USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1955-1959 > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
January 5, 1960
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Medfield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The following is my annual report for the Year ending December 31, 1959.
I have issued a total of 199 building permits as listed below and 135 for cesspool and septic tanks.
During the year I made a total of 790 inspections on buildings and 141 on cesspools and septic tanks.
20
Acting Inspector made 42 inspections.
New Homes
116
Additions to Homes
24
Additions to Churches
1
Additions to Factories
2
Additions to Stores
1
New Stores
2
Garages
6
Tool Sheds
1
Boarding Stables
1
Alterations and Repairs
43
Swimming Pools
2
Total income from Building permits
$2,040.00
Total income from cesspool and septic tanks
675.00
We have had 48 more homes this year than in 1958 and I look for at least 150 in 1960.
The assignment of house numbers has been a very difficult job as on some of the streets the numbers are all wrong and it will take quite some time to correct same.
Both local and outside builders have been very cooperative and I wish to thank them for same.
I wish to thank the Town officials, Marie Burke, William McCarthy, Park and Planning Board and other Inspectors for their help and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLISON T. CARR,
Building Inspector
21
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, 1959.
Statistics
Circulation: Adult, 16,203; Juvenile, 10,714; Total 26,917 a gain of 1,689 over 1958.
New Applicants: 332.
Books added: Adult, 481; Juvenile, 295; Total, 776 of which 143 were donations.
Activities
National Library Week was observed this year in April by a very interesting exhibit of flower and vegetable arrangements and house plants, featuring books in the library's horticultural section, sponsored by the two Garden Clubs of Medfield. It was also open to the public and a number of arrangements were entered by non members of the clubs as well as by Winter Brook Gardens, the Garden Shop and Pederzini's Flower Shop.
In June, Mrs. Cheever, Miss Donlan and Miss Day of the Library Board of Trustees, held a used book sale on the library steps, but inclement weather prevented a repeat of last year's success. The pro- ceeds from this sale go toward the purchase of new books.
During United Nations Week, the League of Women Voters of Medfield had a most attractive replica in miniature of The United Nations building and flags, on one of the library tables.
For the third year, during the summer vacation period, a children's reading program was most successful. It was divided into two groups, one for grades 1-3 and the other for grades 4-6. In the older group prizes were awarded to James Hesnan, Edward Beard and Leslie Ballou, and in the younger group to Kitty Brinckerhoff, Lisa Palson and Pamela Knight.
The new story hour presided over by Mrs. John Kendall was very popular and will be repeated this year, starting on Monday, January 4th and continuing on succeeding Mondays from 3:30-4:30 P.M.
While space does not permit the mention of but a few of the library's acquisitions of the year, the largest and most important of
22
these were a new set of Encyclopedia Britannica; Who's Who; La- Rousse's two Encyclopedias the one of Mythology, the second Astron- omy; and three new Atlases, De Callatay's Atlas of the Sky, Hammond's Illustrated Atlas for Young America and Hammond's new Standard World Atlas. Also noteworthy, in addition to a large percentage of the year's popular fiction and non-fiction as recorded in the best seller lists were books on current events in world history, such as "Egypt in Transition", Algeria in Turmoil", "The Silent War in Tibet" and others of that nature. There were also two new additions to The Modern World History being published by the University of Michigan Press; entitled respectively "France" and "The United States" in two volumes "The United States to 1865" and "The United States Since 1865". Out- standing books also were "The American Heritage Book of the Pioneer Spirit" and "The Atlantic Book of British and American Poetry by Dame Edith Sitwell. In the drama section in which we were weak last year, some volumes of Modern Plays have been added, also a book of "The World's Great Plays", two volumes of selected plays by George Bernard Shaw and "The Complete Greek Tragedies" in four volumes.
Juvenile additions include a number of new readers, also science series books, including the new M.I.T. science series now being pub- lished. This type of book is much in demand by Junior and Senior High school students. For fiction, a number of the new "career" books so popular with the teen-age group were purchased. These together with Landmark Books which arrive monthly from Young Readers of America, a branch of Book of the Month Club keep all age groups quite well supplied with reading matter. We have also recently taken out membership in a new reading program, The American Heritage Junior Library, whose books, comparable to the Landmark books would seem to be a valuable addition.
There were no new projects this year except for continuing co- operation with the schools, including this year Junior High.
The main room of the library has been improved by new draperies and new shades for the table lamps, increasing the lighting capacity somewhat.
The resignation, in December of one of the Library Trustees, Mr. C. Munroe Clark, was accepted with regret, Mr. Clark no longer being a resident of Medfield. Mr. Clark has served on the Board of Trustees for a long time, for a while as its chairman.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Luke, Jr. continue their annual contri- bution to the library in memory of their parents; this year "The Charles" one of the Rivers of America series and "Collision Course", the story of the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm, The Hannah Adams Club presented to the library "A Layman's Guide to Modern Art" in tribute to retiring Acting President Virginia McQuillan 1957-1958.
23
The Medfield Garden Club voted during the year a contribution of $20.00 toward the purchase of garden books for the library.
Our grateful appreciation goes to all who have served the library during 1959 by gifts of books, flowers or personal service, with special thanks to The Medfield Garden Club for its continuous monthly flower arrangements for the desk during the winter and spring months, and to the 4H group of boys and girls who this Christmas decorated the little trees on the front of the library as a civic project.
Respectfully submitted,
ETHEL G. HERSEY, Librarian JANE CHEEVER, Secretary of the Board
Board of Trustees
Charles F. Woodard, Chairman
C. Munroe Clark Burgess P. Stanley
Jane Cheever, Secretary Anne C. Donlan Hope Day
Library Staff
Ethel G. Hersey, Librarian Alice S. Ripley, Assistant Librarian Frances Copithorne, Children's Librarian Edwin C. Flaherty, 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
Summer Hours
Main Room 5-8:30 P.M. Children's Room 3-5:30 P.M. Monday through Friday
24
DEPARTMENT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
I hereby submit the annual report of the Department of Weights and Measures for the year 1959.
Sealed
SCALES
1
Over 10,000 100 to 5,000 Under 100
8
20
WEIGHTS
Avoirdupois
32
Apothecary
22
CAPACITY MEASURES
Liquid one gallon or less
4
AUTOMATIC MEASURES
Gasoline
14
Grease
7
LINEAR MEASURES
Yardsticks
4
Total
112
TRIAL WEIGHINGS OF COMMODITIES
Tested
Correct
Potatoes
20
20
Meat
60
60
Dry Foods
25
25
Bread
42
42
Pastry
25
25
Fruit
60
60
Total
232
232
EXPENSES
Salary
$125.00
Transportation
19.45
Supplies
10.55
Bond
10.00
Total
$165.00
25
RECEIPTS
Sealing Fees
$50.20
Use of Equipment, Supplies and Bond
10.00
Total
$60.20
Respectfully submitted,
J. FRED WHITTIER,
Sealer of Weights and Measures
REPORT OF WIRE INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is our report for the year ending December 31, 1959. Total permits issued 187
Total Inspections made 187
Total cash received $696.00
This year we issued the largest number of permits issued in any one year.
At this time, we would like to thank, Marie Burke, Gwen Suereth, and the other Inspectors, for their help and cooperation, during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH F. ERSKINE, JR. Wire Inspector
JOHN GOUCHER, Assistant Wire Inspector
26
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
During the year of 1959 there were fires, classified as follows:
Building
7
Mutual Aid
2
Grass
19
Woods
27
Dump
2
Chimney
Accident
1
Automobiles
6
Automobiles Accident
4
Drowning
2
Electrical
2
Miscellaneous
4
Oil Burners
3
There were 246 inspections made, as follows:
Oil Burners
215
Blasting
16
Rest Homes
6
Gasolene Installation
2
Churches
2
Miscellaneous
5
During the summer the New England Fire Insurance Rating Asso- ciation made a survey of the Town for fire insurance classification. This survey includes the Fire Department, Police Department, Water De- partment and Building Department. At this time the report of the survey has not been received from the Association, but a report was received on the two (2) pumping engines. Engine I, a 1929 Seagrave, did not pass the capacity test, and being over 20 years old would not be recognized in the insurance rating. Engine II, a 1941 Woods Ford, was seven (7) gallons per minute under capacity test, and did not pass.
I was able with the balance of the appropriation to purchase hose and other needed equipment. My recommendations for 1960 are as follows:
1. A Fire and Police Station.
2. A Pumping engine.
27
3. An ordinance on future buildings used or converted for use as Nursing, convalescent and old age homes as incorporated in ordinances dated October, 1957 of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
4. I, also, feel with the increased building and added population that the appointment of a permanent Fire Chief is necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR W. ALLEN, Fire Chief
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the report of the Cemetery Department for the year ending December 31, 1959.
Due to the ever increasing need for lots the new development program in Section F has been accelerated and will have to be com- pleted in 1960. The rapid growth of grass caused by an unusually wet Spring and Summer and the new development has made it necessary to limit to a minimum our work on the 27 acres of developed land. The available funds were insufficient in view of these unforeseen elements.
The care of the ever increasing number of new lots and shrubbery, as well as the new development, will necessitate the purchase of two new power mowers plus additional labor; during the year 1960.
To keep up with the demands of our growing community, I am requesting that the sum of $7,500.00 be raised and appropriated for the ensuing year.
At this time I wish to thank Marie Burke and Gwendolyn Suereth and the Town Departments for their assistance and cooperation. I especially want to thank the Police Department who have been on constant patrol of the cemetery since a series of very costly acts of vandalism have occurred.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER F. REYNOLDS, JR., Superintendent
28
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS ON ZONING, SUBDIVISION CONTROL AND BUILDING BY-LAW
January 9, 1960
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Appeals respectfully submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1959.
The Board organized as follows: Herbert B. Burr, Chairman; Paul E. Nyren, Clerk; George A. Smith, Member and Ellen P. Crowell, Associate Member.
During the year the board heard and decided upon 13 appeals, classified as follows: lot size variance, 3; lot line clearance variance, 3; non-conforming business variance, 1; cesspool use variance, 1; permit for garage, 1; permit for nursery, 1; permit for sign, 1; permit for single to multi-family unit dwelling, 1.
In every instance except one, the board found sufficient evidence to warrant approval of the appeal in order to grant desirable relief to the petitioner.
In some instances it was deemed necessary to stipulate modifica- tions or restrictions to the petitioners requests to eliminate the possible growth of detrimental conditions, and for the general public welfare.
The number of petitions heard has increased during 1959. A con- tinuing increase is anticipated in 1960, because of the additional res- ponsibilities assigned to the Board of Appeals in recent amendments to the zoning by-law (sections II 8i and II 8j) and because of the increas- ing number of property owners in town.
The grateful appreciation of the Board of Appeals is directed to the Board of Selectmen, Park and Planning Board, Board of Assessors, Town Counsel, Town Accountant, Building Inspector, Marie Burke and the Town Clerk for their cooperation and assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT B. BURR, Chairman PAUL E. NYREN GEORGE A. SMITH
29
REPORT OF INDUSTRIAL AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
There has been very little activity in this department during the past year.
A great many contacts with people in regard to locating their industrial activities here were made with very little accomplished.
There has been construction of eighty (80) dwellings started and completed and thirty (30) which were started in 1958 which were completed in 1959.
The market known as the Super-Duper located on Main Street, completed and now in operation.
The future looks bright for further activities.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY E. CONWAY, Chairman
WALTER E. ANDERSON
ROBERT EBURNE
ROGER E. HARDY
ROSSITTER HOLT
ARTHUR L. LEWIS
PAUL E. SEELEY
WILLIAM F. SPANG
JAMES N. WHITE
DONALD BAKER
GORDON YARLOTT
Industrial and Development Commission
30
REPORT OF VETERANS' AGENT
January 12, 1960
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the Veterans Benefits and Services for the year 1959.
Veterans' Benefits:
Applicants for Veterans Benefits
25
Benefits granted 14
Veterans Services Assistance:
Hospitalization
10
Compensation
8
Pensions
14
Educational
12
Insurance
10
Medical
12
On the Job Training
8
Civil Service
5
Miscellaneous
15
Veterans Expenditures for the year:
Emergency Relief 300
Veterans Benefits
2800
The year 1959 presented the Department with an increase of 12 Applicants for Benefits over the year 1958. Following State regulations and complying with their Authorizations on specific applications, the Department satisfied the requirements of the State for Benefits assist- ance to the fullest extent. Due to the increased Medical costs and changes to the established budget and with the greater number of eligi- ble applicants our expenditures increased greatly over our 1958 budget.
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
31
REPORT OF THE WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The number of water takers increased by better than 12% in 1959 and we anticipate a 15% increase in 1960. Our estimate for the Water Department follows:
1958 Actual
1959 Actual
1960 Estimate 150
New Services-Complete
55
113
New Services-Incomplete
11
Thousand Gals. Water Pumped
87,725
99,604
105,000
Thousand Gals. Water Sold
61,429
74,788
84,000
Revenue
Water Sold
$29,434
$34,365
$38,000
Service Materials and Labor
3,577
10,065
13,500
$33,011
$44,430
$51,500
Departmental Expenses
Water Pumped
$ 3,550
$ 4,324
$ 5,050
Distribution System Expense
10,890
16,753
14,450
New Service and Meters
4,560
9,656
16,500
$19,000
$30,733
$36,000
Debt Service
Evans Pumping Station
5,998
5,902
5,808
Second Well and Pump
0
448
4,832
Water Main Extensions
4,605
4,515
3,143
$29,603
$41,598
$49,783
As noted, our request is for an appropriation of $36,000 which includes costs for service materials and labor for which we estimate a reimbursement of $9,500.
The installation of the second deep well pump is proceeding and will be completed before the peak load of summer.
The load on the sewer beds grows as the school population in- creases, and the need for additional capacity made itself felt in 1959. We ask for an appropriation of $3,050 for the Sewer Department for 1960, which includes the sum of $200 for the purpose of enlarging two existing beds. More substantial steps to increase the sewerage disposal
32
capacity must be made in the immediate future, and we will present plans to that end as soon as possible.
Included in the warrant is an article for connecting the new Junior- Senior High School to the public sewer system; this project is a neces- sity. Also included is an article for an extension of the sewer system to the vicinity of North and Pine Streets at the request of the residents of this area.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN D. WILLIAMS HARRY R. LEIGHTON MYRON H. SMITH
Water and Sewerage Board
JURY LIST - 1960
Adams, Dwight E .- 20 Oak Street Aronson, James O .- Nebo Street Baker, Ralph A .- 39 Frairy Street Bangs, Beatrice-166 South Street Bangs, Gerald W .- 166 South Street Beard, Raymond-7 Pine Street Bosselman, Clifford W .- 59 Pleasant Street Boyce, Clarence M .- 125 South Street Carlson, Norman H .- 38 Vinald Road Caswell, William-Cross Street Clarke, Warren G .- Robert Sproul Road Codding, Catherine F .- 48 South St. Conrick, William L .- 29 South Street Coulter, Robert L .- Winter Street Cox, Charles F .- 125 North Street Deering, Clyde O., Jr .- 428 Main Street Dewar, Everett K .- 19 Spring Street
Insurance United Airlines Maintenance Foreman Housewife (Clerk) Clerk Barber
Foreman Retired Builder
Landscape and Construction
Tabulating Supervisor
Housewife (Machine Operator) Supervisor Foreman
Checker
Electrician
Manager
33
Dornig, Ruth F .- 44 Spring Street Ehnes, Philip G .- 64 North Street Fraser, John A .- Hillcrest Road Goes, Manuel, Jr .- Hospital Road Gronberg, Evelyn-Pine Street Hagman, Theresa L .- Philip Street Haigh, Charles W .- Hospital Road Hamilton, Harvey M .- 8 Upham Road Handy, Merritt F., Jr .- 37 Janes Avenue Hobbs, Arthur W .- 34 South Street Hull, Charles W .- 90 North Street Kenny, Charles-Main Street Kingsbury, Carlton W .- 171 South Street Lanseigne, Raymond-178 South Street Lougee, Kenneth E .- 144 North Street McGlynn, Charles C .- 5 Remsen Avenue Morse, Herbert H .- 21 Miller Street Munson, Hildegarde I .- 16 Pleasant Street O'Keefe, John J .- South Street Palumbo, Vincent A .- West Street Poli, Mary-35 Frairy Street Ricker, Henry L .- 52 Adams Street Robinson, Warren L .- 4 Remsen Avenue Rossi, Orlando-45 Frairy Street Sabbag, Walter-583 Main Street Sloan, Thomas H., Jr .- 16 Dale Street Suereth, Theodore G .- 7 Spring Street Toney, Leonard L .- 2 Philip Street Weiker, Raymond C .- 52 Green Street
Housewife (Book Binder) Fireman Advertising Manager Truck Driver Housewife (Saleswoman) Housewife (Waiter) Insurance Supervisor Civil Engineer Mail Order Clerk Woodworker
Accountant Real Estate Retired
Retired
Retired Registry of Motor Vehicles Laundry Worker
At Home City Manager Proprietor
Housewife (Retired) Treasurer Interior Decorator Restaurant Owner
Carpenter Foreman Order Correspondent
Retired
Field Manager Retired
34
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The report of the Street Department for the year 1959 is submitted as follows:
Plans were made in the Spring with the Department of Public Works for the Chapter 81 Program for the year. With the Chapter 81 and Highway funds the routine patching, gravelling, surfacing and other annual repair and maintenance was accomplished.
Guard posts which were salvaged several years ago from the ap- proaches to the Main Street Bridge were installed on Spring Street near Kingsbury's Pond, Hilltop Circle and West Street.
Since many of the ancient streets of the Town are so narrow and crooked, reflectors and warning signs have been placed to provide greater safety.
Before the completion of High Street between the Walpole line and Granite Street, it was anticipated that a new danger would come into existence along the old section between Granite Street and South Street. An additional "Road Narrows" sign was installed as well as reflectors, and white lines were painted by the Town inasmuch as the State had no funds available for this purpose this year.
Repainting of white lines on South, North and Farm Streets was eliminated this year due to lack of funds. If it is desired to paint the lines on such heavily traveled and dangerous streets additional funds must be provided.
Several sections of gravelled roads which are treated annually with calcium were penetrated and sealed with asphalt.
The surfacing of these short sections will eliminate the yearly cost of applying calcium and will provide dust relief to the abutting owners. As the Street Improvement Program progresses the use and expense of calcium will decrease.
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE: This account is so named because under the authority of Chapter 90 of the General Laws the Legislature annually appropriates a sum of money which is allocated to the cities and towns provided the cities and towns provide a proportion. The respective counties also participate. To qualify for the application of funds for maintenance under this account the street must have been originally constructed with State and County aid. For the past two years the total yearly amounts of $3,000 have been applied to Main Street between Pound Street and the Dover town line to remove the depressions in the quarter point of the road.
35
Although route 109 was constructed over twenty five years ago it has cost very little to maintain. However, due to increased heavy traffic and age, sags have developed which are being removed by the application of hot top. In addition to making the street safer it con- tributes to cleaner plowing of snow.
By restoring the shape of the street which is a necessity it allows several future courses of action which would require the re-shaping as a prerequisite to the application of a new surface.
The request from the State and County for Chapter 90 maintenance funds for 1960 has been increased from $1,000 each to $1,500 each which means an increase of $500 in the Town's appropriation. The total amount of Chapter 90 maintenance if the request is approved by the State will be $4,500.
NEW STREET INSPECTION: Under the "Rules and Regulations Governing the Sub-Division of Land" revised in 1955, three new streets have been constructed and accepted as public ways. Under the older regulations, five short streets were constructed and accepted. Until the past year the construction was so spread that inspecting them was no problem to the Street Department. In 1959, nine streets were started. Some have been completed and the remainder are in various stages of completion. Early in the year the problem of inspection became ob- vious. As a result of construction activity over a thousand dollars in time was spent to assure that new streets which would ultimately be owned by the Town would be constructed properly. Since no inclusion for this activity was included in the 1959 budget it was necessary to cut back on other work. In addition to the unfinished streets, new ones will be started in 1960. Therefore, an increase of $1,000 will be included in the 1960 General Highway account for the purpose of inspection.
STREET IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT: In 1959 a program was established to improve and surface the 11.72 miles of gravelled roads which constitutes 25% of the Town's road mileage. The Town Clerk's records indicate that the Town was spending in the 1920's the equiva- lent to $10,000 per year for surfacing the gravelled roads. It is also evident that during the depression year, probably because of the lack of funds and during the war years, probably because of the unavailabil- ity of materials surfacing of gravelled roads was discontinued.
The existing plan provides for surfacing the streets that are subject to the most traffic and are consequently the most expensive to maintain.
In 1959, Grove Street was surfaced from Dale Street to the Public Dump a distance of 1700 feet. Two culverts were installed under the street to provide for the flow of surface water.
The travelled way was placed in the center of the layout and the surface was made a standard twenty-four feet which will make it
36
easier and cheaper to maintain. The proper construction of the shoulders will eliminate the cutting of roadside brush.
Two hundred feet of drainage through an easement on the westerly side of Bridge Street was installed and two catch basins were built at the intersection of Dale and Bridge Streets.
It is planned in 1960 to complete Grove Street from the Public Dump to West Street and Dale Street between Bridge Street and Grove Street.
SPRING STREET DRAINAGE: In 1956 a potential and serious problem of drainage in the vicinity of the Chevron Gas Station on Spring Street was brought to the attention of the voters. Although the principal sum requested for the installation of about 1000 feet of pipe was dismissed, it was realized that an extremely dangerous condition would arise whenever the abutting owner filled his land. As a result $775 was appropriated to temporarily relieve the emergency when it arose. During the past summer the adjoining land was filled and the condition came into being. A temporary measure has relieved the danger due to deep ponding of water in the street.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.