USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969 > Part 77
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The Town of Norwell is fortunate to have good zoning laws, an active Planning Board and an excellent Board of Health. Therefore, the problems of land development for new construction are kept at a minimum. In fact, the help offered and accepted from all Town Officials, Boards and Com- mittees has aided immensely in making Norwell a better town construction- wise.
Building permits issued and inspections made during 1965 are sum- marized as follows:
RESIDENTIAL
New Dwellings 89
Alterations, Additions & Out Buildings
41
Garages
5
COMMERCIAL
New Buildings
1
Alterations & Additions
2
OTHER
Town Buildings
1
Buildings Demolished
1
Buildings Moved
6
Swimming Pools
3
TOTAL PERMITS ISSUED
149
The kind cooperation and assistance of Mr. Harry Chase and Mrs. Mildred Sundwall at the Town Hall is gratefully appreciated.
Respecfully submitted,
Charles E. White Building Inspector
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
Board of Selectmen
Norwell, Mass.
Gentlemen:
During the year of 1965 there were approximately 250 electrical permits issued and inspections made.
Fees collected and salaries paid from this account to Raymond A. Hansen and J. Lee Turner amounted to $1,935.00.
We wish to express our appreciation to the townspeople for their co- operation.
Respectfully submitted,
Raymond A. Hansen, Inspector J. Lee Turner, Alternate Inspector
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REPORT OF THE JAMES LIBRARY
Norwell Board of Selectmen:
Norwell, Mass.
Gentlemen:
During 1965 the James Library has continued in its endeavor to provide an up-to-date reading and reference center to the Norwell public, a task to which it has been dedicated for over 50 years.
The newly painted interior of the Library building suffered some considerable soot damage when, in January, the heating system mal- functioned, requiring the short-term closing of the Library until the clean-up crew could make the necessary repairs. The insurance pro- ceeds enabled the trustees to effect complete restoration.
In the course of the year, the Children's Section was improved by insulation of the floor and the south wall, as well as by the installation of storm-screen windows and a combination door.
The number of registered reader families served by the Library has increased by about 50 to reach a total of 675 families in 1965. An average of 2 persons per family are regular borrowers, to whom more than 17,000 volumes were lent during the year. A turnover of such an extent would not have been possible without the knowledgeable and dedicated services of the two librarians, Mrs. Helen Roubound and Mrs. Constance Sayrs, whose experience and advice are furthermore invaluable in the selection of the 22 to 33 new titles acquired monthly by the Library. The Library also bought, from a donation given spec- ifically for this purpose, 13 titles on various aspects of music.
A minor change in the lending pattern was experienced in the area of books lent to the schools for supplementary reading programs, due to increased school library facilities. However, teachers continue to make use of the resources of the James Library, while student use is steadily increasing.
Respectfully submitted. Trustees of the James Library Mildred Hastings, Treasurer John M. Kolbjornsen Clinton V. MacCoy Harriet L. Meyer, Secretary William C. Bennett, Chairman
PERMANENT BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE COMM. REPORT
Final plans for the Old Oaken Bucket Elementary School were ap- proved by the SBAC. Weather permitting it is hoped partial occupancy will be a reality by Sept., 1966.
In Nov., 1965, the Town Highway Garage behind the junior high school was completed and is now being occupied.
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Reconstruction and expansion of the sanitary leaching bed at the Osborn Elementary School was completed in Sept., 1965.
Arthur A. Raymond,Chairman Harold E. Cranton Duncan J. Banks
Clinton V. MacCoy Leonard E. Marsden
Fred N. Levin
Richard E. Bergeron
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To Board of Selectmen Norwell, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Planning Board reorganized after the March 1965 Town Election, with Charles W. Bayley, Jr. as Chairman, Theodore R. Love as Vice Chair- man, and Gilbert A. Cummings as Clerk. The Board meets on Thursday evening each week at 8 o'clock. All meetings are open.
Zoning By-laws
The Planning Board will propose an amendment to Section X of the Zoning Bylaw and to Section III of the Building Code at the Annual Town Meeting in March 1966. The purpose is to resolve a minor conflict between the two, to clarify the procedure to be followed relative to building permits and to increase the maximum penalty for violation of the Zoning Bylaw.
Sub-Divisions and the Sub-Division Control Law
There was a substantial increase in sub-division activity this year. Public hearings were held for five sub-divisions involving a total of 123 lots. One was withdrawn; three of these have been given final approval, and the fifth is still under discussion.
During the year the Board examined and endorsed 73 plans containing 130 individual lots which were not subject to the Sub-Division Control Law.
Growth of the Town
During the past year there were 89 building permits issued for new dwellings. There were 73 issued in 1964 and 62 in 1963, thus indicating a continued acceleration in the rate of the Town's growth. With the ex- tension of water mains recently voted and to be proposed, the Planning Board expects the rate of growth to continue to increase.
Schools
The Planning Board is of the opinion that an increase in secondary
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school facilities may be necessary by 1967 and will certainly be required by 1968. Accordingly, an article requesting funds for expansion of the secondary school facilities should be considered at the 1966 Annual Town Meeting.
At the same time, the athletic facilities should be developed contiguous to the secondary schools and included as part of the secondary school ex- pansion, and funds should be appropriated for these plans at the 1966 Annual Town Meeting.
One more elementary school site strategically located should be ac- quired as soon as possible while the land is still reasonably available.
Capital Outlay
In continuation of the program of sidewalk construction the Planning Board will present an article at the 1966 Annual Town Meeting for building a sidewalk on High St. from Washington St. to the Cole School, and on Oak St. from Washington St. to High St. The Board feels that sidewalks should eventually be built along all of the main roads to serve the various schools and extending 11/2 miles out from the schools. This will enable youngsters living within that distance of the schools to walk thereto in safety. The State will not reimburse the Town for transportation of youngsters living within 1 1/2 miles of schools. An added advantage will be the simplification of establishing bus schedules and a reduced time of transit for those youngsters requiring bus transportation.
A new Police and Fire Station and additional Town Office Facilities are urgently needed. Careful consideration of a unified plan for development of these facilities in the center of Town should be given at the 1966 Annual Town Meeting.
General
The Planning Board has joined the Conservation Commission and other boards sponsoring soil study map for Norwell prepared by the USDA. This document should prove an invaluable aid in determining the general areas of the town most suitable for home sites, commercial or industrial areas, wetland reservations, agricultural purposes, woodland, sanitary land fill etc.
The Planning Board, Board of Health, and Conservation Commission should work diligently on the problem of preserving those wetland areas which are not suitable for building, and which are essential to maintaining our water resources. In addition other smaller areas of natural beauty in various sections of the Town should be preserved while still available. Some consideration should be given to the preservation and maintenance of significant historical sites. Attention should be directed toward rec- reational facilities including boating and swimming along the North River, and utilization of hilly areas for winter sports.
Charles W. Bayley, Jr., Chairman Theodore R. Love, Vice Chairman Gilbert A. Cummings, Clerk John R. Randall Robert R. Reed
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PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE (Plymouth County Extension Service)
by Robert B, Ewing, County Agent, Manager and Regional Coordinator
The primary responsibility of the Extension Service is as the law states "to aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical information on the subjects relating to Agriculture and Home Economics and to encourage the application of same."
Resources of the University of Massachusetts and the United States Department of Agriculture are available to the Staff of the Plymouth County Extension Service because of a mutual assistance agreement. Members of the staff provide educational information pertaining to Agriculture, Home Economics and 4-H Club Work, through corres- pondence-newspapers and radio-meetings -office and telephone calls- and farm and home visits.
To make this service available to you , funds are provided by the Federal, State and County Governments. Thus the name-Cooperative Extension Service.
In March 1965, the Southeast Extension Region was organized for the purpose of primarily servicing the commercial farmers in the Counties of Barnstable, Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth.
Briefly this means that the Agriculture Agent formerly servicing Agriculture in one county now services the Southeast Extension Region. He is responsible for one or two commodity programs only, i.e. Dairy and Livestock; Poultry and Turkeys; Fruit and Vegetables; Floriculture; Nurseries; Misc. Horticulture.
By concentrating on his particular program(s) the agent can keep up-to-date on the latest research; receive advanced training at the University of Massachusetts and offer the farmer a more effective service.
Make full use of the Extension Service, but remember that although the Extension Service furnishes the information, it is you who makes the decision as to how the information may be used to best advantage.
Requests for information can be directed to the Plymouth County Extension Service, Court House, Brockton, Massachusetts, 02401.
The Board of Trustees, appointed by the Plymouth County Commiss- ioners, administer the Plymouth County Extension Service program and is composed of the folloring members:
Mr. Gilbert Blackledge
Whitman Chairman
Mr. George Ridder
Mr. Robert Chisholm
East Bridgewater West Bridgewater
Mr. Lewis Billings Plympton
Mrs. Mabel Chandler
Duxbury
Mr. John Duffy Halifax
Mrs. Gladys Gibbs
Hanover
Mr. Robert Hammond
Wareham
Mr. Fred Freidenfeld Middleboro
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REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Board of Selectmen Town of Norwell
Gentlemen:
As you will note below, 1965 shows a marked increase in nearly all catagories of our activities. The most dramatic was the 100% in- crease in the arrest statistic, 86 in 1964 as opposed to 163 in 1965.
These figures must indicate, even to the most apathetic, that we are no longer a small town.
As the problems grow in number, we, as a department must also grow, but how? The Police Department has little to offer to recruit prospective officers. The Selectmen's budget shows a token raise for the department for 1966, but by their admission, we are still below surrounding towns. As a result of this it is impossible to fill our shifts with regular patrolmen. It has been two years since anyone has taken a Police Civil Service examination for Norwell.
We are deeply indebted to Mr. Chester Rimmer, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for his donation of a Radar unit to control speeding. Also , to the National Bank of Plymouth County for sponsoring the book- let "Guardians of your property and Welfare."
Calls received 12,416
Arrests 163
Breaking & Entry
32
Court Complaints 187
Larceny
96
Accidental Deaths
3
Prowlers
35
Stolen Cars
17
Auto Accidents
84
Cruiser Ambulance
66
M. V. Violations
256
Emergency Messages
83
Mutual Aid
73
Domestic Troubles
29
Vandalism
82
Missing Persons
29
Summons served
264
Our sincere thanks for your cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth J. Bradeen, Chief.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
We have about the same number of cases in the different categories under Public Welfare as a year ago. Medical Assistance for the Aged continued to be our highest expense. Hospital and nursing home rates
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increased last year and there will be increases this year. Just what changes will take place with the new Medicare program in effect will not be known for a year. A greatly added amount of paper work has been in- volved in preparation.
Following is a summary of receipts and expenditures:
AID
RECEIPTS
Town Appropriation
$22,000.00
Federal Balances 1/1/65
35,802.25
Federal Receipts 1965
29,322.08
$87,124.33
EXPENDITURES
Town Account
21,145.96
Federal Accounts
41,764.91
62,910.87
Balance 12/31/65
$24,213.46*
*To E & D
- $ 854.04
To Fed. Accts. - 23,359.42
ADMINISTRATION AND EXPENSE
RECEIPTS
Town Appropriation
$ 3,000.00
Federal Balances 1/1/65
7,279.02
Federal Receipts 1965
3,868.53
$14,147.55
EXPENDITURES
Town Account
$ 3,000.00
Federal Accounts
3,451.10
6,451.10
Balance 12/31/65
$ 7,696.45
SUMMARY
BOARD SALARIES
$ 550.00
Total Aid and Administration
69,361.97
$69,911.97
Federal Receipts
$33,190.61
State Receipts
19,266.27
52,456.88
NET COST TO TOWN -
$17,455.09
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Cann Ruth Hersey Ralph H. Coleman, Chairman Board of Public Welfare
38
REPORT OF NORWELL RECREATION COMMISSION
Board of Selectmen Norwell, Mass.
Dear Sirs:
The Recreation Commission was given funds at the 1965 Town Meeting to institute the first playground program in the town. This program was planned for children in Grades One through Eight and was for six weeks. The Commission estimated that three hundred children would participate. Our actual enrollment the final week was seven hundred children. We feel we have proved the need and desire for this type of program.
We had many volunteers to help us - the Police Department - many volunteer workers - the parents who helped at the Ball Game - the Service Clubs who helped with their money. All deserve a big "Thank You!"
Another part of the program, which was also a donation, included the use of Martin Ciarkowski's swimming pool. We also thank him.
Our program this year is again aimed to the children. We feel, however, that we should include Grades Nine and Ten. This group has expressed a desire to participate and we will include them at the Junior High play- field.
Mr. Felix Dixon was appointed Director of Recreation and will continue in that position for the coming year.
We found that we needed more help on each playground and plan to put one more assistant leader on each playground.
Mr. Ciarkowski has donated his pool to us again and we plan to teach swimming and water sports to those interested.
An Arts and Crafts program with a qualified instructor will be an integral part of the 1966 program.
The program will run from July 5 through August 13, and will end as did last years' with a Field Day.
For those who feel that the Commission should do more - we agree. We hold a monthly meeting - the 4th Monday - 8:00 P.M. - in the Town Hall Annex. We would welcome groups or individuals to sit with us and support us when we request funds for additional activities. We cannot start a project without participation by you.
We have been informed by Mr. Ciarkowski that this is the last year we will be able to use his pool.
Very truly yours, Robert MacWilliams, Chairman Mary Knapp James King Austin Reynolds Ruth Marsh, Secretary
39
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Norwell:
At the first meeting following the March, 1965 elections, the commit- tee was organized as follows:
J. Peter Hall, Chairman Margaret E. C. Reeser, Vice Chairman Robert J. Palli, Clerk
Mr. Hall, Mr. Boig and Mr. Simms were appointed as the voting members to the joint committee of School Union 13. Mr. Palli was named as the alternate.
In August of this year, Mr. Frederick A. Small, Associate Super- intendent, resigned after eighteen years of service to the schools of the Town. The Committee spent many nights and weekends in its task of finding a replacement. Almost forty applications were received and numerous interviews and calls were made. Mr. Arnold W. Bartlett of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, was selected, and he took office on July 19, 1965. He brings a varied background and a depth of experience to Norwell.
The Committee has spent long and tedious hours in preparing the 1966 budget and has come to an agreement with the Advisory Board at a figure of $ 912,000.00. This is about a 7.9% increase over last years' appropriated amount and compares quite favourably with in- creases of previous years. Mr. Bartlett presented per pupil costs from some of the better known systems in the State relative to texts, teachers, supplies, etc., and our allotments are equal to or better than many of the better systems. Inventories were presented to the committee for the first time and these were used as a basis for many expenditures in the budget.
In previous years our system has had a considerable turnover in teaching personnel. With this in mind, we have increased our starting salary to $5200. or $200. over the State minimum. We have extended our scale to fifteen steps. Our maximum steps are now higher than many of the surrounding towns. It is hoped that we can interest more experienced teachers in coming to our system and retain more of our present good teachers with this change. In the years to come we shall continue to keep a keen eye on our scale to see that our system still remains highly competitive in the market for teaching talent.
Football is another item in our budget that must be explained. Norwell competed in its first varsity game this fall. Plans are underway for a full schedule in 1966. Football expenses are nearly 50% of the Physical Education budget. This major item will continue to grow in the years to come as the program expands. Since the Town has football, proper equipment and facilities must be furnished.
We are still a member of School Union 13, and from discussions with Commissioner Kiernan of the State Board of Education, we shall remain
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so for at least the immediate future and probably longer. It is felt by the Board of Education that the three Towns, Hanover, Hanson and Norwell, are not of sufficient size to support separate systems With the resignation of Ralph C. Sturke as Superintendent in April, Albert Kiernan of Hanson was elected Acting Superintendent until July, 1966. The two Associate Superintendents' titles were changed to Assistant Superintendent at the request of the Commissioner
The Committee has adopted a written policy, and although it has not been printed and distributed, it has been refined and accepted. Upon completion of the printing, it will be available for perusal by any in- terested citizen.
The increasing size of the school polulation in grades 7-12 has made the secondary school site problem acute. The Athletic Field Site Commit- tee has been working on this, and a proposal will be presented to the Town at Town Meeting.
The continued population growth of the Town forces the administration to constantly revise enrollment predictions and classroom needs. At a special town meeting this year, funds were voted for the construction of a twelve room elementary school. In Mr. Bartlett's report he discusses future needs and better utilization of our present facilities.
The School Committee will continue to give quality education to the children of Norwell within the confines of a reasonable budget.
Respectfully submitted, J. Peter Hall, Chairman Margaret E. C. Reeser, Vice Chairman Robert J. Palli, Clerk Fletcher S. Boig, Member Harold G. Simms, Member
REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Norwell School Committee:
For my first annual report as assistant superintendent I have se- lected four topics which are of immediate concern to you as a commit- tee but at the same time indicative of what you can expect from me in the way of future recommendations. My purpose is to raise questions and not to provide answers.
Topic I The Cutting Edge.
The difference between a good educational system and an average one is the quality of teaching going on in the classroom. Teachers who know and love their subject matter, and related subjects, and know how to present it in an exciting way will make the difference, -" will provide the cutting edge". Although an outstanding salary schedule is a prior-
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ity, this is not the only consideration in securing and retaining an excellent staff. Working conditions must also be considered.
Are we requiring our teachers to perform too many clerical and policing tasks that could be done by the non-professional at a much lower wage, and at the same time, releasing the teacher for more time to teach.
Are our teachers so motivated that they are continuing to grow in their subject field? Should we then be thinking about a sabbatical leave? Are we sufficiently staffed to meet the individual differences in children and to meet the humerous new demands placed upon our schools by present day society? Education today has to be more than a matter of learning the 3 R's.
Are the number of reading problems excessive for a community like Norwell because we do not have a reading readiness program before first grade ?
In order to help the committee in their deliberations I have selected a few guidelines from Quality Education for Massachusetts. commonly called "The Willis Report":
"Within five years, the Board of Public School Education should require that minimum academic qualifications for all new teachers include
a. Preparation beyond the Bachelor's degree, preferably to the Master's degree; and
b. Substantial subject matter content preparation, related to the nature of their teaching assignments, at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
"As staffing formulas are also the concern at the state level, the Board of Public School Education should move immediately to establish minimum ratios as part of the minimum standards.
a. Minimum ratios of teaching and non-classroom professional personnel should be developed to assure within a stipulated, reasonably short time, the ratio of forty teachers, and ten non- classroom professional personnel per thousand pupils in self- contained elementary school grades and sixty teachers and fif- teen non-classroom professional personnel in the secondary school grades.
b. Plans should be developed and carried forward to prepare and upgrade a variety of sub-professional aids to professional school personnel.
c. Extension of school services to younger children by requiring kindergartens to be available for five-year olds.
High standards in preparation with commensurate remuneration not only assures excellence in the professional staff, but also symbolizes the regard of the public for its children. Parents are well aware of the influence of teachers in the development of their children, and citizens at large recall the stimulation from great teaching in their own educational experience. A high premium should be placed upon the quality of the
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personnel to whom the public entrusts their children in school.
Topic II Bricks and Mortar
The new elementary school to be located on Old Oaken Bucket Road will probably not be ready for occupancy in September 1966. There is a possibility that the instructional wing with ten classrooms could be completed ahead of the core facilities and put to use, but our present plans call for housing at least three sixth grades in the Junior High School again next year and using the kindergarten room at the Osborn School as an additional classroom.
When the new elementary school is completed, Norwell will have its third elementary school giving the town fifty-one regular classrooms and two special classrooms, or a total elementary capacity of 1300 pupils. This should be sufficient housing for these grades until the fall of 1972, provided a kindergarten program is not initiated prior to that year. Adding the kindergarten program will make 1971, the year when additional elementary rooms would be needed.
The new school will be an excellent addition to our school plant with twelve regular classrooms, two special classrooms, a cafetorium, gymnasium, library and administrative suite. Additionally, the building is truly an expandable one in that the core facilities were designed to handle 650 pupils. The new elementary school has been well planned by The Permanent Building and Maintenance Committee conforming to the original specifications as outlined by the school committee and as later modified by the school committee.
The most urgent need in our plant planning for the future is to expand the secondary school site so that an excellent physical education and intramural program for both the junior and senior high schools as well as an interscholastic athletic program for the senior high can be dev- eloped. The Athletic Site Committee has an analysis of the problem in their Annual Report and it would be redundant at this point to cover the same subject.
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