USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969 > Part 54
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Other towns have this same problem, many of them more acutely than Norwell, as is evidenced by the plans of Scituate and Rockland to dump effluent from treatment plants into the North River. This Board has studied the problem, held hear- ings, and is opposed to this use of the North River.
TOWN DUMP: As one speaker at a meeting on pollution of
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the North River said, "We are an effluent society. " This is no- where more evident than at the Town Dump. Each year each family has more to throw away and each year there are more `amilies in Norwell. We feel that 1963 was another year without major problems at the dump, thanks to the caretaker and the pooperation of the people of Norwell.
Respectfully submitted,
KATHERINE R. FULLER, Chairman PAUL W. KEEFE RICHARD B. KEARSLEY, M. D.
Norwell Board of Health
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REPORT OF THE TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
The Town Forest of Norwell at the present time is not ade- quate. It consists of twenty-nine (29) acres split into three sections in various parts of the town, and in our opinion the ac- quisition of more land is imperative. Several hundred acres are needed for a town of our size, especially in view of the tremen- dous growth in population ahead.
The Committee solicits gifts of parcels from the citizens which could be used to amplify our present areas.
Respectfully submitted,
D. FRANK MEDEROS, Chairman PAUL C. RASMUSSEN, Clerk JOSEPH K. COLLINS WESLEY H. OSBORNE, JR., Ex Officio
161
REPORT OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY
We have been fortunate this past year in having had no emer- gencies serious enough to warrant the calling out of all units of the Civil Defense Agency. However, our training program has continued throughout the year and certain units have been most active. The Auxiliary Police have met once or twice a month to continue their training in all phases of emergency responsi- bilities such as rescue, communications, traffic control, and all other angles of police work. A Red Cross course in advanced First Aidhas just beencompleted under the direction of Dr. Ruth Towne, with members of the Fire and Police Departments join- ing with others for this training.
Requests for the ambulance have been many, with eighty-two runs during the past year to neighboring hospitals and nursing homes, as well as many to Boston Hospitals. We were forced to find new quarters for the ambulance on short notice late in the summer, and it was decided that the best solution was to enlarge the small garage at the rear of the Center Fire Station. This project was carried out with an assist from the Advisory Board by a transfer from the E. and D. account of $250 for the required labor and materials. This provides quarters which are very crowded but adequate for the time being.
The Visiting Nurse Association has recently donated a chair- stretcher for the ambulance which will be of great help as we have had a lot of trouble moving patients down narrow stair cases. This gift is greatly appreciated.
Over the signature of the Board of Selectmen, an application has been filed with the Federal Communications Commission for the allocation of a Town radio frequency, limited to Town vehi- cles. This would remedy the problem we now have of contacting the Highway Surveyor and the Tree Warden and their men during storms, as well as during their routine work. Very often it is
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necessary for someone to go out and search the streets for these men when they are needed. These communications would be handled by the Communications Center and would be entirely sep- from the Fire and Police networks which by law can be used only for their own business, and would provide a network within this town only, which would be a big factor in control of emergency situations such as heavy snow storms and hurricanes, as well as improving the efficiency of day to day operations.
The Norwell Civil Defense Agency will continue its training and equipping of its personnel, so as to be as much help as pos- sible to the residents in all types of emergency.
Respectfully submitted,
W. CLARKE ATWATER, Director
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REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Number of Nursing Visits
. 1163
Infant Welfare Visits 52
Antepartal Visits 18
Postpartal Visits 56
Well Child Conference 10
Conferences with Public Health Officials
7
Assisted at D. P. T., Polio Prevention, Glaucoma Clinics, and Mobile Chest X-ray survey.
Respectfully submitted,
CATHERINE A. ROE , Public Health Nurse
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REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
To the Selectmen:
A major concern of the Commission has been the acquisition of land on the North River suitable for development as a boating and swimming area. At present the Town-owned land on the river is woefully inadequate and will continue to become more and more overcrowded during the summer. During the past year we inves- tigateda number of properties, and entered into negotiations for the purchase of one of them. Unfortunately, the owner changed his plans and we were unable to acquire the land.
As most citizens realize, suitable river property is both lim- ited and expensive. It will certainly become more expensive. In all likelihood, the purchase price of an area on the river, large enough to fill the Town's needs, will exceed the $12, 000 now in the Conservation Fund. This is why, at the Annual Town Meeting, we are asking for an additional appropriation to the Fund. Although the State would later contribute 50% of the cost of such land, the Town would first have to have the full amount available.
During the year the Town, in the name of the Conservation Commission, received a most generous gift from Mr. William Couch of Quincy, of some 35 acres of marshland near the Stetson Shrine on the North River. It is the wish of the donor that this land be kept in its natural state.
Another generous gift of some 7 acres of land off Summer Street was made to the Town by Mrs. Herbert Apts.
Your Commission encourages such gifts and would welcome an opportunity to discuss the various ways land can be transferred to the Town and the special provisions that can be attached to such gifts.
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In this connection, we have discussed the disposition of tax title land with the Selectmen and have asked that this land, as it becomes available, be placed under the control of the Conserva- tion Commission.
The question of sewage disposal in the North River has en- gaged our time at many meetings and hearings in the past months. We wish to congratulate Mr. Rimmer on his plan for a South Shore Sewage District. We are unanimously in favor of this plan, and will do everything in our power to help it become a reality.
Respectfully submitted,
TIMOTHY FULLER, Chairman
STANLEY N. BAKER DANIEL R. CURRIE
KATHERINE E. CRANTON
DAVIDA G. GARCEAU
ARTHUR L. MERRITT
WESLEY H. OSBORNE, JR.
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REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
Board of Selectmen
Norwell, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit my report as Dog Officer of the Town of Norwell for the year 1963.
Dogs returned 10
Complaints investigated 10
Strays
15
Dead dogs picked up and buried
2
Injured dogs taken to vet
4
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Please call 659-2314 for all matters relating to dogs.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT L. MOLLA, SR.
Dog Officer
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REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Submitted herewith is the Report of the Norwell Development and Industrial Commission for the year ended December 31, 1963.
Members of the Commission have met with representatives of firms contemplating this town as a site for their businesses.
We repeat again that the development of appropriate small industry in Norwell must be considered as a long-range program, as we have only a small amount of suitable land.
Mr. Charles H. Crombie resigned this past summer from the Commission. We wish to publicly express our gratitude to him for his very excellent professional and practical advice.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY ABRAHAMS, Chairman JOHN E. ANDREWS, Clerk DENNIS F. MEDEROS LORING H. JACOBS
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REPORT OF THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
The past year, as in each preceding year, shows a continuing increase in the responsibilities falling upon the operators at the Communications Center. The proper handling of the calls re- ceived on Police and Fire matters, emergency calls, ambulance requests, as well as for the Highway Department, Board of Health, Visiting Nurse, Water Department, etc., requires an increasing backlog of experience and knowledge. We have lost several of our most experienced operators during the past year because of personal or business reasons and their replacement with pro- perly qualified persons has not been easy. The operators must have considerable training and experience, as well as being suited to this kind of responsibility, before they can be scheduled to cover the Center on their own. The daytime load has increased to such an extent that the secretary on this shift cannot be ex- pected to handle all the clerical work for various boards such as the Board of Health, Planning Board, Board of Appeals, etc. The most efficient plan would be for the day operator to act as the secretary for the Police Department, Fire Department and Civil Defense only, in order to maintain the street lists, accident andcourt records, fire inspection records, payrolls, work sched- ules, payment of bills, files, etc., all of which have been done in the past by department members when, and if, their other duties permitted.
The problem of scheduling is also proving increasingly dif- ficult as there are many short shifts, such as late in the after- noon and early in the morning, which must be covered by some- one who has an unusual shift in their regular business hours. If all scheduling could be done on an eight hour basis, by the best qualified operator, receiving adequate compensation for such a responsibility, we believe the entire operation would provide better protection for the residents. Also, on such a basis, op- erators could be requiredto stay awake all night so as to provide proper coverage for the radio communications at all hours.
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Norwell, the first town in the area to see the need of such a communications center, and to establish one, now has the most antiquated method of coverage and the lowest pay scale of all. Adequate financial support for this essential service as it is now set up will prevent a return to old-fashioned, inadequate, unco- ordinated, as well as much more expensive, methods to provide the Public Safety protection which the residents of Norwell now expect to receive.
Emergency Communications Center Board
W. CLARKE ATWATER, Chairman KENNETH J. BRADEEN WARREN P. MERRITT
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REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The end of 1963 marked the first full year of operation of this department.
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This department issued 215 permits and made inspection for same.
Fees were collected in the amount of $964. 50.
Inspector salaries were paid in the amount of:
Raymond A. Hansen $740.00 J. Lee Turner 224.50
A new fee schedule has been established by the Selectmen and copies of this can be obtained from the Town Hall Office, along with the permit application.
Wewish to thank all those who have cooperated with this de- partment to the benefit of the home owner, and look to their sup- port in the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND A. HANSEN, Inspector J. LEE TURNER, Alternate Inspector
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REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Board of Selectmen Town of Norwell
Gentlemen:
We are indebted to many people for their assistance through- out the year of 1963:
Dr. Cugnasca, Veterinarian, and Mr. Malcolm Wilder, trainer, of our police dog.
Norwell Lions Club for their generous donation of a walkie- talkie radio.
Norwell Auxiliary Police for augmenting the regulars.
The fine cooperation of the Highway Department, especially during the hazardous driving months.
The devotion to duty by the Communication Center operators. And finally to the men themselves, who accepted the defeat of their request for a 40 hour week with the determination to try harder next year.
Below is a partial list of our activities for 1963:
Calls received
9,639 Arrests 72
Breaking & Entry
31 Court Complaints 103
Larceny
46 Accidental Deaths 1
Prowlers
25 Cruiser Ambulance 51
Auto Accidents
83 Recovered Cars 26
Stolen Cars
10 Emergency messages 47
Violations (M. V.)
291 Family trouble 21
Mutual Aid
75 Missing persons 26
Defective Equipment
388 Summons served 162
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH J. BRADEEN
Chief
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REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1963
The Board of Fire Engineers submit to the Board of Select- men and the citizens of Norwell the following report covering the activities of the Fire Department for the year 1963.
The Communications Center handled 5115 calls for the Fire Department from January 1, 1963 through December 31, 1963. These calls consisted of the following:
Building Fires (includes electrical, chimney & burners)
23
Grass and woods fires
66
Dump fires
18
Automobile and truck fires
10
Mutual aid received
14
Mutual aid given
11
Resuscitator calls
9
Misc. fire calls (including standbys)
40
Smoke investigations
28
Lighting for Town Meeting
3
Accident calls
4
Lost children
2
Fire Permits
2350
Miscellaneous phone calls
2537
Total 5115
At the Annual Town Meeting in March of 1963 the Town voted a salary of $1800 to our Chief. For the first time in the history of the Town this allowed the Chief of the Fire Department to spend about two days a week on departmental business.
T. Curtis Power resigned from the Board of Engineers be- cause of business reasons and Orville Devine was appointed to take his place.
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The Department was forced to purchase two radios for the trucks due to changes in F. C. C. regulations which made our old units illegal to operate. We were, however, very fortunate to receive a gift of a portable "Walkie-talkie" radio from the Nor- well Lions Club.
As usual the Fire Department serviced the fire extinguishers in all the Norwell Schools.
A Fire School, under the direction of Chief Albert Kimball of Hingham, was held at the Ridge Hill Fire Station for all Nor- well firemen. A number of firemen also attended a First Aid course sponsored by the Civil Defense Agency under the direct- tion of Dr. Ruth Towne.
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN P. MERRITT, Chief
LORING L. WADSWORTH, Deputy Chief JOHN J. WINSKE DONALD H. NEWTON ORVILLE DEVINE JAMES T. KING, Clerk
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the Board of Water Commis- sioners for the year ending December 31, 1963.
1961
1962 1963
Water pumped 90, 000, 000 gal. 95, 700, 000 gal. 99, 000, 000 gal. Number of
Takers 848
901 996
Services
Installed 45
51 79
At the 1963 March Meeting the Town voted to install a water main in the easterly section of Grove Street. The installation proceeded in a satisfactory manner and approximately 7650 feet of 12" water main was installed from the junction of Lincoln Street and Norwell Avenue in a westerly direction on Grove Street. This section of mains is part of the loop connection designed to connect the existing main in Norwell Center to the main in Washington Street at the junction of Grove Street.
The loop installation is needed to effect a two pipe feeder system so a greater volume of water can be delivered to the west- ern area of the Town. To continue this project according to the yearly schedule as indicated in the Report, the Board is submit- ting anarticle in the 1964 Warrant for the completing of the Grove Street main extension. This is the last and final installation needed to complete the loop installation.
During the year main installations were installed on Cross Street, Stetson Road, Barstow Avenue, without cost to the Town
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except for the cost of four hydrants furnished by the Town.
In addition to the above, mains were installed by Developers in the Barque Hill and Country Acres Areas. A short extension as authorized by the March Meeting was installed in Old Oaken Bucket Road. Tapping sleeves and gates and short extensions were installed at Jacob's Lane and Prospect Street as author- ized at a Special Town Meeting.
Because of a desire to economize no funds were available for test well work during 1963. Because of the rapid growth of the Town the Board recommends that the Town authorize continuance of this work in 1964.
Respectfully submitted, . JACOB LEE TURNER, Chairman AUGUSTIN J. THIBODEAU EDWARD F. WALSH Board of Water Commissioners
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REPORT OF THE VETERANS' AGENT
AND VETERANS' SERVICE OFFICER
Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Chapter 115 G. L. Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides benefits for qualified veterans and their dependents.
The office of the Veterans' Agent and Veterans' Service Offi- cer hada very active year in 1963. A great deal of time and many miles of out of town travel resulted in many dollars saved for the Town. The fact that benefits for veterans and their depen- dants are constantly changing, makes it necessary for the Agent to attend many conferences and meetings. By keeping fully in- formed on these matters the Agent is better able to do his job to the best interests of all concerned.
More and more veterans are coming to Norwell every year. Since the average age of all veterans is increasing, the possi- bility that they will require assistance is likewise increasing.
The Veterans Agent is pleased to say that the Town has again received its maximum reinbursement (50%) for the year 1963, and has also recovered other funds expended several years ago.
Toall veterans and their dependents in the Town of Norwell, do not hesitate to call on me for any problems pertaining to vet- erans.
Respectfully submitted,
LEONARD J. COX,
Veterans' Agent Veterans' Service Officer
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REPORT OF THE JAMES LIBRARY
To the Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Library activity has been rising at a rapid rate. What is to be expectedin 1964 is clear from the steady gain in library bor- rowing in recent experience:
Adult borrowing - 1962 January - June 3337 July - December 3589 1963 January - June 3930
July - December 4730 *
* (Projected at July - October rate of increase (31.8%) over 1962)
Circulation has risen even faster; in four months starting this past summer, juvenile-book activity rose 48% to 3893 and non- fiction 42% to 949. Together with increases in fiction to 2162 and in magazines to 270, the materials borrowed totaled 7275 in four months at an annual rate of 21, 825 items. The overall circula- tion was up 40% over 1962.
By fall, a backlog of work had piled up. Volunteer help was requested and both librarians' schedules were increased 45% to provide time to organize materials outside of public library hours. This was done as a two-month test, with the thought of holding the budget unchanged. Donations of time by interested residents and library staff (180 hours of free time in one case) only kept abreast of increased demands. Thus an increased budget can no longer be postponed.
The greatest pressure has come from students, however, requiring more materials, more assistance and especially more study space. So, an entire new children's floor is being prepared
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to provide more space. James Library loans to the Norwell schools in 1962 and 1963 up to November numbered 589 volumes. In September 1963 the count of children borrowers was 730, re- presenting 60% of the Town's elementary school enrollment through June.
Asinmany communities where library operating funds come in large part from bequests and gifts of citizens, James Library is supported from interest earned on past gifts of individuals. In the 1800's these funds supported the Library.
Since the early 1900's the Town has also contributed to oper - ating costs, providing Norwell Citizens with "library privileges" at extremely moderate expense of under fifty cents per capita. Recently the Town's demands for library service have been grow- ing faster than has the Library's endowment income so that the Town's contribution must increase in 1964 if present service is to continue.
Respectfully submitted,
QUENTIN L. COONS, Chairman MILDRED T. HASTINGS, Treasurer HARRIET L. MEYER, Secretary WILLIAM C. BENNETT
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REPORT OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Board of Selectmen
Norwell, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
During the past year the Zoning Board of Appeals held public hearings on seven petitions for variance of the Zoning By-laws.
Four other requests for variances were received but were withdrawn after pre-hearing consultation with members of the Board.
The petitions acted upon as the result of public hearings are as follows:
1. Frank Gonsalves - March 27, 1963
For permission toplace a dwelling on a lot having insufficient area. Petition denied.
2. Robert L. and Edwina F. St. James - March 27, 1963
For permission to divide one lot into two lots having insuffi- cient frontage. Petition denied.
3. Norwell Associates - May 15, 1963
For non-conforming use of a residential zone for a limited period of time. Conditional variance granted.
4. Robert F. Burke - June 5, 1963
For permissionto erect an addition with insufficient side line set-back. Petition denied.
5. Zeta Realty Trust - June 5, 1963
For permissionto remodel business establishment having in- sufficient parking facilities. Petition denied.
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6. Edward F. and Helen M. Farmer - July 19, 1963 For permission to place an additional house trailer in a trailer park. Petition denied.
7. John C. Marland - September 11, 1963
For permission to divide a lot with buildings thereon. Condi- tional variance granted.
Respectfully submitted,
STANLEY H. RICHARDS, Chairman EARLE M. NEWTON, Secretary EDWIN R. TRAFTON
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REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Respectfully, I submit my second annual report as Building Inspector for the Town of Norwell. On reviewing the inspections of the past year, toward preparing this report, the most impor- tant development is the increasing evidence of over-all improve- ment in buildingwithin the Town. I sincerely believe this is due to our building laws and the periodic inspections, plus the will- ingness to cooperate on the part of local builders.
The upgrading in construction of houses and buildings being inspected has been very noticeable. Before our present Building Code was put into effect, it was not uncommon for chimney con- structionto be rather haphazard; framing was often improper in that areas spanned were too great for the size of the timbers, joists and rafters. A few builders were not using bolts in foun- dations nor firewalls between garages and houses. Fire stopping in general was lax. The betterment of these conditions is very heartening and could not have taken place without the pleasant working-together of the builders with the Inspector.
A summarization of building permits issued during the year 1963 is as follows:
Residential
New Dwellings 62
Additions & Alterations 38
New Garages 4
Commercial
Store Alterations & Additions 3
di-
182
Medical Center Addition 1
Day Nursery Alteration 1
Construction Office Trailer 1
Other
School Addition 1
Alterations to Town Buildings 2
Moving Buildings 3
Swimming Pools 3
Bomb Shelter
1
TOTAL PERMITS ISSUED 120
It might be informative to the citizens of the Town to note here that it is necessary for the Inspector to carefully read over and check each set of plans submitted with all building applica- tions, following which several tours of inspection are required for every job in progress.
The assistance given to me in the performance of my duties by town officials, boards, committees and builders is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. WHITE Building Inspector
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REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN AND MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Citizens of the Town of Norwell:
The following is the Annual Report of the Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent:
During the last Annual Town Meeting it was voted to request the Tree Warden of Norwell to assume the care of all public grounds. The large portion of this work consisted of mainten- ance of all the school grounds. A program of liming, fertilizing, weed control, and regular mowing, was the step taken to maintain these lawns.
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