USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1955-1959 > Part 22
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The Wiring Inspector again brought the inadequacy of the fees to the attention of the Selectmen in 1957. An article similar to the one amending the Plumbing By-Law passed on July 18, 1955, was included in the warrant for the Special Town Meeting of April 29, 1957, but again the Town voted not to provide for an increase in wiring fees.
The following statistics will show the reasons for an increase.
Expended Income from Fees Net Loss
1952
$199.64
$ 20.75
$178.89
1953
267.19
267.19
1954
390.48
226.25
164.23
1955
540.24
362.25
177.99
1956
503.96
302.75
201.21
Cost to Town
722.32
It is, therefore, recommended that the voters give more serious consideration to action in regard to this matter the next time it appears on a warrant or an unnecessary expense will be borne by the Town indefinitely.
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POLICE.
The list established for the position of Chief of Police automatically expired on January 6, 1958, because the two-year period had elapsed without the appointment of a Chief of Police. The period of over two years that have passed since the retirement of the former Chief have been somewhat difficult for the Selectmen because they have, in the absence of an Acting Chief, been required by law to assume a new res- ponsibility in addition to the amount of regular business which is naturally increasing each year. It would not have been possible to have carried the additional responsibility without the cooperation and assistance of the individual members of the Police Force, and the Selectmen are appreciative of their efforts.
During the period since the retirement of the last Chief of Police, many citizens have asked questions concerning all the possibilities: involved in the selection of a Chief and the Selectmen are pleased to submit the following information.
Since the Town by ballot voted 365 to 215 to place the Police Force under the provisions of Chapter 31 of the General Laws at the Annual Town Elections held March 1, 1948, it must now abide by the laws and regulations that pertain thereto and any exception to the existing law can be accomplished only by special act of the Legislature.
The procedure for holding the examination is as follows:
First, the Selectmen, on a proper form, stating the position to be filled, numbers of positions to be filled, permanency of appointment, salary and duties of position, requisition the Director of Civil Service to hold a competitive examination. A poster advertising the examina- tion is prepared by the Director and sent to the Town Clerk who shall cause two copies to be posted in the Town Hall and other conspicuous places at least three weeks prior to the final date for filing application. The notice states the duties and compensation of positions, the class or title, qualifications required, time, place and manner of making appli- cation for admission to the examination, passing requirements, and. other information that the Director considers pertinent and useful.
No examination shall be held until there are at least four applicants: for appointments for one existing vacancy. Eligibility for examination and appointment shall be limited to persons of the next lower grade. In the event the number of applicants is not sufficient (less than four) to hold the examination the next lower grades shall, in succession, be thrown open to the examination until at least the necessary number have applied.
If an examination has been thrown open to all the lower grades in succession and at least four do not apply, the Director may hold the. examination for the lesser number. The examination shall be conducted:
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under the direction of the Director who shall determine the form, method, and subject matter which shall relate to matters which will fairly test the fitness of the applicants actually to perform the duties of the position.
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The list of persons eligible shall be prepared as soon as may be after the ratings have been determined but not later than six months after the date of such examination. All persons who have taken the exami- nation shall be notified of the results not later than sixty days after the examination. An applicant may file an appeal to the Director within fourteen days of notice of the result of his examination for a review of his paper. Within six weeks after the filing of the request the Director shall examine the paper and notify the applicant of his decision. Within fourteen days after receipt of the Director's decision, the applicant may file an appeal with the Commission. The time consumed on appeals cannot defeat the six months' period for the establishment of a list.
In the event that an eligible list of at least two available persons is not established as a result of the examination, then another examination may be held open to any class within the service of the department as the Director may determine.
In case a list of two available persons is not established from either examination the position shall be filled after an open competitive examination (open to all eligible males in the Town or State.)
If, as a result of going to this extreme, there remains but one eli- gible person, the Director shall certify such person for the position.
When two or more available persons are certified the appointing authority (Selectmen) select the Chief. However, if they appoint one other than the person whose name appears highest on the list they must forthwith deliver to the Director a written statement setting forth the reasons for such appointment.
The Director has been requested to hold the examination for the position of Chief of Police. The Board of Selectmen are not yet in re- ceipt of the date that the examination will be held. If it is held by July 1, 1958, it is possible that a list may not be established until January 1, 1959. It may be established sooner provided there are no appeals, but it must be established within six months after the examination.
The above explanation is rather lengthy but it sets forth the pro- cedure followed and it is hoped provides a better understanding among the people of a subject which is somewhat intricate.
The Acts of 1957 requires that every driver of an ambulance be qualified to administer First Aid. Accordingly, the Selectmen made arrangements with the Red Cross to give a course of instructions. The police officers, members of the Fire Department, and Civil Defense,
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took the course during the summer. In behalf of the Town we express our appreciation to Mr. John Hart, the instructor, and to the Red Cross for making available the course.
NEW STREETS.
The following new streets were accepted in 1957. Kingsbury Drive, 383 feet Pine Grove Road, 480 feet Bartlett Avenue, 635 feet Charlesdale Road, 1300 feet Richard Road, 325 feet
.59 miles of streets were added to the existing 43.58 miles for a. total of 44.16 miles.
At this time it is appropriate to commend the Park and Planning Board for their long hours of work in preparing the present specifica- tions for the construction of new streets. They, the owners along the new streets, and the people of the Town may well be proud of the products of their efforts.
MAIN STREET GRADE CROSSING.
The Board of Selectmen have been concerned with the condition existing at the Main Street Grade Crossing since 1954 when they re- quested funds from the County and the State in the Fall of that year for improving the approaches to the crossing. A preliminary meeting was held in the Fall of 1954 by representatives of the Department of Public Utilities, the New Haven Railroad and the Town. Another meeting was held in 1955 when the Department of Public Works was also repre- sented. As a result of the meeting, two additional sets of lights were added. The above facts were related by the Superintendent of Streets in his Annual Report for 1955 which appears in the Town Report for that year. Prior to the completion of the work, the Board of Selectmen. adopted parking restrictions to prevent parking in front of the signal lights.
In 1954 and 1955 additional street lights were installed in the vicinity of the crossing to further increase safety for pedestrians and motorists.
By letter dated December 5, 1956, the Department of Public Utilities were requested to study the crossing with the view of restoring auto- matic gates for the manual set which were removed in 1946. Where there is a single track they are installed at the Town's expense, which. would be about $15,000.00.
In conjunction with the Main Street widening of 1957, two signal engineers from the Department of Public Utilities and two engineers:
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from the Department of Public Works met with the Superintendent of Streets and discussed the possibilities of overhead lights or lights in- stalled on islands in the middle of the street. The former is not approved by the Department of Public Utilities and the latter was not possible because of the limited width of the road. According to experts the crossing meets all engineering standards. The Selectmen will continue to make efforts to improve the safety conditions at the crossing.
CHAPTER 90 HIGH STREET CONSTRUCTION.
Since the voters have appropriated $5,000.00 for the past four years and will be asked to appropriate $10,000.00 this year, they are entitled to a running resume of expenditures.
Last year the Selectmen on page 13 and 14 of their report reviewed the work to date and the procedure followed in Chapter 90 construction. A year ago the final payment had not been made to the Northeastern Construction Company who was awarded the contract on the first sec- tion of the road. On September 26, 1957, the Selectmen were authorized by the Department of Public Works, acting as engineer for the Town of Medfield, to make the final payment to the contractor. Thirty-eight . thousand one hundred and forty-seven dollars and ninety-eight cents (38,147.98) was paid to the Contractor. Payments for frames and grates and guard rails were made to the Department of Correction.
In both 1956 and 1957 the State alloted $15,000.00, the County, $5,000.00, and the town $5,000.00 making available a total of $50,000.00 for the continued construction of High Street. The bids reported by the Department of Public Works were as follows:
Manning Construction Co. 42,627.70
Sacco Construction Co.
43,100.50
Northeastern Construction Co. 52,201.05
William P. Capone Corp. 52,577.80
Rome Construction Co., Inc.
55,381.75
The Department of Public Works notified the contractor of the award and forwarded contracts for signatures. The work included applying a finished surface to the 1750 feet of roadway done under the previous contract, installing drainage and surfacing as far as the cut- off of the new road, installing advance drainage as far as the brook and blasting through to Granite Street. The specifications did not call for the finished surface through the cut to Forest St. Because the contract was lower than anticipated and by eliminating for this year some of the loaming, it was possible to apply part of the finished surface through to Forest Street and thereby making it available for travel this year.
Although the final payment has not been made, $45,924.15 has been certified and paid to date.
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REQUEST FOR 1958 HIGH STREET CONSTRUCTION.
In the Fall of 1957 at a joint meeting of the Commissioners of Public Works and the County Commissioners held at Dedham, the Selectmen requested that the State allot $30,000.00, the County, $10,000.00, pro- viding the Town appropriate $10,000.00. The requests for this year are twice last year's requests in order to be in a position to join the Town of Walpole in a contract so that action may result in connecting the conterminous roads. The additional funds will expedite the progress of the reconstruction of Route 27 between Granite Street and the Walpole town line.
In general it is planned that a joint contract be awarded by the towns of Walpole and Medfield. Walpole's section will start at the termination of the section done by them this year and extend about 600 feet in a northeasterly direction to meet Medfield's new section. The point where they will join is about 90 feet northerly of the existing trav- elled way. Medfield's section will extend about 1000 feet in a north- easterly direction to the only available tie-in point with the existing travelled way. In addition to the above section it is planned to apply · the finished surface to the 1500 feet of a section done last year and to continue on from Forest Street for another 1100 feet. All of the work mentioned above will be completed. There will then remain a straight section of about 1600 feet which it is hoped will be completed in 1959 which, in turn, will complete the section between Granite Street and the Walpole town line, a distance of about 6800 feet.
State and County officials who are directly connected and fully informed with the condition of High Street are concerned enough with the problem to have, with difficulty, found a way of alloting to Medfield more than the amount that the Town would normally receive.
Therefore, it is hoped that the townspeople will recognize the importance of appropriating the Town's share.
So many Town, County, and State officials are continually cooper- ating and assisting the Board of Selectmen that it is impossible to single out or mention each one. We hope that it is sufficient that we recognize their invaluable help and personally and officially appreciate their contributions to the solution of varied problems and the promotion of a better community. The townspeople who have conferred with us on many matters have been both understanding and constructive in their attitude which has resolved problems satisfactorily to all.
To all we gratefully and sincerely express our appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT B. BURR JOSEPH A. ROBERTS JOSEPH L. MARCIONETTE
Board of Selectmen
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In Memoriam
Pasquino A. Pederzini
Cemetery Commissioner
Finance Committee
Fred C. Chick
Police Officer
Constable
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR 1957
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
There have been approximately double the number of fire calls as usual, a total of 142. They are increasing every year. These are listed as follows:
Woods
43
Grass
30
Buildings
3
Lightning
2
Automobile
4
Oil Burner
2
Rescue
5
Dump
25
State Hospital
7
Chimney
2
Out of Town
5
Miscellaneous
14
The cost of extinguishment was higher this year due to the very dry weather.
There were two serious fires in the making this year, one at the Catholic Church caused by lightning, but with the mutual aid from Walpole and Westwood it was quickly controlled; the other, a woods fire off of South Street caused by lightning on July 31st, burning about 10 acres but with aid from Westwood and the State a very large fire was averted. Over 100,000 gallons of water and 5000 feet of hose was used in 21/2 days to extinguish this fire.
These are my recommendations:
A Fire Station on one of several locations.
A pumping engine to replace the Seagrave which was delivered in June of 1929.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR W. ALLEN,
Chief, Fire Department
December 31, 1957
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REPORT OF VETERANS' SERVICE
January 7, 1958
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
During the year 1957 veterans and their dependents were assisted with claims and matters as listed below:
Pensions
10
Compensation
8
Civil Service
9
On-the-Job Training
7
Education
12
State Bonus
6
Hospitalization
8
Medical
15
Dental
2
Insurance
9
G.I. Loans
4
Appeals
4
Miscellaneous
17
Veterans' Benefits:
Granted
3
Not Granted
6
Prior to 1957 Veterans' Services and Veterans' Benefits were administered, respectively, by Director and Agent.
At the annual town meeting in March 1957, the above were com- bined. This combination has doubled the work load of the Veterans' Agent.
Therefore, it is my opinion that the appropriation for Veterans' Benefits and Veterans' Services be similar to the appropriation made by the Town of Millis for 1957, which amounted to $1,200.00, and from which the Agent was responsible for all expenses of the department.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE G. ROSSI,
Veterans' Agent
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
January 10, 1958.
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following is the report of the Board of Public Welfare for the year 1957.
A total of 45 Old Age Assistance cases, 3 Aid to Dependent Children cases, 6 Disability Assistance cases and 4 General Relief cases were administered. Twelve applications for aid were received during the year. Nine applicants were found to be in need and eligible. Three applications were denied.
Aid rendered in all categories was as follows:
Old Age Assistance
$47,126.40
Aid to Dependent Children 3,626.76
Disability Assistance
4,785.52
General Relief
1,498.19
Monies paid to other towns in behalf of Medfield settled cases in all categories was $905.52.
The year 1957 has been a very active year in Public Welfare .. Legislation at national and state levels made many changes mandatory. Not only did these changes increase our aid budget but they also increased our administrative cost.
Some of the major changes follow:
1. An overall budget increase from 20% to 25.7% on all Standard Budget items as of September 1, 1957.
2. An increase on the Standard Budget item of Fuel and Lighting from $14.65 to $23.00 per month per case.
3. An increase in Home Nursing Care cost of more than $5.00 per case per week.
4. An increase in the grant to Nursing Home Recipients for Clothing and Personal Care on an average of $5.00 per case per month.
5. The revision of the State Medical Care Plan to conform with Federal requirements that an added resource of $3.00 per case per month of Federal funds be available to local .. Boards of Public Welfare was necessary. In putting this revision into effect a departmental change became manda-
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tory. A change from complete vendor payments to partial vendor payments was effected as of July 1, 1957. This change money-wise increased our aid budget about $1,000.00 for 1957. Administratively speaking it has increased the authorization procedure 100%.
Medical costs are increasing at an alarming rate. To administer our State Medical Care Plan is complex; however, we, as administrators, must aid the needy keeping in mind our responsibility to you, the tax- payer. Our local, state and federal regulations must, if we are to receive our proper amount of reimbursement, be adhered to strictly in all cate- gories. What the pending legislation will develop in 1958 no one can foretell.
The Board wishes to publicly thank Helen E. Kennedy, Senior Clerk and Doris M. Carr, Agent for their able assistance during the year.
In conclusion, for their excellent cooperation during the year 1957 · this Board of Public Welfare wishes to acknowledge its appreciation and to publicly thank the Town Officials, Doctors and private business men.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM S. FARMER, Chairman LAWTON B. KINGSBURY, Clerk WARREN S. BOIS, Third Member
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
We hereby respectfully submit our Report of the Board of Health for the year ending December 31, 1957.
We have issued licenses to dealers selling, buying or transporting Methyl Alcohol or Wood Alcohol, so-called, or any preparation other than Shellac or Varnish; the manufacturing of Ice Cream; and a license to Funeral Directors for the establishment and maintaining of a Funeral Home.
The garbage collection contract was renewed and collections were made twice a week during the summer months and once a week during the winter months.
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The Medfield Dental Clinic is under the supervision of the Board of Health and the clinic is held at the elementary building. All the children were examined and treatment has been started on all children desiring work at the clinic.
There is one patient at the Rutland State Sanitorium.
The number of communicable diseases reported to the Board of Health we are certain does not reflect the actual number of cases. Please bear in mind that it is the responsibility of the family to report this in writing to the Board of Health.
The Board of Health made it possible for the Town employees to have the Asiatic Flu vaccine administered to them free of charge.
During the year several complaints were taken care of by the members of the board.
Respectfully submitted,
A. RITCHEY STAGG, M.D., Chairman CLARENCE BOYCE MADELEINE HARDING
Board of Health
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Medfield, Mass., December 31, 1957
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1957.
The dogs known to have bitten persons were quarantined and released at the end of the quarantine period.
In the annual inspection there were 56 horses, 166 cattle, 8 sheep, 54 swine, and 2 goats.
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
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REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
East Walpole, Mass., Dec. 31, 1957
Board of Selectmen, Medfield, Mass. Gentlemen:
Herewith is my report as Slaughter Inspector for 1957:
Number of cattle slaughtered and inspected 3
Respectfully submitted, 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 roadsides for the control of the Gypsy Moth and the Elm Leaf Beetle was carried on. I recommend that $1,000.00 be appropriated for Moth work for 1958.
The Dutch Elm Disease was quite mild this past year due largely to the prolonged drought. It is the opinion of state officials that there will be a considerable increase in 1958 over the past year. We removed approximately 80 dead and diseased Elms in 1957, also 12 stumps were removed along with the usual sampling and spraying for the Elm Bark Beetle. I recommend that $5,000.00 be appropriated for 1958.
The program for the control of Poison Ivy was carried on the same as in previous years covering the badly infested areas along the road- side. 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 con- tinue 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 1958.
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Our tree planting program was hindered by the extreme drought of the past year but will be resumed this spring. I recommend that $500.00 be appropriated for 1958.
ELLIS N. ALLEN,
Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent
NORFOLK COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
Report to Town of Medfield
January 3, 1958
To the Citizens of Medfield:
Submitted herewith is the report of the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project of its activities in the Town of Medfield for the year ending December 31, 1957.
Aerial Spraying
1,700 Acres
Ground Spraying
181 Acres
Pre-hatch Dusting
151/2 Acres
Drainage
12,200 Feet
Brush Clearing
2,800 Feet
Culverts Cleaned
3 Culverts
Catch Basins Treated
75 Catch Basins
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN C. KUSCHKE, Superintendent
MEDFIELD PARK AND PLANNING BOARD Annual Report for the Year 1957
January 9, 1958
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The rapid growth of the town that has taken place within the last. few years was substantially slowed down during this year. The Board
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has held regular meetings twice a month, the second and fourth Thurs- days, during the year.
Public hearings were held regarding the following applications for sub-divisions:
(a) February 28, 1957-Roger E. Hardy, Nebo Street
(b) May 23, 1957-Robert H. Brown, Spring Street
Considerable time was spent prior to these public hearings in reviewing and revising proposed plans as submitted and in field inspec- tions of proposed sub-divisions as well as sub-divisions already under construction. Portions of two sub-divisions were accepted as public ways.
(a) Bartlett Avenue, Kingsbury Drive and Pine Grove Road in the Robert H. Brown sub-division off Spring Street, February 14, 1957.
(b) Charlesdale Road and Richard Road in the Janice Con- struction Co., Inc., sub-division off Bridge Street, August 8, 1957.
The Board has designed and inaugurated a check system to insure that the various items of construction on the sub-divisions may be properly inspected and approved before subsequent operations are begun.
A public hearing was held regarding the change in zoning of land on Park Street from Business to Industrial Land upon petition of William H. Mann, et al. This zoning change was accepted by the Town at the Annual Town Meeting.
An amendment to the zoning by-law was proposed by the Board and accepted by the Town at the Annual Town Meeting regarding the minimum residential lot sizes in business areas and restricting resi- dential lots in industrial areas.
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