Town annual reports of Medfield 1955-1959, Part 31

Author: Medfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1955
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 882


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1955-1959 > Part 31


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In 1957 another article was included in the warrant for the Special Town Meeting of April 29th. The article was dismissed.


Again an article is included so that the fees will support the ser- vice. Under the authority of the article the Wiring Inspector will make recommendations to the Selectmen and the schedule of fees, if proper, will be published in a local paper and become effective. Ser- vice fees are designed to cover the costs of the service and not for the profit of the Town.


In order to allow for an increase in the Inspector's salary and to place the Department on a self-supporting basis, an article is included in this year's warrant.


STREET LAYOUTS:


Grove Street from the Public Dump to West Street was accepted by the Town in 1958 as laid out by the Selectmen.


Philip Street in its entirety is under consideration of the County Commissioners. Harding Street from North Street to Hospital Road and


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Hospital Road from Harding Street to the State Hospital gate has been under consideration for several years by the County Commissioners.


Orchard Street and Causeway Street. Due to actual and proposed development along Orchard Street and Causeway Street, members of the Board of Selectmen as individuals with other individuals have petitioned the County Commissioners to relocate Orchard Street in its entirety and Causeway Street from Orchard Street to Dwight Street. Since there are no dwellings at present along the last mentioned streets, the land damages should be small and no hardships created.


CHAPTER 90 HIGH STREET CONSTRUCTION.


At the time of the printing of the 1957 Town Report the 1957 con- tract for the construction of a section of High Street was not completed.


The bid of the Manning Construction Company, the lowest bidder, was $42,627.70. In addition to the bid there was expended the amount of $1,009.00 on catch basin frames and grates and manhole frames and covers and $136.00 for guard posts which are furnished by the Town. The further sum of $1,292.00 was paid for traffic officers. The sum of $46,622.46 was paid to the contractor.


The original specifications did not call for an asphalt surface from the old road to Forest Street, a distance of about 1000 feet. By cutting back some of the shoulder work and using some of the balance it was possible by agreement between the Selectmen and the Department of Public Works to apply the base surface, making the condition of the road more satisfactory and reducing the ultimate cost. After the final payment made to the contractor on June 3, 1958, there was a balance of $940.54 which has been transferred to Surplus Revenue and is part of this year's Available Funds.


In 1958 the State allotted $30,000.00 instead of the usual $15,000.00 and the County $10,000.00 instead of $5,000.00. The Town appropriated $10,000.00 instead of $5,000.00 as in previous years.


The contract and work was a joint one with the Town of Walpole, thereby connecting the two towns on the new layout.


Although there were twelve bids ranging from $51,273.04 to $68,- 238.75, the five lowest bidders were as follows:


Sacco Construction Company $51,273.05


Rosenfeld Contracting Corp. 51,634.65


S. E. Luttazi & Sons 52,733.00


Manning Construction Co., Inc. 53,281.55


Colonna Bros. Inc. 53,999.05


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The Town of Medfield's share to the lowest bidder, Sacco Construc- tion Company, was $35,754.40.


The contractor has been paid $19,793.47 to date and the Massachu- setts Correctional Institution has been paid $661.70 for frames, grates, covers and guard posts. It is expected that this contract will be com- pleted as soon as the weather permits. Since it was estimated that there would be a balance of over $10,000.00 in the account, the State, County and Town agreed to carry that amount over until 1959 when it would be used with the 1959 allotments and appropriations.


Although $15,000.00 was requested of the State and $5,000.00 from the County the amounts available are: State $10,500.00; County $5,250.00; Town, $5,250.00, or a total of $21,000.00. There will then be available $31,000.00 to complete the 1600 remaining feet.


After the completion of this year's work, 6800 feet of Route 27 between Granite Street and the Walpole-Medfield town line will have been completed since the first appropriation in 1954.


In the Fall of this year the Selectmen will meet the County Com- missioners and the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works at Dedham. The requests for 1959 will be for funds to start at Granite Street and tie in Spring Street, a distance of 2,000 feet. In all probability it will be necessary to carry over the 1960 funds until 1961 so that the last section can be completed at one time and under one contract. After 1961 there will be a satisfactory road between Medfield and Walpole.


MAIN STREET GRADE CROSSING:


Several new safety factors were added to the Main Street Grade Crossing. As a result of a further study and meetings with the Traffic Engineer of the Department of Public Works and engineers from the Railroad, the Town installed new advanced warning discs closer to the crossing, the Department of Public Works replaced the existing warning discs with new ones and the Railroad added an addi- tional set of lights on the northwesterly quadrant. Yellow lines indi- cating the restriction to parking have been painted so that the lights will not be obstructed when vehicles approach the crossing. Advanced warning discs have also been installed on Spring and Park Streets.


MAIN STREET WIDENING:


Again funds were requested under Chapter 90 Construction for the widening of Main Street between Pleasant and South Streets. The sum of $2,400.00 was requested from the State and $800.00 from the County provided the Town appropriated $800.00. However, the request was not granted due to insufficient funds.


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BRIDGES:


Turnpike Bridge which spans the Charles River on Route 109 at the Millis-Medfield Town Line was completed this year by the Depart- ment of Public Works. Under the provisions of Chapter 609 of the Acts of 1945 jurisdiction of bridges on route roads was assumed by the De- partment of Public Works and are State Highways. The Selectmen of Sherborn and Medfield have conferred at Death Bridge and agreed to petition the Department of Public Works to study the bridge with a view of reconstructing or replacing it with a new one and correcting the approaches.


Street lights have been added to Turnpike Bridge both by the Town of Millis and the Town of Medfield.


PIGGERIES:


Due to misunderstanding of the interpretation of the existing By- Law as it pertains to farms and animals, the Selectmen as the Enforcing Authority have been in Court twice in the last four years. The existing By-Law prohibits certain types of activity by exclusion. However, such a restriction is not obvious to the average person. Court expenses and hardships can be avoided by a positive amendment of the Zoning By- Law or a new law placing control of piggeries and other types of activities under the authority of the Board of Health. Other towns have suffered unfortunate experiences and property devaluation as a result of piggeries. They can be avoided by a positive regulation which controls such activities.


To all, we gratefully and sincerely express our appreciation.


Respectfully submitted,


JOSEPH A. ROBERTS HARVEY M. HAMILTON JOSEPH L. MARCIONETTE


Board of Selectmen


14


REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


The Annual Report for the Street Department is hereby respect- fully submitted:


In addition to routine gravelling, patching, surfacing, the Street Department made a modest start in replacing guard rails, along some of the public ways. Posts and rails were installed on Upham Road, Hartford Street, School and Wight Street, and Millbrook Road. There is a definite need for guard rails on Spring Street near Kingsbury's Pond.


Under a special appropriation funds were made available for planking the Curve Street Bridge. The labor was provided from the Highway account. The subflooring was found to be in fair condition and should last for sometime. There is also a definite need for guard rails along the approaches to this overhead bridge.


Granite curbing which was on hand from the previous year was installed on Main Street between Upham Road and the Railroad Grade Crossing. A new catch basin was installed and the sidewalk completed.


White median lines were again painted on North Street, Farm Street, and South Street in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Public Works. The parking lines and crosswalks in the square were painted.


In anticipation of an appropriation for the surfacing of Grove Street the road was moved into its proper place within the layout. The gravel fill has had the advantage of both the traffic and the weather which has thoroughly compacted it.


PUBLIC DUMP: The Appropriation for maintaining the dump has not been increased since 1953 despite the growth of the Town. An additional $262.00 is requested for 1959 in order to replace the fence which was originally part of the old tennis court. The fence has to be moved because of the 1958 layout of Grove Street and now is the time to install the new fence. It is hoped that all or part of the old fence can be salvaged and extended in an easterly direction from Grove Street. Reducing the dump will reduce the time required in pushing over the dump each year.


SIDEWALKS: Since there is no interest in adopting a program of replacing sidewalks that are over thirty-years old, it is either necessary that the present sidewalks be given a coat of asphalt to seal them or to have no sidewalks.


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Exclusive of sidewalks built in new developments, the Town has eleven miles of sidewalks that are so badly cracked that they will soon disintegrate. In order to surface all of them it will cost in the vicinity of $4,000.00. It is recommended that the additional sum of $1,000.00 be appropriated this year in order to preserve the existing sidewalks.


CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE: Main Street through the square was surfaced under this account to hold the road which was cracking until such time as the widening is completed and a hot-top surface applied. Stone covered surfaces were applied on South Street from Philip Street to the Railroad Crossing and on Harding Street from North Street to the Mill Pond.


A large tree which jutted into the street was removed on Main Street west of Pound Street and the road was realigned.


A small amount of the sags were removed on Main Street between Nebo Street and the Colonial Inn. As much of the appropriation as is possible should be applied in 1959 to removing more of the sags in preparation for a surface treatment.


CHAPTER 81 expenditures were for gravelling, patching, surfac- ing, and drainage.


GRAVELLED ROADS: A modest program for surfacing the gravelled roads subject to the most traffic has been discussed with the Finance Committee. This matter has been set forth in a previous report. It is hoped that as a result of a better understanding the program will be instituted this year.


Before concluding, I wish to thank the many officials and towns- people who have cooperated with the Street Department during the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIAM E. MCCARTHY,


Superintendent of Streets


JURY LIST - 1959


Adams, Dwight E .- 20 Oak Street Aronson, James O .- Nebo Street Baker, Ralph A .- 39 Frairy Street Ballou, Leon H., Jr .- Causeway Street


Insurance United Airlines Maintenance Foreman Editor


16


Bangs, Beatrice-166 South Street Bangs, Gerald W .- 166 South Street Beard, Raymond-7 Pine Street Boyce, Clarence M .- 125 South Street Carlson, Norman H .- 38 Vinald Road Caswell, William-Cross Street Clarke, Warren G .- Robert Sproul Road Conrick, William L .- 29 South Street Coulter, Robert L .- Winter Street Cox, Charles F .- 125 North Street Deering, Clyde O., Jr .- 428 Main Street Dilks, Francis E .- Boiling Spring Avenue Dornig, Ruth F .- 44 Spring Street Ehnes, Philip G .- 64 North Street Fenton, Warren H .- 77 South Street Fraser, John A .- Hillcrest Road Goes, Manuel, Jr .- Hospital Road Grant, Gordon-11 Adams Street Gronberg, Evelyn-Pine Street Haigh, Charles W .- Hospital Road Hamilton, Harvey M .- 8 Upham Road Handy, Merritt F., Jr .- 37 Janes Avenue Hedges, Joseph R .- West Street Hobbs, Arthur W .- 34 South Street Hull, Charles W .- 90 North Street Kenny, Charles-Main Street Kimpton, George F .- 17 Summer Street Kingsbury, Carlton W .- 171 South Street Lanseigne, Raymond-178 South Street Mann, William H .- 40 Park Street Munson, Hildegarde I .- 16 Pleasant Street Palumbo, Vincent A .- West Street Ricker, Henry L .- 52 Adams Street Robinson, Warren L .- 4 Remsen Avenue Ryan, William-8 Adams Street Sabbag, Walter-583 Main Street Spring, Rennie J .- 6 Miller Street Suereth, Theodore G .- 7 Spring Street Toney, Leonard L .- 2 Philip Street Weiker, Raymond C .- 52 Green Street White, James N .- Elm Street Wight, Orion-592 Main Street


Housewife (Clerk) Clerk Barber Retired Builder


Landscape and Construction Tabulating Supervisor Supervisor


Foreman Checker Electrician Laundry Worker


Housewife (Book Binder) Fireman Broker


Advertising Manager Truck Driver Insurance Housewife (Saleswoman)


Insurance Supervisor Civil Engineer


Mail Order Clerk


Fireman Woodworker


Accountant


Real Estate Plant Manager


RetiredĀ®


Painting Foreman


SalesmanĀ®


At Home


Proprietor


Treasurer


Interior Decorator RetiredĀ®


Carpenter Foreman


Carpenter Retired Field Manager


Foreman


Investment Broker Retired


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REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I hereby submit the report of the Police Force of the Town of Medfield for the year ending December 31, 1958, upon the request of the Board Selectmen:


ACCIDENTS


100


ACCOSTING


2


ANIMALS


Bites


22


Strayed


30


Found


40


Lost


65


Killed by Police


15


Injured


36


Nuisances


23


AMBULANCE


85


ARRESTS


12


ASSISTANCE


Other Departments


90


Motorists


62


Stranded Persons


65


AUTOMOBILE VIOLATIONS


30


Moved off highway


20


BLOCKED STREETS


19


BREAKING AND ENTERING


20


BURGLAR ALARMS


Answered


30


Tested


40


CIVIL MATTERS


18


COURT ATTENDANCE


83


DISTURBANCES


170


CLOSED HOMES


125


DRUNKS 40


18


DOORS AND WINDOWS FOUND OPEN


Doors


210


Windows


151


EMERGENCY CALLS


150


FAMILY TROUBLE


33


FATALS


5


FIRES


66


Put out by Police Department


20


FIRST AID BY POLICE


30


FUNERAL TRAFFIC-covered


12.


ILLEGAL PARKING


48


INVESTIGATIONS


Ours


300


Other Departments


30


ISSUED PERMITS


38


LARCENY


31


LOST CHILDREN


15


Found by Police


3


LOST AND FOUND PROPERTY


Lost


45


Found


73


LIGHTS LEFT ON AND SECURED


50


MALICIOUS INJURY TO PROPERTY


37


MALICIOUS MISCHIEF


53


MISSING PERSONS


16


MISSING PATIENTS FROM STATE


HOSPITAL


120


Picked up by Police


42


MESSAGES DELIVERED Received


190


MISCELLANEOUS


70


PROWLERS


75


SPEEDING COMPLAINTS


60


23.


19


STONE OR GLASS ON HIGHWAY


45


STREET DEFECTS 7


SUMMONS SERVED


65


STREET LIGHTS REPORTED OUT BY POLICE 55


SUSPICIOUS:


Lights


15


Cars


55


Persons


40


Noises


15


Telephone Calls


10


VIOLATIONS:


Sunday Law


5


Others


15


TRANSFERS


Regular


117


Class No. 1


11


Class No. 2


123


INJURED ADULTS


25


INJURED CHILDREN


35


ASSAULTS


5


WIRES DOWN


15


In behalf of the police officers, I wish to thank the State and local officials and the citizens of the Town for the cooperation shown to the police department during the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


NICHOLAS N. GUGLIOTTA,


Senior Patrolman


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REPORT OF VETERANS' AGENT


January 5, 1959 Gentlemen:


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


The following is the report of the Department of Veterans' Benefits and Services for the year 1958.


Veterans' Benefits:


Applicants for Benefits 12


Benefits granted


6


Veterans' Services Assistance:


State Bonus


3


Hospitalization


4


Compensation


6


Pensions


10


Education


8


On the Job Training


8


Medical


12


Insurance


10


Civil Service


3


Miscellaneous


15


Veterans' Aid rendered was as follows:


Emergency Relief $100.00


Veterans' Benefits $1,140.60


The case load of Veteran Applicants was higher this year due to the unemployment conditions in many factory situations. However, I feel that a greater number of Veterans and dependents could avail themselves of the services this Department offers. The Department is available for service at all times and hopes that anyone that needs its assistance will contact us promptly.


I wish to thank the Town Officials and Marie Burke for their assistance and cooperation during the past year.


Respectfully submitted,


PHILIP J. BURR,


Veterans' Agent


21


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


January 12, 1959


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


The following is the report of the Board of Public Welfare for the- year 1958.


A total of 45 Old Age Assistance cases, 3 Aid to Dependent Chil- dren cases, 6 Disability Assistance cases and 5 General Relief cases were administered. Sixteen applications for aid were received and processed during the year. Seven applicants were found to be in need and eligible. Nine applications were denied.


Three appeals were held; two decisions in favor of the Board of Public Welfare were adjudicated; one decision in favor of the appellant. was rendered.


Aid rendered in all categories was as follows:


Old Age Assistance


$50,847.37


Aid to Dependent Children


2,667.73


Disability Assistance


6,440.96


General Relief


1,529.49


The year 1958 has been a year of many changes. These changes. materially effect our budget and increase cost of administration. We. list some of the major changes:


1. Change in the Standard Budget item of Fuel and Light,. which necessitates a total budget revision twice a year.


2. Change in method of payment to Nursing Homes.


3. Revision in the method of filing monthly reimbursement: claims and a revision of Federal Reimbursement in all categories.


4. Several changes in the requirements for Old Age and Sur- vivors Insurance and Old Age and Survivors Disability Insurance, all to be effective not later than February 1, 1959.


5. An average increase in hospital costs of $3.00 per day.


6. An increase of more than $5.00 per week per recipient as of January 1, 1959 in Nursing Home costs.


The constantly rising medical costs, a problem to everyone, is an. ever present and serious problem in Public Welfare. As Administrators of local, state and federal funds, we are seriously concerned with this:


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problem. It is the purpose of those directly responsible for the adminis- tration of the Welfare Program that the best service possible be ren- dered to our recipients, always keeping in mind the taxpayer and compliance with state and federal regulations at the local, district and state levels.


Helen E. Kennedy, Senior Clerk and Doris M. Carr, Agent 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 appreciation for the excellent cooperation given this Board by the Town Officials, Doctors and private businessmen and to extend publicly their thanks.


Respectfully submitted,


LAWTON B. KINGSBURY, Chairman WARREN S. BOIS, Clerk WILLIAM S. FARMER, Chairman


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, 1958.


The Board has issued licenses to dealers selling, buying or trans- porting 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 winter months.


The Medfield Dental Clinic is under the supervision of the Board of Health and is held at the Memorial School. All elementary school children were examined and treatment was started on all children desiring work at the clinic.


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There is one patient at the Norfolk County Sanitorium.


We feel certain that the number of communicable diseases reported to the Board of Health does not reflect the actual number of cases. Please bear in mind that according to the General Laws of the Com- monwealth, "If a physician knows or has cause to believe that a person whom he visits is infected with a disease declared to be dangerous to the public health . . .. he shall immediately give written notice. thereof, signed by him .. . " and when a householder knows that a person within his family or house is sick with a disease dangerous to the public health, he shall immediately give written notice thereof to the Board of Health in the manner required by the statute, provided however, that in cases where a physician has been called in, the physician's notification will be accepted in place of the householder.


During the year several complaints were taken care of by the: Board.


Respectfully submitted, A. RITCHEY STAGG, M.D., Chairman CLARENCE BOYCE MADELEINE HARDING Board of Health


REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING


December 31, 1958:


Board of Health


Medfield, Mass.


Herewith Slaughter Inspection report for 1958.


Number of hogs slaughtered and inspected 5


Number of cattle slaughtered and inspected 2


Yours very truly,


FRANCIS X. MAGUIRE, V.M.D.


24


REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS


Medfield, Mass., December 31, 1958


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1958.


The dogs known to have bitten persons were quarantined and released at the end of the quarantine period.


In the animal inspection there were 154 cattle, 40 horses, 30 sheep, and 61 swine.


The animals showed no signs of contagious diseases and the premises were found in a satisfactory condition.


Respectfully submitted,


CARLETON S. CHENEY,


Inspector of Animals


REPORT OF THE NORFOLK COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT


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, 1958.


Aerial Spraying


1600 Acres


Ground Spraying


595 Acres


Pre-Hatch Dusting


26 Acres


Drainage


1280 Feet


Brush Clearing


480 Feet


Culverts Cleaned


9 Culverts


Catch Basins Treated


202 Catch Basins


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN C. KUSCHKE,


Superintendent


25


REPORT OF THE TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENTS


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Submitted herewith is the report of the Tree and Moth Departments: for the year 1958.


During the past year the usual spraying of the entire roadsides for the control of the Gypsy Moth and the Elm Leaf Beetle was car- ried on. I recommend that $1,000.00 be appropriated for Moth work for 1959.


The Dutch Elm Disease control work was carried out with the- removal of approximately fifty-eight dead and diseased Elms in 1958, also 34 stumps were removed along with pruning of approximately 12 of the more important Elms and the usual sampling and spraying for- the Elm Bark Beetle. I recommend that $4,000.00 be appropriated for 1959.


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 $400.00 be appropriated to keep it on the decrease.


The wet snow of January 9, 1958 did considerable damage to small roadside trees and some damage to limbs of larger trees. From then on routine pruning was carried on throughout the year. I recommend $3,000.00 be appropriated for the Care of Trees for 1959.


Our tree planting program was resumed this spring with the planting of 42 trees of various species and varieties. We have 21 already on order and waiting to be delivered in the spring along with approximately 30 more that will be ordered later. I recommend $500.00. be appropriated for this work in 1959.


Respectfully submitted,


ELLIS N. ALLEN,


Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent


26


MEDFIELD PARK AND PLANNING BOARD


The Board continued to hold two regular meetings a month, on the second and fourth Thursdays and in addition met frequently at special meetings throughout the year to deal with various problems attendant to the Board's work.


Representation by the Board was had at meetings of the Zoning Board of Appeals and members of the Board attended two Regional Planning Board meetings at Holbrook and Foxboro as well as the Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards at Gardner, Massachusetts.


A new drinking fountain was installed at the Tennis Court. A surface treatment was applied to the courts. Deliberate vandalism caused considerable damage to the new surface and it was necessary to spend an additional sum of money to effect repairs.


The fence around Baker's Pond was replaced with a new fence and is in the process of being painted.


The Little League Field was improved by the building of a new fence and repairs made to the dugouts. Volunteer help to paint this fence was not fully available and the Board was forced to hire help to finish painting the new fence.


Zoning changes, with respect to converting large single family dwellings into multi-family units, were proposed to the Annual Town Meeting and they were voted into the Zoning Laws. A zoning change, initiated by the Board, was voted on favorably by the Town that would enable a rather large shopping center to be built on Main Street opposite Spring Street. Extension of the Business Area was voted for land on Main Street adjacent to the Colonial Inn to ease the parking problem.




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