USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1960-1969 > Part 91
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The previously outlined proposal for schools calls for abandonment of the present Junior High School building for school purposes. This building is suitable for most of the uses listed above, and we propose that it be converted to these uses.
The following plan is presented to meet the Town's forseeable needs for these facilities:
1. Construct a new Central Fire Station.
2. When the Junior High School building is vacated in 1969, remodel the second floor of the main building, the westerly portion of the first floor, and a portion of the second floor of the Sparrell Wing for Town Office use.
3. Relocate present School Administration Offices to the second floor of the Sparrell Wing.
4. Remodel the present School Administration Offices, the adjacent locker rooms and toilets, and the gymnasium into a Town Youth Center.
5. Retain the third floor of the main building as a Civic Meeting Place for Veterans' or similar organizations, complete with the existing kitchen.
6. After the Town Offices have been moved, remodel the first floor of the Cushing Memorial Town Hall for use as a Police Station, retaining the Auditorium for its present uses.
7. Remodel the first floor of the Sparrell Wing into a Town Library with a separate entrance and parking space.
8. Use space not required by the Police Department on the first floor of the present Town Hall as a Center for Senior Citizens.
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This program will meet the Town's needs suitably and economically. It is fortunate that it ties in so well with the proposed school program. This is why 1967 is Norwell's Year of Decision. What we do this year will govern our actions for years to come.
SIDEWALKS
While citizens who may have had to move hedges or fences are under- standably somewhat less than enthusiastic, the sidewalks constructed during the past two years have met with the approval of the Police and School Departments and have served their purpose in relieving bus trans- portation without subjecting the children to the risk of sudden death.
It is the opinion of the School Department that this program should be continued in the vicinity of the Cole School until substantially all children within legal distance of this school can walk to school.
To this end we recommend that in 1967 a sidewalk be constructed on High Street from the Cole School to the Southeast Expressway.
PROGRAM FOR MAJOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
A planned program for the orderly construction of new schools and other Town facilities will require continuing action at successive Town Meetings. The following schedule is recommended:
1967 Annual Town Meeting
1. Approve funds for final surveys and plans for construction of a new Senior High School building.
2. Approve funds for plans for construction of a new Central Fire Station.
3. Authorize the Permanent Building and Maintenance and Athletic Field Committees to study land requirements for a new Senior High School and to report to a 1967 Special Town Meeting with recom- mendations and a request for an appropriation. Funds should be made available to these committees for this purpose.
1967 Special Town Meeting
1. Approve funds for additional land for new Senior High School build- ing.
2. Approve construction of new Senior High School building.
1968 Annual Town Meeting
1. Approve funds for plans for remodeling present Junior High School building for use as a Civic Center.
2. Approve funds for plans for remodeling present Town Hall, first floor, for use as Police Station and Center for Senior Citizens.
3. Approve acquisition of land for new Elementary School, based on report of existing Elementary School Site Committee, to be pre- sented for action at this meeting.
4. Set up a Study Committee for the establishment of a Town Library.
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This committee's function will be to make a preliminary report at the 1969 Annual Meeting and a definitive report and request for appropriation at the 1970 Meeting.
1969 Annual Town Meeting
1. Approve funds to be used for remodeling the present Junior High School building; work to start after June and to be completed in fall or early winter, 1969.
2. Approve funds for remodeling present Town Hall, first floor, for use as a Police Station and Center for Senior Citizens; work to start in late 1969 after Town Offices have been moved.
3. Act on preliminary report of Library Committee. If report out- lines requirements sufficiently, it is recommended that modifica- tion of this portion of the Junior High School building be included in the general remodeling, as a matter of economy.
1970 Annual Town Meeting
1. Approve funds for plans for new Elementary School or addition to an existing school.
2. Establish the Town Library and approve funds to be used for re- modeling first floor of Sparrell Wing, if not already done.
3. Approve demolition of present Town Hall Annex building and con- struction of Town parking lot.
1971 Annual Town Meeting
Approve construction of additional Elementary School space to be ready in September, 1972. This may be deferred or advanced if conditions warrant, as outlined under "Elementary Schools".
1972 Annual Town Meeting
Approve funds for plans for additional Junior High School space.
1973 Annual Town Meeting
Approve construction of additional Junior High School space, to be ready by September, 1974.
This schedule will meet the requirements of the Town, as outlined in this report. Action must be taken in 1967 because of the immediate need for additional Secondary School space. Ensuing action, which is depend- ent upon the initial step, must necessarily follow in a logical sequence. Other actions may be advanced or retarded. For example, it may be expedient to appropriate funds for the new Central Fire Station in 1967, so that the actual expenditure may be made ahead of the heavy expendi- ture for the new Senior High School. On the other hand, the need for still further Elementary and Secondary School space is based on long range projections which may not prove to be accurate. It must be under- stood that this program, extending as it does over a number of years, is subject to annual review and revision to suit the changing needs of the Town.
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RECREATION
The success and popularity of the Playground Program proves that it fills a need. This program should be continued and expanded.
A popular part of the Playground Program has been Swimming In- struction. Facilities for this are probably no longer available. It is quite likely that suitable Town swimming facilities, either fresh or salt water, can be developed from natural sources at relatively little cost. A study to determine the feasibility of this should be made as soon as possible.
Another development, related to the Playground Program, is the formation of a Town Teen Committee. The fact that several hundred teenagers are willing to undertake, underwrite and supervise their own activities is a credit to the Town, and everything possible should be done to encourage and aid them. An integral part of the Civic Center Program here presented is use of the gymnasium and related facilities in the present Junior High School building as a Youth Center. All needed facilities - parking space at other than school hours, separate entrances, gymnasium, stage, locker rooms, toilets, and adjacent rooms for general use - all ideally suitable, can be provided with little or no remodelling.
GENERAL
The Conservation Commission has provided Town Departments with a soil study map of Norwell prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture. This comprehensive set of documents will prove useful for many purposes.
The problem of preserving wetland areas not suitable for building and which may be essential to maintaining our water resources, is one which the Town should continue to endeavor to solve.
Theodore R. Love, Chairman John A. Randall, Vice-Chairman Gilbert A. Cummings, Clerk Robert R. Reed Richard K. McMullan
REPORT OF THE PLYMOUTH COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
By Robert B. Ewing, County Agent-Manager & Regional Coordinator
The primary responsibility of the Cooperative 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 an assistance agreement. Members of the staff provide educational information pertaining to Agriculture,
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Home Economics and 4-H Club Work, through correspondence -- news- papers 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.
Since 1965 when the Southeast Extension Region was organized, the Agricultural Agents have conducted Regional Programs and activities for the commercial farmers in Barnstable, Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth Counties.
Each Agent is responsible for specific commodity program(s), i.e., Dairy and Livestock; Fruit and Vegetables; Floriculture; Nurseries; Horticulture; Poultry and Turkeys. For this reason the Agent can keep up-to-date with research, participate in advanced training at the University of Massachusetts and offer the farmers a more effective service.
The Extension Home Economists supply information, conduct meetings and programs that meet the needs of homemakers in Plymouth County. At the request of social workers in the communities of Plymouth County, they have provided information pertaining to the many phases of the homemaker's life. They have also conducted programs for the elderly, blind and handicapped. The Extension Home Economists have been coordinators of programs for underprivileged families. In short, home- makers in just about every age group and walk of life have access to information from the Plymouth County Extension Home Economists.
4-H clubs are organized by the 4-H Club Agents for boys and girls 10-19 years of age and who are interested in projects in the broad areas of Careers, Citizenship, Clothing, Conservation, Crafts, Foods, Horti- culture, Livestock, Recreation, Safety and Science.
With other youth programs, 4-H Club Work contributes to the char- acter building process of Plymouth County young people.
4-H Club members have the opportunity to participate in local 4-H Club Programs and through it, receive excellent training in conducting meetings; giving demonstrations; public speaking and committee work. They also receive training in preparing all types of exhibits in the community; at Fairs and at some statewide activities.
This year 4-H club members were enrolled in 26 of the 27 communities of Plymouth County.
Adult volunteer 4-H club leaders are to be commended for their con- tributions to the 4-H Club Program in Plymouth County; for, without their services, such a 4-H program would not be possible.
You are invited to make full use of the Extension Service, but remem- ber that although the Extension Service furnished the information, it is you who make the decision as to how the information may be used to best advantage.
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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 Commis- sioners, administer the Plymouth County Extension Service Program and is composed of the following members:
Mr. Gilbert Blackledge
Whitman, Chairman
Mr. George Ridder
East Bridgewater, Vice-Chairma
Mrs. Mabel Chandler
Duxbury, Secretary
Mr. Robert Chisholm
West Bridgewater
Mr. Arthur Chaffee, Jr.
Bridgewater
Mr. John Duffy
Halifax
Mrs. Gladys Gibbs
Hanover
Mr. Philip Gibbs
Carver
Mr. Fred Freidenfeld
Middleboro
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Board of Selectmen Town of Norwell
Gentlemen:
As we close out the books for 1966 we find a continuing increase in all statistics. The arrests and court complaints have again escalated beyond the increase in population and despite recent rulings of the Supreme Court that seriously hamper good police work. We are pleased to note an in- crease in extra curricular activities. These include speaking engagements at Service and Youth groups.
We are particularly thankful to Washington Park Pharmacy and Walter Hall Real Estate for their sponsorship of the Norwell Police and Fire Departments in the 100 Club. I am indebted to Sergeant Keene for his excellent substitution as Acting Chief during my hospitalization and con- valescence. Also to Safety Officer Baldwin for his supervision of the Bicycle Rodeo.
On the dark side of the ledger, we have lost the services of two regular Police Officers. Officer Cavanagh has been on medical leave since he was struck on the Expressway in 1965. Officer Tulis has resigned. With our inability to attract new people to the Department, we have been unable to replace these men. It is my fond hope that with the raises approved by the Selectmen, and the promise of new facilities, our manpower will im- prove.
Calls received
13,806
Arrests 208
Breaking & Entry
37
Court Complaints
263
Larceny
75
Accidental Deaths
2
Prowlers
27
Stolen Cars
12
Auto Accidents
109
Cruiser Ambulance
94
M. V. Violations
258
Emergency Messages
67
Mutual Aid
83
Domestic trouble
25
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Vandalism Summons served
107
Missing Persons 29
446
Warrants 18
Insane Committments
7
Open Doors 140
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth J. Bradeen, Chief
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Board of Selectmen Town of Norwell
Gentlemen:
Mrs. Ruth Hersey, who had faithfully served as a member of the Board found it impossible to run for re-election in March, Mr. Donald C. Ken- nedy was elected to a 3 year term. A new member of the Board, he has contributed a great deal in both time and knowledge. Following election, the Board organized with Ralph H. Coleman as chairman and clerk.
We regret to report that on April 20th Thomas Cann passed away. He had been a Board member for several years and could always be counted on when needed.
On May 16th Ralph H. Coleman and Donald C. Kennedy, remaining members of the Board, met with the Board of Selectmen and Mrs. A. Barbara Marshall was elected to serve until the next town election.
In May we received authority from Civil Service to engage a clerk on a 17 1/2 hour per week basis. We were fortunate in securing Mrs. Helen M. Harner to fill the position.
In September, Title XIX of the Social Security Act provided for a new program known as Medical Assistance or Medicaid. This new category replaces the Medical Assistance for the Aged program and provides for medical assistance to certain persons in addition to the aged. This has increased the work load of our director Mrs. Gilmore, who has a greatly increased number of social service calls that must be made.
Our total expenditures are increasing each year but our Federal re- imbursements have increased so that our Town appropriations have had a gradual decrease.
In 1961 the Town appropriated $44,000 while in 1966 the Town Appro- priation was only $25,000. In 1961 the total aid granted was $41,900 while in 1966 it was $58,777.
Following is a summary of receipts and expenditures:
AID
RECEIPTS AND TRANSFERS:
Town Appropriation
$25,023.60
Federal Balance 1/1/66
23,359.42
Federal Receipts 1966
30,977.64
Transfer from MAA Adm, Account
3,342.58 $82,703.24
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EXPENDITURES:
Town Account
Federal Accounts
$24,515.11 34,292.46
$58,807.57
Balance 12/31/66
$23,895.67*
*To E & D
To Fed. Accts .-
$ 508.49 $23,387.18
ADMINISTRATION AND EXPENSE
RECEIPTS:
Town Appropriation
$ 3,550.00
Federal Balances 1/1/66
7,696.45
Federal Receipts 1966
5,638.57
$16,885.02
EXPENDITURES:
Town Account
$ 3,539.69
Federal Account
5,311.26
Transfer to MA Aid Account
ยท 3,342.58
$12,193.53
Balance 12/31/66
$ 4,691.49*
* To E & D
$ 10.31
To Federal Accounts- $ 4,681.18
SUMMARY
BOARD SALARIES
$ 539.69
Total Aid and Administration
67,118.83
$67,658.52
Federal Receipts
$36,616.21
State Receipts
20,264.07
$56,880.28
NET COST TO TOWN
$10,778.24
Respectfully submitted,
Donald C. Kennedy A. Barbara Marshall Ralph H. Coleman, Chairman
REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMISSION
Board of Selectmen Norwell, Mass.
Gentlemen:
This report of the 1966 summer program is dedicated to our many volunteers and the service clubs of Norwell.
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Our second program ended successfully with great enthusiasm by the youngsters on the playgrounds.
Our enrollment was higher than last year.
Our Swim program at Ken's Cabins awarded Red Cross Certificates to 61 Beginners, 68 Intermediates, 52 Swimmers, for a total of 181. If time had permitted, many more youngsters would have passed. Here is a program for which volunteers deserve a big THANK YOU. We had an excellent Instructor, Miss Susan Vinal, on this project. Her volunteers were Edith Love, Nancy Axon, Claire Macdonald, Laura Reardon, and Eric Redding.
The results obtained by this group amazed all and the Commission recognizes how popular this activity has become. As a result, NOT having the use of a pool in 1967, we have introduced a special article asking for funds to study swim facilities for another year.
On the playgrounds we also had volunteers. At the Cole School where our attendance is the greatest, we had one paid Leader, 3 paid Assistant Leaders and two volunteers, Eric Kirby and Gail Raymond.
At the Osborn playground, we had one paid Leader, 2 paid Assistant Leaders and 3 volunteers, Richard Power, Joanne Meyers, and Janet Warmsley.
At the Junior High playground, we had one paid Leader, one paid Assistant Leader and 4 volunteers, Christine Reynolds, William Power, Janice Sibbald and Robert Lloyd.
The Commission recognizes that these volunteers are receiving train- ing and hopefully will be hired in future years, but we also recognize that these volunteers had a rare quality. Absenteeism was practically non- existent and they worked along with our paid leaders equally. For this we Thank them.
Our playground program this year was well attended and received. We had a "water" problem at the Osborn and Jr. High Schools at the start of the program. However, with the aid given by our Ass't. Supt. of Schools, Mr. Hamilton, we were able to use the "football" field in back of the High School and had toilet facilities at the High School for the Osborn playground youngsters. Our Director - again with the help of the C. D. Director hauled water from Norwell Center to the Junior High School in containers provided by Mr. Atwater. Under the circumstances we feel that parents, youngsters, and leaders did very well.
Our Inter-school contests were played at the Little League Field. This makes a good "middle" ground for the rivalry between the Cole and Osborn playgrounds. (In passing, we would like to note here that the Commission gave permission to the Little League to level and build 3 more diamonds on the field. Hopefully they will be able to hold all their activities at the one area next year. The Little League paid for all work done and no assistance was asked for from the town. This area could well be used for a softball league on nights the League is not operating.)
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This year our Arts and Crafts program, under the able direction of Mrs. Paula Baronis, showed remarkable improvement. The youngsters were kept busy at all times and thoroughly enjoyed it.
A repeat of last years success was the bicycle rodeo under the able direction of one of Norwell's finest, Officer Theodore Baldwin, who seems to enjoy it as much as the children do. 175 youngsters participated in this program.
Due to a conflict in dates, we were unable to go to Fenway Park. A trip to Ellis Haven in Plymouth for a day's outing was scheduled instead. Four bus loads of children and supervisors went and had a wonderful time.
A swim meet was held on Friday, Aug. 12, at Ken's Cabins swimming pool with over 150 youngsters signed up. This meet was held before a large audience of parents who witnessed a fine swim meet. Ribbons were awarded to the winners of the various events.
At the Field Day, there was a fine display of Arts & Crafts, plus the competitive games put on by the various playgrounds. Ribbons were donated by the Kiwanis and Lions Clubs. Again our thanks to these or- ganizations for their interest in our youngsters.
We hope for an 8 weeks program in 1967. If we are fortunate and have facilities, this would include waterfront activities in the afternoon. The extra two weeks could include a Fenway Park trip and 4th of July Celebration.
As was announced in the newspapers, our Director, Felix Dixon, has been put on a full time basis. One reason was the Town Teen Program which we have sponsored. This is a group from grades 9 - 12 at the High School level. Private and Parochial school students in this group are eligible. We have spent considerable time with this group and feel it is a most worth while activity. Some thought should be given to even- tually having a "home" for this group. It is necessary that our Director be present at all of their functions.
At the present time our equipment is stored in the Jr. High School. As time goes on, we will acquire more, and larger space will be required where it will be at our instant use.
Again, we at this time do not have the use of a pool in 1967. We hope the Town will look with favor on our proposal to develop a swim facility. We feel the townspeople in general would benefit by this.
We would hope to be more specific on the area, etc., by Town Meeting.
In closing, we again would express our appreciation to all those who contribute so much time and effort to aid us in our attempts to enrich the lives of individuals.
Respectfully submitted, Recreation Commission
Robert G. MacWilliams, Chairman Ruth M. Marsh, Secretary James T. King Mary Osborn Knapp Austin S. Reynolds
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Norwell:
Following the March 1966 elections, the School Committee was organ- ized as follows:
Robert S. Palli, Chairman Harold G. Simms, Vice Chairman Ann Burrows, Clerk John Bond, Member J. Peter Hall, Member
Mr. Palli, Mr. Hall, and Mr. Bond were further appointed as members of the Joint Committee of School Union #13.
If one were forced to characterize the 1966 school year, the word change would be most appropriate; and the changes began taking place shortly after the elections.
Due to illness, Mr. Arnold Bartlett, the Ass't. Superintendent, was forced to submit his resignation effective April 1, 1966; and it was with regret that the School Committee accepted. Mr. Bartlett had devoted much time to his duties as an administrator.
The Committee voted unanimously to engage the services of Boston University in finding a replacement for Mr. Bartlett; and in the interim, Mr. Kiernan, Superintendent of Union #13 was requested to assist the Norwell School Department in its operations.
After several meetings with representatives from Boston University, the Committee hired Mr. Richard C. Hamilton to act as an interim Assist- ant Superintendent of Schools for the remainder of the 1965 - 1966 school year.
Boston University continued to screen applicants and arranged inter- views with prospective candidates for the Assistant Superintendency. On July 5, 1966, the Committee unanimously voted to elect Richard C. Hamil- ton as Assistant Superintendent of the Norwell Schools for the 1966 - 1967 school year.
In addition to a new Ass't. Superintendent, the Committee voted to elect Mr. Henry Goldman as Principal of the Nellie L. Sparrell Junior High School and Mr. Vincent Poirier as Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent.
With the passage of Chapter 763 by the General Court, a new dimen- sion has been added to the responsibilities of school committees; col- lective bargaining. This Committee, as a result, has devoted many long hours negotiating with the various professional and non-professional groups in the system. Such negotiations, however, have proved so time consuming that in the future it may well be necessary to engage a pro-
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fessional negotiator to represent the interests of the community in col- lective bargaining sessions.
In order to better acquaint the community with the responsibilities encumbent upon all school committee members, the following code of ethics adopted by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees is herewith included.
1. Realize that his prime responsibility is to the children.
2. Recognize that his basic function is to be policy making, and not administrative.
3. Remember that he is one of a team and must abide by, and carry out, all committee decisions once they are made.
4. Be well informed concerning the duties of a member on both a local and state level.
5. Remember that he represents the entire community at all times. 6. Accept the office as a committee member as a means of unselfish service with no intent to "play politics", in any sense of the word, or to benefit personally from his committee activities.
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