Ellis “Dust Bowl” Termed Menace to Health-This Day in Norwood History-June 13, 1950

Board Asks Counsel For Biding Following Hearing

Claiming that the “dust bowl” conditions in the vicinity of the Ellis Gardens housing development are getting worse instead of better, representatives of home-owners in that area were granted a hearing before the Board of Health last night, seeking relief from dust conditions on the grounds that they constitute a health menace.

A petition signed by 106 residents and taxpayers of Norwood had been presented to the Board requesting a hearing at the earliest possible date. These citizens asked action be taken to abate a sand and dust nuisance in the area roughly bounded by Everett Street, Neponset Street, the State Highway, and the NHRR tracks, which condition, it is claimed, is caused by land stripping by the Mastercraft Homes. Inc.

At a two-hour hearing held in the Information Room of the Municipal Building numerous arguments were voiced by a dozen different residents of the area as to why the nuisance should be ruled a health menace. The Board of Health agreed that a dust nuisance did constitute a health menace: however, the matter was taken under advisement and it was decided to seek an opinion from Town Counsel Francis C Foley on the legal aspects of the case.

In the meantime, an even larger delegation from the “dust bowl” region plans to meet again with the Board of Selectmen tonight.

At that time. It is expected that the Selectmen will be asked if it is possible to hold up permits In the development in order that the present exposed areas can be surfaced with loam before further construction is permitted. Complainants have already expressed the opinion that building operations there are “moving too fast.”

Bartley King, health agent, together with other town officials, visited the area over the weekend in response to numerous complaints and observed conditions there first hand.

Residents of the area contacted yesterday afternoon by the Norwood Messenger agreed that conditions are getting progressively worse despite previous protests voiced to the Board of Selectmen.

Last Saturday was described as one of the worst days so far. On Margaret Street, a housewife stated that the air was so filled with the powdery sand whipped up by the high wind that at times it was impossible to see the house next door. “It was so bad.” she stated, “that my husband and I couldn’t go out of the house, let alone allow the children out to play. The sand gets into food, clothes, and pots and pans. You can imagine the job of trying to prepare the baby’s formula under such conditions?.”

The same housewife added that windows have had to be kept closed tight, even on the hot days, in order to keep as much sand as possible from entering the home Even with the windows shut, some sand comes through, she stated.

“You clean the house one day, and the next day, if its windy, everything is covered with a layer of this powdered sand.” she asserted. “You never know.”

A resident of Ellis Avenue complained that the sand which was blown into his home last Saturday was so thick “you could shovel it up” and conditions are “getting worse.”

He asserted that the dust storms are so bad that it is impossible to drive, and that his own son nearly struck a child while driving his car up to his home because visibility was so bad “Imagine what it means to inhale this dust,” he continued, “particularly for the children”.

He stated that the dust conditions there have been bad ever since last Fall, and that despite complaints registered with the Board of Selectmen conditions have not improved. He said it was now up to the Board of Health, expressing the opinion that the conditions definitely constitute a health menace.

The same spokesman said that the dust storms are serious any time there Is a wind. It is impossible. to sleep with the windows open.

Complainants said that the situation has been created by stripping the loam from the ground during building operations In the Ellis Garden development, exposing sand which blows about, covering everything inside and outside the homes with a film of powdery dust.

One resident questioned said that the developer was replacing the loam at houses that had been completed, but that the source of the trouble seemed to be the exposed areas at homes now under construction. Much of the sand, too, is whipped up from the streets, and one complainant called attention to a sandlot which in his opinion should be removed.

Complaints of the “dust bowl” have come from as far away as Islington, where dust from the project has seeped Into homes.

Motorists over the weekend reported that the Ellis Garden area, as viewed from Upland Road, was completely enshrouded in a cloud of dust.

Complaints have been received from residents of Maxwell Avenue. David Terrace, Margaret Street, Ellis Avenue, and Washington Street from Neponset Street to the 2nd high bridge.

(All articles were originally published in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)