Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969, Part 9

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

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969 > Part 9

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It is well that the Library's own resources are augmented by gifts of books, time and money from volunteers and from groups. Maintenance of building and grounds is in itself a problem this year involving retaining walls, brush clearance, a new oil tank,

122

FIRE DEPARTMENT

lighting and wiring, roof repair, bulkhead and Library sign repairs. In all these matters of Library direction this year's James Library Committee has labored earnestly to maintain the highest standards of Library service within its power so as to serve the best interests of Norwell townspeople.

Respectfully submitted,

VICTOR CARPENTER

QUENTIN COONS CARYL GAUDETTE

MILDRED HASTINGS DAVID TURNER

Report of the Fire Department For the Year 1960

The Board of Fire Engineers submits to the Board of Select- men and to the Citizens of Norwell the following report covering the activities of the Fire Department during the past year.

The Communication Center proved its worth in handling 3,857 calls for the Fire Department up to December 1, 1960. These calls consisted of the following:

Building Fires (Includes electrical, chimney

and burners)

Grass and Woods Fires

Dump Fires

Auto Fires

Mutual Aid

False Alarms

Smoke Investigations

Miscellaneous Fire Calls (Includes Standbys)

Resuscitator Calls

Accidents

Lost Children

Fire Permits

2,438

Miscellaneous Phone Calls

1,207

3,857

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FIRE DEPARTMENT

Norwell received Mutual Aid on five different occasions from Hingham, Scituate, Cohasset and Hanover.

During the year necessary repairs were made to the three fire stations. The Ridge Hill Station was painted.

A new gas fired heating system was installed at the Church Hill Station.

Necessary equipment was purchased to keep the department at peak efficiency.

All members of the Department have now received a com- plete physical examination.

Respectfully submitted,

WARREN P. MERRITT, Chief

LORING L. WADSWORTH, Deputy Chief T. CURTIS POWER JOHN J. WINSKE

JAMES T. KING

FREDERICK K. WILLIAMS, Clerk

Board of Fire Engineers

124

DRAINAGE COMMITTEE

Report of the Permanent Drainage Committee

Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

This year saw several changes in Committee personnel. Perry Osborn left after more than a year of invaluable service in acquainting a "green" Committee with the drainage problems of the Town. Pressure of other Town work forced Sterling Myrick to resign. We welcomed Arnold Joseph when he joined our group last March and have leaned heavily on him throughout the year.

One phase of our activity centered on requests from the Planning Board for specific approval of drainage proposals in sub- division plans. A number of meetings were devoted to this and the majority of proposals received were eventually approved after appropriate revisions to the original plans.

Excellent progress has been made on the overall drainage plan for the Town. We have located major water sheds, principal culverts, key surface problems and critical drainage projects on a topographic map of Norwell. This work will be extended and refined in the coming year.

In the course of our work, a number of shortcomings have become evident in the Town's methods of handling drainage problems. Proposals for improvements include:

1. A By-Law change to clarify the Selectmen's responsibil- ity to revise and approve drainage conditions on individual build- ing sites.

This would enable the Town to exercise control of drainage in building sites not requiring approval under the "Subdivision Control Law." The present loophole is a major source of this Town's drainage problem.

2. Appropriations of funds for drainage by a type or class allotment rather than the present method.

A change here would improve flexibility, efficiency and economy. This requires more detailed coverage than space per- mits here. This Committee will present a detailed plan to the Town on this subject.

3. More thorough engineering surveys and plans prior to work on any major drainage projects.

Properly engineered drainage is the most efficient and the least expensive. Norwell has reached a point where old "rule of

125

TREE WARDEN AND MOTH SUPERINTENDENT

thumb" methods must be scrapped. Improper drainage at any point in a system has far reaching effects throughout that entire system. The method of financing would be an important section of Proposal 2.

Respectfully submitted,

RICHARD E. SPLAINE, Chairman ROBERT S. LARSON E. ARNOLD JOSEPH WILLIAM E. RITCHIE, Clerk

Report of Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent

Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

As Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent, I wish to submit the following report to the citizens of Norwell.

The shade tree planting program was continued this year. A total of fifty-one (51) shade tree plantings were made along the streets of Norwell. Most of these trees are grown, at least in part, in our Town nursery located on River Street. I believe this to be a most worthwhile part of our work, and believe it should be a major activity of Norwell's Tree Department.

There have been over fifty Elm trees removed from our roadsides this year, which include all the known diseased road- side Elms, except several experimental ones. Research still tells us there is no cure for Dutch Elm Disease. The only proven method of any control is the removal of diseased trees.

While there was not a substantial loss of sound roadside trees during the September Hurricane, many trees suffered severe damage. During the following months much of this damage will be repaired, but many trees will still be in a weakened condition.

Much of the Poison Ivy on our roadsides has been eliminated, but this is a constant operation since this plant spreads prolifical- ly. Reports of Poison Ivy growth, especially where it is likely to come in contact with children, would be appreciated by the De- partment.

I wish to thank all of the other Departments for their cooper- ation with the Tree Department, especially during the Hurricane.

Respectfully submitted, WESLEY H. OSBORNE, JR. Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent.

126

VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION

Report of the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association, Inc.

To the Selectmen:

The program from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1960 has been as follows:

1. Home Nursing Care

2. Well Child Clinics

3. High School Dental Clinic

4. Hospital beds, crutches, wheelchairs, commodes, etc. are available to all the townspeople. No charge is made for sick room supplies. Also, an exercise bicycle for use to strengthen muscles after a broken hip or a long illness. New equipment purchased, 1 pair of aluminum crutches and 3 pairs of adjustable crutches.

5. An automobile for nursing and school service.

6. Maintenance of Health Clinics at the request of Town, County, and State.

7. Charity.

8. Two Nursing scholarships to High School students awarded in 1960 to Margaret R. Nolan and Joanne Anderson, both at Quincy City Hospital.

Home Nursing Care is ably staffed by Miss Catherine Roe, assisted by Mrs. Mildred Wilcox, who is available during vaca- tions, sick leave and the more active weeks of school. With the opening of the new school, Miss Roe will require extra hours of assistance which has up to the present time been furnished and paid for by the Nursing Association.

The Well Child Clinic had ten clinics during this year. The summer clinics in July and August were discontinued. Dr. Alice Butler, pediatrician, is assisted by Mrs. Harold King and Mrs. Thomas Barstow. Mrs. Phillip Young is chairman of transporta- tion assisted by Mrs. James W. Robertson. Mrs. King has been sending letters to all mothers of new babies whose births have been reported. Do make use of our clinic. For Information and appointments call Mrs. Harold King at OL 9-2804.

The Annual Membership Drive with Mrs. Theodore Dyer as chairman and Mrs. Earle Allen, treasurer, brought a welcome response from 233 contributors with 20 new members. The amount from September 1, 1960 to December 1, 1960 was $688.44 including interest. There are 338 active members.

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VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION

THE HIGH SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC. Mrs. Robert Gould now conducts the clinic which is sponsored by the Visiting Nurse Association of Norwell. At the high school level this has proved to be very satisfactory. The teeth of each pupil are examined and a card sent to the parents. If prophylaxis is indicated, it is available for the fee of one dollar.

An added service has been the donation from the rummage sales of clothing for both men and women at the Plymouth County Farm. This year large boxes of clothing were picked up by the New England Hemophilia Association. Warm wool cloth- ing to be repaired and sent overseas for refugees. We wish to thank all the people who so generously contributed to our rum- mage sales and our Annual Membership Drive. The board mem- bers feel that the reason each sale seems to be more successful than the last is because of the interest shown by everyone in Norwell. More rummage is delivered in person to the "Old Shop at Sparrell's" ahead of the dates. This year three large truckloads were picked up at the shop.

During the past year Mrs. A. W. Gilmore resigned as an active board member to become an associate member. Mrs. Phillip Young was voted a regular board member to fill this vacancy.

The treasurer's report which follows will show the source of income and expenditures.

Anyone in need of Nursing Care call OL 9-2342 before 9 A.M. or before 1 P.M.

With regret we note the death in March of Mr. James H. Barnard. He was a charter member and treasurer for many years and later supervised the purchase and maintenance of the Visiting Nurse's automobile.

It is interesting to note in the minutes of the Organization's Meeting which was held November 6, 1924 that the subscribers to the agreement of the Association were Mrs. Charlotte Ogden, Mr. James H. Barnard, Mrs. Alice Merritt, Mrs. Isabella Fogg, Mrs. Emeline Barnard, Rev. Alfred J. Wilson, Mr. William J. Leonard, Mr. Alvan G. Spencer, and Mr. J. Lyman Wadsworth. Mr. Barnard was elected treasurer at this first meeting and con- tinued an active and interested member all these years.

Another loyal and honored member of the board died in November - Mrs. H. Day Atwater. She instigated our success- ful rummage sales when she was president of the organization.

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VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION

The Annual Meeting and Tea will be held at the Parish House, Norwell Center on Wednesday, March 1, 1961 at 2:30 P.M. Mrs. Clarke Atwater is Tea Chairman. We expect to have an interesting speaker. All are urged to attend.

Respectfully submitted,

GRACE L. SPARRELL, President.

Norwell Visiting Nurse Association, Inc.

Financial Statement January 1, 1960 to January 1, 1961

Receipts

Nursing Fees

$619.00

Dental Fees

286.45

Hygienist Fees

311.50

Well Child Clinic

70.00

American Cancer Society

14.00

Transportation (Town)

600.00

Dividends and Interest

232.54

Membership

688.44

Rummage Sales:

Spring - $1,448.75

Fall 1,645.95

3,094.70

$5,916.63

Expenditures

Nurses' Salaries:

Catherine A. Roe

$1,200.00

Relief Nurses 332.00

$1,532.00

Well Child Clinic

315.00

Dental Clinics:

Salary, Janet E. Gould

$420.00

Supplies 151.35

571.35

Clerical and Telephone

212.12

Transportation

531.29

Retirement

60.00

Social Security

48.60

Charity

110.50

Insurance

197.50

Supplies

40.84

Equipment

119.31

General Expense

188.88

129

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

New Car Fund

1,500.00

American Medical Association

5.00

Division of Public Charities

3.00

Nursing Scholarships

200.00

$5,635.39

Proprietorship

South Scituate Savings Bank

$4,929.50

Mass. Investors Trust Stock

2,000.00

Rockland Trust Company

547.71

Lillian Brooks Fund

50.00

Memorial Fund

141.00

$7,668.21

Respectfully submitted,

EMILY T. ALLEN,

Treasurer.

Report of the Public Health Nurse

Board of Selectmen

Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

Number of Nursing Visits

1075

Infant Welfare Visits

Antepartal Visits

Postpartal

Well-child Conferences

Immunization Clinics

Tuberculosis Follow-up Visits

In-service Course in Psychiatry

Conferences with Public Health Officials

Respectfully submitted,

CATHERINE A. ROE,

Public Health Nurse

130

VETERANS' AGENT

Report of the Veterans' Agent

Chapter 115 of the State Laws is devoted to the subject "Vet- erans' Benefits" and includes the strict delineation of the respon- sibilities of the towns and if the towns do not properly administer the Veterans' Benefits as required by law, the State Commissioner of Veterans' Services has the authority to make such determina- tions as may be necessary in any case where the town or town's agent is not carrying out the legal responsibilities. The charges accrued under such a situation can be charged back to the town and will be applied by the State Treasurer as an additional tax on such town.

The law requires that the Selectmen shall establish a de- partment of Veterans' Services and the officer in charge will be known as the Director of Veterans' Services. The Acts of 1946, Chapter 599 provided that if a Director of Veterans' Services was not appointed then the Veterans' Agent must carry out all the requirements under the law for administration of the various veterans' services and benefits.

During the past ten years the responsibility for the admini- stration of the Veterans' Services has been lodged in the Select- men's office, and until 1957 a Selectman was appointed each year to take the responsibility as Veterans' Agent.

During the years 1957, 1958 and 1959 the responsibility was carried out by unpaid, voluntary American Legion members acting as Veterans' Agent.

For the year 1960 it was agreed between the Board of Select- men and the incumbent Veterans' Agent that an item would be placed in the Town Warrant under Budgetary Items for a salary for this position. Despite the fact that the Board of Selectmen and the incumbent Veterans' Agent pointed out that this was a paid position in every surrounding town and certainly some token salary should be applied to the position, the Advisory Board and the Townspeople did not see fit to provide the funds for the re- quested salary.

Promptly, subsequent to the Town Meeting, the incumbent Veterans' Agent resigned and the Selectmen again had the prob- lem and continued to administer the needs of Veterans until the State advised the Board of Selectmen that the reports and all papers must be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Select- men if we were going to continue to handle these matters, and at this point the Selectmen voted Earle F. Allen to become once more responsible for the Veterans' Benefits administration as Veterans' Agent.

131

INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS

If this program is not administered by the proper, experi- enced official the Town will experience a loss of reimbursements from the State, due to improper handling of the necessary de- tails, which are very comprehensive and substantial in nature because of the legal requirements as set forth in the state laws.

The growing pains in the department of Veterans' Services are just as evident as in other phases of municipal government in the Town of Norwell.

Other nearby towns expend about the same amount of money as Norwell does, in the vicinity of $6,000 to $10,000, but they ap- parently enjoy greater reimbursements from the State than our experiences have indicated. They all carry expense accounts of a few hundred dollars with salaries ranging from $450 to $1200 per year.

The problem is not merely one of money to pay salaries, ex- penses and aid, but one of human understanding of people's problems.

The above explanation is made for the purpose of bringing the residents of the Town of Norwell up-to-date on this very im- portant problem and indicates the reason why this report is being signed once more by a Selectman.

EARLE F. ALLEN,

Veterans' Agent.

Report of the Inspector of Animals

To the Board of Selectmen:

Gentlemen:

I have completed my duties as Inspector of Animals for the year 1960.

A report was filed by me to the Division of Livestock Disease Control as to the census of animals in the Town of Norwell.

Respectfully submitted,

RICHARD E. CUGNASCA, D.V.M.

Inspector of Animals.

132

DOG OFFICER

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 1960.

Stray dogs picked up 17

Dogs disposed of 4

Injured stray dogs brought to vet 3

Dogs returned to owners 24

Complaints investigated 22

Answered over 100 miscellaneous complaints

As of April 1960, all dogs picked up are not destroyed but after 10 days go to an Animal Center in Boston. A reimburse- ment goes to the Town of Norwell for those who do not have any diseases.

Please note that this report stands incomplete whereas re- ports received via Communications Center are not relayed to the Dog Officer.

Respectfully submitted, ROBERT L. MOLLA, SR.,

Dog Officer.

133

COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Report of the Emergency Communications Center

The Emergency Communications Center has completed its first full year of operations with results that have proved invalu- able to the residents of Norwell. Emergencies of all kinds have been handled by the Center quickly and efficiently so that aid has been summoned in these situations in a manner heretofore impossible. Up to December 1st, at the time of writing, over 12,000 emergency and information calls - not including radio traffic - were handled during the calendar year.

Fire permits were issued, greatly expediting and clarifying this problem which has been difficult for a volunteer fire depart- ment in the past. A more detailed report of these calls will be found in the Fire and Police Department reports. It should be emphasized that all calls reported by these departments are now handled by the Emergency Communications Center. Also, many calls are received for the Board of Health, Dog Officer, Water Department, and Highway Department as well as innumerable "general information" calls, and these must be referred to the proper officials.

A 10 KW generator was purchased by the Civil Defense Agency from Surplus and is now on a standby basis in Fire Sta- tion No. 1 for operation of the Center and Station No. 1. This generator is large enough to heat and light the entire Town Hall and it is to be hoped that in the future funds will be available for the permanent installation of this invaluable unit.

Through the efforts of Chief Bradeen, and Officers Baldwin and Young, accoustical tile was placed on the ceiling and part of the walls of the Center, resulting in a great reduction of the noise factor of this operation.

The Budget for 1961 allows for an increase in the compensa- tion for the operators, from approximately 85¢ an hour to $1.00 an hour, as of March 1, 1961. This is still a very low scale for work of this responsibility and hardly removes the job from that of "volunteer," but is recommended as an expression of apprecia- tion for the excellent way in which this work has been done. Norwell is indeed fortunate to have a "crew" willing and quali- fied to do this important work. It is interesting to note how many adjacent towns are now establishing Communication Centers pat- terned after Norwell's, and is further evidence of its value to a community.

134

BY-LAWS COMMITTEE

The Committee wishes to pay tribute to the Town Hall Staff and the operators on duty nights, weekends and Holidays, for the excellent job they have done, and to thank them for their faith- fulness and regularity in adhering to a schedule which we all realize at times must be inconvenient or awkward for one's personal or family's plans.

Respectfully submitted,

W. CLARKE ATWATER, Chairman KENNETH J. BRADEEN WARREN P. MERRITT

Report of the By-Laws Committee

To the Selectmen of the Town of Norwell

Gentlemen:

The following is a report of the By-Laws Committee for the year ending December 31, 1960.

In accordance with the instructions of the Town given at the 1959 and 1960 Annual Town Meetings, the By-Laws Commit- tee has:

(1) completed a study of the Town By-Laws;

(2) prepared a report and a revised set of Town By-Laws which shall be presented at the next Annual Town Meeting; and

(3) submitted articles, which incorporate our recommenda- tions and the revised By-Laws, for inclusion in the War- rant calling the next Annual Town Meeting.

During the past few months, the Committee has reviewed the revised By-Laws with Town Departments, Boards and Offi- cers in order to obtain the benefit of their comments and recom- mendations. The Committee is grateful for the constructive re- sponse of these officials.

Respectfully submitted,

WILLIAM B. SOUTHWORTH, Chairman DAVID LEE TURNER, Clerk HORACE ROSS SANBORN VINCENT DONALD WHITTEMORE

By-Laws Committee

135

MOSQUITO CONTROL

Report of South Shore Mosquito Control Project

To the Citizens of Norwell:

Submitted herewith is the report of the South Shore Mos- quito Control Project regarding its activities in the Town of Norwell for the year ending December 31, 1960.

The Town of Norwell appropriated $7350 for mosquito con- trol in 1960.

The basic program of control continued to be based on drain- age in the off-season and larvaciding of all areas found to be breeding during the mosquito season. Fog generators and mist blowers were used to combat flying mosquitoes.

The drainage has eliminated some crew spraying and much air spray acreage, thus making it possible to absorb higher cost, deal with new breeding areas found or created, and yet lower the yearly budget request, or at least keep it the same.

In the Town of Norwell the following ditch work was done: 225 feet of ditches cleaned, 125 feet reclaimed and 225 feet of new ditch has been dug. In addition 350 feet of brushing has been done to facilitate entrance to and passage along streams for the purpose of cleaning and treating streams and swamps.

The spring air spraying of all fresh water swamps too large to be treated by hand was done in the latter part of April and first of May. 2315 acres were sprayed in the Town of Norwell.

A mid-winter pre-hatch dust application will be done with pack dusters in the Town of Norwell. The amount of dusting and areas covered will depend on ice cover on small wet areas, as this is needed to make application. However, this Project has acquired a power duster and where we have vehicle access this will be used without need for ice.

The Project will continue its drainage program set up for the Town of Norwell as it feels this to be the best long range and certain method of getting control over mosquitoes.

WILLIAM C. BENNETT,

South Shore Commissioner.

136

HIGHWAY SURVEYOR

Report of the Highway Surveyor

To the Citizens of Norwell:

I submit my first annual report of the Highway Department for 1961.

Our Spring work began with cleaning up and moving Town equipment to Town property, cement pipe and catch basin block to the Town field on River Street and the sand pile to the Town Dump.

We started our maintenance work by cleaning catch basins, gutters and water ways. Our Chapter 81 work, tarring and main- tenance, was carried out under the watchful eye of the State Department of Public Works Engineer. It has been a great pleasure for me to work with this department and the Town should be thankful for the fine cooperation that we have received from the District Office at Middleboro. The streets worked on under Chapter 81 are listed at the end of this report.

The Chapter 91 project was carried out on Main Street just below the Center. A drainage system made up of 18" pipe, eleven (11) catch basins and six (6) manholes was carried up Main Street from Copper Corner Brook to Norwell Center and the existing system connecting directly to the Second Herring Brook, a distance of 1600'. A bituminous concete top was laid from below Winter Street to the brook at Dover Street. This area has been finished, graded and seeded, and white lines have been painted on the roadway from the Scituate Line to Norwell Center.

During the Fall, Hurricane Donna came along causing con- siderable damage along the roadsides and highways setting us back in our maintenance work and sealing. With the cooperation of the Tree, Fire and Police Departments all highways were kept passable and the clean-up work is practically finished.

The drainage in Washington Park has not been completed because of the extension of the Expressway and we are hoping to lower the water table here. This Department and the Drainage Committee has kept in very close touch with the extension throughout Norwell and I am sure this project will be well underway by the Summer of 1961.

We also have a very fine family of beavers working in the Wildcat section and the Green Street drainage project will be completed as soon as we can lower the water table there. We are indeed thankful that Mosquito Control is helping us there.

137

HIGHWAY SURVEYOR

In July this Department took delivery on a new pick-up truck and two, 4 yard, dump trucks. These have proven to be very satisfactory and we are receiving reimbursement for the expense of these trucks from the State through the State Aid Project. This money is put in a Road Machinery Fund. These trucks are fitted for snow removal and saved the Town approxi- mately $1000 during the snow storms of December 12 and 17, 1960. By the end of December the dump trucks will have approximate- ly 6000 miles on each and the Pick-up truck about 10,000 miles.

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Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969, Part 9

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

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