USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1950-1959 > Part 79
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The Town of Norwell appropriated $7,350 for mosquito control in 1957. This money was used for mosquito control in the Town of Norwell by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project, a cooperative effort embracing the City of Quincy, and Towns of Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate and Wey- mouth. In addition, the Project worked under contract for the U. S. Naval Ammunition Depot. This government area lies in the middle of our Project and thus affects four of our towns. The cooperation of the Navy Department in this matter has, this past year, helped people in this area and will in the future be of greater benefit.
Type of Control Program
The basic program of control continued to be based on drainage in the off-season and larvaciding of all areas found to be breeding during the mosquito season. This program was supplemented by ap- plication of D.D.T. dust to selected areas during the period when the swamps were frozen. Fog generators and a mist blower were used to combat flying mosquitoes.
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TOWN OF NORWELL
Encephalitis
As a result of the dry weather and/or other factors not yet recog- nized, Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis did not appear in humans in Massachusetts this past summer. However, since the threat is defin- itely present, the Project has, the past year, acquired additional ground equipment of the types most useful during Encephalitis outbreaks. During the period when Encephalitis is most likely to occur, the Pro- ject will be in contact with the Massachusetts Department of Health, the U. S. Public Health Service and other mosquito control agencies in a cooperative effort to recognize the danger signs so that work can be directed against the suspected species of mosquitoes.
Last spring the U. S. Public Health Service established a research laboratory at Taunton to study the disease. During the past summer basic data was gathered, procedures established, and personnel trained. The long term aims of this laboratory's work are incrimin- ation of a vector or vectors, the development of means for recognizing potentially dangerous years, and a method of attack to prevent epidemics.
An area wide mosquito control effort is our only present defense against the disease. The recent formation of a Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project will be of great benefit to this Project. For the first time we are completely surrounded by areas in control dis- tricts and migrations of mosquitoes into the district will be reduced.
Aerial Spraying
The spring spraying of all fresh water swamps too large to be treated by hand was done in the latter part of April.
2,584 acres were sprayed in the Town of Norwell.
Ground Spraying
The ground crews circulated on a schedule throughout their sections of the Project. They varied from this circuit to treat in the vicinity of complaints or to treat places found to be breeding by the superintendent or the inspector. They then returned to their rounds.
Catchbasin Spraying
Three catchbasin units were operated the past season. These units are compressed air sprayers mounted on three-wheeled motor- cycles.
This phase of the work is particularly important in built up areas since one drainage basin can produce thousands of mosquitoes per week throughout the summer.
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ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
Drainage
Since last summer was dry, less spraying was necessary, therefore the crews were able to do ditching and stream clearance from time to time. The addition of this work to regular off-season drainage will save further spraying next summer.
In November the Project purchased a hydraulic trencher mounted on a tractor suitable for use in marshy conditions. This machine will be used in conjunction with the saltmarsh trench cleaner, as well as in fresh marsh drainage work.
Adult Mosquito Control
During the past year an additional fogging machine was in oper- ation and a donated mist blower was used. The present three adulti- ciding machines will enable us to do spot adulticiding at a pace beyond that of past years and will be good insurance in the event of an Encephalitis outbreak.
Equipment on Hand
1 Ford F-350 truck
3 Ford F-250 trucks
1 Ford F-100 truck
1 International 1 ton truck, four-wheel drive
1 Dodge 1 ton platform truck
1 Ford Ranchwagon
1 Oliver OC-6-68 tractor with scavel plow
1 Oliver OC-4-68 tractor with hydraulic trencher
1 Trailer for transporting tractors
1 Cushman Truckster (catchbasin unit)
2 Harley Davidson Servi-cars (catchbasin units)
3 50 gal. Bean hydraulic sprayers
2 Todd Insecticidal Fog Applicators
1 Lawrence Mist-blower
1 Hoffco power brushing tool
1 Gorman-Rupp centrifugal pump
1 Homelite power saw Pack sprayers and dusters Various hand ditching tools
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TOWN OF NORWELL
Plans for Winter
Throughout the months between the past and coming mosquito breeding seasons much attention will be given to ditching. Work on the saltmarsh will be done in the fall and early spring and the colder winter months will be spent in the more protected fresh water areas.
When snow and ice conditions are right, prehatch dusting, as was done the last four years, will be done.
In addition to the ground dusting noted above, further experi- mental prehatch applications of D.D.T. dust will be made from the air.
Plymouth County Retirement System
The employees of the Project were accepted into the Plymouth County Retirement System on January 1, 1957. The Commission feels that having the employees enrolled in the System works to the benefit of the Project since it lessens the likelihood of experienced employees leaving to take other jobs.
Plans for Next Year
All phases of the work carried out in the past will continue. Catch- basin spraying will be done with Dieldrin, a newer insecticide which is effective longer than D.D.T. and thus reduces, by at least one, our applications resulting in a modest saving in labor costs. This saving can be used to further implement the policy of the Commission to drain all feasible places and thus cut the cost of repetitive spraying. This policy has made it possible to keep total expenditures at a con- stant level in spite of increased labor and material costs.
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ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Board of Water Commissioners
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the Board of Water Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1957.
GENERAL SYSTEMS AND SUPPLY
In July, 1956, the new supply well on Pleasant Street, the pumping station, and the standpipe went into regular service, supplying munici- pal water to all of the consumers connected to the mains, with the ex- ception of approximately 50 water takers located on Tiffany Road and River Street.
December 31, 1957 marks the end of 18 months of continuous operation of our new water system. During this time water was pumped, as follows:
1956 - first six months of operation: 20,000,000 gallons
1957 - twelve month of operation: 60,000,000 gallons Minimum daily consumption - Approximately 350,000 gallons
Notwithstanding the drought conditions in Plymouth County dur- ing 1957, your Board of Water Commissioners did not find it neces- sary to place any restrictions on the use of water, and encountered no difficulty in keeping an adequate supply and pressure at all times, for both fire-fighting and domestic consumption.
The number of consumers has increased over the last few years, as follows:
Number, as of December 31, 1952: 400 1954: 441
1956: 600 1957: 725
We attribute part of the 1957 increase to the drought conditions which affected many private wells.
NEW WATER SOURCES
During the past few years, your Board of Water Commissioners has continued to search for new sources of underground water supply. We have employed many methods of investigation, and sought advice from many sources, and recently found indications of new under-
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TOWN OF NORWELL
ground supplies in an area off Grove Street, to the northwest. We have had the water tested and it is of very high quality, and so far our quantity tests are very encouraging, but we are sinking new test wells in addition to the ones already put down, in order to give us positive information of the extent of the area involved.
POLICY
The Board has issued outlines of policy from time to time. We wish to point out that we welcome the comments of any interested townspeople. We hope that if there are any questions in the minds of any voters in regard to the department, that they will feel free to at- tend a Board meeting to talk over such matters.
TIFFANY ROAD AREA
This area is still being supplied by the Town of Hanover, and we wish to point out that this Board in its Annual Report in 1953 did ad- vise the Town of Norwell that the Town of Hanover had notified the Town of Norwell that they would not renew the water contract, which expired on September 14, 1954, in its entirety, and they (Hanover) would expect Norwell to find other sources of supply, as soon as pos- sible, so that the demand on their (Hanover) system could be pro- gressively decreased.
Your Board of Water Commissioners, subsequent to receipt of the legal termination notice from the Town of Hanover to terminate the water supply to the Tiffany Road area, inserted an Article in the Warrant for the November 14 meeting of 1956, again in the regular Town Meeting in 1957, and again in the October 14 meeting, which Article in all cases was not approved by the Advisory Board, nor voted by the Town of Norwell.
Subsequent to several meetings by the Water Boards of both towns, there was a meeting held December 3, 1957 in Hanover, at which time both Water Boards, as well as the Advisory Boards and Boards of Selectmen of both towns were present, and as a result of this meeting the consensus of opinion was that the matter should be turned back to the two Water Boards for a solution, and agreement on a program of installing water mains in River Street in Norwell, to con- nect the present Norwell municipal system to the Tiffany Road area, and thus relieve the Hanover system of this load.
The two Boards have agreed to a three-year program, whereby the Norwell Board of Water Commissioners will complete the install- ation of the mains, doing one third per year during the next three years, and completing same by 1960; and the Hanover Board of Water
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ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
Commissioners agree to supply the water for this area during that period.
FINANCIAL
The size of the system continues to grow and with this growth its expenses and income have both increased. The income from water sales and meter rentals in 1957 is in round figures $23,500 and from services $1,652.
Because of this increased activity it was necessary to ask the Ad- visory Board for an additional $1,000, and the Selectmen for $1,500 for the General Expense Account, and $500 for the Services Account.
LAND-TAKING
The owners of the property which was taken for the location of the Town Well were unwilling to accept the $3,500 awarded by the Water Commissioners. They brought suit for damages for this prop- erty, for $10,250. A trial was held and the jury awarded them $5,000.
The Board of Water Commissioners regret that George F. Cav- anagh decided not to run for re-election to the Board in March, 1957. Commissioner Cavanagh was one of the original Board of Water Com- missioners voted into office when the system was started.
The Board of Water Commissioners and the Town of Norwell owe Commissioner Cavanagh a debt of gratitude for the tremendous amount of time, labor and effort which he put into the Water Depart- ment, with very little compensation, for the benefit of the Town of Norwell.
The Board of Water Commissioners welcomes the new Com- missioner, Augustine J. Thibodeau, who has shown an aggressive in- terest in the Water Department and its problems. We are fortunate to have his services, and although he was recently immobilized with a heart attack, we look forward to a speedy recovery and renewal of our mutual activities.
The Board wishes to express its appreciation of the townspeople's cooperative spirit. The Department is experiencing the usual growing pains that are so evident in other departments and activities of the Town, and while we attempt to keep the townspeople informed of our activities, we appreciate additional requests at any time for such in- formation.
Respectfully submitted,
JACOB LEE TURNER, Chairman EARLE F. ALLEN AUGUSTINE J. THIBODEAU Board of Water Commissioners.
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TOWN OF NORWELL
Report of the Board of Assessors
Continuing the comparisons that were drawn in 1954, 1955, and 1956, the following data is presented:
1956
1957
Gross Amount Raised
$781,526.38
$760,499.75 - 3%
Amount raised by tax
422,030.80
519,511.24 + 22%
Real Estate Valuation
8,340,970.00
8,857,575.00 + 6%
Personal Property
395,880.00 48.00
371,090.00 - 6%
Increase in Tax Rate
56.00 + 16%
Number of Houses
1,325
1,379
+ 4%
Number of Polls
1,331
1,353
+ 16%
A comparison with the 1956 Report continues to show a decline in the ratio of increased taxable property to an accelerating increase in expenditures, which serves to increase the tax rate.
Personal Property
Requests for Abatement
9
Amount Abated
$226.05
Requests Granted
8
Real Estate
Requests for Abatement
70
Requests Denied 12
Amount Abated
$3,584.10
Requests Granted 58
Requests for Statutory Exemptions:
Requests Denied
Request Granted 76 Amount Exempted $8,762.32
The overlay fund for the current year was set at $12,000. The Veterans' Exemptions account for approximately 2/3 of the overlay fund and is fast nearing the point where it represents a dollar on the Tax Rate.
The Board of Assessors is asking for a substantial increase in their Expense Account this year, in order to accelerate the collection of data and the institution of new records, in order to provide the basis for more equitable valuation of both land and buildings. Also, ad- ditional funds are required to provide office facilities and equipment, inasmuch as the Boards of Assessors, Selectmen, and Public Welfare have been split to the extent that these increased facilities will be re- quired in order for the officials to perform their duties; and in addition, more clerical hours of work will be required to carry out the functions of the split boards.
The Assessors have been very active during the past year in at- tending the various state and county assessors association meetings, in order to obtain as much help as possible from state officials and other
112
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
assessors in connection with our accelerated program on the records and valuation. Chairman of the Board Allen, and a new member, W. Clarke Atwater, attended the Assessors' School held in Amherst, at the University of Mass., under the auspices of the Bureau of Municipal Research, which is held during September 4, 5, and 6, and both Asses- sors were certified as having satisfactorily completed this course in Assessment Procedures.
EARLE F. ALLEN, Chairman THOMAS S. CANN W. CLARKE ATWATER
1957 RECAPITULATION
TOWN
Appropriated at Annual Town Meeting
$676,295.75 54,764.02
From Surplus
$731,059.77
STATE
State Parks and Reservations
1,020.52
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
59.40
Underestimates of 1956
326.30
1,406.22
COUNTY
County Tax
11,032.86
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
4,916.39
Underestimates of 1956
84.51
16,033.76
Overlay of Current Year
12,000.00
$760,499.75
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Income Tax - School Aid
$45,986.55
Income Tax - State Tax Apportionment
4,482.10
Corporation Taxes
9,497.61
Old Age Tax (Meals)
1,085.94
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
42,822.32
Licenses
1,163.50
Fines
186.42
Taxes for State, County, and City or Town Purposes, Including Overlay
On Personal Estate
$20,781.04
On Real Estate
496,024.20
On Polls
2,706.00
Total Taxes Assessed
$519,511.24
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TOWN OF NORWELL
Special Assessments - Moth
60.00
Health and Sanitation
189.50
Charities ( other than federal grants)
3,297.14
Old Age Assistance (other than federal grants)
20,531.15
Veterans' Services
2,674.66
Schools
16,000.00
Water
14,070.27
Interest
701.98
State Assistance for School Contruction (Chapter 645, Acts of 1948)
22,317.90
Town Hall Rentals
567.00
Overestimates of previous year Available Funds
590.45
54,764.02
240,988.51
Net Amount to be raised by Taxation
$519,511.24
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Number of Persons Assessed
Indiv.
Corp.
Total
Personal Estate Only
28
12
40
Real Estate Only
1512
40
1552
Both Personal and Real Estate
81
25
106
Total Number of Persons Assessed
1698
Number of Polls Assessed
1353
Value of Assessed Personal Estate
Stock in Trade
$79,775.00
Machinery
19,350.00
Live Stock
8,985.00
All other tangible
Personal Property 262,980.00
Total Value of Assessed Personal Estate $371,090.00
Value of Assessed Real Estate
Land, exclusive of Buildings $1,195,850.00
Buildings, exclusive
of Land 7,661,725.00
Total Value of Assessed Real Estate 8,857,575.00
Total Valuation of Assessed Estate
$9,228,665.00
Tax Rate per $1,000 $56.00
(School Tax $28.00)
(General Tax
$28.00)
185,634.04
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ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
Number of Live Stock Estimated Under Section 36, Chapter 59
Horses
25
Cows ( Milch) 17
Yearlings 14
Swine
9
Sheep
95
Fowl
1800
All Other
124
Number of Acres of Land Assessed
12,160
Number of Dwelling Houses Assessed
1,379
Public Welfare Report - 1957
The number of cases of Welfare in all catagories remained about the same as last year. Aid to Dependent Children seems to be the catagory which might increase in the future. Costs for most cases continue to increase due to Hospital and Medical expenditures. The State has again changed the manner in which payments are made to vendors, which increases the work-load of administration.
The Welfare Board has hired Mrs. Pearl Gilmore as Clerk-Stenog- rapher under Civil Service.
Due to the resignation of Thomas T. Barstow from the Welfare Board, a special election was held and Ralph H. Coleman was elected to fill the unexpired term.
Total Appropriations - 1957
$38,080.00
Balance U. S. Grants Jan. 1, 1957
22,879.75
Receipts U. S. Grants in 1957
22,504.09
EXPENDITURES - 1957
Aid
$51,302.55
Administration
7,158.63
Balances to Suplus Revenue
1,942.92
Balances to U. S. Grants Jan. 1, 1958
23,059.74
Total Expenditures - 1957
58,461.18
Estimated Share Federal, State and other Towns
41,955.98
Estimated Net Cost to Norwell for Aid and Administration
16,505.20
Board of Public Welfare
THOMAS S. CANN EARLE F. ALLEN RALPH H. COLEMAN
HELEN E. NORRIS, Agent
115
TOWN OF NORWELL
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
School Committee ERNEST W. HASKINS, JR., Chairman NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Secretary Professor WILLIAM G. VINAL GEORGE H. WHITCHER, JR. GUNVOR N. ARMSTRONG
Superintendent of Schools CLIFTON E. BRADLEY
Office: Salmond School, Hanover, Tel. TA 6-2433 Residence: 339 Center St., Hanover Center, Tel. TA 6-2353
School Physician RAYMOND G. VINAL, M. D.
School Nurse CATHERINE A. ROE
School Dentists DONALD W. PARSONS, D.M.D. DONALD C. MacLEOD, D.M.D.
Janitors
ROBERT PIKE HAROLD YOUNG GORDON LAMBERT
GEORGE ALEXANDER
High School High School Elementary School Grace F. Cole School
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ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1958-1959
Dec. 21 - Jan. 4, 1958
January 6, 1958
February 22 - March 1
Vacation - one week later than usual
April 4
Good Friday - No School
April 19-26
Vacation - one week later than usual Memorial Day
May 30
June 19
Elementary Schools close
High School closes
September 4, 1958
October 13
October 24
Teachers' Convention
November 11
Veterans' Day
Nov. 26 (noon), 27 & 28
Thanksgiving Recess
December 23
Full Day
Dec. 24 - Jan. 3, 1959
Christmas Recess
January 5, 1959
Schools Open
February 16-20
Vacation
PRACTICAL ARTS COURSES
The State Department of Education sponsors a program of eve- ning Practical Arts courses open to any adult resident of the Town. These courses are planned to encourage the development of creative leisure time activities.
In the fall of 1957 Norwell offered two beginners and one ad- vanced class in sewing under the direction of Mrs. John P. Mc- Donough, and a course in furniture refinishing under the direction of Mr. C. May. These were three hour classes given one night a week for two ten week periods. There will be an exhibition of the students work at the end of the course, which will be open to the public.
A complete list of the courses offered by the state is available at the office of the school superintendent. Any of these courses requested by twelve or more may be offered in the 1957-58 program. The com- mittee would welcome any suggestions from interested townspeople.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY HAKANSON ROSEMARY CUNNINGHAM WARREN WHEELER
Christmas Vacation
Elementary Schools open
Schools Open
Columbus Day observance
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TOWN OF NORWELL
Report of Superintendent of Schools
It gives me pleasure to submit my fifteenth annual report to the School Committee and the citizens of Norwell.
By far the most pressing educational problem is the keeping ahead on our building program to take care of the rapidly increasing school enrollments. If we are to maintain a good educational system that will do for each child what every parent rightfully expects, then we must always be two or three years ahead in the planning of to- morrow's schools. Unfortunately schools do not get built until the need has been demonstrated by overcrowding and temporary facil- ities, with the net result that we are always in a critical position. Pro- jected enrollments for the next several years amply prove that we need more schools.
Three committees have been working on school building problems this past year. The Elementary School Building Committee should have an addition on the elementary school by the end of 1958. The Regional School Study Committee has made its recommendation for a Hanover-Norwell Regional High School. The over all study com- mittee has several articles indicating that the Grace Farrar Cole ad- dition committee should become active at once, and giving as an alternate to the regional idea the building of its own high school. In- creases in enrollments indicate that Norwell will have a continuing building problem for several years to come.
Enrollments Grades 1-12
Projected Enrollments
Oct. 1, 1951
518
1958
1197
1952
614
1959
1307
1953
699
1960
1409
1954
786
1961
1507
1955
870
1956
966
1957
1029
It is not difficult to understand what will continue to happen to the Norwell enrollment. It is easiest explained by saying that our entering groups will be from 150-160 children, while our graduating groups are quite small, 31 this year, 51 next year, so that each year we are picking up a net increase.
However, the changes are taking place at about four places, in- stead of all at the bottom. We will have to increase the rooms as
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ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
follows in September 1958- Seniors to two groups; Grade 7 to three groups; Grade 6 possibly four groups and Grade 1, six groups.
We will immediately fill four of the six rooms when the new ele- mentary addition is ready. By September 1959 we will be without space unless a six-room addition is ready at the Grace Farrar Cole School.
All around the country greater emphasis is being placed on the teaching of mathematics and science. This is a laudable move, but an equal or greater emphasis must be placed on the teaching of the humanities, and the development of better statesmen. Thus history, geography, language, economics and government all must be available and be stressed. The man who bargains on an international level will be just as important, or more so, than he who creates a missile. There- fore, a change in the curricula of our secondary schools is to be ex- pected. This will be a natural outgrowth of the increase in the size of the class entering our secondary schools, whether local or regional, and is already taking place.
The quality of education which we have in Norwell is determined largely by the calibre of the teachers secured and retained. Each year there is a great effort made to maintain the high standard of the teaching staff. Many factors contribute to this process of getting the best possible teachers, but an adequate salary schedule puts us in a competitive position. In August the School Committee voted a $3,300.00 minimum, which became mandatory under the State law. In December, after hearing the recommendation of a special Salary Study Committee, the School Committee voted that its minimum on January 1, 1958 would be $3,600.00 and that automatic raises, which usually came in January, would be delayed until September. Since bills have been placed in the legislature for a $4,000.00 minimum, it would appear that the top in teachers salaries has not yet been reached.
Many communities in the State have been unable to secure fully qualified teachers under the new certification law, and Norwell is no exception. Such teachers are given a year to get their credentials in order.
Two staff members retired this year. Mrs. Rose Vose, who has been our commercial teacher since September 1949, retired in June, but has returned a number of times during the fall as a substitute teacher. Dr. Willis Parsons, who initiated our dental program retired in December after serving the schools of Norwell for many years as school dentist. We expect to see both of these fine people frequently
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