Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969, Part 90

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

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There is always a need for additional trained operators for the Center on a full-time or part-time basis. Anyone interested may contact one of the Committee or visit the Center where the operator on duty would be. glad to outline the duties.

Again we wish to express our appreciation, and the appreciation of the residents of the Town, to the operators for their loyalty in maintaining a schedule which is so necessary for a responsible operation of this nature.

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER BOARD

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

REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Board of Fire Engineers submits to the Board of Selectmen and the citizens of the Town of Norwell the report of the Fire Department for 1966.

From January 1, 1966 through December 31, 1966 the following calls were processed through the Emergency Communications Center:

Buildings (includes electrical, chimneys & burners)

Grass and woods

Dump

Automobile

Resuscitator calls

Investigations

Accidents 9

Lost Persons Mutual Aid Given Fire Permits Issued Miscellaneous calls (for information, etc.)

3080

3486

TOTAL

6708

The new pumping engine was delivered and put in service at the Ridge Hill Station on May 1st, and a new motor was installed in Engine #6 at the Church Hill Station. This brought our apparatus up to peak efficiency. Other new equipment purchased included an emergency generator for the Church Hill Station and 600 feet of new hose.

At the Annual Meeting in March funds were appropriated for the re- shingling of the Ridge Hill Station and this project has now been completed.

The new Fire Alarm System has been installed and all Norwell Schools as well as two nursing homes, one church and the Old Colony Knitting Mill are tied in. Sprinkler systems have been installed in Stetson Hall and Red Well nursing homes and the knitting mill, and before long buildings in the new shopping plaza at Queen Anne's Corner will be connected,

The construction of the shopping plaza, along with the yearly growth of the Town will, of course, add to the activity of the Fire Department. Members of the Department are continuously being instructed in the latest methods of fire fighting and fire prevention so that any disaster can be averted.

During the past year Mutual Aid agreements were set up with the neighboring towns of Hingham, Hanover and Marshfield.

The Board of Fire Engineers feels that due to the growth of the Town, both in population and building, the Fire Chief should devote more time to Fire Department duties. £ Presently the Fire Chief also serves as Superintendent of the Water Department, and as activity has increased in that department, less time has been available for Fire Department duties.

The Board of Fire Engineers have met several times with the Water Commissioners and the Board of Selectmen, and it was mutually agreed that the Fire Chief should devote his time to the Fire Department and to the Water Department on approximately a two-thirds, one-third basis. It is felt that this arrangement will provide for adequate supervision for both departments at this time.

After many meetings of the Board of Selectmen, the representatives of Whitman and Howard, and the Board of Fire Engineers, an agreement has been reached as to the style and location for a new Fire Station. This will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting. We hope the resi- dents of the Town will recognize this need and support the Article in the 1967 Warrant.

It is with pleasure that we commend the citizens of Norwell for their excellent cooperation in helping us carry out our Fire Department duties.

We also extend sincere thanks to the operators of the Communications Center for the excellent manner in which they handle emergencies.

Respectfully submitted,

BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS

Warren P. Merritt, Chief Loring L. Wadsworth, Deputy Chief John J. Winske, Jr. Donald H. Newton

Orville E. Devine James T. King, Clerk

REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SURVEYOR

To the Citizens of Norwell,

I hereby submit my annual report for the year ending 1966 concerning the activities of the Highway Department.

The new town garage has worked out very well this past year. It has made it possible for us to put on snow plows, and do repair work under cover thereby saving time and money. This year there is a new item in my budget for Building Operation and Maintenance so that we may take proper care of this very worthwhile investment.

In the Spring we did our street cleaning and sweeping. We have been trying to use more chemicals and less sand but we still have to hire equipment every spring and fall. There is a great demand for this equip- ment, often causing a delay in sand removal. I plan to ask for a street sweeper in 1968 so that this problem will be eliminated.

The Chapter 90 work on Main Street was started in the spring. We seeded and fertilized the roadside that we did in 1965. We waited until school closed and then began the new section. We cleaned out the pond and installed a specially made, 65" x 40" arch pipe that cost $2000. We also put in approximately 2000 feet of drainage, 13 catch basins, and 9 man holes. We ran into a ledge problem and had to blast, making it necessary to close the road for a few days. We increased the size of the water main near the Osborn School per Town Meeting vote. We excavated over 4000 cu. yards of gravel and used it for fill, and we brought in about 3500 yards of new gravel. We put down 1200 tons of Type I base on the road. In 1967 we will put a finish cover of 1 1/4'' top and grade and seed the roadside to complete this section.

The Gas Co. worked on this piece of roadway also, relocating about 3000 feet of gas main. We are grateful to them for their promptness and efficiency.

This year I believe we will get to the bend in the road in front of Mr. B. Cugnasca's with our Chapter 90.

Some of this year's Chapter 90 money will go to Tiffany Rd. to finish the bridge. This job was put out to bid and will cost more than originally appropriated.

We got our new backhoe in April and have used that for water service installations and highway work.

The special articles for mix voted at town meeting were completed on Grove, South, and Prospect Streets. The Summer Street and School Street mixes will be held until 1967 to give the water services a chance to settle.

In 1967 we hope to continue our Type I on Grove Street, River Street, and Tiffany Road, plus the mix in place work on South, Prospect, School and Summer Streets.

We also have a special article in for a necessary drainage easement on Main Street.

We are asking for a new dump truck, snow plow, and sander this year, to help us keep up with the work load and next winter's snow removal.

Snow removal and ice control has become a big item in our budget. Each year we have to ask for more money to provide funds for more chemicals, equipment and manpower to insure a dry pavement on the heavily traveled narrow roads. We must provide a roadway on which motorists, school, police, and fire vehicles can travel in comfort and safety.

The speed limit signs designated by the State Traffic Surveyor, Board of Selectmen, police, and residents were put up on High Street, Grove Street, Norwell Ave., and Old Oaken Bucket Road. These signs were installed as soon as they arrived. We hope to keep them in good condi- tion by proper maintenance. We are hoping to get a sign making machine. This will cut costs and speed up replacements of missing signs.

Last August and September we did our patch and oil schedule work, plus routine maintenance work.

I also have kept checking each development as the roads are put in to be sure they are put in to town regulations.

Late in November our department did the sidewalk work on High and Oak Streets. I am glad to see they are being used. There is still some clean-up work yet to be done. I hope eventually a cross walk will be put in at the corner of Grove and High Streets on the Jones property.

You can see each year there are a few more problems and the traffic gets larger in volume and we add new roadways each year.

The Tiffany Road bridge job should be done by the end of June. It will be necessary to have this road closed to through traffic this winter and spring.

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

I would also like to say we are most grateful for the assistance of the Department of Public Works at the Middleboro District 7 office. Without their help and cooperation of testing material, setting lines and grades for our Chapter 90 project, setting up the oil schedule for Chapter 81, painting and marking Main Street (Rte 123), and designing and planning for the Tiffany Road bridge, these projects would not have been possible.

Sincerely E. Arnold Joseph Highway Surveyor

REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS

Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

As inspector of Animals for the Town of Norwell, I have completed my duties for 1966 and report as follows:

Inspected barns and reported same to the State.

Reported to the Division of Livestock Disease Control the census of animals in the Town of Norwell. Quarantined and released approximately forty-seven dogs.

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

REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR

Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

The annual report of the Building Inspector is respectfully submitted as follows:

The year 1966 shows a slight decrease in the total number of building permits issued. This is in no way a surprise, as we are all fully aware of the tight money situation, which is reflected in the slowing up of new home building. It might be noted that the exact decrease was 15 less permits issued in 1966 than in 1965.

Construction of the new William Vinal School on Old Oaken Bucket Road was started this past year and is progressing satisfactorily.

The Star Market complex, after a speedy start, was plagued with difficulties -- shortages of materials, and later strong winds caused considerable damage to exterior walls. Now, the situation is under con- trol and work is progressing rapidly.

Building permits issued and inspections made during 1966:

RESIDENTIAL

New Dwellings Alterations Additions & Out Buildings

Garages

COMMERCIAL

New Buildings

Alterations & Additions

Municipal Buildings

OTHER

Buildings Demolished

Buildings Moved

Swimming Pools

Trailers -- Construction Offices 3

TOTAL PERMITS ISSUED 134

Grateful appreciation is extended to Mr. Harry Chase and Mrs. Mildred Sundwall for their cooperation and assistance.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles E. White, Building Inspector William T. Stohn, Alternate Inspector

REPORT OF THE GAS INSPECTOR

The number of inspections covering gas appliance installations has been increasing steadily, and for the calendar year 1966 one hundred and twenty inspections were made by either Gas Inspector George A. Beach or the Alternate Gas Inspector, Warren P. Merritt.

Inspection fees collected are the source from which the Inspectors' salaries are paid. This amounted to $494.00 this year.

Respectfully submitted,

George A. Beach Inspector of Gas

REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES

Two hundred and forty-seven electrical permits were issued and inspections made for the year 1966.

Permit fees collected and salaries paid therefrom to Inspector Raymond A. Hansen and Alternate Inspector J. Lee Turner amounted to $2,449.13.

The continued cooperation of the townspeople is appreciated by this department.

Respectfully submitted, Raymond A. Hansen Inspector of Wires

REPORT OF THE JAMES LIBRARY

January 2, 1967

In 1966, the James Library has again striven to improve and expand the service it has been rendering to the reading public of Norwell for almost 60 years.

During the year the number of registered reader families has in- creased by 117 to 791, an all-time high which reflects an ever growing interest in the material offered, well above and beyond the natural growth of population. These readers borrowed 12,413 volumes from the adult section and 8,789 children's books, totaling 21,202 volumes.

At present the James Library makes available to the public a total of 13,867 volumes, of which 11,207 are adult reading material and 2,660 are juveniles. A total of 377 new books were acquired during the year.

In order to meet the needs of the public's greater interest, the Library hours have again been increased, to 16 per week, and the Trustees have applied for admission to the Eastern Regional Library Association, which will enable the Library to draw on the facilities of the Boston Public Library.

During the summer of 1966 the exterior of the library building was repainted, and the Trustees are happy to announce that they have been able to install a gas conversion burner to improve the heating system.

It is gratifying to the Trustees to note that the Town's students con- tinue to make extensive use of the material and facilities of the Library.

This report cannot be regarded as complete without our public ack- nowledgment of a debt of gratitude to our two librarians, Mrs. Helen Roubound and Mrs. Constance Sayrs, whose knowledge and helpfulness are a credit to the Library.

Respectfully submitted,

Trustees of the James Library Mildred Hastings, Treasurer John M. Kolbjornsen Clinton V. MacCoy Harriet L. Meyer, Secretary William C. Bennett, Chairman

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council was established by Chapter 668 of the Acts of 1963. Its purpose is to conduct research and studies and prepare "such data, maps and charts and tables as may be helpful or necessary to improve the physical, social and economic conditions of the district ... " Originally the Council consisted of one representative each from 47 towns and cities of the Boston metropolitan area, 25 guber- natorial appointees, and the heads of various state departments. In 1965 the Council was expanded by an act of the General Court to conform to a Federally defined metropolitan area and thus make available Federal funds in planning assistance in the ratio of two to one. This expansion resulted in the membership of 79 towns and cities, including Norwell, in the Council. The undersigned was appointed Norwell's representative in August 1965.

Since its inception the Council has undertaken and made considerable progress in the following planning programs.

ECONOMIC BASE - The Economic Base and Population Study was com- pleted early in 1966. The final reports are nearly ready for publication and distribution.

OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION - Phase I of this study has been completed and distributed. Phase II, which will contain specific recom- mendations for the future development of such resources, will be finished early in 1967.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH STUDY - The research and study of this program is in its final stages. It is expected that the report will contain recommendations concerning waste disposal.

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE - In 1966 the Council began the development of a community assistance program and to this end has issued summaries of various Federal programs of assistance.

NEW WORK PROGRAM - The Council has applied to the Federal government for funds to conduct three of the projects included in this program. They are: (a) a comprehensive housing study; (b) an airport study; and (c) a community assistance program. Also, an application is being prepared for a sewer and water facilities study, the initial stages of which were begun this past fall when an engineering consultant was en- gaged to compile an inventory of existing sewer and water facilities of the region. In addition, this program will include a regional health and facilities study and a secondary roads study.

In May 1964 the Council established permanent headquarters at 44 School Street, Boston, Mass. Its quarterly meetings are held in various communities or at 44 School Street. Pertinent documents produced by the Council considered of interest to town officials have been appropriately referred.

Reginald M. Savage, Representative

REPORT OF THE PERMANENT BUILDING & MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE

Board of Selectmen Norwell, Massachusetts

Gentlemen:

Completion of the William Gould Vinal Elementary School is now expected in May, 1967.

Expansion of the sanitary leaching bed at the high school has been accomplished.

Preliminary plans for the addition to the high school have been sub- mitted to the School Committee, but are now being held in abeyance pending further study of buildings in the school system ..

Respectfully submitted,

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

Board of Selectmen Norwell, Mass.

Gentlemen:

The Planning Board reorganized after the March, 1966 Town Meeting with Theodore R. Love, Chairman; John A. Randall, Vice-Chairman; Gilbert A. Cummings, Clerk; Robert R. Reed and Richard K. McMullan, Members. The Board meets on the second floor of the Town Hall Annex on Thursday evening each week at 8 o'clock. All meetings are open, with no formal agenda.

ZONING BY-LAWS

The Planning Board, in conjunction with the Development and Indus- trial Commission, will propose two amendments to the Zoning By-Laws for consideration at the Annual Town Meeting. Both amendments concern Business 'C' Zoning, which heretofore has been considered to be "Indus- trial" rather than "Commercial."

The purpose of the first amendment will be to provide greater pre- cision in the selection of uses permitted in present and future Business 'C' Zones by allowing only those believed to be compatible with a low- density residential community.

The second will propose the establishment of an additional Commercial Zone, C2, containing 160 acres, bounded by High Street, the Southeast Expressway and the Rockland and Hanover Town Lines. This new zone would, of course, be subject to the restrictions proposed above, which have been expressly composed to protect existing residences.

It is believed that the first amendment will benefit the Town by per- mitting only those uses which would widen our tax base without sub- stantially altering the character of the Town. The second will extend this benefit to an area which, it is believed, can be developed in the near future.

SUB-DIVISIONS AND THE SUB-DIVISION CONTROL LAW

There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of sub-divisions reaching the stage of final approval; hearings were held on only one definitive plan, that for Black Pond Hill Development, off Summer Street, containing 39 lots.

During the year the Board examined and endorsed 42 plans which did not require approval under the Sub-Division Control Law.

GROWTH OF THE TOWN

During the past year there were 67 building permits issued for new dwellings, of which 36 were in approved sub-divisions and 31 were on individual lots scattered throughout the Town. While this is a substantial decrease from the 89 issued last year and is below the five-year average of 70, it still falls within the 60-70 range on which projections for future schools and other construction have been based.

A nation-wide decrease in new home starts attributed to "tight money" has certainly made itself felt in Norwell. How long this slowdown will continue before being overcome by pent-up demand can only be surmised. However, if Norwell continues to extend its water-mains, we may see an increase in new home starts.

Thus, while the number of new home starts in Norwell in 1964 and 1965 indicated that we might have to revise our growth projections up- ward, the decrease in 1966 will permit us to continue with the previously projected growth rate of 60-70 new homes per year.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

From 1960 through 1964 the Elementary School population increased at a relatively uniform rate from 779 to 1062, about 70 per year. From 1964 to 1966 the enrollment in Grades 1 through 6 increased from 1062 to 1112, at the rate of only 25 per year. If the rate of growth experienced from 1960-64 had continued, we would again have been short of Secondary School space in 1970, despite the completion of the Vinal School in 1967. A projection at the earlier high rate, tempered with the trend of the past two years, indicates that our present capacity, including the Vinal School, will meet our needs until 1972; or, if the rate of increase continues to turn downward, somewhat longer. It is difficult to make a long range prediction based on a sharply reduced rate of growth which has occurred

in only two years. Our capital expenditure recommendations are based on the least optimistic possibility.

Whether the next expansion would be in the form of a new school or an addition to the Vinal School will depend upon future population distribution. It is evident that the Elementary School Site Committee must continue its efforts to provide a new school site. There is no question but that the present three schools will not meet the ultimate needs of the Town. A fourth school site must eventually be provided, and this is best done sooner than later. The supply of available land will constantly decrease.

The Federal and State Governments may soon require public Kinder- gartens. The addition of a Kindergarten Program to the Elementary School System would add initially about 200 pupils, who, attending double sessions with 25 per class, would require four rooms. This would advance the need for additional Elementary School space from 1972 to 1970, based on present projections.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Secondary Schools, Grades 7 through 12, are the Town's present most pressing problem; not whether they should be expanded, a simple matter of counting heads, but how the expansion should be effected. This is a year of decision for Norwell. It is imperative that action be taken this year, which, if done incorrectly, could produce needless problems in years to come.

The most obvious way of increasing our Secondary School capacity is by enlarging the High School building from its present nominal capacity of 450 to 900, as was originally planned. The present enrollment of 422 could reach 550 by 1969.

The enlarged capacity of 900 could serve until 1979 or 1980, but would still be too small to contain the ultimate projected total of 1100 or more. Therefore, we would for ten years have a building too large for our im- mediate needs and yet too small for our ultimate needs.

In the meantime we would still be faced with the problem of the Junior High School, which has a 1966 population of 327 and a capacity of not more than 400, which it should reach by 1969. Therefore, assuming for the moment that it is physically possible, as well as desirable, to add to the present Junior High School building, plans for its expansion should be started at once.

It would seem, in the light of present knowledge, that our previous plans for Secondary School expansion are seriously deficient in providing for both present and future needs. To overcome this deficiency the fol- lowing proposal is made:

1. Construct as soon as possible a new High School building with a minimum capacity of 700, to be ready in September, 1969.

2. Upon completion, occupy this new building with Grades 9 through 12 until its maximum capacity is reached, which should occur about 1974. At that time continue the High School with Grades 10,11 and 12 only, until such time as the building must be enlarged to its ul- timate capacity of 1100-1200, probably about 1978-1980.

3. In September, 1969, move Grades 7 and 8 to the present Senior High School building, which will then become the Junior High School, abandoning the present Junior High School building for school pur- poses. Continue Grades 7 and 8 in this building until it becomes necessary to remove Grade 9 from the High to the Junior High School. At that time, probably about 1973 or 1974, both schools will be at maximum capacity. Removing Grade 9 to the Junior High School and at the same time enlarging the Junior High School to its ultimate capacity will then meet the demand from both schools.

Therefore, while at first glance this proposal might appear to require a greater expenditure than the simple step of adding to the present High School building, examination of all the factors involved will show that if we do add to the present High School, thereby forcing an almost immediate addition to the Junior High, we will by 1970 have built additional space for 900 or more Secondary students. If we proceed on the plan proposed above, we will by 1973 or 1974 have built for only 700. We strongly recommend that imminent Secondary School expansion be a completely new Senior High School.

CIVIC CENTER

Other pressing needs, which have been deferred from year to year are those of a new Central Fire Station, additional space for Town Offices, and a new Police Station. Other future Town needs are - additional Civic Meeting Places, a Library, a Youth Center, and a Center for Senior Citizens.

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Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969, Part 90

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

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