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NORWEU. PUBUC UBRAPY 1977 3 1639 00050 3373 ORWELL «WN REPORT 'ft* For use only in library. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Cover P. 64 Profile of Black Pond Reservation shows three Aerial photos of Norwell by William F. Johnson stages of development of the unique quaking bog of 17 Bayside Rd., Quincy, MA. 02171. Prints are off Mount Blue St., Norwell. Drawing by the late available from the photographer. William G. "Cap'n Bill" Vinal, professor and inno- vator in nature recreation. Loaned by South Shore Throughout the report — Portraits of town officials and Natural Science Center, Jacobs Lane, Norwell. board and committee members by Rollin W. Bailey, Parker St., Norwell. Prints are available from P. 47 Diagram of North River Valley by the late William the photographer. G. "Cap'n Bill" Vinal locates landmarks in Norwell and other river towns. It is one of several drawings P. 50 Pen and ink sketch of North River Valley by Mur- and maps in the library of the South Shore Natural ray Wentworth, Central St., Norwell. Science Center, Jacobs Lane, Norwell. P. 58 Pen and ink sketch of North River Valley by Elaine Wentworth, Central St., Norwell. SPECIAL THANKS . go to the Boy Scouts of Norwell, who volunteered to de- P. 65 Winter scene of Tiffany Rd. bridge over Third Her- liver this 1977 Town Report, saving the town considerable ring Brook at Hanover line, taken in 1956 by Leona expense and putting it into the hands of citizens on a time- Guild, 189 Tiffany Rd., Norwell. ly basis. One Hundred Twenty Eighth Annual Report of the TOWN OF NORWELL For the Year ending December 31, 1977 NORWELL, PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS 1975 State Census - 8999 Twelfth Congressional District GERRY E. STUDDS, COHASSET (D) Fourth Councillor District Patrick j. Mcdonough, boston <d> Norfolk and Plymouth Senatorial Districts ALLAN R. McKINNON, WEYMOUTH (D) Tenth Plymouth Representative District PHILIP W. JOHNSTON, MARSHFIELD (D) County Commissioners GERARD F. BURKE, BROCKTON (D) JOHN J. FRANEY, NORTH ABINGTON (D) Joseph w. McCarthy, whitman (d» Sheriff, Plymouth County LINWOOD H. SNOW, PLYMOUTH (R) Norweil Public Library O The Memorial Press Group *s 43 Middle Street • Plymouth MA 02360 • (6171 746-5555 Our Town Perhaps from this too busy, changing scene We might just pause to cast a quiet look At Norwell through the centuries, a book Of pleasant memories, still brightly green. Our lovely, sparkling river, flowing clean Through its broad marsh, our herring brook— These waters once the stout "Columbia" took Out to two oceans, proudly to be seen Making more history three thousand miles away. Our fertile fields, old houses, cool, sweet trees Should still delight, sustain us in our tasks. So may our town a happy village stay In spirit; may its aspect please As long as beautiful New England lasts. Archibald R. Gordon 20 Common Street -2- Selectmen & Town Counsel Selectmen's Report improvement is needed in this area but two quarterly meetings of town officials has helped develop the in- terdepartmental relationship that provide efficient government. In cooperation with the Highway Depart ment, the Selectmen refused road opening permits to the Utility Companies until all unused replacement poles had been removed. "No Parking" bans were imposed on Bowker and Oak Streets. "No U Turn" in Norwell Center is an article for the 1978 Town Meeting as is "One Way" for the high school-library drive. In the face of the 1977 & 1978 winter being the worst in recent years, the Selectmen and Advisory Board jointly George D. Williams David A. Mayers, Jr. Paul R. Miles declared emergency condition deficit fund snow removal. The swelling wave of citizen concern prompted Selectmen The Spirit of "76" was a good beginning for 1977. An un- to work closely with the Government Study Commission precedented, two-night Town Meeting, two distinguished to draft the "Animal Control Law" which you will see at awards for the 1976 Town Report and a spirit of en- this year's Town Meeting. Through Selectmen's coopera- thusiasm, cooperation and renewed citizen participation tion with the Conservation Commission, Norwell received in the affairs of government prevailed throughout 1977. a CETA grant and employed 30 summer workers who Our Selectmen's report will recapitulate 1977 activities, cleared Third Herring Brook and conservation lands. In a in terms of our previously stated goals and objectives, and joint effort, the Highway Department received state fun- try to look into the future and chart a general course for ding for a much needed salt shed. The enlisted aid of the the years beyond. Solid Waste Advisory Committee has resulted in an Arti- The Selectmen's goal of providing citizens with an op- cle for Recycling for the 1978 Town Meeting. portunity to have free access to their local government The goal of developing a team approach in collective and receive results manifested itself strongly through the bargaining has had a great impact on successful negotia- activities of 1977. Selectmen and East Ridge Way tions this year. Through thoroughly researched data and residents faced the deteriorated road problem together well-prepared management positions after department and three articles at Town Meeting should provide some head analysis, we have given Norwell taxpayers the relief to a very complex and disturbing situation. The benefit of careful negotiated contracts that reflect a coor- Selectmen joined successfully with Norwell residents in dinated overview of the financial posture of the Town. The opposition to a State proposed skeet shooting range in non-union represented personnel in the Town Hall have Wompatuck State Park. Church Hill residents were given gone another year without a formal, Personnel Board relief through strict law enforcement and Selectmen's ac- researched pay plan. A Selectmen's goal for 1978 will be to tions concerning the disturbances in the area. Selectmen correct this problem and recognize those people that help took strong action to enforce the Sign By-Law and correct make Norwell and its government process as great as it is. violations along Route 53. Cooperative action with We are proud of our accomplishments toward the goal residents of Ridge Hill was taken to eliminate noise pollu- of encouraging more citizen participation on committees tion, illegal equipment storage, and unauthorized parking and boards. After active solicitation of qualified along Oak Street. Speed Zoning was requested by Select- SELECTMEN'S STAFF men in response to the Norwell Children's Safety Associa- tion's requests. Norwell Center has a new public telephone. The issue of the Mill Street widening brought Selectmen and citizens together in attempting to work out a permanent solution to an existing safety problem and a potential traffic and safety hazard to the surrounding neighborhood. Selectmen initiative took Norwell a step closer to tax relief through our goal of seeking grants and by creating the "Committee of Community Resources", chartered with the mission of seeking out and obtaining Federal, David A. Hughes, Annette P. Sexton Connie Hudson, Private and State Funds and Grants. Unfortunately, we Executive Secretary Assistant did not qualify for Federal funding under the Public & Town Accountant Town Accountant Works Act Title I & II of 1977 because our unemployment rate of 5% makes us ineligible. We have continued to work toward the goal of protec- ting home rule and fought and are continuing to fight thru the courts to make sure that our elected officials at the State level recognize the fiscal folly of certain state man- dated programs. The Selectmen joined the Massachusetts League of Cities and Towns suit to challenge the constitu- tionality of the Commonwealth to mandate programs without proper funding. Good success was achieved in our goal of improving communications between Boards and Committees. More Mildred B. Sundwall Sylvia D. King Sara E. St Ours -3- volunteers. Numerous interviews were conducted in open beyond is the current need for departmental goals and ob- session. These resulted in the appointment of many highly jectives on a 1, 2, & 3 year basis. We all know how much qualified members to boards and committees as well as an more efficient we can be if we know where we are going. A inventory of candidates for future openings. Selectmen's goal for 1978 will be our own goals and in- Other notable events are that the North River was stituting a definitive program for requiring departments declared a Scenic River under the State Scenic Rivers and commissions to set their own and to form a town-wide Program and Norwell's voice is well represented in the operational goals document. future legislation concerning the river. Finally, the Board of Selectmen gratefully thank its The Industrial Development Commission was encourag- staff for the professional, dedicated, thorough work they ed to form an Industrial Revenue Bond Financing Authori- have done for us on behalf of Norwell citizens. ty which will appear before you as an Article in this year's Town Meeting. The Design Review Board was formed and is becoming a major force within our Town in protecting the visual environment of the business and public areas. Special attention should also be focused on the financial status of the Town. Our total bonded indebtedness is decreasing and the major brunt of the new high school is O behind us. In our opinion we are finally faced with a year of little or no tax rate increase IF WE EXERCISE PRU- DENT FISCAL JUDGEMENT ON HOW WE VOTE ON THE MAJOR MONEY ARTICLES FACING US AT TOWN MEETING. The business of the Town progressed smoothly in 1977. Edward P. Ryan, Esq., Of the many other actions taken and decisions made, the Town Counsel Selectmen collectively are proud of their accomplishments on your behalf during 1977.

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