USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1902 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
The importance of a laboratory where bacteriological diagnoses can be made was called to the attention of His Honor and the Honorable Board of Aldermen in our last report. We have had the same difficulty this year as last inasmuch as we were unable to furnish physicians with a bacteriological report until considerable time had elapsed, owing to the fact that the material was sent to the laboratory of the State Board of Health, and the report returned to us after the elapse of at least 48 hours and sometimes longer. We have furnished to physicians 88 culture tubes for diagnosis or release of diphtheria patients and 50 bottles of antitoxin were delivered. The sputum of 24 persons has been examined for tuberculosis, and the blood of four patients for malaria, and eight for typhoid fever. On about July I next year, or perhaps earlier, we shall open an . experimental laboratory. The apparatus will be loaned and we shall be able to determine how successfully it can be conducted. Examinations will be made gratis.
We hope during the next year that more antitoxin will be used as this has been found to be of value in other dis- eases as well as diphtheria, particularly in whooping cough and scarlet fever. In a short time we shall expect to have an antitoxin for scarlet fever, as successful results have been obtained by using serum taken from patients con- valescing from that disease.
INSPECTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Our reasons for attempting to carry on this important work were stated in our report of last year, and we hope by constant repetition to attract sufficient attention so that we may have an organized corps of medical inspectors. A sufficient number of medical men should be chosen to have medical supervision of the schools. They could detect diseases in their first stages, and if they were of a communi- cable type they would at once exclude the patient from school. These physicians could also attend to the sanitary condition of the schools, as well as to the hygiene of pupils and the school room. One of their duties should be, until a city physician is appointed, to visit persons ill with con-
240
CITY OF MELROSE
tagious diseases and see that they are properly isolated. They would also take release cultures from those who have had diphtheria, as well as do the public vaccinating. As their offices would be scattered throughout the city, they would be readily accessible to pupils when they wished to obtain a certificate to return to school.
THE NEED OF A PHYSICIAN.
The Overseers of the Poor in conjunction with the Board of Health, should have an appropriation sufficient to employ a physician who would be physician to the Board of Health and in connection with the care of the sick poor, his duties for the Board of Health would be to attend all persons ill with communicable diseases who are dependent on this Board for their support. He should not, however, be obliged to attend. small pox cases. He should be required to investigate all communicable diseases to determine whether they were sufficiently isolated, and take necessary cultures for release of diphtheria. The medical man chosen should be properly trained in microscopical diagnosis so that he could do the bacteriological work for the Board of Health.
NUISANCES INSPECTED, 1902.
Rubbish,
II
Overflowing cesspools, .
29
Defective drains,
5
Offensive privies,
5
Manure,
5
Unclean premises,
6
Stagnant water,
I
Pigs in stable.
2
Wet land,
I
Garbage thrown on vacant land, .
2
Defective sanitary arrangements,
2
Dammed brook,
I
Hens in cellar,
I
Complaints made and no nuisance found,
5
Total, .
76
24L
HEALTH REPORT.
NUISANCES.
The number of nuisances which were investigated as shown in the table was 76. They were of similar nature as those of last year, but the total number for 1901 was greater.
The Board of Health is often asked to investigate nuisances which prove to be the outcome of a quarrel between neighbors. They never would have appealed to the Board in these cases unless they intended it as an act of revenge and too often the so called nuisance is of no im- portance. No record is kept of such cases. An appropria- tion of $150 was made by the Board of Aldermen for the purpose of making sanitary inspections and that sum was exhausted by paying for the inspection of each nuisance as well as paying for other sanitary work which was done for this department.
SANITARY INSPECTOR.
The office of sanitary inspector or health officer should be created and the necessary appropriation made. In order that the Health Department may do the best possible work, such a person should be at our disposal. He should not only be required to investigate the complaints which are reported, but should look for defects in sanitation as a large number of these are constantly existing. The condition of meat markets and refrigerators, the cleanliness of soda fountains, the sinks and arrangements used in connection with them in some cases is too filthy for description. Soda fountain tumblers are often dirty and not properly washed The danger of contagion at soda fountains is one that has not been properly considered. Tenement houses should be regularly inspected, because those which have been called to our attention were in an extremely filthy condition. The back yards of many business places in this city are untidy and unsanitary. Laundries should also be investigated. The sanitary inspector should see to it that vacant land is not used for dumping places, and should also have super- vision over the public dumps. Had we such an inspector Dix Pond might present a better appearance ..
242
CITY OF MELROSE
The condition of fruit stands, particularly the back rooms and the conditions under which fruit is kept are such that if they were known less fruit would be sold in Melrose.
The milk rooms of dairies should be under constant super- vision. There are other defects in sanitation which we shall not mention, but simply refer to the foregoing in order to show the need of such an officer. The inspector in connec- tion with duties mentioned could do the disinfecting and superintend the collection of ashes, but in order to properly carry out his work, it would be necessary for him to have a horse and carriage.
CONTROL OF BARBERS.
The Board has passed rules and regulations regarding barber shops and persons employed therein. Eight barber shops have been inspected. Most of them are conducted properly while two or three have to be visited often in order to have our rules obeyed.
We have investigated a few cases of eruptions on the face which were undoubtedly conveyed by barbers.
UNDERTAKERS.
The Board has licensed the following number of under- takers as the law directs:
Albert J. Walton, 369 Franklin street; S. W. Harvey, Grove street; Ansel B. Pierce & Son, Main street; John H. Gately, 20 Circuit street, and Richard Philpot, Dell avenue.
BAKERIES.
The law requires that bakeries shall be inspected, and any alteration that may seem necessary by the Board of Health shall be required. The Board has investigated the bakeries in this city and have found them in the proper condition to conduct their business. The following are those inspected: Friend Bros., R. P. Fleming, Winsby & Hensby, J. A. Dill & Co. and Wm. C. Coggin.
243
HEALTH REPORT.
PEDDLERS.
The Board of Health is required to issue permits to persons peddling food products, and fifty such persons have been permitted to peddle during the year. The Board requires that every person, before given permission to peddle food products, shall have his weights and measurers sealed by the Sealer of Weights and Measures. This new requirement was passed by the Board last year.
BOARDING HOUSES FOR INFANTS.
Four boarding houses for infants have been approved by this Board and licensed by the State Board, namely:
Mrs. Emma R. Hitchins, 6 Waitt street.
Mrs. Anna M. Pratt, off Swain's Pond avenue.
Mrs. Clara J. Manley, 335 E. Foster street.
Mrs. Elise Mullett, 42 Swain's Pond avenue.
GARBAGE.
The Board of Health received four bids for the collection of garbage as follows: Levi Elms, $1, 176.00; Robert Philpot, $1,140.00; Thomas R. Higgins, $1,000.00, and George W. Higgins, $960.00.
The bid of George Higgins was accepted. The sum which we shall pay is not sufficient because the proper wagons and men cannot be obtained for that small sum. A portion of the garbage will be sold to be used out of town while the remainder will be fed to swine owned by the con- tractor. It would be better for the city to collect garbage and feed it to swine kept at the City Farm or else to cremate it.
Thomas R. Higgins collected it in a satisfactory manner in 1902. We had 24 complaints to investigate. We regret that this faithful person lost the contract because of a lower bid. The contractor buried 24 dead animals during the year.
NIGHT SOIL.
C. L. Hoffman was licensed to do this work, and was given 127 permits to empty vaults and cesspools during the year. The disposal of this substance has given us the usual
244
CITY OF MELROSE
amount of trouble. One of the following methods should be used. It should be mixed with manure and then plowed into the ground, or buried in trenches. This presents a great obstacle, however, because wherever the place of disposition is located, we are sure to have a great many complaints. The City Farm is the only place where it can be done with little annoyance to people. After careful consideration by this Board, we have concluded that the proper method of disposal is the tank method described in our last report and we hope to obtain the necessary appro- priation for next year.
PUBLIC URINALS.
Two small buildings should be constructed which should contain public toilet conveniences for both men and women. These buildings could be built at a very small expense to the city and the public would no longer have to depend upon stores, stations and public buildings, and also private houses.
Complaints have already been made to the Board of the nuisance of people asking admission to houses in the vicinity of Main and Franklin streets at the Highlands. At this place a large number of people congregate to wait for the cars. One such building should be erected on the place now called Dix Pond which will soon be filled up and abolished; the other on the lot of land on the south of the Franklin school.
SEWERS.
Chapter 49, Sections 31, 32 and 33 of the Revised Laws of Massachusetts provide for an appropriation by cities and towns for the connection of estates with the public sewers. If such an appropriation could be made in accordance with the law, it would do away with the difficulty which is always present when we try to compel people to connect their premises with the sewer. The reason offered by the people at these times is that they cannot afford it, or their financial condition will not permit, and always ask us to be lenient with them until some future time. In some cases the Board
2.45
HEALTH REPORT.
has allowed an extention while in 'others they were com- pelled to require the sewer connection with great incon- venience to the owner of the premises. We request that a sufficient appropriation be made so that the Board can connect these estates when necessity demands it.
The total number of houses on sewered streets is 2646. Of this number 2115 are connected with the sewer, which leaves a remainder of 531 houses not connected with the public sewer. This number is far too large when we con- sider the expense which the city has been obliged to under- go in order to construct a public sewer, and this number should be connected during the next two years. Eighty- seven houses were connected in 1902, a small proportion of the unconnected houses. The following streets were sewered during 1902: Hesseltine avenue from Howard street to Highland avenue, right of way from Highland avenue to Boardman avenue, Hawes avenue from Boardman avenue to Heyward avenue, Heyward avenue, Damon avenue from Heyward to Frost avenue, Frost avenue from Damon avenue to Hawes avenue, Boardman avenue from Main street to the brook, Pearl street from Main street to about 900 feet east, Howie court, Henry avenue, Corey place and Argyle street.
Thirty-nine houses located on these streets were connected with the newly constructed sewer. The following streets should be sewered: Union street, East Foster street from Sixth street (East), Ashland place, the streets surrounding the property belonging to the Boston Rubber Shoe Co., namely, Brazil street to Washington street, Washington street from Brazil street to Goodyear avenue entire, and Main street south from Goodyear avenue to the Malden line, also Burrell street and Highland avenue, east of Main street.
246
CITY OF MELROSE EXPENDITURES FOR 1902. CONTINGENT.
Appropriation,
$650 00
Reimbursements,
49 00
$699 00
Expended :
For express,
$13 75
“ telephone (dept.) 1/2 payment, 19 96
" dead animals, 21 00
" printing,
83 14
furniture and furnishings ($33.48 of which to be refunded by Over- seers of the Poor,) 248 46
For clerk, . . 104 00
" sanitary inspection,
150 00
" miscellaneous, .
49 15
$689 46
$689 46
Balance,
10 00
$699 46
Appropriated for disinfection,
$200 00
Expended
200 00
Appropriated for plumbing inspection, $650 00
Expended =
650 00
Appropriation for collection of garbage, . $1,200 00
Expended ،٠ 1,180 00
Balance to 1903,
20 00
$1,200 00
Balance of appropriated for collection of ashes, $318 50
Expended for collection of ashes, 318 50
Respectfully submitted, PAUL H. PROVANDIE, JOSEPH H. ROBINSON, JOHN T. TIMLIN.
Report of Inspector of Cattle and Provisions.
February 18, 1903.
To the Honorable Board of Health, Melrose, Mass :
GENTLEMEN : I have to report the whole number of cows: 116 cows, I bull and 4 young cattle.
Whole number of swine, 1,371.
Whole number of swine slaughtered and dressed for market, 1, 197. Have not had a case of glanders this year and find cattle, swine and horses free from any contagious disease.
Have measured and reported to the State Board of Cattle Commissioners, forty-three stables. Have made seventy- eight visits, as I had to go two and three times to many stables to inspect cows.
WM. H. DOLE.
Report of the Inspector of Plumbing.
To the Board of Health, Melrose, Mass. :
GENTLEMEN : -- Below you will find a copy of my annual report as Inspector of Plumbing.
Number of applications received, permits granted,
268
..
.. for sewer connections, . 94
16 .. .. " cesspool connections, 31
" alterations and repairs, 24
.6 .. ٠٠
.. ventilation (only) 4
..
additional fixtures, . 115
Total,
268
Total number of fixtures installed,
352
.. wash bowls,
57
.. bath tubs, .
55
water closets,
93
6.
sinks,
80
66 6.
wash trays,
54
66
66 urinals,
5
66
66
.. ice chests, .
3
Total,
352
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. BARKER.
.
268
Report of Inspector of Milk.
MELROSE, January 1, 1903.
To the Honorable Board of Health, Melrose, Mass. :
Total number of stores and restaurants selling milk and paying license in Melrose, 36.
Total number of individuals and milkmen selling milk and paying license in Melrose, 52.
During the past year the stores have all been inspected and samples have been taken. In most cases the milk has been up to the standard and in a few cases it has been below the percentage a slight amount, but not enough to find a case against the parties.
The milk which is raised by the people who have a few cows (and there are quite a large number) is very good and stands well. That which the larger dealers sell stands just about what the law calls for and sometimes runs below a small amount. A number of samples have been taken and tested. The large producers of milk in Melrose take good care of their creameries and are very careful to keep to the rules laid down by the Board of Health.
The coming year it is hoped that with past experience the work may be more thoroughly carried on, and a new card system has been established. When all tests of milk are analyzed they can be found at the Board of Health office.
Yours respectfully,
WILLIAM S. BRIRY,
Inspector of Milk.
Report of the Inspector of Buildings.
January 1, 1903.
Hon. Mayor Buttrick and the Hon. Board of Aldermen :
GENTLEMEN: This, the third annual report of this depart- ment, does not show as much of an increase in buildings as last year, but the buildings which have been erected, are of a good class, and can be termed a healthy growth.
A few manufacturing establishments located in our city, would be a benefit to building, a help in taxes, and cause an increase in our population.
I most respectfully recommend a fund of $50.00 be placed at the disposal of this department for contingent expenses, for the year 1903.
The following table shows the number of inspections made by this department, and the character of alterations ordered :
Inspection of chimney -. 61
Dangerous chimneys,
19
Faulty fire-place construction, .
2
Changes ordered in furnace pipes
3
Changes in plans submitted,
2
Inspection of buildings in constructior, .
203
Inspection of boilers,
2
Inspection of fire escape ...
2I
Total,
377
The following table shows the number of permits granted for each month of the year 1902:
251
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS REPORT.
January,
.
2
February,
3
March,
16
April,
IO
May, .
12
June, .
7
July, .
9
August,
5
September,
7
October,
12
November,
9
December, .
7
Total,
99
The following table shows the number of permits granted in each ward, and the use for which they were intended:
-Wards-
Buildings.
1
2
3
4 567
Totals
Additions
2
6
6
I 267
30
Alterations and Repairs
I
3
4
Carriage Houses
I
I
I
3
Chimneys.
Dwellings
I
7
3
2
2
4
3
22
Factories
I
I
2
Foundations
2
2
I
2
7
Stables
I
I
I
I
3
7
Stores and Offices
I
I
Store Houses .
I
2
I
3
2
9
Miscellaneous
I
6
3
3
I
I4
9 26 15 10
5 17 171
99
COST OF BUILDINGS FOR THE YEAR 1902.
Ward 1.
Ward 2.
Ward 3.
Ward 4.
Ward 5.
Ward 6.
Ward 7.
Totals
New
Repairs
New
Repairs
New
Repairs
New
Repairs
New
Repairs
New
Repairs
New
Repairs
New
Repairs
January . .
$3,000 $1,200
$600
280
3,600
$1.200
March ..
7,420
1,800
$600
$15
$150
575
8,610
2,230
April . ..
$2.630
3,030
750
$150
$3,000
$75
350
150
8,660
1,325
May ..
150
475
125
5,150
$700
70
1,500
7,345
975
June ..
150
185
50
July .
¥150
3.025
100
25
6,000
550
9,700
150
August .
500
250
4.200
12,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
3,025
2,225
October . .
2,000
4,200
200
35
100
1,000
1,235
6.300
November .
900
350
2,000
900
5,000
50
100
1,200
9,150
150
December.
500
220
140
50
100
2,000
2,960
1,250
$4,330 $ 2,650 $ 17,520 $ 8,560 $ 7,140
$425 $18,3251
$700 $8,025
$125 $10, 670 $1,700 $8,375 $2,630 $74,385
$16,790
. .
175
50
25
.
. ..
1
.
2,150
2,300
235
1,000
16,200
750
September
$1,600
$1,600
February
253
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS REPORT.
IN CONCLUSION.
I wish to thank His Honor the Mayor, and other depart- ments for assistance rendered.
Respectfully submitted, W. A. GOODNO, Inspector of Buildings.
Report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures.
To His Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Melrose :
GENTLEMEN: I herewith respectfully submit the annual report of the sealer of weights and measures department for the year ending January 31, 1903.
EXPENSES.
Salary from Feb. I, 1902 to Feb. I, 1903, . $200 00
I branding iron,
I 25
4 steel stamps, .
2 35
3 rubber stamps,
75
I ink pad, .
25
I comb torch,
4 00
14 lb. acid,
I graduate 8 oz.,
75
2 rubber pads, .
60
Express charges,
30
I pc. chamois and candle,
10
I oz. graduate, .
25
Posting 100 Posters, .
2 00
.
.
400 green gummed seals, .
3 00
I 50
Total expenses from Feb. I, 1902, to Feb. I,
. $217 10 1903,
254
CITY OF MELROSE
EARNINGS OF DEPARTMENT.
Total amount of earnings from Feb. I,
1902, to Feb. I, 1903, . $41 53
The amount uncollected due department, 3 03
$38 50
Unpaid bills of previous financial year paid to treasurer, . 2 44
$40 94
OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT FROM FEB. I, 1902, TO FEB. 1, 1903.
Number of scales 5,000 lbs. to 10 tons capacity tested 4
5,000 " capacity, 3
City scales,
I
Number of portable platforms tested,
27
counter
3
spring balances tested,
67
trip scales tested,
6
counter balances tested, 48
Total number scales tested. 159
Number of scales tested and found correct, 149
06 adjusted before sealing 6
66
" that were condemned, . 4
Total number scales tested, 159
Number of weights tested and found correct,
390
light and ad-
justed, 31
Number of weights tested and found heavy and ad- justed, 12
Total number weights tested, 433
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES REPORT.
255
Number of dry measures tested and found correct, I71 66 condemned, . 3
Total number dry measures tested, . 174
Number of wet measures, including glass milk jars and cans, tested and found correct, . 4,142
Number of wet measures, including glass jars tested and condemned, , . I59
Total number wet measures tested, . 4,301
THE AMOUNT OF WORK DONE IN THE OFFICE FROM FEB. 1, 1902, TO FEB. 1, 1903.
Scales of all descriptions tested,
33
Weights tested, .
42
Dry measures tested,
93
Wet measures, including milk cans, tested,
4,046
Yardsticks,
5
Coal baskets,
I2
Total pieces tested in the office, 4,231
Yours respectfully, WILLIAM L. PIERCE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
MELROSE, February 3, 1903.
REPORT
OF THE
CITY AUDITOR
OF THE
CITY OF MELROSE.
To His Honor the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen:
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor to submit herewith a statement of the receipts and expenditures of the City of Melrose, beginning on the first day of February, 1902, and ending of the financial year on the thirty-first day of Janu- ary, 1903, with a detailed statement of each department, a statement of assets and liabilities, a table showing the. funded debt, the dates on which the notes and bonds are: payable, together with a schedule of the city property.
Respectfully submitted, EDWIN C. GOULD,
City Auditor ..
City of Melrose, Auditor's office.
257
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
FINANCES.
The assessed valuation of the city, May I, 1902 was: Real estate, . $13,708,975 00
Personal estate, including resi-
dent bank stock, . 1,656,505 00
Total valuation, $15,365,480 00
Increase in valuation from
May 1, 1901 to May 1, 1902,
474,715 00
Number of dwelling houses, May I, 1902,
3,280
Population,
13,369
Rate of taxation for $1,000 for 1902 ($17.20) was divided as follows, to wit :
City tax, .
$15 61
County tax,
61
State tax,
16
State Metropolitan Park,
13
State Metropolitan Sewerage,
69
The municipal debt, Jan. 31, 1902,
$17 20 85,000 00
Increase
10,000 00
$95,000 00
Decrease by payments, .
34,000 00
Total municipal debt, Jan. 31, 1903, $61,000 00
Total decrease for the year, 24,000 00
CITY OF MELROSE MUNICIPAL DEBT. JANUARY 31, 1903.
Park loan, note due May 15, 1903, .
$1,000 00
1904, . 1,000 00
1905, .
1,000 00
1906, 1,000 00
16
1,000 00
16 1907, 1908, 1,000 00 1909, 6,000 00 - $12,000 00
.6
258
CITY OF MELROSE
Public grounds, note due Apr. 25,
$10,000 00 1903, . ·
Surface drainage loans:
Note due Oct. 30, 1902,
$2,000 00
66 1903,
2,C00 00
.6
6. .. 1904, . 2,000 00
.. 1905,
. 2,000 00
. . 06 .6 1906,
2,000 00
-
10,000 00
Central fire station, note due Jan. 4, 1905,
$10,000 00
New school building, note due Jan. 4, 1905,
6,000 00 High school grounds, note due Jan. 4, 1905,
3,000 00
-- 19,000 00
Sinking fund comrs., note due March
25, 1903, .
IG,000 00
Total,
$61,000 00
BONDED DEBT. School House Debt.
School house bonds 4%, due Feb.
24, 1916,
. $200,000 00
Less sinking funds,
19,189 20 - $180,810 80
Sewerage Debt.
Sewer bonds:
4% due June 1, 1907,
· · $25,000 00
. 6
1912,
25,000 00
66 .. " 1917,
· 50,000 00
1924,
100,000 00 .
100,000 00
50,000 00
$350,000 00
Less sinking fund,
66 1925, 1926, ·
91,746 77 ·
$258,253 23
259
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
City Hall Debt.
Town hall bonds: 4% due Sept. 1, 1912,
$45,000 00
Water Debt.
Water bonds:
4% due Nov. 1. 1905,
· $37,000 00
May 1, 1907,
. 50,000 00
May 1, 1912,
·
25,000 00
Sept. 1, 1912,
37,000 00
Oct. 1, 1913,
50,000 00 .
July 1, 1925,
. 38,000 00
$237,000 00
Less sinking fund,
35,566 63
201,433 37
$685,497 40
RECAPITULATION OF THE TOTAL DEBT.
JANUARY 31, 1903.
Municipal debt,
. $61,000 00
School house debt,
. 180,810 80
Sewerage debt, .
. 258,253 23
City hall debt, .
. 45,000 00
Water debt,
. 201,433 37
$746,497 40
DEBT STATEMENT.
Total amount Jan. 31, 1902, . .
. $776,406 23
Decrease in 1902, .
29,908 83 ·
$746,497 40
Decrease in schoolhouse debt,
644 17
" sewerage debt, .
3,460 15
" water debt,
1,804 51
.
$5,908 83
Decrease in municipal debt,
24,000 00
Net decrease, .
.
$29,908 83
260
CITY OF MELROSE
CASH ACCOUNT FOR 1902.
Cash on hand, Jan. 31, 1902, .
$8,838 96
RECEIPTS.
Cemetery dept.,
.
$5,662 02 .
Charity
2,867 38
Commonwealth of Mass.,
17,710 17 .
Health dept.,
104 45
Public library,
2,173 26
Public library building,
1,000 00
Public works dept.,
15,397 38
School dept.,
987 85
Sewer assessments,
13,567 41
Sundry accounts,
1,135 99
Taxes collected,
258,230 09
Tax titles, redemption of,
3,799 26
Temporary loans,
198,203 33
Trust funds income,
1,609 90
Treasury, .
2,726 12
Water dept. income,
48,854 96
Permanent loan,
10,000 00
584,029 57
$592,868 53
By payments:
February.
. $26,466 19
March,
38,747 49
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.