USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1955-1959 > Part 23
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Approximately fifty plans were examined and signed as "Approval Under the Sub-Division Control Law Not Required". This is a necessity in order that the plan may be recorded at the Registry of Deeds.
Through the co-operation of the Highway Department, Baker's Pond was drained and cleaned of rubbish accumulated during the past year. A dangerous condition exists with respect to the rail fence along Frairy Street beside the Pond. The Board feels that repairs should be undertaken at once.
The Board was represented at a hearing at the County Commis- sioner's Office regarding the proposed layout of South Street.
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Members of the Board attended two Regional Meetings of the State Federation of Planning Boards as well as the Annual Meeting of the State Federation of Planning Boards.
Board members are serving on the following town committees:
(a) Recreation Committee
(b) Land Needs Committee
(c) Industrial Commission
(d) Swimming Pool Committee
A round table discussion was held with the various department heads regarding the establishment of a public works department but. the idea was tabled pending future growth of the town.
An agreement was made with the Norfolk County Soil Conserva- tion District to conduct a survey of town land located between Brook and Green Streets to determine the feasibility of building a swimming pool in that area.
The old town wells were filled in by the Highway Department, thus eliminating a dangerous situation which has existed for some time.
Members of the Board regularly attended the hearings of the Appeals Board during the year.
In spite of the drought during the year, Baxter Square was kept in a reasonably good condition. However, in order to maintain this area in a condition befitting its Memorial status, a sprinkling system should be installed and new curbing built along Spring Street.
The tennis court area continues to be a problem with respect to noise and minor vandalism. Your Board recommends that the playing area should be surface treated during the coming year to protect it against weathering. A new net was installed this year and a new steel cable purchased to hold the net in place. It has been suggested that a drinking fountain be installed for the convenience of the court users and the Board recommends that this be done.
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER E. HARDY, Chairman CHARLES C. CAIN, Vice-Chairman. CLAIRE H. SMITH, Secretary EVERETT J. WILLS ERNEST L. SPENCER
Medfield Park and Planning Board
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BOARD OF APPEALS FOR ZONING, SUB-DIVISION CONTROL AND BUILDING CONTROL
January 6, 1957
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Medfield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Medfield Board of Appeals organized for 1957, as follows: Leon H. Ballou, Jr., Chairman; William F. Rogers, Clerk; Paul Nyren, Member and Mrs. Ellen Crowell, Associate Member.
During the year the Board conducted 13 public hearings, and in each instance discharged its duties in the best interest of the petitioners and townspeople as a whole.
Respectfully submitted,
LEON H. BALLOU, JR, Chairman WILLIAM F. ROGERS, JR., Clerk PAUL NYREN
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REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Plumbing Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1957.
Number of Permits Issued 62
Number of Inspections 82
Permit Fees $342.00
There has been no permits withdrawn.
I wish to thank the Town Officials, Mrs. Burke and other Inspectors for their help and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
J. ROGER PETRIE, Plumbing Inspector
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REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
January 13, 1958
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1957.
I have issued a total of 72 building permits and 28 for cesspool and septic tanks.
During the year I made a total of 204 inspections on buildings and 34 on cesspool and septic tanks.
Acting inspector made 10 inspections.
New homes
20
Remodels
15
Storage sheds
2
Garages
12
Additions
16
Blacksmith shop
1
Factories
1
Stores
1
Swimming pools
1
Demolitions
3
Total income from all permits $595.00.
We have had 38 less new homes this year than in 1956; the reasons for this are many.
From all reports, I have good reason to believe that we will have a greater number in 1958.
Both local and outside builders have been very cooperative and I wish to thank them for same.
I stopped work on one remodeling job as it did not conform to our building code requirements.
I wish to thank the Town Officials, Marie Burke, William Mc- Carthy and other Inspectors for their help and assistance
Respectfully submitted,
ALLISON T. CARR, SR., Building Inspector
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REPORT OF WIRE INSPECTOR
January 12, 1958
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
We hereby submit our report for the year ending December 31, 1957.
One hundred and twelve permits were issued from this office in 1957, with an income of $276.25.
We wish to thank the other departments, Marie Burke, and Gwendolyn Suereth for their help and cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH ERSKINE, JR. Wire Inspector
JOHN GOUCHER Assistant Wire Inspector
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The usual routine work has been carried on in the Vine Lake Cemetery, as has been done in previous years.
Lots in the new section should be surveyed so that the corner posts can be set.
We therefore recommend the sum of $5,775.00 be raised and appro- priated and the transfer of $645.00 from the Sale of Lots for the main- tenance of Vine Lake Cemetery for the ensuing year.
Respectfully submitted,
GILDO J. PEDERZINI KENNETH R. CLARK JOSEPH A. ROBERTS
Cemetery Commissioners
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REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
December 31, 1957
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Development and Industrial Commission has aided several activities during the year.
Walker Manufacturing Company are now located in their new plant on Adams Street, and we feel quite proud of their nice building and surroundings.
The Tofias Shop is now completely activated containing hat manu- facturing, electronics manufacturing and the so-called Market Basket activities.
The building that was formerly used by the Walker Manufacturing Company at 20 Janes Avenue, Medfield, is now occupied by a mail order concern.
The Commission is available for service at all times and hopes that anyone that needs our assistance will contact us promptly.
WALTER E. ANDERSON
HARRY E. CONWAY
ROBERT EBURNE
FRANK G. HALEY
ROGER E. HARDY
ARTHUR L. LEWIS
WILLIAM F. SPANG
PAUL E. SEELEY
JAMES N. WHITE
CHARLES H. WOOD
GORDON F. YARLOTT
Development and Industrial Commission
32
1957 ANNUAL REPORT 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, 1957
Statistics
Circulation 22,909 of which 14,624 were adult and 8,285 juvenile books and magazines; 218 new library cards issued; 38 books borrowed by request from Division of Library Extension, Department of Educa- tion on Interlibrary Loan.
It may be of interest to some to learn that from a recent count of bound volumes in this library compiled at the request of the A.L.A., there are just under 10,000 bound volumes: 9,811 being the exact num- ber. This includes books on the stack shelves downstairs and reference books such as dictionaries, encyclopedias and atlases, 6,956 of these are adult, 2,858 juvenile.
Lists of Recent Books
Since recently, in the Fall, by special request, a long list of books acquired by the library in 1957 was published in the local papers and displayed on the bulletin board, it will not be repeated here. The list, however, is available in the library to anyone interested. The following is a list of certain groups of books and their sources.
From Book of the Month Club
The Last Parallel
The Last Angry Man
The Age of Roosevelt Day of Infamy
The Braintree Mission
The Short Reign of Pippin IV
The Turn of the Tide
The Durable Fire Operation Sea Lion
Voss
History of the English Speaking By Love Possessed
People, Volume 3 The Return of Lady Brace A Cup of Tea for Mr. Thorgill Mr. Baruch, the Man, the Myth, the 80 Years
From the purchase of these books, the following dividend books were received:
The American Story Our Literary Heritage
The Echo of Greece and The Greek Way
33
A Treasury of Great Mysteries 2 volumes
An Atlas of World History
From Literary Guild
The Fountain Overflows
Pillar of Cloud
Twilight for the Gods
The Moon by Night
The Scapegoat Birthright
Below the Salt
When the Bough Breaks
Anne Boleyn The Day Christ Died Queen of France
The Gentleman from Indiana, a Treasury of Booth Tarkington
From the Antiques Book Society
World Furniture Treasures
Concise Encyclopedia of Antiques -Volume 3
Cut and Engraved Glass American Pewter
Cabinet Makers of America
Field Guide to Early American Furniture
Salem Interiors
Colonial Furniture in America
From American Garden Guild
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Geraniums for Home and Garden Plant Propagation in Pictures Taylor's Garden Guide Tree Care
The Art of Home Landscaping
The Little Bulbs
Complete Book of Chrysanthe- mums
Evergreens and Flowering Shrubs African Violets, Gloxinias and Their Relatives
We also receive bonus books from this group.
Americana
Your library is gradually acquiring a fine collection of books on Americana. To mention a few of the more recent of these, they include:
American Barns and Covered Bridges
American Yesterdays
American Ferryboats Old American Houses Cabinet Makers of America Early American Woodenware American Quilts and Coverlets American Arts and Skills by the editors of Life Magazine
Three Hundred Years of American Painting (Time Magazine) The Book of American Clocks American Pewter
200 Years of American Blown Glass
American Art Glass
American Heritage Book of Great Historic Places by the editors of American Heritage Magazine
34
We have also tried to keep abreast of current events by way of books about the Middle East, Turkey, China, Indo-China, Israel, Germany and Russia.
We have had a number of donations, some fiction, some non-fiction, both adult and juvenile, and the many mystery fans of the library are indebted to Mrs. Henry Young who has kept us supplied with mysteries over the 12 month period.
Children's Department
The children's department received a gift in 1957 in the form of a Memorial Fund for the purchase of children's books, given by Mrs. Leonard M. Rieser, Jr., of Vermont, in memory of her mother, Clara Savage Littledale, who was at one time a resident of Medfield, and for many years editor of Parents' Magazine. The fund has recently received an additional $100 given by Mrs. Leonard M. Rieser, Sr., of Illinois, and it is hoped by the donors that from time to time other interested persons will add to the fund. The principle has been invested and the library will have the use of the income to assist in the purchase of children's books.
During July and August a reading program "Around the World with Books" was enthusiastically received. Thirty-five children partici- pated, though many Medfield children were away at camp at the time and others taking part in the recreational program at the school grounds. Karen Sheridan won the blue ribbon for 35 countries visited by way of books; runners-up were Vicki Sauer with 31 and Margaret Stubblebine with 30. Many new books about foreign lands and peoples were purchased for this program.
A number of new readers have also been added for the primary grades by request of one or more teachers. These include the MacMillan basic readers, the Ginn basic readers, the Alice and Jerry readers and the Scott, Foresman readers.
New sports books for older boys and career books for teen-age girls have been added because of popular appeal. For the elementary and Junior High grades, new Landmark books and those of the American Heritage series have been purchased, these to serve as historical back- ground reading for school assignments. These, together with the ever- popular horse and dog stories, we feel, have given the children a good selection of reading material. A new Merriam-Webster dictionary was also purchased for this department, the first to be especially written for the elementary grades.
The Trustees and staff hope that you will keep in mind that this library is trying to serve in a dual role in the community, that of school library as well as public library, and while we do try to meet school
35
demands as best we can on a limited book budget, the library's primary role is that of a public library, so that there is, too often, lamentably, a sense of frustration on the part of teachers, students and librarians alike, when we are sometimes unable to cope with school demands.
We wish to thank, in closing this report, the donors of books, maga- zines and flowers during 1957 for which we were most appreciative, as well as all who have served the library in any capacity during the year just past.
Respectfully submitted,
ETHEL G. HERSEY, Librarian EVELYN BYNG, secretary
Board of Trustees
C. Munroe Clark, Chairman Charles F. Woodard
Mark Hollingsworth
Anne C. Donlan Evelyn Byng Hope Day
Library Staff
Ethel G. Hersey, Librarian
Alice S. Ripley, Ast. Librarian
Frances Copithorne, Children's Librarian Charles Patten, Custodian
Library Hours
Main Room-2-8:30 P.M. Children's Room-2:30-5 P.M. Both daily except Sundays and Legal Holidays
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit the annual report for the year 1957.
Sealed
Scales Platform over 10,000
1
36
Scales 100 to 5,000 Scales under 100
8
16
Weights All
43
Capacity Measures Liquid
11
Automatic Measures
Gasoline
17
Grease and Oil
7
Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
4
Total
107
Trial Weighings of Commodities
Tested Correct Under Over
Meats
86
84
2
Bread
104
82
22
Dry Commodities
40
34
2
4
Confectionery
40
40
Fruit and Vegetables
55
37
6
12
Total
325
277
8
40
EXPENSES
Salary
$125.00
Supplies and Bond
22.00
Transportation
18.00
Total
$165.00
RECEIPTS
Sealing Fees
$49.80
Use of equipment and share of bond from Dover
5.00
Total
$54.80
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. WHITTIER,
Sealer of Weights and Measures
. 37
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REPORT OF THE WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENTS
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Water Division's business expanded at a lower rate than estimated resulting in a saving of $5,300 from the appropriation for 1957. We ask for an appropriation of $21,200 as shown in the budget figures below. This is $1300 less than requested for 1957.
1956
1957
1958
New Services
67
34
50
Thousand Gals. Water Purchased
12,058
Thousand Gals. Water Pumped
56,008
76,088
80,000
Total Production
68,066
76,088
80,000
Thousand Gals. Water Sold
57,516
63,756
67,000
REVENUE:
Water Sold
$26,499
$32,062
$30,000
Service Materials and Labor
3,184
2,664
3,000
$29,683
$34,726
$33,000
EXPENDITURES:
Water Purchased
1,483
Water Pumped
2,994
2,993
3,500
Distribution Operation and Maintenance 9,286
11,016
12,700
New Services and Meters
6,605
3,224
5,000
$20,368
$17,233
$21,200
DEBT SERVICE
New Well and Pumping Station
6,188
6,092
5,997
New Water Mains
3,203
3,453
4,705
$29,759
$26,778
$31,902
The Edwin S. Evans Pumping Station completed its first full year of service, and its operation has been not only fully satisfactory but also more economical than anticipated. During the extended drought in 1957, the underground water supply proved to be entirely adequate. The final total cost of land, well, pumping station, and related facilities was $51,410, a saving of $13,590 from the appropriation.
38
We ask that the Town authorize the purchase of a small piece of land at the summit of Mt. Nebo for a future standpipe. The acquisition of this site is a definite necessity for the future, and we have come to a friendly agreement with the present owners. We are also con- tinuing our investigation of a feasible site on Noon Hill for future supplementary water storage, if this becomes necessary at some future time, either at the expense of the Town or real estate developers.
The Sewerage Division's business presents no immediate problems, and we ask for an appropriation of $2,000, the same amount as last year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. WILLIAMS HARRY R. LEIGHTON MYRON H. SMITH
Water and Sewerage Departments
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO "STUDY THE QUESTION OF RULES, REGULATIONS, AND SALARIES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT"
December 19, 1957
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen and the People of Medfield:
Your Committee has collected and attempted to evaluate a great deal of information. As a result, certain articles will appear in the Town Warrant for the annual meeting particularly dealing with salaries, vacations, uniforms, sick leave and insurance.
It is the hope of your Committee that a police chief will have been appointed at the earliest possible date. We believe that he should be responsible for drawing up the operating rules and regulations for the Police Department.
Your Committee also strongly recommends that consideration be given to a plan to turn the police car in on a regular twelve to fifteen
39
months basis to insure adequate service and protection and in the interests of economy.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. BRADSTREET CHARLES E. CHEEVER, Chairman ROSSITER R. HOLT JOHN F. MCCARTHY JOSEPH A. ROBERTS
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Annual Report for the Street Department is hereby respectfully submitted.
The year 1957 was marked by more than usual activity.
MAIN STREET WIDENING: Under the provisions of Chapter 718 of the Acts of 1956 the Town received as its share of the $15,000,000.00 alloted to cities and towns the amount of $11,758.59. The Selectmen recommended to the Department of Public Works that the funds be applied to the widening of Main Street. The Department of Public Works approved the project and accordingly Main Street was widened from the railroad crossing to Miller Street. Chapter 90 funds held over for two years were applied to the widening between Miller and Pleasant Streets. The Town appropriated $600.00 in 1956 which was carried over and used with the $700.00 appropriation in 1957, making the cost to the Town of $1,300.00 for the widening.
CAUSEWAY STREET: The sum of $1,500.00 was appropriated under Article 26 of the Special Town Meeting of November 26, 1956 for surfacing Causeway Street from Claypit Road for a distance of approximately 1800 feet. The work was accomplished in the Spring and a section of gravelled road which was difficult to maintain was eliminated.
NORTH STREET SIDEWALK: In accordance with the vote of the Town under Article 22 of the Annual Town Meeting, a sidewalk was constructed on the westerly side of North Street between Pine Street and the new entrance to the Memorial School. The sidewalk was con-
40
structed to the County layout and in accordance with the County grade. However, it is not always possible to construct a sidewalk in such a manner because of the incompatability of the existing grades and future grades.
HIGHWAYS: Routine sweeping, drainage, patching, repair of bridges, installation of signs and a small amount of surfacing was accom- plished under this appropriation. Five hundred feet of guard rails were constructed at the approaches to Death Bridge. The total cost of hauling fill for the shoulders and the installation of the guard rails was $1,828.16.
PAINTING STREET LINES: During the summer $482.08 was ex- pended for painting white meridian lines on North Street, Farm Street, and South Street between High Street and the Norfolk Town line. The amount of traffic on the above secondary access roads to the Town and the dangerous curves on them warrants a yearly expenditure and requires that they be done as early in the Spring as possible. However, the appropriation that is annually appropriated is too confined to risk expenditures for such purposes until the Fall when it appears safe to do so.
The improvements of installing guard rails and painting white lines was possible this year only because of the funds made available for the widening of Main Street. Additional guards rails should be immedi- ately installed near Death Bridge, Stop River, and on Spring Street near Kingsbury's Pond as well as generally throughout the Town where needed. Improvements are not possible without adequate funds with which to accomplish them.
GRAVELLED ROADS: There are eighteen public ways within the Town which are gravelled in part or in their entireties. The eighteen roads constitute 12.60 miles of the 43.53 miles of public ways or 29% of the total mileage. Three ways-Dwight Street, Rocky Lane, and an unnamed way comprising a total of .91 of a mile-receive a minimum of surface work. In 1957 $4,334.13 or $371.00 per mile was spent on the 11.69 miles of gravelled roads to maintain them for brief periods. In the last three years it has cost approximately $11,500.00 to provide what maintenance has been provided. Yet, despite the expenditures of a sub- stantial sum, the roads will be in the same unsatisfactory condition this year as last year.
A review of the costs of maintaining gravelled roads indicate the necessity for an increase of expenditures each succeeding year because of the greater volume and type of traffic using the roads. It costs $850.00 more to maintain gravelled roads in 1957 than in 1956, for no more maintenance. If the Town was not obtaining its gravel from its own pit it would be financially impossible to continue to maintain the gravelled roads.
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In both 1955 and 1956 there appeared articles in the annual warrants for the surfacing of Grove Street. Although it is used more generally than other gravelled roads and its condition of maintenance obvious, the Town voted on both occasions not to widen or surface it.
The simple solution is a systematic program of surfacing the streets or the purchase of a road grader. Until the voters understand the little value received for the substantial amount expended the gravelled roads will remain an expense to the Town. The costs will continue to increase until the Town takes a positive approach and is willing to make initial expenditures for this purpose.
SNOW: A survey of the number of automobiles in the Town shows that the number has doubled in the last ten years and, undoubtedly, will increase at the compounded rate of at least 5% each year. The problem of parking in good weather is obvious. In order to provide the same amount of limited parking it is necessary to remove the snow as soon as possible. The only direct expenditure by the Town for clearing the square was $225.00 for a large bucket for the front-end loader. In the event of a single breakdown or two storms in succession it will be impossible to clean the square immediately. It will be difficult to hire proper equipment in such a contingency because it will be engaged elsewhere.
In 1947 the Town voted to purchase a sidewalk tractor and plow to replace the horse-drawn sidewalk plows and it was purchased in 1949. During the eight years that the Town has owned the tractor it has been used for maintaining the public dump and general highway work as well as for plowing, thereby saving the Town money and paying for itself.
Because of its condition it is recommended that the Town purchase a new one and, accordingly, an article is included in the warrant.
In order to plow the sidewalks and clean the square two sidewalk plows should be available in addition to the two Gravely plows, one of which belongs to the Cemetery Department.
The amount of funds available for street purposes and incidental to them for 1957 were as follows:
Appropriated and Alloted
Expended
State and County Share
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
Highway
$22,200.00
$22,129.18
Chapter 81
18,700.00
18,699.48
$12,100.00
Chapter 90 Maintenance
3,000.00
3,005.24
2,000.00
$43,900.00
$43,873.90
$14,000.00
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Cost to Town, $29,900.00
CONSTRUCTION
Chapter 90 Main Street
$5,900.00
$5,928.46
$4,600.00
Chapter 718 Main Street
11,758.59
11,741.18
11,741.18
Cost to Town $1,300.00
$17,658.59
$17,669.64
$16,341.18
Appropriated and Alloted
Expended
SNOW and SANDING SIDEWALKS
$16,161.49
$16,057.73
Maintenance
500.00
504.12
North St. Sidewalk
1,000.00
999.72
$1,500.00
$1,503.84
BRUSH
2,000.00
1,191.90
SPECIALS
Town Yard Drainage
2,500.00
2,478.99
Causeway St. Surfacing
1,500.00
1,500.00
Total Appropriated and Alloted
$85,220.08
Total Expended
$85,076.00
Total requests for 1958 and allotments exclusive of "Snow and Sanding" will be $53,778.00 of which $14,100.00 will be alloted by the State and County and $39,678.00 appropriated by the Town.
Many people have cooperated with the Street Department during the past year in the solution of the continuous stream of problems. So many have assisted the Department that it is impractical to list them individually. Their cooperation was invaluable and is appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. MCCARTHY,
Superintendent of Streets
43
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
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