USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969 > Part 23
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The Highway Department has its trucks stored on Cross Street in a 32' x 36' wooden building. Tools and other equipment are kept there too, as much as the space will allow. It is very difficult to have equipment and materials stored in about six different places all over Norwell, but because of the space problem on Cross Street it is necessary.
The stockpile at the Town Dump has been equipped with electric lights as a safety measure for working at night. Having the sand stored at the Dump makes it difficult at times because it is hard to get someone to travel to this area in the wee small hours of the morning and load sand without the availability of a me- chanical loader.
I am asking for a plow this year to help build up our equipment to enable us to cover our routes in Town more quickly. We will have three new developments next year, the roadway area at the schools has expanded and the Expressway will give us two more dead- end roads-Pine Street and Stetson Road- along with two service roads from Stetson Road directly to River Street and Pine Street to River Street. This will delay us more in our snow plowing and sanding.
It is my hope that the above-mentioned service roads and dead-
122
end roadways will be renamed to help clarify the streets in case of emergency.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the cooperation ex- tended to me by the Town Officials, the various committees and de- partments and to the citizens of Norwell who I have had the pleasure of working with this past year.
Respectfully submitted, E. ARNOLD JOSEPH
Highway Surveyor
CHAPTER 81 FINAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1961
Town of Norwell, Chapter 81 Preliminary Estimate, Allot. $20,400, State $14,025, Town $6,375
NO.
ROAD NAME
TOTAL MILES
MILEAGE BY TYPES BCI BMAI BMR RMA GRA WB GR
ALLOT. EXPEND. REMARKS-Work Other Than Gen. Maint.
1
Summer
1.52
0.64
0.88
605
555.32
S. T. 1200 gals. MC-4
2
Grove
3.41
3.41
1060
967.88
S. T. 2500 gals. MC-4
3
High
1.24
1.24
175
82.72
4
Prospect
2.32
2.32
710
648.03
S. T. 1900 gals. MC-4
6
Bowker
1.20
0.10
1.10
175
38.25
8 Central
0.86
0.50
0.36
200
171.54
10
Circuit
1.85
1.85
760
656.97
S. T. 1800 gals. MC-4
13
Cross
1.74
1.74
680
577.23
S. T. 1200 gals. MC-4
16
Forest
1.12
1.12
150
102.60
17
Green
1.65
0.52
1.13
810
604.82
S. T. 120 gals. MC-4
18
Jacobs Lane
0.66
0.23
0.43
100
52.70
19
Lincoln
1.92
1.92
590
648.95
20
Main
4.91
2.27
2.42
0.20
2370
4192.90
0.38 mile B.C.I. Ch. 90, S. T. 3470 gals. MC-4, S. T. 3434 gals. RC-2
21
Mt. Blue
2.62
0.34
2.28
2500
726.78
S. T. 1600 gals. MC-4
22
Norwell Ave.
0.80
0.80
150
173.23
24
Parker
0.80
0.80
100
121.21
26
Pleasant
2.07
0.40
1.67
690
529.75
27
Pine
1.54
0.34
1.20
900
715.15
28
Pond
0.58
0.58
75
22.40
29
River
3.32
2.80
0.52
2850
3578.02
0.50 mile RMA 6523 gals. MC-3, S. T. 900 gals. MC-4
30
School
0.60
0.60
130
226.65
S. T. 200 gals. MC-4
31
South
0.79
0.79
100
84.40
32
Stetson Rd.
1.41
1.41
100
50.05
33
Tiffany
0.94
0.94
825
801.46
S. T. 1200 gals. MC-4
36
Winter
1.57
0.97
0.60
700
647.40
S. T. 1800 gals. MC-4
38
Mt. Hope
0.59
0.59
450
322.17
S. T. 700 gals. MC-4
60
Old Oaken Bucket
1.55
1.55
520
890.22
S. T. 900 gals. MC-4
Secondary Sts.
7.34
1925
2211.20
S. T. 600 gals. MC-3, S. T. 2000 gals. MC-4
TOTALS
50.92
20400 20,400.00
123
S. T. 1300 gals. 'MC-4
S. T. 2000 gals. MC-4
S. T. 1353 gals. MC-4
0.02
124
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
From the initiation of the Electrical Inspection Program on September 1, 1961, fifty-five permits were issued by the end of the year, covering various electrical installations. Approximately 130 man-hours were involved in inspections resulting from the issuance of these Permits.
Rules and Regulations for Electrical Wiring have been promulgated which are available at the Town Offices, together with applications for Electrical Permits and schedule of fees for same.
Respectfully submitted, RAYMOND A. HANSEN
Inspector of Wires
Report of the Planning Board
Board of Selectmen Norwell
Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
During the past year the tempo of activities for the Planning Board has increased considerably. We have endorsed approximately sixty individual lot plans in addition to approving the final plans for two new subdivisions with a total of eighty-four building lots. Also, we have been closely following the progress of the two pre-
125
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
viously approved subdivisions. Recently, preliminary plans for two proposed subdivisions have been submitted to the Planning Board for its considerations, so it is safe to assume that by the end of 1962 we will have at least six subdivisions in various stages of con- struction. Conversely, this increased activity on our part will be re- flected in the work load of other Departments six to eighteen months from now when the presently approved projects have been completed.
In the constant review of the Zoning By-law Regulations, and in our concept of them in relation to the best interests of the Town, we anticipate some changes which will clarify and up-date them to meet the everchanging conditions confronting us.
This year's Warrant contains a number of Articles submitted by thee Planning Board, which we think will resolve the Town Garage Site problem. Yet there are other major problems which we are presently working on, in cooperation with other Town bodies, such as the extension of Route 128 and the disposition of 540 acres of the Hingham Ammunition Depot Annex which lie in Norwell. We are working closely, also, with the Planning Boards of other Towns on these two problems and we are hopeful that satisfactory solutions will be found this year which will be beneficial to Norwell.
As an outgrowth of our many meetings with other Planning Boards, there has been organized an informal confederation of the local Planning Boards into the South Shore Regional Planning Coun- cil. This Council will deal with the many mutual problems which con- front the local Planning Boards and we are sure you will hear more of its work in the years to come.
Respectfully submitted, NORWELL PLANNING BOARD Joseph Paradis, Chairman Charles W. Bayley, Jr., Clerk Ralph Coleman George Joseph Gilman Wales
126
CIVIL DEFENSE
Report of William J. Leonard Memorial Library
To the Board of Selectmen :
Norwell, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The Trustees of the William J. Leonard Memorial Library are pleased to report that the library has had on of its busiest years. We have a great many new borrowers and our circulation is far above that of other years.
We have tried to please everyone's reading tastes by purchasing "Best Sellers" and standard books, both fiction and non-fiction. The Librarians are ever ready to assist in the selecting of books for pleasure or research. Our reference section is growing larger, and we expect to increase it even more this coming year.
We wish to sincerely thank Combination # 2 of the Norwell Fire Department for their help and many courtesies this past year.
We look forward to seeing our regular patrons, as well as many new ones this coming year. Come visit our small, but ever busy library on Route 3 adjoining the Fire Station.
Respectfully submitted, Lorraine Duty Mildred M. Carr Alfred Prouty
Trustees.
Annual Report of the Civil Defense Agency
During the past year the Norwell Civil Defense Agency continued its participation with other departments in dealing with emergency situations such as severe storms, hurricanes and lost persons. The Communications Center, the ambulance operation, the improvement of a communications net within the Town, the enlargement and train- ing of the Auxiliary Police, and the increased problems brought about by world tensions and fears of nuclear warfare, are the prime con- cerns of Civil Defense at this writing.
127
CIVIL DEFENSE
The Auxiliary Police, under the able leadership of Sgt. Thomas Robinson, continue to be a vital part of our organization and their growth and training is one of our prime objectives. The members again gave unhesitatingly of their time when called upon, particularly during the summer months when they gave generously of their time on Sunday afternoons to help with the traffic problem on Route 3 at Grove and High Streets. This, we are glad to say, is a problem of the past as the opening of the Expressway will move this bottle- neck further down Route 3.
In April, we obtained from Government Surplus, an excellent Cadillac ambulance which is operated under the direction of Civil Defense. Nominal charges are made for the ambulance runs so that this service we hope can be sell-supporting. As this is written in December, the ambulance has made 70 "paid" runs and its availa- bility has been a factor in the saving of several lives- even one of which makes the operation a worthwhile one. An essential part of the equipment is a resuscitator, which was donated for the ambulance by the Norwell Lions Club and the entire Town is grateful to them for this valuable and generous contribution to the Town emergency facilities. The Red Cross First Aid course which was held during the winter assure of a group of well-trained ambulance drivers.
We are also indebted to Virta's Garage for their cooperation in repainting the exterior of the ambulance, to the members of the Police Department for refinishing the interior, and to the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association for the gift of six blankets from the Jessie R. C. Atwater Memorial Fund.
The current world crisis, of course, has brought a renewed interest in Civil Defense and we have had many requests for information on Fallout, Shelters and Emergency Equipment. This last item is of value to all households in case of natural disasters as well as for the possibility of nuclear attack. To date we know of two private shelters being constructed in Town. The problem of public shelters is receiving our attention jointly with the State and Federal Govern- ments. With other Town Departments we are urging the return to Norwell of the 548 acres lying in the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot Annex which used to be part of the Town. On this land are a dozen large storage bunkers which could be equipped for com- munity shelters at a nominal expense, providing shelter for at least 2500 residents. Other possible shelter sites in town are being studied, as is the problem of care or evacuation during school sessions.
128
DOG OFFICER
We do not wish to enter into any controversy in this report as to the feasability or not of the shelter problem. Our mission is to be responsible for the welfare of the people under emergency circum- stances and to provide the best care we can with a limited budget to operate on. Our setup is entirely volunteer and our facilities are limited. When disasters do arise we find that many residents expect a great deal from us, but they are not willing to provide us with additional equipment with which to work. If Norwell residents are to continue to expect a great deal during emergencies, it is they who should initiate the appropriations which will increase our means to be of greater help. This Town Department, like any other, can only do a job proportionate to the tools at hand. No one is wise enough to say that we are not faced with nuclear war, or serious storms, or serious fires. Like carrying insurance, we must decide for ourselves how much protection we need. Then, if disaster strikes, adjust our- selves to the situation as best we can with the protection we have decided upon.
Respectfully submitted,
W. Clarke Atwater, Director Civil Defense Agency
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 1961.
Stray dogs picked up 24
Complaints investigated 37
Dogs returned to owners 30
Disposal of injured dogs 3
Badly injured dogs brought to vet 1
Miscellaneous complaints . 50
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT L. MOLLA, SR.
Dog Officer
129
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Report of the Conservation Commission
To the Citizens of Norwell:
Your Conservation Commission was appointed by the Selectmen following the Town Meeting in March. Almost at once two oppor- tunities arose for us to work in cooperation with other newly-created Conservation Commissions in other towns.
The first and most pressing situation concerns the forthcoming release by the Federal Government of the Cohasset Annex of the Hingham Ammunition Depot. Some 490 acres of this 3200 acre site lie in Norwell. It is our hope that the Annex, the last unspoiled green area of this size on the South Shore, can be acquired and used as a unit for conservation purposes. We plan to make a further re- port on this situation at the Annual Town Meeting.
The second opportunity for concerted action has concerned the preservation of the salt marshes along the North River. Constituting as they do one of the most beautiful natural assets of each of the towns along its course, we believe the river and its marshes should be kept in as close to their natural state as is possible without placing unfair restrictions upon individual landowners. Toward this end, we are offering an amendment to the Zoning By-Law at the Annual Town Meeting. Similar articles are being prepared to appear in the warrants of town meetings in Scituate, Marshfield, Hanover and Pembroke. We hope the voters of Norwell will take favorable action on this article at the meeting.
Other projects under study include the possibility of restoring the annual herrings runs on First and Second Herring Brooks, acqui- sition of land around Black Pond in cooperation with the National Conservancy and the development of a Nature Center on Town- owned land at Jacobs Pond. We have also consulted with the Water Department on their needs for additional land for well development.
Since our organization in April, we have met and discussed mutual problems with other town committees as well as with private organizations and citizens. We believe that Norwell, in common with other towns in the area, faces as serious a crisis in trying to keep its attractive character as it does in meeting its growing expenses.
We would remind you that your Conservation Commission has no power to "take" land in any manner. The town may vote to buy, or accept as a gift, land to be used for conservation purposes. Such
130
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
land could then be managed by the Commission. At the meeting that created this Commission last March, the town voted the sum of $5,500 to be used for conservation purposes. In the event that any or all this money is used to buy land for conservation, the cost of the land would be shared equallly by the State. At the Annual Meeting we are requesting an additional appropriation of $6,800 to be added to the conservation fund. This figure represents 1/20 of 1% of this year's real estate evaluation of the Town and is the maxi- mum amount allowed by the State under their program of matching funds. We believe it is definitely in the Town's interest to take advantage of this allowance so that funds may accumulate toward the possible major purchase of land for conservation purposes.
In many towns where Conservation Commissions have been in existence for some years, we find it is common for individual land- owners to make substantial gifts of land to the town to be managed by the commission or by some private organization dedicated to conservation. One such gift of land has already been proposed to the commission. We take this opportunity to encourage similar generosity on the part of other Norwell citizens. We would be most happy to discuss the details of such transactions at any time.
The members of the commission wish to thank all those who have assisted us during our first year. In particular we would call attention to the tireless efforts on behalf of conservation being made throughout our area by our fellow-citizen, Dr. William "Cap'n Bill" Vinal.
During the coming year we will welcome any suggestions you might have toward furthering the cause of conservation in Norwell.
Timothy Fuller, Chairman Ronald S. Whitney, Clerk Stanley N. Baker Frank H. Burns Thomas P. Hall
Clinton V. MacCoy Gilman O. Wales
131
MOSQUITO CONTROL
REPORT OF THE SOUTH SHORE MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
To the Citizens of Norwell:
Submitted herewith is the report of the South Shore Mosquito Control Project regarding its activities in the Town of Norwell for the year ending December 31, 1961.
The Town of Norwell appropriated $4000 for mosquito control in 1961. This money was used for mosquito control in the Town of Norwell by the South Shore Mosquito Control Project, a co- operative effort embracing the City of Quincy and Towns of Brain- tree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate and Weymouth. In addition, the project worked under contract for the U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot.
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 application of D.D.T. dust to selected areas during the period when swamps were frozen. Fog generators and mist blowers were used to combat flying mosquitoes.
AERIAL DUSTING
The late winter dusting of all fresh water swamps too large to be treated by hand was done by fixed wing and helicopter the end of March and early April. 3850 acres were dusted in the Town of Norwell.
GROUND CREW SPRAYING
The ground crews circulated on a schedule throughout their section of the project. They varied from the circuit to treat in the vicinity of complaints or to treat places found to be breeding by superintendent or foreman. They then returned to their rounds. CATCHBASIN SPRAYING
Two catchbasin units were operated the past season. These units are compressed air sprayers mounted on three-wheeled motorcycles. This phase of work is particularly important in built-up areas since one drainage basin can produce thousands of mosquitoes. 100 breeding basins were sprayed in the Town of Norwell.
132
MOSQUITO CONTROL
DRAINAGE
The mosquito drainage program has eliminated some ground crew spraying and air spray acreage. In the Town of Norwell the following ditch work was done: 100 feet of ditches cleaned, 300 feet reclaimed, 250 feet of new.
ADULT MOSQUITO CONTROL
During the past year a new remote control insecticidal fogger was added to this project. It was delivered too late to be used to any extent this year. However, next year, along with our present adulticiding machines, two foggers and two mist blowers, it 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.
PLANS FOR WINTER
Throughout the months between past and coming mosquito breed- ing seasons much attention will be given to ditching. Work on the salt marsh will be done in the fall and early spring. 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 in past years, will be done. The success of past years' work along these lines makes it feasible to continue and expand this pro- gram as help and weather permit. In addition to ground dusting, it is planned to continue application of D.D. T. insecticide dust by air in the Town of Norwell as results last year were successful.
PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR
All phases of the work carried out in the past will continue, placing emphasis on drainage for permanent control, and then, in this order: dusting for prehatch control, spraying for larval control, mist blowing and fogging for adult control.
The project wishes to acknowledge the help received from offi- cials and departments of the Town and sincerely hopes that benefits derived by these departments as a result of this cooperation are as great as those derived by the Project.
Yours truly,
W. C. BENNETT
133
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Report of the Fire Department for the Year 1961
The Board of Fire Engineers submit to the Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Norwell the following report covering the acti- vities of the Department for the year 1961.
The communication center handled 2,879 calls for the fire de- partment from January 1, 1961 through December 31, 1961. These calls consisted of the following :
Building Fires ( Includes electrical, chimney
and burners )
23
Grass and Woods Fires
63
Dump Fires
6
Auto Fires
7
Mutual Aid Received
2
Mutual Aid Given
3
Miscellaneous Fire Calls ( Includes standbys )
24
Resuscitator Calls
47
Ambulance Runs
38
Lost Children
3
Fire Permits
1,988
Miscellaneous Phone Calls
675
2,879
The Department purchased a new 750 gallon class 'A' pumping engine and tank truck which was delivered to the Church Hill Sta- tion on September 15, 1961. This replaced the 1935 Ford combina- tion and gives the town a modern pumping engine in each of the three stations.
The purchasing program keeps the Department supplied with up to date equipment thereby enabling it to give the town the best possible protection.
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN MERRITT, Chief
LORING WADSWORTH, Deputy Chief
T. CURTIS POWER
JOHN WINSKE, JR.
JAMES KING F.K. WILLIAMS, Clerk
134
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
The Town forests of Norwell consist of approximately twenty- nine ( 29 ) acres and are located in three sections of Norwell.
Perhaps the most important section is located off Main Street in back of the Norwell Elementary School. At least ten ( 10) acres are in this section. This forest contains an area of young pine, several acres in size, which is an excellent pine grove. There are several mature trees scattered throughout this area, and several areas of hardwood types, mostly hickory, oak and maple, which make up the balance of the section. Since this section is connected with the school property, it would seem that with a minimum of work it would be useful for the natural science program of the schools.
A section of approximately five acres is located at the corner of River and Forest Streets, part of which is a Town forest. This section contains a very wet area on which grow swamp maple and many lesser water-loving plants. Another section of this land has a small but excellent pine grove. As this land is located opposite Gaffield Park, which has been developed for recreational purposes to some extent, it would seem that this section could be used to increase these facilities.
The last section of Town forest property is located off Circuit Street in the vicinity of the Town dump. The boundaries of this section are somewhat indistinct, and the growth on this land is of little value, consisting or second growth swamp maple. There are no pine groves in this section. Due to the location, this section is probably of the least value to the Town at present, but it certainly should be retained as a Town forest as we own such small forest areas.
It should be realized that twenty-nine ( 29 ) acres is an extremely small area for Norwell to own as a Town forest. In our opinion several hundred acres of land should be set aside for this purpose. Therefore, acquiring land should be the immediate aim of the Town Forest Committee.
Respectfully submitted, D. FRANK MEDEROS, Chairman JOSEPH K. COLLINS PAUL C. RASMUSSEN
135
DRAINAGE COMMITTEE
Report of the Permanent Drainage Committee
Board of Selectmen Norwell Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The past year has been the first that the Permanent Drainage Committee has been allotted funds for drainage work. From an allotment of $5,000.00, approximately 30% was expended on pre- liminary surveys and plans, and the remainder on specific construc- tion work. The following projects were handled during the past year : Oak Street -A three catch basin system was installed on Oak Street and tied in to an existing system on Ridge Hill Road. Foresight during the preliminary planning of the Ridge Hill Subdivision made this installation possible when the Town accepted Ridge Hill Road. With careful planning and control of future subdivisions we can incorporate proposed drainage for existing streets with subdivision drainage, thus eliminating the expense of lengthy outlet lines.
Mount Blue Street- A collapsed stone box culvert was replaced by a new concrete pipe culvert. This work was of an emergency nature, as the obstructed culvert could have resulted in an expensive road washout.
Tiffany Road- A drainage easement for a six basin system was obtained and two of the basins and the outlet pipe were installed with the funds available. The remaining four basins will be constructed when additional funds are available.
Green Street- A multi-plate steel culvert was installed at Green Street by the Highway Surveyor. Funds for this project had been allotted under a special article.
Applications for subdivision approval have been on the in- crease. An important part of this Committee's duties is to assist the Planning Board in approving the proposed drainage plans for these subdivisions. In line with this work, and at the suggestion of the Board of Selectmen, this Committee drew up and adopted a set of regulations governing drainage requirements.
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