USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1950-1959 > Part 12
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The town clerk's records of dog licenses issued for the county and of sporting licenses issued for the State were examined. The records of li- censes issued were checked with the duplicates and stubs on file, and the payments to the town treasurer and to the State were verified.
The town clerk's records of financial votes passed at town meetings were checked with the town accountant's recorded appropriations and the aggregate of these appropriations was compared with the amount raised by the assessors in determining the 1950 tax rate.
The surety bonds of the officials required by law to furnish them for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of licenses and permits issued by the selectmen, and by the fire and health departments were examined and checked, and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
The records of receipts of the sealer of weights and measures, and of the school and library departments were examined, the payments to the treasurer being verified.
In addition to the accounts mentioned, the records of all other de- nartments collecting money for the town were examined and checked in detail.
Annended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet. are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and the collector's cash sum- marios of the tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, departmental. and water accounts, together with tables showing the condition and transac- tions of the trust and investment funds.
While engaged in making the audit, cooperation was received from the officials of the town, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAN B. DINE
Assistant Director of Accounts
47
TOWN OF NORWELL
BOARD OF ENGINEERS
To the Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
We are pleased to be able to report we had no serious house fires this year. Most of our fires were woods and grass, all were extinguished before any great damage was caused.
During the year 1951 your Fire Department responded to 67 alarms as follows: Buildings and chimneys 12
Woods and Grass
26
Town Dump 11
Misc. auto, oil burner and no need 17
Resuscitator 1
The alarm system which was installed last year is working out very well.
Radios are being installed on three of the Fire Trucks, from Civil De- fence funds. This has not been completed yet due to the shortage of materials.
The members took two courses this year. One in First Aid by Deputy Chief Lincoln from Hingham. The other in Fire Fighting sponsored by the State Department of Education, under the supervision of Chief Kimbell from Hingham.
A very good attendance turned out for both courses. Company morale is very good, and the Department as a whole is in very good condition.
-
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD RAMSAY, Chief HAROLD WILDER RICHARD GAUDETTE
ROBERT APTS, Clerk
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Selectmen of the Town of Norwell
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the Town of Norwell for the year 1951.
Quarantine of dogs having bitten persons: Number of dogs quarantined 21
Number of calls 41 Investigation of Interstate Shipment Permits Number of calls 3
Inspection of barns and a report of all livestock to the Division of Livestock Disease Control.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD E. CUGNASCA, D.V.M.
48
ONE-HUNDRED-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
To the Selectmen of the Town of Norwell
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Dog Officer for the Town of Norwell for the year 1951.
15 Dogs returned to owners
1 Stray dog boarded for six days then shot and buried.
4 Dead dogs picked up on street
10 Investigations of dog complaints
1 Shooting unlicensed dog.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT L. MOLLA, Dog Officer
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Norwell
Gentlemen:
The Water Commissioners wish to report as follows for the year 1951. The original water installation of the West End and Church Hill sec- tions is about completed. The engineers and contractors have received their final payments. There is only one piece of business remaining, and that is the payment to the Town of Hanover for their final invoices cover- ing the connecting of the two towns, which we hope to pay in the near future using the balance of the funds remaining plus approximately eight hundred and fifty dollars ($850.00) for which we have requested a transfer from the Jacobs Lake Project. This will close out the one hundred and thirty five thousand dollar ($135,000) appropriation.
The table below provides the information in connection with the pres- ent property connections showing an average of approximately 61% meter takers in ratio to the number of ready to serve curb cocks.
The average is 28 takers per mile.
Jacobs Lake Project
Miles
1.1 10 Services at present
60 Potential Services
30 Ready to be installed in spring Brantwood Manor
.2 6 Services at present
14 Under construction
Washington Park
Miles
.2 6 Under construction New Grove Street Development
4 Under construction
The Jacobs Lake water main installation has been completed with the exception of a minor amount of grading and stone removal to be completed in the spring as soon as the soil conditions permit, also additional meters and valves ordered and yet to be paid for amount to approximately $1200.00. Cost of the project to date approximates $20,260.74 out of the appropriation originally of $28,000.
TOWN OF NORWELL
49
Fifteen hundred (1500) feet of transite pipe (10") has been bought for the school water project.
The Water Board is proceeding with preliminary investigation of pos- sible ground water supply for the Norwell water consumption.
No. of Property Services
No. of
Per Cent
Miles
Street
Takers
Takers
1.1
River St. and Tiffany Road
33
24
73%
.4
Grove Street
28
17
62%
1.3
High Street
74
44
59%
2.1
Washington Street
89
51
57%
4.9
224
136
61%
1951
Income
Expense
Interest, 1947 Appropriation
$2,868.75
Interest, 1951 Appropriation
890.00
$ 3,758.75
Amortization, 1947 Appropriation
5,000.00
Amortization, 1951 Appropriation
4,000.00
Expense
2,152.48
Salaries
75.00
2,227.48
$14,986.23
Water Billed for Year 1951 $1,937.92
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD H. BROOKS, Chairman EARLE F. ALLEN GEORGE F. CAVANAGH
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Selectmen of the Town of Norwell:
49 Calls Scale and Gas Pumps 2 Calls Oil Trucks
Edmund F. Lapham Sealer and Expense
$ 75.75
Hobbs & Warren, Supplies
18.45
Margaret Crowell, Insurance
Equipment at Town Hall
16.40
Working Equipment
10.70
$121.30
Appropriation
$150.00
Expenses
121.30
Balance
$ 28.70
EDMUND F. LAPHAM Sealer of Weights and Measures,
9,000.00
Water
of
50
ONE-HUNDRED-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE JAMES LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR 1951
To the Selectmen of the Town of Norwell
Gentlemen: ١
During the past year the James Library has increased the time it is open to the public by four hours per week, and is now open at least two hours a day on five days of the week for a total of twelve hours weekly. Library hours are now as follows: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 6 to 8 P.M .; Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30 to 4:30 P.M .; Saturday 2 to 4 P.M.
More than 5000 books were borrowed by users of the Library during 1951, in addition to 1250 pocket books and 1450 magazines. Between two and three new titles were added to the growing collection of the Library every week during the year.
The Library again acknowledges a generous gift from the Couples Club of the First Parish. The North River Gardeners have also continued their generous interest. Besides these two groups, many individuals have con- tributed books and magazines which have added much to the usefulness of the Library.
The Library Committee wishes to express its thanks to all those who have assisted the Library during the year, and to extend a cordial welcome to all residents of Norwell to avail themselves of the privilege of using the Library. All suggestions concerning Library policy will be gratefully re- ceived, and all requests for the purchase of specific titles will receive care- ful consideration and be fulfilled to the extent that limited funds allow.
Respectfully submitted,
MR. SAMUEL BAMBER MR. ALDEN WELLS
MRS. WILDER GAUDETTE, Secretary MISS MILDRED HASTINGS, Treasurer REV. HERMAN GEERTZ, Chairman
51
TOWN OF NORWELL
REPORT OF THE WILLIAM J. LEONARD MEMORIAL LIBRARY
To the Selectmen of the Town of Norwell
Gentlemen:
A comparison of the number of books and magazines lent a year ago, with the number lent this year, indicates an encouraging increase in the use of the library.
Our adult circulation remains at a "healthy" level, 2,131 titles having been circulated this year. It is interesting to note that a greater number of non-fiction volumes have been enjoyed during 1951. Mysteries, and Westerns, have been far overshadowed by current event titles, biographies, and in general books of high literary quality.
We have started a collection of research material on "Art" which is proving helpful not only to our students at Norwell, but to those whose studies beyond high school require such work. All of our reference mate- rial has been used to a greater degree. We have purchased several new encyclopedias, suitable not only for the upper grade students, but of help in the elementary grades.
We were delighted to have so many children as "new borrowers" this year. Our children's corner is rapidly becoming one of the busy spots in the library.
In co-operation with the school department, we have purchased as many books on the school required reading lists, as our budget would allow. There has been such an increase in the teen age patronage we feel that in the coming year a greater number of juvenile titles must be added, with- out decreasing our purchases of current best sellers.
We gratefully acknowledge the gifts of many new titles we have re- ceived from our well-wishers and thank them sincerely for their generosity. We also wish to thank Combination #2 of the Norwell Fire Department, for painting our building and for their many favors during the year.
The librarian would like to take this opportunity to thank one and all for making her first year on the staff such a pleasant one.
To those new residents, as well as all other members of the community who have not already visited us, may we extend our welcome and cordially invite them to join us on Tuesday afternoon from 2:30 until 4 o'clock, or Friday evening from 7 o'clock until 9.
Respectfully submitted:
ELAINE L. ETLING, Librarian and Trustee DOROTHY E. CANN, Assistant Librarian A. PROUTY, Trustee W. PROUTY, Trustee
52
ONE-HUNDRED-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT
Fourteen cases received aid under Public Welfare during the year, seven of which were for temporary aid only. At the close of the year nine cases had been discontinued, one transferred to the new Disability Assist- ance and four remained active.
Total available funds
$6,983.78
Norwell cases in Norwell
Case Load 6 $ 957.25
Norwell cases in other towns
4 3,170.39
*State cases in Norwell
1 343.71
*Other towns' cases in Norwell
3 1,638.80
Total Expenditure for AID
6,110.15
Administration and Expense
863.15
To Surplus Revenue
.48
6,973.78
*Reimbursement to the Town of Norwell on State and other towns' cases to a total of $1,982.51 to be received.
The increased Public Welfare expenditures which necessitated a trans- fer from the reserve fund was due to heavy hospitalizations and other con- tributory expenses in connection with Norwell cases in other towns.
Old Age Assistance
Sixty-eight cases received Old Age Assistance during the year. Two new cases were added and thirteen closed, leaving fifty-seven active cases at the close of the year.
Town Appropriations - Aid and Adminis- tration
$26,500.00
Balance U. S. Grants 1/1/51 Aid and Ad- ministration
9,306.60
Receipts U. S. Grants-1951-Aid and Ad- ministration
24,520.11
Refunds-cancelled checks
88.70
Total available funds
$60,415.41
Case Load
Norwell cases in Norwell
52
$36,004.60
Norwell cases in other towns
3
291.83
State cases in Norwell
5
2,746.48
Other towns' cases in Norwell
8
3,086.75
Total expenditure for AID
42,129.66
Administration and Expense
3,740.96
*Balance U. S. Grants 1/1/52 Aid and Ad- ministration
13,270.29
To Surplus Revenue
1,274.50
60,415.41
Estimated share of AID granted.
Federal
$18,745.05
State
16,319.07
Town
6,609.19
Other towns'
cases in
Norwell
456.35
$42,129.66
53
TOWN OF NORWELL
The aid to individuals has been increased under the Old Age Assistance law, but due to reserves that have been building up from time to time, it is not necessary to increase the appropriation this year.
Another Amendment to the Federal Social Security Act is in connec- tion with the coverage of disabled persons. The town has had no previous experience in this category and therefore the budgeted account is purely an estimate which we only hope will be adequate.
Further amendment to the Old Age Assistance law provides that on and after January 1, 1952 the town shall take a lien on the real estate of any applicant or recipient as a condition to receiving Old Age Assistance, action to be taken at the death of the recipient, his spouse, or his otherwise ceasing to receive Old Age Assistance.
Aid To Dependent Children
Aid to Dependent Children was granted to three families with a total of seven children, one family only receiving aid for the entire year. On January 1, 1952, the three cases remained active. Town Appropriations-Aid and Administration $3,050.00 Balance U. S. Grants 1/1/51 Aid and Adminis- tration
3,224.27
Receipts U. S. Grants-1951-Aid and Adminis- tration
956.27
Total available funds
$7,229.54
Total Expenditure for AID
2,134.10
*Balance U. S. Grants 1/1/52 Aid and Adminis- tration
3,726.74
1,368.70
7,229.54
To Surplus Revenue
Estimated share of AID granted.
Federal
$ 945.63
State
711.37
Town
477.10
$2,134.10
*In Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children, Federal re- ceipts may be applied to future aid. State and town receipts go into the general fund of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN E. NORRIS, Welfare Agent
54
ONE-HUNDRED-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE WASHINGTON STREET CEMETERY COMMITTEE
To the Selectmen of the Town of Norwell
During the year 1951 we laid at rest thirteen of our neighbors and friends at Washington Street Cemetery.
Several of our legal residents of the Town availed themselves of the opportunity of acquiring desirable family lots in our cemetery. In this preparation, they make the duties of their families less arduous in the days to come. We invite those wishing to plan for the future to contact any member of the Cemetery Committee, and plans will be made to cooperate with them.
Because of local labor shortage, we did not get road work done as we had planned. We hope to get this done in the near future.
Many of the owners of lots in our cemetery placed with the South Scituate Savings Bank the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) as a per- petual care fund. At that time money on deposit brought around four per cent (4%) which gave an earning power of four dollars ($4.00). Labor was paid fifty cents an hour at that time. Today with the earning power about two dollars and a half and labor over a dollar an hour, you can readily see that the most care a man can give is two and a half hours in the year to a lot. To adjust this situation, we invite all who have only one hundred dollars ($100.00) in Perpetual Care Funds to increase this to at least two hundred dollars ($200.00), which is the present requirement for all new ac- counts. A remittance to our Town Treasurer and she will see that this is taken care of.
The Cemetery Committee wishes to express thanks for the financial re- membrance of the late W. Wallace Farrar wherein he left the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) to Washington Street Cemetery. We also wish to thank those who helped us in the past year and the friends who have expressed their willingness to help us in the future.
Respectfully submitted, RICHARD H. BROOKS
WILLIAM D. JACOBS STEWART BOWKER, Chairman
Washington Street Cemetery Committee
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Norwell
The tree department has spent its 1951 appropriation doing the various phases of tree work and insect control.
Although three gypsy moths were trapped this year, the town was free from any defoliation by these insects. Careful watching of these areas where the moths were trapped and possibly by some spot airplane spraying we can be reasonably safe from another heavy infestation of these insects.
There were twenty-five cases of dutch elm disease discovered in Nor- well this year. Twenty-one of these trees were public shade trees, and four are private. Twelve of the public trees have been removed.
We can expect a great many more cases of Dutch elm disease in 1952, and these trees should be removed as quickly as possible if we are to retard or control this public menace.
I wish to thank the people who had diseased trees on their property and took it upon themselves to remove these trees ..
Some roadside planting was done this year and since many of our elms may have to be removed, we should put more emphasis on this work in the future.
Respectfully submitted, WESLEY H. OSBORNE, JR.
Tree Warden
55
TOWN OF NORWELL
NORWELL CIVIL DEFENSE UNIT REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1951
To the Selectmen of the Town of Norwell
Gentlemen:
The past year has been devoted to further organization and training of the Norwell Civil Defense Unit.
First Aid classes have been held at frequent intervals, and have been well attended by Wardens, Firemen, and members of the Medical and Transportation unit. An Advanced course is now being planned. At the present writing, a course for Wardens, covering all phases of their duties, is being given by Mr. Chase and Mr. Goode.
Three Link 2-way radios have been purchased and installed-one on a truck in each fire house, and after training in their use has been completed, they will be of inestimable value to the Town at fires and at times of other civil emergencies.
First Aid Stations have been organized and equipped at the Elemen- tary School and the Town Hall, by the Medical Director.
An ambulance unit has been organized and trained by the Transporta- tion Director.
The Canteen unit has worked as a group at several functions, for- tunately social ones and not in times of disaster.
The Control Centre has been equipped with a Police Radio Receiver, telephone, maps, emergency lighting, and a staff has been organized and trained for immediate operation on a 24-hour basis. Thanks are due to the many who have helped in the establishment of the Control Centre through the giving of their time and labor and the loan of furniture and equipment.
Expenses have been kept to a minimum, and at present there is an un- expended balance of $1949.16 out of the 1951 appropriation of $3200.00.
In accordance with a recent statement from the Director of Accounts of the Commonwealth, this unexpended balance may be carried forward for 1952, thereby making any new appropriation from the Town unnecessary for this year. If the situation grows no worse, no major expenses, other than the essential running expenses, are foreseen for the year 1952.
A practice exercise for the entire organization is planned for early Spring. All functions of the Unit will be thoroughly tested, and any weak- nesses will be corrected. It is believed that Norwell has a well-trained skeleton organization for Civil Defense which can swing into action if necessity demands, and be augmented quickly if the need arises.
Thanks are due to all of those who have given so generously of their time to a job which is, under present circumstances, not glamorous, but still essential. Space does not permit the listing of the many participants in the entire organization, but for your convenience and reference, the heads of the various groups are listed below.
56
ONE-HUNDRED-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Director W. CLARKE ATWATER Assistant Director COL. THOMAS T. BARSTOW Deputy Directors
ADMINISTRATION
Mrs. W. Clarke Atwater Mrs. James F. Macdonald
FIRE
Board of Engineers
Harold S. Wilder
POLICE
Alan C. Virtue John D. Murphy
MEDICAL
Dr. Raymond G. Vinal Gordon Robbins
Mrs. Ernest H. Sparrell
WARDENS
Harry L. Chase, Jr. Robert M. Goode
District Wardens
#1.
Harold G. Dutton
Samuel G. Lukens Roland L. Moon
#2.
Douglas S. Mitchell Joseph B. Sousa Wesley H. Osborne
Charles W. Bayley, Jr.
#4.
Clarence P. Jones
#5.
John D. Dickman
#6.
William Hills Donald Shepherd Robert H. Kroeger Mrs. Peirce Fuller Mrs. Chester A. Rimmer
TRANSPORTATION
Wilder A. Gaudette
Robert T. Ridder
PUBLIC WORKS
W. Blanchard Ford W. B. Ford, Jr. Stearns Poor
Joseph L. Hallett, Jr.
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
William C. Bennett
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Douglas F. Reilly
AIDES
Thomas H. Campbell John Campbell J. Lee Turner
SPECIAL ASSISTANT
Respectfully submitted,
W. CLARKE ATWATER, Director
January 17, 1952.
#3.
Kingman J. Meader
CIVILIAN AID
Mrs. Nellie Sparrell
COMMUNICATIONS
Mrs. Matthew C. Walsh, Jr.
57
TOWN OF NORWELL
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To The Selectmen of Norwell
Gentlemen:
Following is a list of Communicable diseases reported to the Board of Health during 1951.
Measles
Chicken Pox 69
109
Whooping Cough
1
Mumps
30
German Measles
1
Scarlet Fever 3
As the above table indicates, Measles, Chicken Pox, and Mumps made inroads on our health record the past year.
Again we ask your cooperation in reporting all Communicable diseases, the most common of which are chicken pox, whooping cough, scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria, German measles, septic sore throat, and tuberculosis.
19 cases of Dog Bite were reported and the dogs quarantined as a pre- cautionary measure.
The Board issued one license for pasteurization of milk after the pas- teurization plant was inspected.
A report of the sanitary condition of each of the eating places and res- taurants was made to the Selectmen before that Board issued a license to operate.
All overnight cabins, tourist homes, rest homes, one day camp, and one nursery school were likewise inspected before a license to operate was issued.
The Dump has been watched constantly.
Four licenses for collection of garbage were issued after the equipment to be used was inspected.
Two written complaints of houses unfit for human habitation were re- ceived, the premises inspected and the houses vacated.
All written complaints of health violations, such as illegal cesspools and private dumps will receive prompt attention of the Board.
The Board may be reached at any time to report Communicable dis- eases, ask for inspections, or discuss any matter pertaining to Health by calling any of the following:
Minot F. Williamson, Chr., Nor. 268-J
Richard E. Cugnasca, Nor. 274
D. Robert Currie, Nor. 117
Nellie L. Sparrell, Agent, Nor. 76-W.
We wish to call your attention to the new law-Chapter 662 acts of 1949-relative to the formation of Union Health Departments. All towns have until 1959 to voluntarily join a Union Health Department, conform with the minimum health requirements by itself or be placed in an already formed Union by the State department. Because this is so far reaching in its effect and is so expensive to operate, your Board felt an analysis of the act should be incorporated in this report.
Union Health Department
Two or more towns may, by vote of the town, form a health depart- ment, which shall have all the powers and perform all the duties etc. of the Boards of Health of the towns comprising the Union.
Each such Union department shall be administered by a full time Di- rector of health-either a physician or a lay person with special training and experience in public health and a staff of health specialists who shall service the area. This Union Health Department shall be responsible to a Union Board of Health, consisting of one representative from each of the
58
ONE-HUNDRED-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
towns represented, said representative to be appointed by the Board of Health in our case, since our board is elected. They shall serve 3 years without pay.
Prior to the vote of municipalities relative to the formation of proposed unions, local boards of health shall apply to the state department of public health for the formation of a union board of health. If a town fails to adopt necessary legislation to become a member of the proposed union, the state department, after ten years from date of passage of this Act, after a public hearing, may place the town in an existing union or form a new one. The union board of health shall select a treasurer and shall annually esti- mate the costs and expenses of the department for the following year, determine the proportion of such to each town and certify the amount so determined to the Assessors thereof, who shall include same in the tax levy of that year.
The union board of health shall appoint a director, who shall serve as secretary of the board and may with the approval of the union board designate one or more deputies and assistants.
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