USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1928 > Part 5
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3,249,864
11,708,214
236,017.49
31,810.37
21,595.59
289,423.45
21.50
1920
3992
8,820,300
3,090,202
11,919,502
293,057.18
40,588.95
21,987.35
355,633.48
25.00
1921
3700
9,008,200
3,171,766
12,179,966
301,694.94
52,249.92
27,329.61
381,274.47
29.00
1922
4397
9,414,500
3,131,826
12,546,326
380,935.29
43,122.45
22,885.67
446,943.41
31.00
1923
4482
9,753,770
2,861,700
12,615,470
418,916.62
42,236.00
27,136.30
490,288.92
34.00
1924
4558
10,427,300
2,669,762
13,097,062
471,005.88
25,766.40
22,138.09
518,910.37
36.00
1925
4765
10,822,900
2,713,300
13,536,200
445,825.48
29,547.05
26,137.18
501,509.71
33.60
1926
4822
10,852,450
2,692,910
13,545,360
445,652.20
28,185.60
23,746.89
497,584.69
33.20
1927
4797
10,991,750
2,571,560
13,563,310
428,554.89
28,289.64
26,491.48
483,336.01
32.00
1928
4764 |
11,155,050
2,648,092
13,803,142
472.526.43
19,616.34
25,748.80
517,891.57
29.40
CITY AUDITOR
129
Department Reports and Reports of City Officials
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
ANNUAL REPORT' 1928
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council: The Board of Assessors herewith submits its report for the year 1928. The valuation of the city was as follows: Real
Personal
$11,155,050 2,648,092
The City Requirements (including judgments)
$13,803,142
were
$463,820.89
State tax
18,360.00
State highway tax
1,256.34
County tax
25,748.80
Overlay for abatements
8,705.54
Estimated income from all sources
$517,891.57 102,551.20
To be raised on property and polls
$415,340.37
Property tax, Real
$77,853.90
Property tax, Personal
327,958.47
Polls (4764)
9,528.00
415,340.37
To raise this amount a tax rate of $29.40 was declared, a reduction of $2.60 from the previous year.
There were 173 horses assessed, 247 cows, 10 sheep, 5 bulls, 67 swine, 1340 fowl, 3595 dwelling houses and 4610 acres of land.
134
ANNUAL REPORT
The omitted or December assessments under the provisions of Chap. 59, Sect. 71, were:
Real $3200 valuation; tax
$94.08
Personal 1150 valuation; tax
33.81
$127.89
Abatements have been granted during the year as follows:
Tax 1926:
Real
$118.07
Personal
$1,255.38
Polls
$1,292.00
Trees
$140
$2,666.85
Tax 1927:
Real
65.52
Personal
58.07
Trees
1.13
Tax 1928:
Real
164.64
Personal
565.91
Polls
84.00
814.55
$3,606.12
By vote of the City Council, the board has been authorized and em- powered to re-number streets and ways where new construction or altera- tions render such renumbering necessary or desirable.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD G. MOODY, CHAS. W. JOHNSON, JOHN H. SHEA,
Assessors.
124.72
POLICE DEPARTMENT
To His Honor the Mayor and Board of Councillors of the City of Newbury- port:
Gentlemen:
The whole number of arrests during the year ending December 31, 1928 for offences committed within the City of Newburyport is 409 of which 108 were of foreign birth, 301 were born within the limits of the United States, 38 were females and 82 were minors.
Arrests were for the following causes, viz:
Assault and battery 30
Breaking and entering
1
Criminal trespass
1
Disturbing the peace
8
Drunkenness
167
Escaped prisoner
1
Forgery
1
Disposed of as Follows, viz:
Appealed
36
Bound over to Superior Court
6
Cases continued
5
Cases dismissed
14
Cases settled without trial
2
Committed to Danvers Hospital
11
Committed to the Industrial at Lancaster
1
Committed for non-payment : : fine
10
Committed to Department of Public Welfare
6
Committed to State Farm, Bridgewater
4
136
ANNUAL REPORT
Delinquents
16
Deserter
2
Defaulted
3
Discharged by Court
31
Fined and paid
76
House of Correction
23
Placed on file
52
Put on probation
15
Released
8
Released by the probation officer
59
Sentence postponed
23
Turned over to other officers
14
Turned over to parents
5
Turned over the U. S. Navy
2
Committed to the Industrial School at Shirley
3
Miscellaneous
Amount of property reported lost
$7918
Amount of property recovered
$13534
Amount of imprisonment imposed (days)
610
Accidents reported
127
Ambulance calls
1
Assisted other officers
195
Attempt suicide
1
Buildings found open and secured
953
Complaints investigated
1036
Dangerous wires and poles reported
13
Defective places in streets reported
46
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
5
Dogs killed
37
Escorts furnished processions
4
Extra duty
93
Fire Alarm Boxes found open
11
Fire alarms given
3
Fires extinguished without alarm
7
Gas escaping in buildings
1
Glass in Fire Alarm Boxes found broken
7
Horses killed
1
Injured persons assisted
17
Intoxicated persons assisted
17
Intoxicated persons helped hom e
11
Lights found burning in buildings
312
Lights furnished for dang. ›us places
9
Lights reported out in stores
149
Liquor seizures
8
137
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Lost children restored to parents
16
Meals furnished lodges and prisoners
159
Notified to remove snow from sidewalk
6
Officers for extra duty
435
Officers for extra duty at City Hall
43
Insane
11
Larceny
8
Neglected children
9
Non support
16
Receiving stolen property
1
Runaway boys
7
Runaway girls
1
Runaway girls
1
Safe-keeping
8
Stubborn and disobedient
1
Tramps
6
Truants
3
Violation of the automobile law
31
Violation of city ordinances
13
Violation of the dog law
1
Violation of the rules of the Board of Health
1
Violation of the liquor law
14
Violation of the milk law
3
Search warrants for liquor, served
24
Search warrants for property
1
Sick persons assisted
30
Street obstructions removed
16
Street lights reported out
479
Streets barred on account of sickness
1
Sudden or mysterious death, notified medical examiner
6
Wagon calls
507
Water found running in buildings
8
Water main burst superintendent notified
8
Windows found open and secured
137
Windows found broken
95
Cummons served for other Police
27
Number of visits to Pool Rooms
4016
Wayward child
1
Abduction
1
Uttering fraudulent checks
4
Violation of parole
2
Taking clams from contaminated area without a permit
4
Injuring and defacing a building
1
Violation of prohibition
2
Keeping and storing gasoline without a permit
7
Selling gasoline without a permit
4
138
ANNUAL REPORT
Violation of the illegitimate child act
4
Neglect of children
7
Selling leased property
1
Violation of the light law on vehicles
1
Murder
1
Violation of the shade tree law
1
Perjury
1
Violation of the game law
2
Manslaughter
2
Throwing glass in the street
1
Contempt of court
1
Total
409
City of Newburyport, January 1, 1929.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN L. McLEAN,
City Marshal.
Fire Department
To His Honor the Mayor and Members of the City Council,
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit the required report of the Fire Department for the year.
We have answered two hundred and twenty-eight calls, forty-four bell alarms and one hundred and eighty-four still alarms. This is the largest number in the aggregate for any year in the history of the city.
The loss sustained amounted to one hundred and fifteen thousand, six hundred and one dollars and forty-one cents, or ($115. 601.41). A large portion of this is represented in the Philadelphia & Reading coal pocket, and the Joy Block fires. These fires assumed the most serious proportions of any fire in recent years. Surely this bespeaks the need of more perman- ent firemen and apparatus.
APPARATUS
The apparatus of the department consists of the following:
One-Seagrave triple combination auto pumper and hose car-ten years in service second class. One-Maxim ladder truck-four years in service first class. One-Larabbe Hose and Chemical Auto Wagon-eight years in service third class. One-American La France one thousand gal. pumper-one year in service first class. One-Nott steam fire engine in reserve-twenty-five years in service third class.
I recommend that a triple combination auto pumper and hose car, seven hundred and fifty gal., (750) be purchased to take the place of Hose No. 7 in answering still alarms. This car should also be equipped with the necessary equipment for fighting oil fires. This is urgent because a large» amount of oil burners are being installed and it is naturally to be expected that soonor or later we will have an oil fire to fight.
140
ANNUAL REPORT
HOSE
At present we have eleven thousand (11,000) feet of hose in service. The condition of this hose classified is as follows:
7000 feet in good condition, 2000 feet in fair condition and 2000 feet in poor condition. I recommend that 2000 feet be purchased this coming year.
MEN
At the present time we have nine permanent firemen, and sixty-four call men. I recommend that twelve more men be added to the permanent force and that they be given an increase in their salaries. I hope that you will consider this seriously as the men are underpaid for the work they do and the long hours that they must be on duty.
The Call Department should be reorganized and they should also get an increase in their salaries.
INSPECTION AND FIRE DRILLS
The department has been active during the year in the work of Fire Prevention and Public Safety. Inspection by the members under the super- vision of the Chief total, one thousand and four. The members visited all schools and had the fire drill demonstrated to them and everything was found to be satisfactory.
REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
That the remainder of the floor at Central Station be of cement.
That all the antique fire equipment we have stored in different places be sold.
That the city ordinance should be enforced in regard to automobiles following the fire apparatus when going to a fire-accidents could be avoided.
A new door should be cut in Central Station so as to be able to have Reserve Engine No. 3 on the floor in case of emergency.
Each school building should have a fire alarm box installed inside.
The roof on Central Station should be repaired as it leaks badly.
141
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The work of Supt. Welch, Fire Alarm, and Supt. Nevins of the Highway has been very satisfactory and I take this opportunity to thank them for their interest and cooperation.
In conclusion I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all those who have rendered assistance to the department, with the assurance that their ser- vices have been appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
C. FRANK CREEDEN.
Chief.
BOARD OF HEALTH
Newburyport, Mass., December 31, 1928.
To the Mayor and City Council:
The following is the report of the Board of Health and its Departments for the year ending December 31, 1928.
The year was not marked by the unusual prevalence of severe epidemic diseases. An exception may possibly be made to this statement. Scarlet Fever has prevailed throughout the year to a certain extent, rising to its height in the first four months of the year, and declining thereafter with a total of fifty-one cases. The disease was of the mild type. Chickenpox, measles and whooping cough were the other diseases that were prevalent. There were but two cases of diptheria during the entire year and none of typhoid fever. Whether the decline in diphtheria is due to the employment. of preventive inoculation among the school children in previous years is perhaps a question; as a corresponding decline in this disease has occurred throughout the state. It would seem advisable that the work of prevention should continue in order to remove from the community this menace to the lives of children. We wish to call attention to the importance of this work; and to request a small appropriation to enable the board to continue the administration of the toxin-antitoxin in the schools of the city.
The city seems to be singularly free from veneral diseases, as there were no reports of gonorrhea and only two cases of syphilis for the year. All physicians are compelled by Law to report to the local board any cases treated by them.
By means of close affiliation with the Newburyport Health Center, the board has been enabled to keep informed of the sanitary condition of all Public Eating places. Visits of inspection have been made by the nurses connected with the Health Center and detailed reports are on file at our office. Based on these reports, the Board has issued Certificates of Merit to all establishments where high standards of cleanliness prevailed; and in ap- propriate cases, measures have been taken to correct unsanitary methods
143
BOARD OF HEALTH
of handling food stuffs. We have endeavored as far as possible; to establish thorough methods of inspection of the handling and purveying of meats, fish, fruit, vegetables, milk, etc., and in maintaining a record at our office of all work performed by our inspector.
This year marked the beginning of a constructive campaign by Wilbur N. O'Brien, Ph. c. Milk inspector, for the production of cleaner and safer milk. During the past year he, in conjunction with a representative of the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture has conducted two producer and dealer surveys and one consumer survey. The results of these surveys show the need of such a campaign. Newburyport is perhaps fortunate in having such a good source of supply but unfortunate in having some handlers who do not understand the absolute necessity of cleanliness. The problem presented is one of education; in the proper handling of milk and the necessity of adequate modern equipment. In the consumers survey, 3000 letters enclosing a prepaid letter questionaire were sent out, the result seemed to prove an extreme lack of interest by the public in the milk question and its affect upon their families and it will probably- be some years before the board gets results from this campaign.
The report of the Inspector of Slaughtering from June 1st to December 1st shows a remarkable falling off in the number of animals slaughtered. Whether this is due to the rigid inspection by the new inspector or from other causes we are unable to state.
In July the Newburyport Board of Health opened a plant for the exper- imental treatment of Clams with Chlorine. This plant was in charge of Edward W. Eaton, a member of this board, and the success was due to his untiring efforts. We have the approval of Dr. George Bigelow, Chairman of the State Board of Health, for the construction and operation of a Clam treatment plant on a commercial basis.
New rules for the guidance of the Board have been codified, as the old rules were inadequate to meet the present modern methods. The milk rules were also revised.
The routine work of the Collector of Ashes, Rubbish and Garbage has been carried on, we believe, with satisfaction to the citizens. There has been little if any criticism of the collectors. The city dumps, however, are objects of frequent criticism and it is quite evident that they constitute a public nuisance, especially in warm weather. The burden seems to rest upon the city to keep the premises tidy and in a wholesome condition. .
The board of health has under its supervision the work of school phy- sician and school nurse, who have a general oversight of the health of all the children in the schools. The work is plainly handicapped by an inadequate personnel and the fact that there is no supervision in the private schools,
144
ANNUAL REPORT
The board feels that all schools should be under the supervision of the school physician and nurses, in the interest of more effective supervision of the school children.
William Thurston, Agent for the Board, after twenty-two years of long and faithful service, died September 24, 1928, the vacancy was filled by Wilbur N. O'Brien, Ph. C. who was appointed Agent and Inspector of the Board. By combining several appointments the Board is thus enabled to appoint an especially trained technician with a salary that is a living wage.
The proper authorities of the City have not taken cognizance of the previous recommendation of this board in the menace to the summer resi- dents of Plum Island. The Public Health proble mis a serious one. The only satisfactory solution of the problem is the providing of a suitable pub- lic water supply.
The reports of the Agent and the Inspectors of the various depart- ments follow.
THOMAS R. HEALY,
Chairman.
145
BOARD OF HEALTH
HEALTH AND SANITATION SUPERVISION Receipts
Appropriation
$1,000.00
Payments
Salary of Agent and Clerk
958.29
Balance
41.71
MISCELLANEOUS
Receipts
Appropriation
$5,500.00
City of Lynn
10.00
Telephone Tolls
.55
5,510.55
Payments
Payments
$6,346.03
Overdrawn
835.48
Tuberculosis
Patients in State Hospitals
$1,301.30
Patients in Essex Sanatorium
3,209.80
Taxi and Ambulance Service
164.35
$4,675.45
$4,675.45
Contagious Disease
Payments
Medical supplies and physician service
$281.62
Nursing
52.00
Groceries and Clothing
244.21
Fuel
36.25
Aid by other cities and towns
28.20
642.28 $642.28
146
ANNUAL REPORT
Salary of Asst. Clerk
41.66
Repairing Lab. Equipment
7.83
Salary Bacteriologist
300.00
Supplies Bacteriologist
5.15
Freight and Express
1.14
Salary Inspector Slaughtering
424.98
Printing and Advertising
16.55
P. O. Box Rent
3.00
Travel Expense
8.10
Postage
36.07
Typewriting
38.75
Stationery and Office Supplies
85.17
Telephone
59.90
$1,028.30
$1,028.30
INSPECTION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
Receipts
Appropriation
3700.00
Payments
Salary of School Physician
$700.00
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Receipts
Appropriation
$350.00
Payments
Salary of Inspector
$350.00
INSPECTOR OF MEATS AND PROVISIONS
Receipts
Appropriation $500.00
147
BOARD OF HEALTH
Payments
Salary of Inspector $416.63
Balance $83.37
INSPECTOR OF MILK
Receipts
$650.00
Appropriation
50.00
Transfer
$700.00
Payments
Salary of Inspector
$600.00
Babcock Inspection
3.00
Taxi Hire
85.00
New Equipment and Repairs
14.27
$702.27
REVENUE CREDITED TO INCOME ACCOUNT
Manicure and Massage Licenses
$16.00
Wood Alcohol Licenses
28.00
Carbonated Beverages Licenses
20.00
Slaughtering Licenses
4.00
Sausage Licenses
2.00
Undertakers Licenses
3.50
$73.50
Manufacture of Ice Cream Licenses
3.00
Milk Licenses
65.00
Oleomargerine Licenses
8.50
$150.00 $150.00
148
ANNUAL REPORT
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
DISEASE
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Total
Anterior Poliomyelitis
1
1
Chicken Pox
14 7 3
2 0 4
3
5 44
Diptheria
1
1
2
German Measles
1
1
Orpthalmia Neonatorium
1
1
2
Suppurative Conjunctivitis
1
1
Influenza
1
Pneumonia Lobar
1
1
1
1
2
1
7
Measles
17
1
L
1
4 1
1
2
28
Mumps
1
1
1
1
4
8
Scarlet Fever
9
8
9
9
6
1
2
1
1
1
4
51
Septic Sore Throat
1
1
T. B. Pulmonary
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1 10
T. B. Other Forms
1
1
1
2
1
6
Whooping Cough
6
3
5
5
8
1
1
29
Syphilis
1
1
2
Pellagra
1
1
Dog Bite
2
2
Perotonitis
1
1
Totals
42 19 21 22 18
9 18
4
5 12 10 18 198
1
149
BOARD OF HEALTH
BOARD OF HEALTH
Newburyport, Mass., December 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the City of Newburyport.
Gentlemen:
The Milk Inspector respectfully submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1928.
This year marked the beginning of an intensive campaign for the pro- duction of cleaner and safer milk.
During the past year I, in conjunction with a representative of the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, have conducted two producer and Dealer Surveys and one consumer survey.
The results of these surveys have been both interesting and educational. The need of such a campaign has been proven.
The results of the first survey follows:
Reductase Test, Keeping quality, Grade, and Bacterial Estimation 66% Grade I Milk, Bacterial Content less than 500,000 per C. C. 27% Grade II Milk, Bacterial Content One Million to Four Million per C. C. 15% Grade III Milk, Bacterial Content Four to Twenty Million per C. C. I sample of a Grade 4 Milk Over Twenty Million per C. C.
Sediment Test less15 10% K
Sediment Test Cleanliness
Not one sample classified as clean.
Only 14% classified fairly clean.
Such a condition is appalling and calls for action in the form of ade- quate milk regulations at the earliest possible date.
SECOND SURVEY
Twenty seven samples (. Market Milk were taken, that is milk as it goes to the consumer, the following tabulation will serve to inform you of the character of the milk going into the homes.
150
ANNUAL REPORT
Reductase Test
Sediment Test
Class I
23
Fairly clean
7
Class II
2
Slightly Dirty
11
Class III
3
Dirty
6
Very Dirty
3
Not one sample of Market Milk that could be classified clean.
Producer Samples
Samples as they are delivered to the dealer
Reductase Test
Sediment Test
Class I
82
Clean 0
Class II
8
Fairly Clean 26
Class III
6
Slightly Dirty
34
Dirty
27
Very Dirty 8
Newburyport is perhaps fortunate in having such a good source of supply but unfortunate in having some handlers who do not realize the abso- lute necessity of cleanliness in handling this all important food material. The problem presented is one of education, Education as to proper handling, Education in the use and necessity of adequate modern equipment. With this end in view have held two meetings at the Y. M. C. A. inviting all deal- ers and producers to attend providing a speaker in each case who spoke on the problems presented and who answered any and all questions pertaining to the problems facing the dairymen and producers.
Both meetings were well attended.
Mr. L. C. Smith, County Agent U. S. Dept. Agriculture.
Mr. A. S. Hillman Inspector Mass. Dept. Agriculture Div. Dairying were the speakers at the first meeting, both had a message of importance.
Mr. J. C. Cort, Mass. Dept. Agriculture, Director Div. Dairying was the speaker at the second meeting, his message was both timely and to the point. At the conclusion of his address there was an open discussion on the various phases of milk production and handling.
At this meeting the following was appointed to confer with the milk inspector regarding the ina _uration of a program of constructive improve- ment.
151
BOARD OF HEALTH
In the Consumer Survey 3000 letters enclosing a prepaid return post card, were sent out. The following questions were asked,
1. How many quarts do you use daily? Price ?
2. Does your milk come from herds tested for Tuberculosis?
3. If not do you prefer milk from T. B. free herds?
4. Do you use pastuerized milk? Do you prefer it ?
5. If you could get a cleaner and safer milk would you be willing to pay a slight increase in price per quart ?
The answer to the first question varied but there were a great many who were using more than one quart a day.
Question 2 61% answered Yes
Question 3 83% answered Yes
Question 4 84% answered No
Question 5 95% answered Yes
Question 6 46% answered Yes
24% answered Satisfied
30% answered No
These figures need careful study and interpretation. They indicate an extreme lack of knowledge as to what factors go to make up a good grade market milk or an extreme lack of interest in milk as it effects them and their households. The answers to question 2 indicates that perhaps some are buying milk that is misrepresented or they are laboring under a false impression.
This gentlemen of the Board of Health with the appended Laboratory Report constitutes the work done by this department in the past year, I trust it meets with your approval.
Respectfully submitted,
W. N. O'BRIEN, Ph. C.
Milk Inspector.
LABORATORY REPORT
Milk Analysis 401
Bacteria Counts
107
Samples submitted for Analysis
22
Miscellaneous Analysis 8
152
ANNUAL REPORT
Retail Stores Inspected
43
Producer and Dairy Inspections
98
Licenses Issued
Store Licenses 93
Oleomargarine Licenses
17
Dealer Licenses
31
· Fees Collected
Milk License Fees $65.00
Oleomargarine Fees
$ 8.50
Total
$73.50
BOARD OF HEALTH
Newburyport, Mass., Dec. 19, 1928.
Thomas R. Healey, M. D.
Chairman Newburyport Board of Health
Newburyport, Mass.
Dear Doctor:
I hereby submit the report of work done at the clam plant by the New- buryport Board of Health, in experimental treatment of clams with chlorine.
The plant was turned over to the local Board of Health early in July, but on account of mechanical troubles we were unable to operate the plant until the 16th of July. We were in operation until the 29th of September. We handled fifty two (52) runs of clams, the runs varied from ten (10) to seventy two (72) maskets. Totalling twenty hundred and eighty (2080) baskets. We lost one run of clams on account of the failure of an electric pump.
Clams received prior to August 8th were treated free of charge-those received after that date paid 25c per basket for handling.
Bacteriological work v. ; done on two samples of clams taken when a run was brought in after twenty four (24) hours treatment and after forty- eight (48) hours treatment. This work was done at the Lawrence Biological
153
BOARD OF HEALTH
Station until Aug. 5th and after that date for the most part at the City Hall Laboratory of the Board of Health. Check work was done at intervals at the Lawrence Biological Station. Taken at random seven samples aver- aged at time of taking 976 bacteria-after twenty-four (24) hours treat- ment averaging 206 and after forty-eight (48) hours treatment averaging 20. This shows the clams as we receive them-the result of twenty-four and forty-eight hours treatment. This shows the necessity of the forty- eight hours treatment.
We called a meeting at the American Yacht Club while our plant was in operation. Of the representatives of the State Board of Health including Dr. Bigelow, Chairman Dr. Clark of the Conservation of Food Department- State Engineer Wright-State Bacteriologist Adams-and Mayor Gillis with City Councillors-the local Board of Health and press were present.
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