Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969, Part 102

Author:
Publication date: 1960
Publisher: The Board
Number of Pages: 2480

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program. We are now negotiating for the purchase of approximately 42 acres to be used by the townspeople for open space, and for which we hope to receive Self-Help.

The Conservation Commission has been watching developments on the relocation of Rt. 128 (now 228) but no definite action has been taken as yet to our knowledge.

We are also watching the Inland Wetlands Bill, which has not yet been passed, although attempts are being made to make it more acceptable to its opponents.

In April the Cons. Com, attended the Water Pollution Control hearing at the State House, at which time we were told the North River had been classified "SA" which is the highest possible rating. It is the intention of the Conservation Commission to watch for any further threat of pollution to the river.

Several Conservation Com, members attended the Attorney General's meeting on Air, Water, Harbor and River Pollution in Boston on Novem- ber 8th. We all heartily endorse the report he has sent out in which the Attorney General states that present day statutes which were drafted many years ago are inadequate in dealing the the "crippling impact of today's air and water pollution" but a determined beginning has been made. Your Conservation Commission, as it has in the past supports, and will continue to support all regional and state agencies in their efforts to combat air and water pollution both locally and state wide.

At present the Conservation Commission is anticipating gifts of land from several sources, among them developers who realize the value of open space areas in town planning. It is the intention of the Cons. Com- mission to assist the town in maintaining plentiful water supplies, pre- venting future flooding, obtaining recreational areas, and helping to retain the beauty and charm of the town.

Good conservation can save many tax dollars and it is our belief that good programming by the Conservation Commission is identical with the goals of all our responsible citizens.

Arthur L. Merritt, Chairman Mildred Hastings George H. Whitcher, Jr. Joseph P. Paradis David C. Stewart Wesley H. Osborne, Jr. Katherine E. Cranton, Secretary

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ON AGING

Board of Selectmen Town Hall Norwell, Massachusetts

In accordance with Chapter 242 of the Acts of 1966, the Norwell Council On Aging respectfully submits the following report of its activities and programs for the Year 1967.

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1. The Council made provisions for the Norwell Senior Citizens to have a drop-in meeting once a month at the Town Hall Lobby.

2. Early in 1967 the Council arranged for a speaker, who presented a program on wild bird life, for the senior citizens.

3. The Council chairman attended the Conference on Aging that was held in Worcester in the Spring.

4. The Council arranged and provided three recreational trips for citizens of Norwell over the age of 60. The trips sponsored in 1967 were as follows:

(a) In the early summer the first trip included the Plimouth Plan- tation and the newly established Plymouth Wax Museum.

(b) In mid-summer, a boat trip which toured Boston Harbor.

These trips were well attended and enjoyed by the participants. The fall foliage trip was the most popular of the season and included nearly fifty citizens.

In addition to the recreational program, the Council investigated the recently established "FISH" program. The Council believes that this program can be of real value to some of the elderly citizens in Town,

The Council also conferred with various members of the Clergy to learn of programs that may be of interest to all of our elderly citizens.

Respectfully submitted, Mary Jane Petze, Chairman

* Thomas Coughlin, Secretary Warner Abbott Robert MacWilliams Gladys Wilder

*resigned, November 1967.

REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

At the request of this commission, an article was inserted in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting, and acted upon favorably, which amended the Zoning By-law by establishing a new Business District C, a limited industrial district, which lies on both sides of the Southeast Expressway. That portion bounded southwesterly by the Expressway, by the Rockland Town Line, Pond Street and a line 500 feet distant from Washington Street is designated District C-1. The area bounded north- easterly by the Expressway, by the Rockland Town Line, by the Hanover Town Line, a portion of the westerly side line of High Street and the westerly line of the residential district on the westerly side of High Street, is designated District C-2.

The original District C-1 permitted a very broad category of business activities, provided that they were not offensive, injurious nor hazardous,

but with very little control by the Town. Under the new By-law in Busi- ness District C, the various business uses to be permitted are enumerated, but before a business may be established, approval must be given by the Board of Appeals. There is also enumerated a list of prohibited uses.

In order that this report may be as useful and informative as possi- ble, reference is made to the Town Clerk's Record of the March 14th Town Meeting, Articles 46 and 47, where this By-law is quoted in full.

Loring H. Jacobs, Chairman Mario G. Cayon, Clerk Frederick A. Truelove D. Frank Mederos Richard A. Gaudette

REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER

Selectmen Town of Norwell Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

I submit my report as Dog Officer of the Town of Norwell for the year of 1967.

Strays

Complaints investigated

Dogs reported missing 58

Dogs returned to owners 27

Injured dogs taken to veterinarian

or owner 3

Under the General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 136A -- License period is between April 1 and the following March 31 both dates in- clusive.

Section 137 -- The owner or keeper of a licensed dog shall cause it to wear around its neck or body a collar or harness of leather or other suitable material, to which shall be securely attached a tag in a form prescribed by the director and upon which shall appear the license num- ber, the name of the town issuing such license and the year of issue.

This will help in returning your dog if picked up.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert L. Molla, Sr.

Dog Officer

REPORT OF THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

The past year marks the first full year of the operation of the Town Radio Network, with all vehicles of the Highway and Tree Departments being in constant communication with the Center, as well as with each other. This has meant a greatly improved efficiency, not only in times of storms, but in day to day operations.

In addition to calls handled for the Town Network, there were a total of 32,642 logged calls as follows:

Police Department 19,044

Fire Department 6,447

Miscellaneous (Visiting Nurse, information, etc.) 7,151

The Center is now manned by two full time operators who work forty hours per week, two operators who each work a twenty hour week, and ten operators who cover the balance of the eight hour shifts. Additional trained operators are still needed, however, to help in case of illness and vacations.

The Committee has requested a 5% cost of living increase in wages for all operators, which is a most reasonable request by comparison with current pay scales and it is hoped that this will be approved at the March town meeting.

Additional fire and police alarms have been installed this past year because of requirements of nursing homes and the opening of new busi- nesses in town, and it is planned to install a police teletype which will provide immediate contact with adjacent towns and the State Police, all of which add to the tasks of the operators, but which are essential for a complete communications operation.

We wish to "take our hats off" to the operators who carry on these rugged schedules throughout the year in such an efficient manner and with such a complete understanding of the responsibilities placed upon them.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER BOARD

W. Clarke Atwater, Chairman Kenneth J. Bradeen Warren P. Merritt

REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Board of Fire Engineers submits to the Board of Selectmen and the citizens of the Town of Norwell the report of the Fire Department for 1967.

The following calls were processed through the Communications Center from January 1, 1967 through December 31, 1967:

Buildings (includes electrical, etc.)

Grass & Woods

Dump

Motor Vehicles

Resuscitator calls

Investigations

Accidents

Mutual Aid given

Mutual Aid received

Fire Permits issued

2,822

Misc. Calls (for information, etc.)

3,514

Total

6,474

At the Annual Meeting in March funds were appropriated for construc- tion of a Central Fire Station to be built on the site of the present facili- ties. We are pleased to report that the project is underway, and we are looking forward to operating from our new quarters in the late spring.

New equipment was added to the Department and placed in service at the three Fire Stations. The main items were a two-way portable radio, 850 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose, and a generator for Station 2.

The Massachusetts Drill Masters held six weekly classes for the pur- pose of instructing firemen in the modern methods of Firefighting and First Aid.

This year we have added two new units to our Fire Alarm System, the William G. Vinal School on Old Oaken Bucket Road, and J. M. Fields Department Store at the Queen Anne Plaza. This makes a total of ten (10) properties now being protected by the system.

The Fire Department commends, with great pleasure, the Norwell residents for their cooperation in helping us carry out our duties. We wish, also, to extend our thanks to the operators of the Communications Center for the excellent manner in which they handle emergencies.

Respectfully submitted, BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS Warren P. Merritt, Chief Loring L. Wadsworth, Deputy Chief John J. Winske, Jr. Donald H. Newton Orville E. Devine James T. King, Clerk

REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SURVEYOR

To the Citizens of Norwell:

I hereby submit my annual report for the year 1967 concerning the activities of the Highway Department.

The Highway Department had a very busy Spring in 1967 because of the heavy rains. We only had occasional flooding of the roadways but we did receive many complaints from homeowners whose homes are in low lying land. . The end of the drought raised the water level and the houses that were built in the low lands had considerable trouble and will continue to whenever the water level is high. We are way behind in our drainage work and could very easily spend $30,000.00 a year on this work, which is now under the control of the Drainage Committee.

During the Spring rains we kept all the drains and streams open and with the help of the state, ten beavers, that were damming up the water, were taken from Norwell's wet areas. We cleaned out all catch basins and drains in town by mechanical equipment that pumps and flushes the basins. We now have over 300 catch basins and are getting more every day as we accept new developments, etc.

We are still in hopes of getting a street sweeper for the town. We have

been unable to hire this equipment when it is needed. We now have to sweep and pick up sand by the old hand method of broom and shovel. This is very costly and as it now stands we can only do the real bad spots of heavy accumulation, corners, etc.

The Chapter 90 work was carried out on Main Street. We put the finish coat of Type I from the Jr. High School to Charles Bailey's resi- dence. We also seeded the roadside along this area. We excavated the road and straightened out the corner by the Turner's. We put in 1200 feet of pipe, six catch basins, four man holes, and opened up the entrance to Paradise Drive for safety measures. We then put the first 2" of hot top on the roadway.

Next year this section by Turner's will have two more coats of top and the roadside will be cleaned, planted, and seeded.

We did take the old roadway, where possible, and cut a 6 foot sidewalk. The old surface at that location was 10 to 14 inches thick and it would have been a terrible shame to do away with this added safety measure, es- pecially as a new church is being built at this location.

I can see the end in sight of the Chapter 90 work. I would say in 1970 with extra money from the special chapter and some money from the Drainage Committee, it should be possible to complete the work to the center.

In 1967 we did the Tiffany Road bridge work. The work was put out to bid but we did the fine grading, graveling, and Type I mix work.

We also did resurfacing of Type I on Grove Street, River Street and Tiffany Road. On South, School, Prospect and Summer Streets we did mix and place work.

The rising cost of material and labor makes it evident that we will have to ask for a lot more money to do this type work, as well as our maintenance work. The prices have increased faster than the appropria- tions and consequently we are far behind.

It would surprise you how much material we use in the course of a year for work on all of our projects. I will list a few examples of materials used in 1967: salt -- over 2000 tons, sand -- over 2,000 yards, gravel and fill -- 4,000 yards, mix and place material -- 1,000 yards, Type I hot top -- over 2,000 tons, Roadway oil surface sealer -- 68,000 gals., paint -- 150 gals., reflector glass beads -- 600 lbs., cement pipe -- 1500 feet and so on and on.

We have been using more chemicals in the Winter to make the roadways safer. We are also using some rubber snow plow blades in an effort to cut down on time, labor, and replacement of steel blades. We now have three and they are working out very well.

Snowstorms are very expensive. We plow all streets, schools, and town facilities. We try to have the roads ready for all emergencies that might arise and for the speed and safety that motorists expect now. We also plow the sidewalks, so there will always be rising costs to take care

of snow removal and sanding.

All during the year we are doing our routine maintenance and water service work. We also prepare the roads for the Chapter 81 oiling pro- jects. This is gone over by the Selectmen and the state.

I wish to express my sincere thanks for the cooperation of all town officers, the various committees, the town departments, and the citizens of Norwell with whom I have had the pleasure of working with this past year.

I would also like to say that we are most grateful for the assistance of the Department of Public Works at the Middleboro District 7 office. Without their help and cooperation such projects as Chapter 81 mainte- nance on all Norwell roads, Chapter 90 reconstruction of Main Street and Tiffany Road, and street painting of Rte 123 would not have been possible.

Sincerely, E. Arnold Joseph Highway Surveyor

REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS

Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

As inspector of Animals for the Town of Norwell, I have completed my duties for 1967 and report as follows:

Inspected barns and reported same to the State.

Reported to the Division of Livestock Disease Control the census of animals in the Town of Norwell.

Quarantined and released approximately thirty-four dogs.

Respectfully submitted, Richard E. Cugnasca, D.V.M. Inspector of Animals

REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR

Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

Respectfully, the annual report of the Building Inspector is submitted as follows:

The year 1967 shows a substantial increase over the previous year in the number of permits issued. Probably the most interesting fact is the total of 83 new dwellings, an increase of 16 more than in 1966.

Of the over two million dollars spent on new buildings in Norwell last year, nearly one and a half million dollars went into new homes.

The new fire station is under construction, a welcomed and much needed facility for our Town,

Building permits issued and inspections made in 1967 are summarized as follows:

RESIDENTIAL

New Dwellings

Additions - Residential 41

Garages - Residential

Barns, sheds, etc.

Swimming Pools

COMMERCIAL & MUNICIPAL

Non-Residential Buildings

Additions - Non-Residential

Garages - Commercial

Water Tank

Fellowship Hall

Fire Station

Gun Club

OTHER

Construction Trailers

Buildings moved

Buildings demolished

Replacement of 1966 permit

TOTAL PERMITS ISSUED 176

The cordial cooperation of all Town Boards and Committees throughout the year is gratefully appreciated; and special thanks to Mr. Harry Chase and Mrs. Mildred Sundwall for their continued helpfulness.

Respectfully submitted, Charles E. White, Building Inspector Richard C. Wiley, Alternate Inspector

REPORT OF THE GAS INSPECTOR

Board of Selectmen

Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

One hundred and five applications for installation of gas appliances were filed during 1967, and inspections of these installations were made by Gas Inspector George A. Beach and Alternate Gas Inspector Warren P. Merritt.

Fees collected from the installers amounted to $435.00 and were paid,

in turn, to the inspectors.

Respectfully submitted, George A. Beach Inspector of Gas

REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES

Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

Electrical permits were issued for two hundred and thirty-four instal- lations during the calendar year 1967 and inspections made by Wire Inspector Raymond A. Hansen and Alternate Inspector J. Lee Turner.

Fees collected in 1967 amounting to $1,999.00 were paid to the wire inspectors for their services.

Respectfully submitted, Raymond A. Hansen Inspector of Wires

REPORT OF THE JAMES LIBRARY

In 1967 the James Library has continued in its endeavor to improve and expand the service it has provided to the readers of Norwell for 60 years.

The number of registered reader families increased during the year to 931, an increase of 95 over last year. The adult section lent 12,193 volumes and the juvenile section 9,599, for a total of 21,792. The books in circulation are constantly being added to, with purchases of 364 titles dur- ing the year. At the same time, the books on the shelves are being kept up to date not only by purchases but by discarding those that are worn out or out-of-date; in 1967 370 books were removed from the collection. None of this, of course, could be done without the knowledge and the devotion of our two librarians, Mrs. Helen Roubound and Mrs. Constance Sayrs.

The Trustees note with pleasure that the Town's students continue to make extensive use of the material and facilities of the Library, and it is anticipated that in 1968 we will be able to have the Library open to the public for more hours each week than it has been in the past.

Respectfully submitted, Trustees of the Library David Gredler Mildred Hastings, Treasurer Bruce Hawthorne Harriet L. Meyer, Secretary William C. Bennett, Chairman

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE

As provided by Chapter 588 of the Acts of 1966 which amended Section III of Chapter 6 of the General Laws, the following towns were elected to membership in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) during 1967: Rockport, Ipswich, Acton, Maynard, Bolton, Hudson, Bellingham, Franklin, and Foxborough. This brings the number of cities and towns now represented in this organization to 92.

It has been a year of considerable accomplishment by the MAPC as evidenced by the number of reports of its projects which have been pro- duced and distributed. These are,-

1. Open Space and Recreational Plan and Program Volume I, Boston Harbor Volume II, The Mystic, Charles and Neponset Rivers

2. Economic Base and Population Study

Volume I, Historic Analysis

Volume II, Prospects for Economic Growth

Volume III, Population Projection for Eastern Massachusetts

3. Comprehensive Land Use Inventory

4. Planning Metropolitan Boston

5. Solid Waste Disposal Volume I

6. Inventory of Water and Sewer Facilities

7. Draft Reports on Supporting Studies - Mass. P-34 Project a. Education Facilities and Land Use in Eastern Massachusetts

b. Residential Renewal in the Boston Metropolitan Area

c. Employment and Manpower Requirements in the Core, 1950-1990

d. Hospital and Health Facilities in Eastern Massachusetts

The MAPC sponsored legislation to provide for solid waste disposal which would be accomplished through established districts under the supervision of the Department of Public Works. This matter is pending in the General Court.

Reginald M. Savage, Representative

REPORT OF THE PERMANENT BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE

Construction on the William Gould Vinal Elementary School was com- pleted in late summer in time for the start of Fall sessions. Contracts were let in October for the construction of the new Central Fire Station adjacent to the Town Hall. It is expected, weather permitting, to complete

the structure in the latter part of March or early in April.

PERMANENT BUILDING & MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE Richard E. Bergeron, Chairman William R. Schultz, Secretary Arthur Raymond Harold Cranton Duncan Banks Fred Levin George Frost

REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD

To the Citizens of Norwell

SUB-DIVISION CONTROL

The primary responsibility of this board is to satisfy the requirements of the state's Subdivision Control Law. Although there has been a sharp decline in the number of sub-divisions reaching the stage of final approval (only one in 1966 and none in 1967) the Planning Board is involved in the progress of previously approved subdivisions until the new roads are accepted by the Town at a Town Meeting as well as preliminary planning on future sub-divisions. This board works closely with the Drainage Committee, Highway Department, and Board of Water Commissioners, to be sure that new subdivisions are planned and constructed according to established rules and regulations.

Plans for house lots on established ways do not come under the rules of the Sub-Division Control Law and may be endorsed by the Planning Board if they meet all Norwell zoning requirements. Forty-two such plans were endorsed in 1967, which is the same number as 1966.

ZONING BY-LAW CHANGES

Three by-law changes will be considered at the 1968 Town Meeting. One changes a small amount of land from residential to business on the Northwest corner of Washington and Pond Streets. This is a logical move as a portion of this land has already been granted a zoning variance for business purposes and would be undesirable for residential use.

The second article puts the same controls on developments in the business districts "B" as we voted last year for business district "C", which is to have the Zoning Board of Appeals approve any project.

The third article concerns a zoning change which this board feels is necessary to control the proper use of land as intended by the Zoning By-laws. So that owners of land larger than a normal house lot could take advantage of the back land, the present law allows him to run a "way", 40 feet wide, to the back land and utilize it as a house lot. Although intended to allow land owners to make maximum use of their land, the interpretation of the current law by some has created lots of undesirable shapes, and ways which are drawn to satisfy the law but are never used which means that a number of homes may be using a common unfinished road not in the control of the Town. The Planning Board is asking that the current law be revised so that these situations cannot

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continue. The Article also provides means so that house lots located on the curve of a road can be pie-shaped to provide a better size lot for the house. House lots on the inside of the curve will have longer frontage on the street and lots on the outside of the curve can have shorter frontage.

MUNICIPAL EXPANSION

At this time, the study of the Selectmen's and Planning Board's plans for the needs of schools, Town office facilities, police station and other projects has not been completed. The work of the Planning Board in the continuing of its long-range planning will depend to a large extent on the results of this study.

CHITTENDEN LANE

A plan showing seven (7) house lots was submitted by a landowner on Chittenden Lane who claimed that this lane was a Public Way as defined in the Sub-Division Control Law, and, therefore, need only be endorsed as a plan not requiring approval under this law. This meant that the controls built into the law such as road layout and construction could not be used by the Town. After investigation, the Planning Board agreed that Chit- tenden Lane was a Public Way, having been established hundreds of years ago as a public way from River Street to the Town-owned public landing on the North River. The Board of Selectmen, however, have disagreed with the opinion of the Planning Board. Action is now being taken by the Town through the courts to legally determine whether or not Chittenden Lane is a Public Way and to answer other pertinent questions in this matter.

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Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969, Part 102

Author: Publication date: 1960 Publisher: The Board Number of Pages: 2480

Author:
Publication date: 1960
Publisher: The Board
Number of Pages: 2480