USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1960-1966 > Part 23
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154
Moved off Highway
22
Illegal Parking
64
School Bus Laws
23
BICYCLES REGISTERED (New)
218
BREAKING AND ENTERING 29
BURGLAR ALARMS
ANSWERED AND TESTED
23
CIVIL MATTERS
39
COURT ATTENDANCE
128
DISTURBANCES
33
CLOSED HOMES CHECKED 280
DRUNKS 17
DOORS AND WINDOWS FOUND OPEN 215
EMERGENCY CALLS
32
FAMILY TROUBLE 31
FATAL SHOOTINGS 1
FIRES COVERED BY POLICE 92
FIRST AID BY POLICE 42
FUNERAL TRAFFIC COVERED 31
20
INVESTIGATIONS
Ours Other Departments
575
132
LARCENIES
69
MALICIOUS INJURY TO PROPERTY
56
MALICIOUS MISCHIEF 48
MISSING PATIENTS FROM
STATE HOSPITALS
94
Picked up by Police
27
MISSING PERSONS
29
Found by Police
13
MESSAGES RECEIVED Delivered
121
PERSONAL PROPERTY LOST
72
Turned into Police
93
PERSONS INJURED
50
PERMITS ISSUED
Firearms
38
Sunday Emergency
18
PRISON BREAKS COVERED
2
REPORTS OF PROWLERS
42
SPEEDING COMPLAINTS
23
STONE OR GLASS ON HIGHWAY
19
STREET DEFECTS REPORTED BY POLICE
7
SUMMONS SERVED 117
STREET LIGHTS REPORTED OUT BY POLICE 206
SUSPICIOUS LIGHTS, CARS, etc., INVESTIGATED 193
VIOLATIONS OF PERMITS
OR OTHER LAWS 12
MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSFERS
Class 1
21
Class 2 38
132
21
WIRES REPORTED DOWN MISCELLANEOUS
12
673
TRAFFIC:
During 1962 a request was made to the State Department of Public Works for a preliminary survey to be made of Traffic Light Control between Pound and Causeway Streets on Main Street. I would like to recommend that this be further investigated due to the heavy flow of traffic on our route roads, (D.P.W. latest count puts it at 3,190,000 vehicles on Route 109 and 800,000 on Route 27 in 1962), and there being at least three intersections where traffic is slowed during the peak hours. In preparation for this I have suggested that Chapter 409 of the Acts of 1962 (Pedestrian Control) be accepted by the Town.
RADAR:
We are requesting that the Town purchase a Radar-Timer for use by the Police Department. In conjunction with this it is recommended that Route 109, route 27 and several of the more dangerous secondary roads be posted with speed limit signs.
TRAFFIC LINES:
In 1962 lines were painted on the route roads and on several of the secondary roads with dangerous curves. It is my opinion that these lines are a very important safety measure and feel that more of our sec- ondary roads should be marked, at least with a center strip.
CRUISER:
It is recommended that the Town purchase a new cruiser to be used by the Police Department and that the present 1961 vehicle be kept as a second car. A new engine was recently installed in this vehicle and while I do not feel that a 2 year old vehicle would last another year under constant operation I do feel that it will last as a second car.
It is again urged that due to the constant growth of the Town in a widespread area that another officer be added to each shift over the next few years. There is a continual increase in the number of records and reports to be made and at present we are handicapped in continuing investigations which often require an officer to go to another city or community to question a suspect.
AUXILIARY POLICE:
During 1962 Auxiliary Police under Officer E. Nina Iafolla assisted the regular police during the holiday seasons on traffic duty and other- wise. They also assisted in several searches for missing persons includ-
22
ing the child lost in Medway. They also attended an eight week course on Radiological Detection and Monitoring.
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
REPORT OF THE NORFOLK COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
December 31, 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, 1962.
Ground Spraying 474 Acres
Aerial pre-hatch dusting
1,942 Acres
Ground pre-hatch dusting
129 Acres
Drainage
7,953 Feet
Brush clearing
4,857 Feet
Culverts cleaned
1 Culvert
Catch Basins Treated
162 Catch Basins
Respectfully submitted,
cc: Board of Health
JOHN C. KUSCHKE,
Superintendent
23
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
January 5, 1963
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Medfield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The following is my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1962.
I have issued a total of 152 building permits as listed below.
During the year I made a total of 560 inspections and the Acting Inspector made 38 inspections.
New homes one family
68
New homes two family
2
Additions to homes
13
Additions to Cafes
2
Additions to store blocks
1
Additions to gas stations
1
Storage buildings
3
Store blocks
1
Stables
3
Club houses
1
Factory buildings
1
Garages
10
Car ports
3
Alterations and repairs
40
Swimming pools
3
Total income from building permits
$ 1,316.00
Construction cost of new homes
1,134,000.00
Construction cost on other permits
173,225.00
Total on all permits
$1,307,225.00
The local and outside builders have been very cooperative and 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
24
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, 1962.
Number of Permits Issued 110
Number of Inspections by Plumbing Inspector 137
Number of Inspections by Acting Plumbing Inspector 15
Permit Fees
$958.00
I wish to express my thanks to 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 HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
We hereby respectfully submit our Report of the Board of Health for the year ending December 31, 1962.
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.
25
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 were a number of communicable diseases reported to the Board of Health.
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.
In cooperation with the Department of Public Health, Medfield School department and the Board of Health, the Sabine Oral Vaccine was given to children ranging from the age of three months through the twelfth grade. There were eight clinics held at the schools for the distribution of Sabine Oral Vaccine Type I and Type III. Type II Sabine Oral Vaccine will be given in March of 1963.
There were 2312 doses of vaccine given, and only eleven in the school system who did not want the vaccine.
The Board of Health has had several meetings with the Selectmen, Highway Department, the Dump Committee and Town Counsel for the purpose to draw up Rules and Regulations regarding the Town Dump.
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,
ALLISON CARR, Chairman MADELEINE HARDING CLAIRE SMITH
Board of Health
26
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Medfield, Mass. December 31, 1962
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The dogs reported to have bitten persons were checked and no diseases found. There seems to be an ever increasing number of dogs in the town and therefore a greater number of dog bites are reported.
In October an order, (No. 55 relative to the shipment of cattle into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) was received and posted and a copy filed with the Town Clerk.
In the annual inspection there were 155 cattle, 77 horses, 5 swine and 66 sheep. The animals showed no signs of contagious diseases and the premises were in a satisfactory condition.
Respectfully submitted,
CARLTON S. CHENEY,
Inspector of Animals
DEPARTMENT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
J. Fred Whittier, Sealer
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit the annual report for the year 1962.
Sealed
SCALES
Over 10,000 1bs.
1
100 to 5,000 1bs.
7
Under 100
23
WEIGHTS
Avoirdupois 22
Apothecary
62
27
LIQUID MEASURES One gal. or less
AUTOMATIC MEASURES Gas Pumps Grease Pumps Yard Sticks
4
15
5
4
Total
143
TRIAL WEIGHINGS OF COMMODITIES
200
Expenses
Salary
$125.00*
Transportation
20.00
Bond
10.00
Supplies
8.82
Total
$163.82
Receipts
Sealing Fees
$ 52.70
Share of Bond and use of Equip.
7.50
Total
$ 60.20
Respectfully submitted, J. FRED WHITTIER,
Sealer
REPORT OF WIRE INSPECTOR
January 6, 1963
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
The following is our report, for the year ending December 31, 1962.
The number of permits issued 181
The number of inspections made
181
28
.
The fees received
$1,080.00
At this time we would like to extend our thanks to Marie Burke, Gwendolen Suereth, and the other Town Departments, for their help and cooperation, during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH F. ERSKINE, JR., Wire Inspector
JOHN GOUCHER, Assistant Wire Inspector
REPORT OF GASFITTING INSPECTOR
January 8, 1963
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Medfield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Gasfitting for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Number of permits issued 49
Number of certificates issued 1
Number of Inspections by Gas Inspector 64
Number of Inspections by
Acting Gas Inspector 5
Fees collected
$304.00
I wish to thank the Town Officials, Marie Burke, Gwendolen Suereth, and the other inspectors for their help and co-operation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER R. NYE,
Inspector of Gasfitting
29
REPORT OF VETERANS' AGENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
The following is the annual report of the Veterans Agent for the year ending December 31, 1962.
VETERANS BENEFITS
Applicants for Veterans Benefits 18
Benefits Granted 11
Military or Civil Settlement - other Communities 4
VETERANS SERVICES ASSISTANCE
Hospitalization
18
Compensation
10
Pension 14
Medical
15
Civil Service
8
Insurance
12
Education P.L. 550
8
Miscellaneous
24
There are three classifications of financial assistance for which the Veterans of Medfield may apply.
Ordinary Benefits-This assistance includes the necessities of life such as food, shelter and clothing.
Fuel Allowance-This assistance varies according to size of dwell- Ing and time of year.
Medical Assistance-This aid includes surgical expenses and hos- pital medical care and doctors prescriptions.
By following authorizations and regulations specified by the Com- missioner of Veterans Services of Massachusetts, the community is reimbursed up to fifty percent of its expenditures for Veteran Benefits.
This Agent wishes to encourage any Veteran or their dependents to contact this office for counsel for their claim or Benefit assistance.
I wish to thank the Town Officials and Marie Burke for their cooperation and assistance this past year.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP J. BURR,
Veterans Agent
30
.
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION - 1962
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During 1962, the activity of this Commission was directed primarily toward the development and final completion of the Town Swimming Pond located at Green and Brook Streets. This was successfully accom- plished in June and the Pond opened for operation on the 25th of that month. It is noteworthy that a great deal of the work of completion was done by interested individuals, organizations and other depart- ments of the Town Government, all of whom gave freely of their time, materials, equipment and advice. It was through the efforts of such people that the Commission was able to keep the project in the low- cost category.
The use of the Pond for free swimming, Red Cross instruction, and diving extended from June 25 through Labor Day. Approximately 3500 persons registered to use the facilities and were given numbered wrist- bands as a means of identification. Rules and regulations were put into effect by the Commission and the citizens of the Town cooperated in an outstanding manner, contributing to the success of the first season. Registration fees were $1.00 for those 16 years of age and over and 50c for those under 16, and such fees produced $2,700.00 in reve- nues, reducing the amount that will have to be raised from taxes in 1963 for the operation of the Pond. Some upward revision in these fees for 1963 is contemplated in order to bring this project a step further toward being self-supporting in 1964.
The Commission was fortunate in having the services of Mrs. Frank J. McWilliams of Medfield, to head up its swimming instruction pro- gram. Under her direction approximately 750 children and some adults were given Red Cross Instruction by members of our own Life Guard staff and volunteers, all of whom were fully qualified by the Greater Boston Chapter of the American Red Cross. The swimming program was very successful and resulted in 329 certifications of swimmers in various categories, which according to a report of the Red Cross, was the largest number to be certified by any city or town under the juris- diction of the Greater Boston Chapter during 1962.
In another phase of the program, Mr. Robert D. Long, who was retained as Chief Life Guard and Water Front Director, organized a swimming team which took part in several meets as the newest partici- pant in a swimming league including Canton, Needham, Wellesley, Sherborn and Walpole. Mr. Long's experience as an instructor with the National Red Cross Aquatic School served him well in that he knew the proper channels through which to pursue such activities. According to the Red Cross and coaches of the other teams in the league, Med- field's performance under Mr. Long's coaching was outstanding. In
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addition a local meet was held in which hundreds of Medfield children participated. Mr. Long and Mrs. McWilliams collaborated to put on two aquatic shows, one on July 4th as part of a dedication program, and one on Labor Day to bring the season to a close. A special vote of thanks is owed to Mr. Walter Lincoln, Acting Water Safety Director of the Boston Chapter of the American Red Cross for the assistance he and his staff gave us in 1962.
The Pond was proven clean and practically devoid of harmful bacteria approximately every two weeks during the season. Algae formed frequently in the water, and while this matter is harmless it was nevertheless a nuisance to swimmers. Measures will be taken in 1963 to try to overcome this problem.
To further improve the area during 1963, the Commission contem- plates the installation of additional docks, turnboards on existing docks, resurfacing the Parking Area, and possibly the installation of a limited amount of picnic facilities.
Work on the Town Parks and Bakers Pond was done as usual under the direction of Everett Wills, acting as the Commission's Inspector of Parks. Special attention will be given during 1963 to a more thorough cleaning out of Bakers Pond.
An important project being pursued by the Commission for 1963 is the construction of up to four tennis courts at the site of the new Junior-Senior High School. Although it might have been considered desirable to construct such courts at the site of the swimming pond, it was finally agreed that building them at the School might encourage the formation of tennis teams at the secondary level, which would be an exceedingly desirable outcome.
It is planned to ask the Town's approval at the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1963, to increase the Commission's membership at large chosen by the electorate, to five members. The Commission meets regularly at the Town Hall throughout the year, on the second Thurs- day of each month. Townspeople are reminded that the meetings are open to the public and that anyone interested in this work will be welcomed.
The Commission wishes to thank all the citizens of Medfield for their support of its work.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER FRANK, Chairman VINCENT PALUMBO HOWARD CHRISTIAN JOSEPH DONAHUE, Liaison from the School Committee EVERETT WILLS, Liaison from the Planning Board
32
ANNUAL REPORT OF MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Honorable Selectmen and the people of Medfield:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Statistics
Circulation: Adult, 17,423; Juvenile, 16,067; Total 33,490.
This was an overall increase of 3,829 over the previous year; the largest increase being in the children's department where it increased 3,209. 394 new people applied for library cards during the year.
675 new books were purchased in 1962, of which 391 were adult, 284 juvenile. A new World Book Encyclopedia was also purchased for the children's room. In addition 198 books were donated, making a total of 873 books added to the library during the year.
The number of books withdrawn from the library through the process of "weeding" which is required periodically of all libraries was 294. Many of the adult fiction books were given to the Medfield State Hospital, in particular, westerns, mysteries and light romances. Some of the non-fiction books which were duplicates of those already in the library were given to the new High School library.
We are appreciative of all books donated to the library if they are in good condition and of suitable material for a public library collec- tion. Some of our donors give new books in memory of relatives or friends, such as books on the arts, music, history and biography, which is an excellent way of contributing to the library collection.
This year for the first time, the library started to acquire a record collection, both for the main library and the children's department. In the adult group, the records are for the most part of the educational type, though we hope to add some outstanding music records in the future. The children's records are composed of favorite children's stories, fairy tales and poetry, some of them with music.
Activities
National Library Week in the Spring, featured a collection of dolls belonging to Mrs. Amos Kingsbury, which proved quite an attraction.
As usual, the League of Women Voters presented an appropriate display on one of the library tables during United Nations Week. In the early Fall, the "Garden Pioneers", Mrs. Bois's 4-H group did a few flower arrangements for the desk; they were Bob Bois, Vicki and George Sauer, Jimmy Fraser and Leslie Ballou. During the winter
33
months, Mrs. Copithorne, the children's librarian had a story hour for 4-5 year olds once a week.
Beginning in the Fall, with the opening of the schools, due to increased circulation and the many new friends using the library daily, the staff was increased on three days a week; our substitutes, Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Blinn assisting Mrs. Ripley in the afternoons and your librarian in the evening. In the children's department, Mrs. Justice replaced Mrs. Brown as assistant to Mrs. Copithorne, while Gale Franke and Linda Walker, High School students acted as pages there.
For a week in December also, a group of High School girls and boys, who are studying library science with Mr. Hogan, the High School librarian, at his request helped out at the library. The student helpers were Darlene Palumbo, Patricia White, Charlene Daniel, Regina Tim- merman, Robert Souza, Peter Johnson and John Preston.
In addition to our appreciation of donors of books to the library, we wish also to thank the faithful friends who share their garden flowers with us at the desk, and also the young people and their fathers who provide the Christmas lighting on the outside of the library. These young people are a 4-H group called the "Norfolk Short Circuits" and include Paula Adam, Stephen Alley, Jimmy Chaison, Bobby Hudson and Mark and Rick Scheele.
Respectfully submitted,
ETHEL G. HERSEY,
Librarian
Board of Trustees
Jane Cheever (Mrs. Charles E.), Chairman Edith C. Howlett (Mrs. Leslie), Secretary Charles Woodard Peter Vasaturo Laura H. Smith
Robert Peters (who fills the unexpired term of Mr. Burgess Stanley)
It was with regret that the Board accepted the resignation of Mr. Burgess P. Stanley who resigned in the latter part of the year. Mr. Stanley, a former chairman of the Board had given much time and energy to the welfare of the library during his term of service.
34
Library Staff Ethel G. Hersey, Librarian Alice S. Ripley (Mrs. Lindsay), Assistant Librarian Mrs. Frances F. Copithorne, Children's Librarian
Assistants
Doris Spencer (Mrs. Ernest) Patricia Blinn, (Mrs. Frederick) Linda Walker
Ruth Justice (Mrs. Charles)
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 closed Saturdays
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for 1962.
In April, the Department was saddened by the sudden death of Clifford Bosselman who had been a popular and efficient member for sixteen years. His absence will always be felt by those who served with him.
During the summer, a thirty hour course in all phases of Fire Fighting was conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Twenty-five local Firefighters received Certificates of Completion. The instructors were officers of the Boston Fire Department under the direction of Captain Cornelius Finnegan, B.F.D. Training Division. Plans are now being completed for a twelve hour course in the detec- tion and handling of radio-active materials.
With few personnel changes during the year, the Department now stands well trained with five pieces of apparatus in good condition. However, the need for a new ladder truck is urgent. When one con-
35
siders the size of the buildings in our square, plus five churches, four schools, two nursing homes and the State Hospital, one of our main responsibilities with hundreds of elderly and incapacitated patients, it is readily seen that to wait from ten to twenty minutes for Mutual Aid to arrive is a dangerous situation. The purchase of this truck will definitely lower the insurance rates of the town, possibly enough to equal the increase in the tax rate.
The present Mutual Aid system has all surrounding towns ready to assist instantly and with ordinary precautions being taken by young and old alike, our fire losses can be held to a minimum. Safety is being stressed continuously in the Public Schools and will definitely show results in the future.
Small local groups including the Auxiliary Police and Girl Scouts are using our Assembly Room for regular meetings and find it well suited to their needs.
The Basement Recreation room is also used often by the members, thus providing an instant response to alarms quite frequently.
During 1962, the Department answered 122 calls, classified as follows:
Buildings
20
Woods
36
Grass
20
Incinerator
1
Public Dump
7
State Hospital
2
Oil Tank Truck
1
Automobiles
3
Pumping Cellar
1
Rubbish on Highway
4
Storm Standby
1
Highway Accidents
5
Search for missing persons
4
Drownings
2
Resuscitator Calls
3
Automatic Alarms
4
False Alarms
5
Mutual Aid
4
Outside Assistance Called
5
Station Duty
5
Reports investigated
33
Burning Permits
147
Oil Burner Permits
54
Buildings inspected
17
36
In closing, I express my sincere thanks to the Officers and Men of the Department, all members of the Police Department, Fire Alarm Operators and all other Town Departments who were so helpful during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH R. CLARK,
Chief
A REMINDER - PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL OPEN AIR FIRES
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
January 9, 1963
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following is the report of the Board of Public Welfare for the year 1962.
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