
Still Alarms
7
Dump
7
Woods
5
Buildings
4
Incinerators
4
Automobiles
3
Gasoline
3
Out of Town
3
Lightning
2
Television
2
Medfield State Hosp.
2
Locomotives
2
False
2
Chimney
1
Sprinkler
1
Lightning on Fire Alarm
1
Search
1
We would like to remind the Townspeople of the need for a suitable Fire Station, also the Town is growing fast and this calls for a File System of all residents and their location, to in- sure a correct response to all alarms. This will in the near future call for a permanent man, either in the Fire Department, or in the Police Station at the switchboard.
There are 900 dwelling houses in addition to other buildings in Medfield valued at $3,681,377 and many more will be built in 1956.
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The Board wishes to express its appreciation to the Town Officials and Townspeople for their co-operation. Also many thanks to the telephone operators at the Medfield State Hospital for the wonderful job they have done with the Fire Alarm.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMAIS
Medfield, Mass. December 31, 1955
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1955.
The dogs reported to have bitten persons were quarantined and released at the end of the quarantine period.
In the annual inspection there were 215 cattle, 49 horses, 3 goats, 10 sheep and 147 swine.
The animals showed no signs of contagious diseases and the premises were found in a satisfactory condition.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlton S. Cheney, Inspector of Animals
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
We hereby submit our report of the Inspectors of Plumbing for the year ending December 31, 1955.
Number of Permits Issued 86
Number of Inspections 131
Plumbing Permit Fees $426.00
We thank the Town Officials, Miss Burke, and other In- spectors for their help and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
J. Roger Petri Inspector of Plumbing
John T. Kreger, Acting Inspector of Plumbing
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WIRE INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
This year has been one of the greatest in the few years of our existence. We issued 163 Electrical permits with the in- come of $362.25.
In the coming year we expect a considerable increase in the issuance of permits.
At this time this office wishes to thank Marie Burke for her help and cooperation for which we are deeply indebted.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH F. ERSKINE, JR.
REPORT OF THE MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Library hours daily: 2 - 8:30 P.M. Summer hours daily 5:30 - 8:30 P.M.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and the People of Medfield:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1955.
The year 1955 has been a busy one for the library. At the Town Meeting in March, $2,000 was voted for the purpose of remodeling a part of the basement into a Children's Room. This work was well underway, until the floods and rains of the fall season caused a delay, as the masonry on the front of the library and the roof needed repairs. The new ceiling was flooded on several occasions. but has held up so far; the new bookcases were subjected to a deluge of water, but had not been painted, nor was the new electrical work dam- aged. However, it was very fortunate that the new floor had not been laid, as there were 2 - 3 inches of water cover- ing the entire room. We hope that the repairs will have soon been completed so that we may be able to open the room in the spring. A small room has also been set aside as a periodi- cal room, where students and others may look up references listed in Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.
This past year has seen nearly 200 new applicants for library cards, and circulation has increased 3,566 over 1954. The total number of books given out was 20,726. In addition to this, a number of books have been borrowed on request through Interlibrary Loan from the Division of Public Libra- ries, Department of Education. We have spent more on books this past year to meet the ever growing demand. 725 books
28
have been added to the library, 214 of which were juvenile, and this number also includes 142 books which were donated to the library. These donors were as follows:
Mrs. Henry Young
Mr. and Mrs. E. Talbot Miss Ann Donlan
Mr. Charles Woodward
Mr. Joel A. Goldthwait Mrs. B. G. Waters, Jr. Mrs. Henry Bying Mrs. John Bradstreet
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Limric Mrs. Percy Johnson
Master Scotty Deering
Mrs. George Wilkins
Mrs. Hilda Copithorne
Mr. Joseph M. Harvey, Jr.
Miss Gwendolyn Morse Mr. Carl Pearson
Mr. Kenneth Sutherland Mrs. Myrtle Mills
Mr. Ray Warburton
The Standard Oil Company
The Ford Motor Company
Miss Esther Harris
Miss Dorothy Gardner Miss Ethel Hersey
Any ommission to this list is unintentional
Good fiction books have been so numerous, that only a few can be listed here. Some of the most outstanding, all of which were listed in the New York Herald Tribune's Book Review in the column "What America is Reading" are the following:
Maybe I'm Dead
The Tontine The Sixth of June
Andersonville Winter Harvest
Silver Leopard
Sara Dane
The Smiling Rebel
The Dinner Party
The Rising Storm
Not as a Stranger
The Queen's Cross Cash McCall
The Good Shepherd
Sincerely Willis Wayde
The Far Journey
The Man in the Gray Flan- Huffley Fair nel Suit
The Breaking Wave The View from Pompey's Head
Marjarie Morningstar Bell's Landing The Scotswoman
Non-fiction books include:
Atomic Science, Bombs & Power American Science And Invention Russian Assignment State of Alaska Complete Book of Pottery Making Color in Hooked Rugs Feininger on Photography The Human Brain Famous Inventors & Their Inventions How to Restore & Decorate Chairs
29
Mrs. Richard Stevens
Master Robert Porter
Living in the Back Yard Upholstery, Drapes & Slip Covers Complete Book of Small Boats Keepers of the Lights
Record of American Diplomacy Decorative Arts of Sweden
Decorative Art of the Victorian Era
The World We Live In
Concise Encyclopedia Of Antiques The United Nations & International Peace
1,000,000 Delinquents China Under Communism
Inside Africa
A Stranger in Spain
Little Professor of Piney Woods
Book of American Clocks
Hawaii and It's People
The House on Nauset Marsh
Gift From the Sea also
12 American Garden Guild Books
18 Popular Mechanics "How To" booklets 3 Mainstream of American series on American history
biographies outstanding were
My Several Worlds
Pearl Buck
The Solitary Singer
Walt Whitman
Victor Herbert
The Woman Within
Ellen Glasgow
Memories
Ethel Barrymore
Sunshine and Shadow
Mary Pickford
John Singer Sargent
Ambassador Extraordinary Claire Booth Luce
Space does not permit the listing of the children's books, but those most used were the Landmark Books, Childhood of Famous Americans series, mysteries, career stories for the girls, adventure & sports stories for the boys, science fic- tion, and of course the list would not be complete without the horse and dog stories, so popular with the younger set.
The Board of Trustees and the librarians wish to thank the many friends of the library who have donated books and magazines and flowers to the library during the year, and the Girl Scout helpers who have assisted the librarians each week of the school year.
The Trustees are asking for the sum of $2500. this year as the annual appropriation, together with the dog tax and the library fines to help defray regular maintenance costs, which this year will include a salary for a children's librarian and extra heating and lighting for the children's room; these
30
amounts to supplement the Trust Fund income, which present day costs make insufficient and inadequate for the regular maintenance of the library, which should be considered a valuable asset of the Town; new residents especially are very pleased to find a library of this caliber in a town the size of Medfield.
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel G. Hersey, librarian
Board of Trustees
C. Munroe Clark, chairman Ann Donlan
Charles F. Woodard
Evelyn Byng
Mark Hollingsworth Bertha Jefferson
Ethel G. Hersey, librarian Alice S. Ripley, assistant librarian Charles Patten, custodian
REPORT OF THE TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my Annual Report of the Tree and Moth Departments.
During the past year the usual spraying of the entire road- sides for the control of the Gypsy Moth and the Elm Leaf Beetle was carried on. It was unnecessary to apply the dormant spray last year as the state applied an aerial spray for the gypsy moth and which also was applied at the time we normally spray for the Elm Bark Beetle. As it will again be necessary to apply our dormant spray it will be necessary to appropriate $2400.00 for Moth work in 1956.
This past year we had an increase in the Dutch Elm Disease as I anticipated and because we received only $2000.00 at the annual town meeting I found it necessary to return at a special town meeting and ask for an additional amount of $2300.00 to finish the trees of 1955. This year I think it will be necessary to appropriate $4000.00.
The program for the control of the Poison Ivy was carried on the same as in previous years, covering the badly infected 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 Med- field to repair the damage caused by the hurricanes of 1954. If the trees are neglected and the work is not done we stand a good
31
chance of permanently damaging and losing some of our trees through the entrance of disease and rot. I recommend the sum of $4000.00 be appropriated for the Care of Trees for the year 1956.
Although we planted as many trees this past year as we did in 1954, I feel that we should be planting more to compensate for those trees lost in the hurricane of 1954 and through the dread Dutch Elm Disease which took eighty-two of our Elms in 1955. I recommend that we increase the appropriation to $500.00.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellis N. Allen Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent
REPORT OF THE MEDFIELD PARK AND PLANNING BOARD FOR THE YEAR 1955
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The increasingly rapid growth of the town made 1955 a busy year for the Park and Planning Board, especially in con- nection with the administration of the sub-division control regu- lations. It is anticipated that further acceleration in the rate of growth will give rise to many and varied problems in this ca- tegory.
In addition to the Board meetings held on the second Thurs- day of each month, numerous special meetings were held re- garding applications for approval of new sub-divisions and changes in zoning. The following public hearings were held re- garding sub-division applications:
(a) August 11, 1955-Medfield Associates-Main St.
(b) November 9, 1955-North Ave., Inc .- South St.
(c) December 28, 1955-Fieldbrook Const. Co .- Nebo St.
Several preliminary plans were presented at different times for other sub-divisions but final applications have not yet been made.
The following public hearings were held in regard to changes in zoning:
(a) March 2, 1955-JOHNSON, Carl H., Mill St .- To rezone from Residential to Industrial.
(b) June 22, 1955-DeFOREST, Henry; and MARVIN, Alex- ander, West Street and Mill Street-To rezone from Res- idential to Industrial.
On June 29, 1955, the Planning Board held a special meeting of all town departments for the purpose of acquainting all of
32
those concerned with the known facts regarding definitely planned building programs, and to invite the comments and sug- gestions of other town departments as to what might reasonably be done to control the impending rapid growth of Medfield.
An amendment to the zoning by-law was proposed by the Planning Board and accepted by the Town at the annual town meeting. This amendment limits the use of automobile trailers for dwelling purposes.
An article to build a sidewalk on Spring Street from Main Street to Curve Street was inserted in the town warrant by the Planning Board and was favorably voted on at the annual town meeting. The sidewalk has now been completed.
The Board inserted a clause in the form used for giving approval to a sub-division plan to insure that the facilities in- stalled by the developer will become the property of the town, without cost, when the streets are accepted.
The Board's requirements for street and sidewalk construc- tion in sub-divisions were revised to insure better construction in streets which will eventually become public ways.
The town parks and the tennis court were kept in good con- dition throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
Malcolm R. Haskell, Chairman Charles C. Cain, Vice-Chairman Claire H. Smith, Secretary Roger E. Hardy Everett J. Wills Medfield Park and Planning Board
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby respectfully submit the report for the Medfield Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1955.
The Town of Medfield Police Department has advanced since the turn of the century from a one-man force to a per- sonnel of six regulars and five specials. Today's Police Car, and the Town Ambulance, which is also operated by the Police Department, are equipped with two-way radio systems that are effective twenty four hours a day.
In the year of 1955 there were recorded twenty personal injury accidents in which 27 persons were injured. Monthly
33
reports and an annual report, tabulating details of these ac- cidents, are sent to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston. During the year 40 property damage accidents were reported. Motorists booked during the year numbered 280. Many of these cases were taken to the local court and the usual fine levied. In addition, some motorists received notice of suspen- sion of license of seven to ten days or longer as merited in the judgment of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles: others re- ceived written warnings. Sixty-two summons were served for other cities and towns. Permits issued to carry and to buy revolvers came to 11. Closed houses which are checked upon request during vacations or the absence of the occupants totaled 67. All routine complaints and/or problems received by telephone, written or in person are recorded in the Day Book and on a Complaint Card and then cross-indexed according to type of complaint. Recently a new and modern system of keep- ing police records has been adopted. This total for the year was 1189 indexed as follows:
Accidents
56
Accosting Women
2
Animals Destroying Property
5
Animals Strayed or Injured
35
Attempted Break and Enter
5
Attempted Larceny
4
Auto Violations
195
Blocked Street or Sidewalk
9
Breaking and Entering
3
Burglar Alarms
4
Civil Matters
7
Damage to Property by Auto
40
Disturbances
60
Dog Bites
8
Dog Nuisances
5
Door or Window Found Open
28
Drunks
4
Drunken Drivers
2
Emergency Calls
162
Evading Fare
2
Family Trouble
21
Fires
10
Hit and Run Accidents
2
Illegal Parking
85
Injured Dogs
10
Labor Trouble
2
Larceny
1
Lost Children
8
Lost and Found Property
15
Malicious Injury to Property
12
Malicious Mischief
8
Missing Persons
15
34
Miscellaneous
67
Persons sick or in distress
8
Investigation for other Depts.
40
Prowlers
27
Recovered Property
8
Snow Nuisance
10
Speeding Complaints
20
Stone or Glass on streets
13
Street Defects
18
Suspicion of Break & Enter
18
Suspicious Cars
40
Suspicious Lights
11
Suspicion of Larceny
2
Suspicious Noises
18
Suspicious Persons
5
Suspicious Telephone Calls
50
Trespassing
1
Violation of Sunday Law
1
Violation of Zoning Law
6
Woman Accosted
1
Ambulance
Emergency sick calls during the past year required the ambulance for 62 trips. Each trip necessitates a minimum of two officers and in some cases three. The average call from the time of leaving the station to return is one hour to two hours. In addition to sick calls, the ambulance responds to all emergencies, including motor vehicles, industrial, school, athletic contests and household accidents.
Federal Bureau Of Investigaton
The Department is required to make a monthly as well as an annual report to the F. B. I., Washington, D. C. con- cerning crimes committed and arrests made in the Town.
Commonwealth Of Massachusetts
The Commissioner of Correction requires annually a re- port on crimes in the Town. Tabulation for 1955.
Crimes against Person
1
Crimes against Public Order
16
Crimes against Public Order
1
(State Police)
Total
18
General
The roster of the Department may sound impressive but few realize that two men cover the day shift 8 A.M. to 4 P.M., two men cover the first night shift 4 P.M. to 12 Midnight, two men cover the last half 12 Midnight to 8 A.M. Each man is currently entitled to one day off in seven. The Specials are
35
Crimes against Property 1
used when the Regulars are out sick or on vacation and for emergencies. The night shifts regularly try all doors and windows of public buildings as well as all places of business in the Town.
During five days of the week one man covers the school traffic in the square and the other, if possible, covers school traffic at crossing of Dale and North Street.
The cruiser is manned by one man, which has been proven by experience to be less satisfactory than having two men in the cruiser. We also assist in the rest homes. We chair carry invalids or crippled people upstairs or downstairs. We are called upon to put ill persons back in bed when those in attendance are not physically able to do so. These many things that we are called upon to do to help people in serious need, we are only too glad to do. There are a few occasions when we have had to delay performing a duty due to lack of man- power but we have always maintained the policy to help if we possibly can and at the time requested.
In behalf of the Police Department we wish to thank all the citizens of the Town for their cooperation in keeping this community a safe one in which to live.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicholas N. Gugliotta Officer in Charge
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
January 9, 1956
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the Board of Public Welfare for the year 1955.
A total of 43 Old Age Assistance cases, 4 Aid to Dependent Children cases, 4 Disability Assistance cases and 3 General Relief cases were administered. During the year 16 applications for aid were received and processed. Of these, eleven were approved and five denied.
Aid rendered to recipients in all four categories was as follows:
Old Age Assistance
$38,486.33
Aid to Dependent Children
5,949.96
Disability Assistance
3,155.02
General Relief
2,482.55
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The total amount of money recovered in all categories dur- ing the year 1955 was $3,290.39.
The "Medical Care Plan" continues in operation. Although administratively this plan is very complex, it seems to be op- erating efficiently. The cooperation received from all medical vendors has been worthy of commendation.
In the category, Aid to Dependent Children, the added serv- ices have continued in accordance with the State plan. Our serv- ice to our dependent youth sets for its goal the future citizen of America, his stabilization and dependability in these changing times.
The administration of the Welfare program and those re- sponsible for this administration, propose to give the best serv- ice possible to our recipients, always keeping in mind the tax- payer and the compliance with state and federal regulations at the local, district and state levels.
As of January 1, 1956, in accordance with Chapter 728 of the Acts of 1955, a Transportation Allowance of $2.50 per month will be granted to Old Age Assistance recipients. This will increase our budget by about $1,000.00 in 1956.
There seem to be no other major changes in Policies and Procedures anticipated for 1956.
Refresher courses are conducted by the Department of Pub- lic Welfare at state, district and local levels for personnel from time to time.
Mrs. Doris M. Carr, as Agent and Mrs. Helen E. Kennedy, as Clerk, have continued to serve this Board of Public Welfare commendably. For their able assistance during the year the Board wishes to publicly thank them.
In conclusion, this Board wishes to acknowledge its apprecia- tion to the town officials, doctors and private business men and to publicly thank them for their excellent cooperation during the year 1955.
Respectfully submitted,
Lawton B. Kingsbury, Chairman
Theodore B. Pederson, Clerk
William S. Farmer,
Member
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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 1955.
Scales
Adjusted Sealed
Platform over 10,000
1
Scales 100 to 5,000
7
Scales under 100
18
Weights All
50
Capacity Measures Liquid
8
Automatic Measures Gasoline
1
15 (1-no charge)
Grease & Oil
6
Linear Measures Yard sticks
5
1
110
Trial Weighings of Commodities
Tested
Correct
Over
Meats
180
160
20
Potatoes
40
32
8
Bread
92
92
Confectionery
34
34
4
Nuts
30
26
4
Pastry
56
56
432
400
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Respectfully submitted, J. Fred Whittier Sealer of Weights and Measures
REPORT OF THE SEWER DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The sewer system was given its regular semi-annual inspec- tions and the beds were kept in good condition. Additional work was done during the year on the main line from Frairy Street to Dale Street and we hope to finish this needed improvement in 1956.
Two new house connections were added in 1955.
Additional demands on the sewer beds are resulting from an increased school population and, possibly, increasing infiltra- tion of ground water. This necessitates additional labor to keep
38.
the beds in good condition. For this reason we ask for an ap- propriation of $2100 in 1956, an increase of $200.
Respectfully submitted,
John D. Williams Harry R. Leighton Myron H. Smith
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