USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1960-1966 > Part 13
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To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Residents of Medfield:
The Board of Appeals respectfully submits this report for the year ending December 31, 1961.
The Board was organized as follows: Herbert B. Burr, Chairman; Francis H. Kingsbury, Clerk; George A. Smith, Member; and Pauline M. Goucher, Associate Member.
The Board of Appeals held 12 hearings during the year, the appeals for which included the following subjects:
2 Variances for lot width.
3 Variances for distance from side line.
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3 Special Exceptions from the frontage requirements of 80% of lot width.
1 Special Exception for erection of greenhouse and potting house.
2 Special Permits for home occupation-beauty parlors.
2 Special Permits for alteration of building to increase the number of dwelling units.
1 Variance for extension of business use into a "B" Residence District.
Note: In this instance the abutters, as permitted by law, have petitioned the Superior Court in Equity for injunction and annulment of the decision of the Board of Appeals. The case has not yet come to trial.
Several of the decisions of the Board contain special requirements to make certain that such decisions, while preventing the creation of hardship to the petitioner, would not nullify or substantially derogate from the intent or purpose of the Zoning By-Law.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT B. BURR FRANCIS H. KINGSBURY GEORGE A. SMITH
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
January 4, 1962
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the report of the Police Department of the Town of Medfield for the year ending December 31, 1961.
ACCIDENTS REPORTED 103
FATAL ACCIDENTS 1
ACCOSTING 5
ANIMALS
19
Strayed or Lost
129
Found 115
Nuisances
52
Injured or Struck by Cars
41
17
Killed by Police Persons Bitten
25
AMBULANCE TRIPS
86
ARRESTS
29
ASSAULTS
8
ASSISTANCE
Other Departments
195
Stranded Persons and Motorists
264
AUTOMOBILE VIOLATIONS
128
Moved Off Highway
43
Illegal Parking
67
BICYCLES REGISTERED (New) 190
BREAKING AND ENTERING
18
BURGLAR ALARMS
ANSWERED AND TESTED
8
CIVIL MATTERS
23
COURT ATTENDANCE
67
DISTURBANCES
54
CLOSED HOMES
241
DRUNKS 10
DOORS AND WINDOWS FOUND OPEN
100
EMERGENCY CALLS
58
FAMILY TROUBLE 35
FIRES COVERED BY POLICE 70
FIRST AID BY POLICE
30
FUNERAL TRAFFIC COVERED 36
INVESTIGATIONS
Ours
526
Other Departments 113
LARCENIES 29
20
MALICIOUS INJURY TO PROPERTY 37
MALICIOUS MISCHIEF 29
MISSING PATIENTS FROM STATE HOSPITALS Picked up by Police
115
29
MISSING PERSONS
18
Found by Police
9
MESSAGES RECEIVED
202
Delivered 148
PERSONAL PROPERTY LOST
61
Turned into Police
74
PERSONS INJURED
41
PERMITS ISSUED
Firearms
44
Sunday Emergency
8
PRISON BREAKS COVERED
2
REPORTS OF PROWLERS
16
SPEEDING COMPLAINTS
13
STONE OR GLASS ON HIGHWAY
17
STREET DEFECTS REPORTED BY POLICE 13
SUMMONS SERVED
92
STREET LIGHTS REPORTED OUT 108
SUSPICIOUS LIGHTS, CARS, etc., INVESTIGATED 182
VIOLATIONS OF PERMITS
OR OTHER LAWS
8
MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSFERS
Regular
45
Class 1
23
Class 2
23
WIRES REPORTED DOWN
15
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
1
MISCELLANEOUS 584
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During 1961 the Medfield Police Department tied into the Massa- chusetts State Police Teletype System. Information received and ease of communication by this medium has been of great assistance in the work of the police department.
We were fortunate to have the loan of a radar timer for a week and believe this piece of equipment would facilitate our work when and if it is admissable as evidence in our Courts.
Patrolman E. Nina Iafolla successfully completed the four week course at the training school for Police Officers at the Massachusetts State Police Academy in Framingham. He was the second Medfield Officer to attend and it is planned to send one Officer a year until all have attended.
Due to increase in the development of the Town, both business and residential, the increase in the amount of motor vehicle traffic, the increase in the number of records and reports kept by the Department (partly due to the Federal Bureau of Investigation classification of our department as an Urban Department), and to the fact that the Fire Department by law must be off the Police Radio Band and on their own in 1963 I again urge that an additional officer be added to each shift so that eventually we may adequately handle the Fire and Police Communications and the Fire Alarm System.
AUXILIARY POLICE
During 1961 Officer E. Nina Iafolla and his Auxiliary Police Unit attended an eight week course in Police Procedures held in Franklin, Mass. The Unit raised their own funds to purchase their uniforms and may now be outwardly identified as an organized unit. They assisted regular police over the long holiday weekends on traffic duty, and over the 4th of July and Hallowe'en helped keep vandalism to a minimum. It is hoped that in the ensuing year they will receive some cooperation from the citizens.
On behalf of the police officers, I wish to thank the State and Local Officials, Town of Medfield Department Heads, and the Citizens of the Town, for the cooperation and assistance extended to me and the Police Department during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLAN A. KINGSBURY,
Chief of Police
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REPORT OF THE NORFOLK COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
January 2, 1962
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, 1961.
Aerial Spraying
2,200 Acres
Ground Spraying
961 Acres
Pre-hatch Dusting
71/2 Acres
Drainage
7,255 Feet
Brush Clearing
3,000 Feet
Culverts Cleaned
5 Culverts
Catch Basins Treated
240 Catch Basins
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN C. KUSCHKE,
Superintendent
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
January 8, 1962
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Medfield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The following is my annual report for the Year ending December 31, 1961.
I have issued a total of 186 building permits as listed below and 120 for cesspools and septics.
During the year I made a total of 784 inspections on buildings and 134 on cesspools and septics. Acting Inspector made 32 inspections.
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New Homes Additions to Homes Alterations and Repairs Fall-out Shelters
103
14 51
3
Green Houses
1
Additions to Nursing Homes
1
Storage Buildings
2
Garages
3
Store Blocks
1
Ice Cream Stands
1
Factory Additions
2
Car Ports
1
Swimming Pools
1
Demolitions
2
Total income from building permits
$ 1,935.00
Total income from cesspool and septic tanks
600.00
Construction cost on new homes
1,527,500.00
Construction cost on other permits
176,510.00
Total on all building permits
$1,704,010.00
The local and outside builders have been very cooperative and at this time I wish to thank them for same. I also wish to thank the Town Officials, Marie Burke, Park and Planning Board, William McCarthy and other Inspectors for their help.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLISON T. CARR,
Building Inspector
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, 1961.
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Number of Permits Issued 122 Number of Inspections by Plumbing Inspector 161
Number of Inspections by Acting Plumbing Inspector 17 $985.00
Permit Fees
I wish to thank the Town Officials, Marie Burke, Gwendolen Suereth, and the other Inspectors for their help and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
J. ROGER PETRIE,
Plumbing Inspector
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen respectfully submit to the citizens of the Town their report for the year 1961.
On March 6, 1961 the Board was organized with Austin C. Buchanan, Chairman; Joseph A. Roberts, Clerk; and Joseph L. Mar- cionette, Third Member.
During the year the Board attended several meetings held in Westwood in regards to a proposed relocation of Route 109. These meetings were held with representatives from all Towns effected by this proposal. As this type of a proposal takes time and study, the results will be slow in developing.
Several meetings were held with the Officials of the Town of Sher- born at Death Bridge, Route 27. State Representative Thomas M. White of Norfolk District and Representative Colona of Middlesex District joined us at the Bridge and were made aware of the necessity of such a proposal. This project is presently on the first priority list in the Department of Public Works and early reconstruction and relocation of this bridge will depend on favorable budget requests by the Legis- lature.
25
Final hearings with the County Commissioners were held on the widening and relocation of Harding and Philip Streets.
The Board is investigating a proposed Master Plan for Medfield. This Plan is to incorporate the Town's needs in the growth and devel- opment of various departments. Fire, Police and School Departments, growth and requirements of Sewer and Water istallations, drainage and use of available lands. In general a guide for the growth and development for the future.
The Board is extremely aware of the need for Off Street Parking in the center of Town and feel that a committee should be appointed to study this problem again and report at the next Town Meeting for action.
We again bring to the attention of the Voters the need of replacing the guard rails at the Curve Street Rail Road overpass and feel that this should be accomplished this year.
The Board attended several seminars held at Concord and New Bedford sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Bureau of Government Research.
We again wish to express our appreciation and gratitude to all those who have contributed so generously of their time and expense to the general welfare of the Town of Medfield.
Respectfully submitted,
AUSTIN C. BUCHANAN JOSEPH A. ROBERTS JOSEPH L. MARCIONETTE
Board of Selectmen
26
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, 1961.
The Board has issued licenses to dealers selling, buying or trans- porting Methyl Alcohol or Wood Alcohol, so-called, or any prepara- tion other than Shellac or Varnish; the manufacturing of Ice Cream; and a license to Funeral Directors for the establishment and maintain- ing 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.
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.
There has been one patient at the Norfolk County Sanitorium this year.
Number of Communicable diseases reported to the Board of Health:
Chicken-pox
70
Measles
29
Dog Bite
9
Mumps
8
Scarlet Fever
2
Infectious Hepatitis
2
Meningitis
1
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 how- ever, that in cases where a physician has been called in, the physician's notification will be accepted in place of the householder.
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During the year several complaints were taken care of by the Board.
Meetings of the Board were called when necessary and appoint- ments for the agents of the Board were made at that time.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARANCE BOYCE, Chairman MADELEINE HARDING ALLISON T. CARR
Board of Health
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
December 31, 1961
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1961.
The dogs that were reported to have bitten persons were checked.
In the annual inspection there were 158 cattle, 64 horses, 73 sheep and 13 swine.
The animals showed no signs of contagious diseases and the premises were found in a satisfactory condition.
Respectfully submitted,
CARLTON S. CHENEY,
Inspector of Animals
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REPORT OF GASFITTING INSPECTOR
January 8, 1962
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Gasfitting Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1961.
The first permit was issued August 14, 1961.
Number of certificates of competency issued 1
Number of permits issued 18
Number of inspections by Gasfitting Inspector 15
Number of inspections by Acting Gasfitting Inspector 4
Total cash received $110.50
I wish to thank the Town Officials, Marie Burke, and the other inspectors for their help and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER R. NYE,
Gasfitting Inspector
DEPARTMENT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
I hereby submit the annual report of the Department of Weights and Measures for the year 1961.
SCALES
Adj.
Seal
NS
Over 10,000
1
1 9
100 to 5,000 Under 100
25 2
29
WEIGHTS Avoirdupois Apothecary
67
19
CAPACITY MEASURES Liquid 1 gal. or less
4
AUTOMATIC MEASURES
Gas Pumps Grease Pumps Yard Sticks
16
1
8
4
-
Total
1
153
3
TRIAL WEIGHINGS OF COMMODITIES
75
Expenses
Salary
$125.00
Transportation
20.00
Supplies
6.81
Bond
10.00
Total
$161.81
Receipts
Sealing and Adjusting
$60.90
Share of Bond and use of Equipment
7.50
Total
$68.40
Respectfully submitted,
J. FRED WHITTIER,
Sealer
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REPORT OF WIRE INSPECTOR
January 9, 1962
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :ยท
The following is our report for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Total permits issued 121
Total inspections made 121 Total cash received $653.50
There has not been any major infractions of the rules, and there has been an improvement in the quality of work inspected. There has been a few minor infractions of the rules, and in these instances, the contractor was duly notified, and the corrections were made to the satisfaction of the office.
We would like to thank, Marie Burke, Gwen Suereth, the Plumb- ing and Building Inspectors, and the other Town Departments for their help, and cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH F. ERSKINE, JR.,
Wire Inspector
JOHN GOUCHER,
Assistant Wire Inspector
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REPORT OF VETERANS' AGENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the Veterans Benefits and Services for the year 1961:
VETERANS BENEFITS:
Applicants for Veterans Benefits
16
Benefits granted
8
Military Settlement other Communities
4
VETERANS SERVICES ASSISTANCE:
Hospitalization
18
Pensions
12
Compensation
8
Medical
15
Insurance
7
Civil Service
3
Educational
8
On the Job Training
4
Miscellaneous
15
In order to qualify for Veteran Benefits assistance, a veteran or his dependent makes out proper application and a complete investiga- tion is conducted to establish need and assistance.
There are three classes of financial assistance for which the Veteran may apply.
Ordinary Benefits-Which include the necessities of life such as food, shelter and clothing.
Fuel Allowance-Which varies according to size of dwelling.
Medical Bills-Which include surgical expenses and hospital medi- cal care at rates established by Director of Veterans Services.
This agent wishes to encourage any Veteran or their dependents to contact this office for counsel on their Claim or Benefit assistance.
I wish to thank the town officials and Marie Burke for their co- operation and assistance the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP J. BURR,
Veterans Agent
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION - 1961
To the Selectmen:
During 1961 the Recreation Commission and the newly formed Park Commission were combined by a vote of the Town. This combi- nation was accomplished by the fact that the members of the Recre- ation Commission, who had previously been appointed by the Moder- ator, ran in the annual election as Park Commissioners, and were duly elected by the voters. The new Park Commission carried on the work which its members had planned in 1960, namely the construction of a swimming facility and accompanying recreation area. At the same time, it took over the duties regarding the care of the Town Parks, formerly handled by the Park and Planning Board, which during 1961 divested itself of such duties and became simply the Planning Board.
Work on the Town Parks and Bakers Pond was done under the direction of Mr. Everett A. Wills, who was appointed by the Commis- sion to be its Inspector of Parks.
The Spade & Hoe Garden Club provided geranium plants for Baxter Park prior to the Memorial Day ceremonies.
Some work was done on the Tennis Court, but further improve- ments will be needed in 1962, as it is apparent that dampness has found its way beneath the surface of the Court, causing the cracks which had been very carefully repaired, to reopen.
Work on the Swimming Pond began early in 1961, immediately following the Town Meeting. The actual digging was accomplished during July and the early days of August, under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. During the Fall, additional work was done to develop a parking area for 100 cars, and to grade the land immediately surrounding the pond itself, preparatory to seeding early in 1962. A drain was placed at one end of the pond, and it became evident prior to the freezing weather that more than a sufficient flow of water was present for the purpose for which the pond was designed.
The Commission was assisted in the creation of the pond by many of the volunteer and service organizations in Town, including the American Legion, the V.F.W., the Lions Club and both troops of Boy Scouts. Help was also received from the employees of the various departments of the town government, working in their spare time. During the Fall the Lions Club donated pine trees to surround the area, and sufficient labor for their planting.
For 1962 it has been planned to bring in sand for the proposed beach during the winter months, in order that it might be distributed
33
on the slopes and on the ice, and sink evenly to the bottom in the warmer weather. The Commission plans to build a bath house and toilet facilities during the Spring, as well as docks projecting out into the water to create controlled swimming areas.
The Commission has worked closely with the American Red Cross under whose guidance the life-guard and swimming instruction pro- gram will be organized when the pond opens in 1962. A special in- tensive course of study and instruction was given by the Red Cross at the Vincent Palumbo pool and later at the Ross Holt pool, and it is the hope that all of the young people in Medfield who applied for this work will be able to qualify next Spring.
In 1961 the Commission was instrumental in enabling the forma- tion of four new projects toward the advancement of recreation in Medfield:
1. Tennis Lessons.
2. The Medfield Baton Twirling and Drill Team for Girls.
3. Volleyball Play.
4. Committee for the Proper Pursuit of Hunting.
The Commission has met regularly at the Town Hall throughout the year on the second Thursday of each month. Townspeople are reminded that the meetings are open to the public, and that anyone interested in this work will be welcomed.
A vote of thanks belongs to all who have helped the Commission in its efforts during 1961.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER FRANK, Chairman
VINCENT PALUMBO, Secretary
HOWARD V. CHRISTIAN Members-at-Large
JOSEPH H. DONAHUE, Representing the School Committee
EVERETT A. WILLS, Representing the Planning Board
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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, 1961.
Statistics
Circulation: Adult, 16,803; Juvenile, 12,858; Total, 29,661.
New Applicants, 431.
Book Acquisitions: Adult, 535; Juvenile, 404; Total, 939.
107 of the total acquisitions were donations: Donors include Miss Anne Donlan, Mrs. Henry Young, Mrs. Henry Byng, Mr. Dana B. Jefferson, Mr. Burgess P. Stanley, Miss Dorothy Gardner, Mrs. Sybil Ashe, Mr. Charles Woodard, Mrs. Waldo Fitts, Roberta Gerold, Mrs. John Roskilly, Mrs. Joseph Marcionette, Mrs. William Reggio, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Mccarty, Mr. and Mrs. George Kimpton, St. Edwards' Holy Name Society, Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Joel E. Goldthwait (for the Dr. Goldthwait Estate). Included in the donations also are bonus or divi- dend books from the various book clubs of which the library is a member, and a few individual publishers.
36 books were borrowed during the year for our patrons from Massachusetts Division of Library Extension.
Outstanding acquisitions by the library in 1961 include a new set of Encyclopedia Americana, The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War, 2 new LaRousse Encyclopedias, one of The Earth, the other Geography-Europe. We also have a large percentage, both fiction and non-fiction, of books on the best seller lists, gathered from all over the United States, especially those which have remained on the lists over a period of many weeks. Most in demand among these were "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich", "To Kill a Mockingbird", "Hawaii", "Advise and Consent", "The Incredible Journey", "The Agony and the Ecstasy", "The Edge of Sadness", "The Winter of Our Discontent" and "The Making of the President".
An unusually large number of books were added to the children's collection this year, as well as several books on essays, drama and history, in cooperation with teachers of those subjects in the High Schools.
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Activities
In the Spring of 1961, National Library Week was observed by an exhibition of paintings by a group of local artists, which attracted much favorable attention and brought many people to the Library. .
In September, the Medfield Garden Club held a delightful and well attended Flower Show in the Library.
The League of Women Voters featured a display appropriate to United Nations Week on one of the library tables.
The Children's story hour continued over into the spring of 1961 and will be continued again this year about mid-January.
In July and August the children from grades 1 through 6 enjoyed their usual summer reading program.
We missed our Girl Scout helpers this year, the majority of whom volunteered for work at the new High School Library and the State Hospital Library. One girl, Linda Walker, remained with us through- out the year and is still with us, for which we are most grateful.
Additions and Repairs
A new sign has recently been erected on the grounds for informa- tion purposes regarding the library, and late in the Fall, extensive repairs were made to the roof and other parts of the exterior of the building.
We wish to extend our appreciation to all who have contributed to the Library during the year, by gifts of books, flowers or personal service; to our substitutes, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Duncan; and to the members of the 4-H group who again arranged the Christ- mas lighting on the exterior of the library, as they have done for the past two or three years.
Respectfully submitted,
ETHEL G. HERSEY, Librarian
EDITH C. HOWLETT,
Secretary of the Board of Trustees
36
Board of Trustees
Burgess P. Stanley, Chairman
Charles F. Woodard
Anne C. Donlan
Edith C. Howlett, Secretary
Jane Cheever
Laura H. Smith
Library Staff
Ethel G. Hersey, Librarian Alice S. Ripley, Assistant Librarian Frances F. Copithorne, Children's Librarian Edwin C. Flaherty, Custodian
Library Hours
Main Room 2-8:30 P.M. Children's Room 2:15-5:15 P.M.
Both daily except Sundays and Legal Holidays
Summer Hours-July-August
Same as above except Saturdays
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
In February, the entire Fire Department was saddened by the death of Edgar W. Allen who was appointed a member in 1921 and who served as Chief of the Department from 1952 until the time of his death. His memory will always be cherished by those who served with him.
In this report, my first as Chief of your Fire Department, I wish to thank the townspeople for our new Fire Station which we have
37
In Memoriam
EDGAR W. ALLEN
Chief of Fire Department Board of Assessors
occupied since May 1961 and for the new 750 gallon Seagrave Pumper which went into service in October 1961. We now have excellent quarters and five pieces of apparatus in good condition. However, I strongly recommend the purchase of a suitable ladder truck very soon.
The Assembly Room at the Station is being used as a meeting place for two organizations, the Auxiliary Police and a Brownie troop.
Arrangements are being made for a 20-hour course in all phases of Fire Fighting under the direction of a captain in the Boston Fire Department.
During the year department personnel visit the schools and de- liver fire safety talks in the belief that children who understand fire hazards will do a great deal to reduce fire losses in the future.
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