USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1924 > Part 2
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
The sub-divisions of the Public Works Department such as water, sewer, surface drainage, highways, care of buildings, care of trees, as well as the Park, Cemetery, School, Library, and Health Departments, should allocate their projects in a logical way over a period of years. With such constructive programs we could anticipate and distribute the expenses of these developments.
In conclusion may I say that the problems of the coming year as I see them present no insuperable difficulties. They have mainly to do with completing programs already mapped out, and with the consideration of measures designed to give our city an economical yet forward looking administration.
We may not at the present time agree even on some of the funda- mentals, to say nothing of the details, of how best to accomplish this end; but that spirit of mutual tolerance and team work which marked the year just ended will surely find a common meeting ground.
It has been a year of accomplishment, not of all our high hopes but sufficient, I hold, to justify the confidence the people reposed in us. Our finances are sound, our institutions are healthy, the civic morale of our people is splendid. These are the inspiration of our endeavors. We face the future with an undiminished courage and an undimmed resolve to complete in a worthy manner the task which we have set our hands.
I thank you, gentlemen, for your attention.
Address of PRES. WALTER A. T. NORRIS of the Board of Aldermen
Gentlemen of the Board :-
I want to thank you for the honor you have conferred upon me. I appreciate fully that it is not only a position of honor, but one of great responsibility.
Since the caucus held in December I have naturally given considerable thought and study as to what is required of the President of the Board and how he should proceed. And among other things I find that his problems start even before his election.
Let me impress upon you that, after all, your presiding officer is one of your number-and that the meetings of the Board may proceed as smoothly as possible, and the business which comes before you may be transacted in an intelligent and satisfactory manner, and for the best interests of the City, he must have your goodwill and support.
I can assure you that it is my ambition to carry out your wishes to the fullest extent possible, and preside, not over you, but for you to the best of my ability, and at all times in an absolutely fair and impartial manner.
The Board, as you know, has in its hands at the present time a con- siderable amount of legislation not acted on in 1923-this, together with what we may expect this year, promises to make an important and busy year for us. It is important that every member have in mind at all times the necessity of prompt and regular attendance at both the Board and Committee meetings.
The Committee meetings should not be neglected as that is where the major part of detail and work on the various orders should be accom- plished. Give each matter referred to your committee the fullest inves- tigation and consideration, and when reporting to the Board make your reports as complete as possible.
It has been suggested, and I think it a good suggestion, worthy of your consideration, that when making a committee report to the Board, when practicable to do so, give the reason for making the report as fully as possible in writing. Should this be carried out I am sure it would tend to save a great many questions by members on the floor of the Board, thereby saving considerable time.
There is another suggestion-it may have been tried at some time in years past, but not since I have been a member of the Board. The Appro- priation Committee has a vast amount of work laid out for it, and usually the greater part of this work falls on the Chairman of that Committee, which is almost too much to ask of any one man.
We have six standing committees beside the Appropriation Com- mittee, each of which come in contact with the various departments of
13
PRESIDENT OF BOARD OF ALDERMEN'S ADDRESS
the city. The chairmen of these committees are all members of the Appropriation Committee and could very materially assist the chairman of that committee by assuming some of the detail of the departments of which he should be more or less familiar.
In selecting the Standing Committees for the year 1924 it has been no easy task. In the Board there are twenty-one members, everyone of you I have the highest regard for and recognize your ability to serve, and serve well, on these various committees. This is a matter on which I have spent a great deal of time, and in making the appointments I have had nothing in mind but to place you where I felt you could do your best work and best serve the interests of the City.
GOVERNMENT of the City of Melrose, 1924
Mayor Dr. PAUL H. PROVANDIE
President of the Board of Aldermen WALTER A. T. NORRIS
Clerk Board of Aldermen W. DeHAVEN JONES
Aldermen-at-Large
Ward
Philip B. Carter, 26 Poplar Street.
3
Dr. John Dike, 112 West Emerson Street.
4
George H. Jackman, 273 Porter Street. 4
Arthur L. Marr, 236 East Foster Street.
6
Nelson J. Sanford, 379 Swain's Pond Avenue. 7
Willis A. Smith, 21 Lake Avenue. 4
Benning L. Wentworth, 75 Beech Avenue.
7
Ward Aldermen
Ward
Alfred J. Campbell, 188 Vinton Street
1
Frank S. Leavitt, 36 York Terrace.
1
F. Sears Stetson, 21 Crystal Street. 2
H. Ray Wilson, 4 Linden Road
2
William J. L. Roop, 310 West Emerson Street
3
John F. Rufle, 8 South Cedar Park.
3
Lorin A. Presby, 20 Emerson Place. 4
Eben M. Taylor, 51 Bellevue Avenue 4
Charles B. Camerlin, 88 Florence Street. 5
Chester I. Chase, 1 Alden Street .
5
Walter F. Chapman, 321 East Foster Street. 6
Walter A. T. Norris, 136 East Foster Street.
6
Joseph A. Milano, 115 Grove Street 7
George W. Rogers, 65 Argyle Street. 7
MELROSE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1924
Appropriations Campbell, Chairman. Leavitt, Dike, Sanford, Roop, Presby, Marr, Wilson, Jackman
Education, Health and Charity Presby, Chairman. Smith, Chapman, Jackman, Marr, Leavitt, Roop.
Finance Dike, Chairman. Wentworth, Taylor, Smith, Milano, Campbell, Sanford
Highways Roop, Chairman. Sanford, Chapman, Camerlin, Campbell, Dike, Wilson
Legal and Legislative President, Chairman. Leavitt, Floor Chairman, Chase, Carter, Smith, Stetson, Presby
Protection and License Wilson, Chairman. Rogers, Carter, Chase, Milano, Stetson, Rufle
Public Service Marr, Chairman. Camerlin, Rufle, Rogers, Wentworth, Jackman, Taylor
Clerk of Committees VICTOR C. KIRMES
CITY OFFICERS
City Clerk W. DeHAVEN JONES
Assistant City Clerk and Clerk of Committees Victor C. Kirmes
City Treasurer William R. Lavender
City Collector William A. Carrie
City Auditor William T. Wolley
Engineer and Superintendent of Public Works Percival H. Mosher
City Solicitor Arthur S. Davis
Mayor's Secretary Blanche E. Nickerson
FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief of Fire Department Frank C. Newman
POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief of Police George E. Kerr
Inspector of Buildings Angus MacDonald
Inspector of Plumbing Andrew J. Burnett
Inspector of Food Kenneth B. Hadley
Inspector of Animals and Slaughtering Calvert H. Playdon
17
CITY OFFICERS
Inspector Milk and Vinegar H. E. Berger, Jr.
Collector of Milk Samples Thomas F. Harris
Sealer of Weights and Measures Philip B. Carruthers
Supt. Brown Tail and Gypsy Moths John J. McCullough
Burial Agent Mary A. Kenah
Agent State Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief Mary A. Kenah
Assessors John C. Crolly Frederick W. Patten Charles H. Adams
Assistant Assessors Mary Anderton Marion A. Messenger Margaret P. Brown
Inspector of Wires Fred A. Edwards
Board of Health Clarence P. Holden, M.D., Chairman
Melvin H. Nicholls, M.D. Rev. Lester L. Lewis
City Phusician Clarence P. Holden, M.D.
School Physicians Elizabeth Hirst Edward L. Marr
Public Health Nurse Mrs. Myrtle S. Meriam
Overseers of the Poor Adeline G. Reed, Chairman
Gertrude Provandie
Peter J. Curran
18
CITY OF MELROSE
Park Commission
Gustaf E. Johnson, Chairman.
Term expires 1926
Richard J. Lord.
1925
Neil S. Casey .
66 1927
George W. Haven.
66
66
1928
Harry C. Woodill.
66
66 1929
Supt. of Schools Herman H. Stuart
School Committee
William Coggeshall.
Term expires 1924
Mrs. Mabel B. Dole
66
1924
Josiah D. Bullens .
66
1924
Harry F. Sears.
66 1926
Henry N. Andrews
66
66 1926
Frank J. Sherman
66
66
1926
Mrs. Isabelle Stantial.
66
66
1924
Mrs. F. Janet Habberley
66
1924
Sinking Fund Commissioners
Edward J. Kitching, Chairman.
Term expires 1925
Maurice G. Cochrane
1924
Franklin P. Shumway
66
1926
Trustees Public Library
Rev. Paul Sterling, Chairman
Term expires 1927
Neil A. Divver.
1925
Clara G. Muldoon.
1925
Mary C. Barton.
66
66 1926
Frank W. Campbell
66 1926
Ralph G. Harmon
66
1927
Cemetery Committee Henry W. Clark, Chairman, Frederick L. Putnam, Albert G. Armington Victor C. Kirmes, Clerk Roscoe A. Leavitt, Supt. Wyoming Cemetery Richard J. T. Roome, Inspector of Graves Soldiers and Sailors
Registrars of Voters
Edward L. Cragin, Chairman. Term expires 1925 6
John J. Keating
66 1926
Edwin J. Tirrell.
1927
W. DeHaven Jones, City Clerk, Ex-officio
66
1924
Elmer O. Goodridge.
Victor C. Kirmes, Clerk
19
CITY OFFICERS
Dog Officer M. James Hanley
Keeper of Lock-up George E. Kerr
Planning Board
Eva G. Osgood, Chairman.
Term expires 1927
Arthur T. Mather.
66
1928
Laurence W. C. Emig.
66
66
1925
Albe S. Noyes .
66
66 1925
Agnes L. Dodge.
66
1926
Edward E. Prior
66
66
1926
George C. Glover
66
66
1926
Caroline H. Blake.
66
66
1927
Angier L. Goodwin
66
66
1927
Board of Survey
William N. Folsom, Chairman.
. Term expires 1925
Clarence Cochrane.
66
66
1927
Advisory Committee on Memorial Building
Fred E. Ellis, Chairman.
Term expires 1925
Freeman M. Crosby
1925
Clarence T. Fernald .
1925
Elmer Wilson.
66
66 1926
Harry T. Gerrish.
66
1926
Dr. Forrest F. Pike.
66
66
1926
Elizabeth M. Stetson
66
1927
Nellie F. Luce .
66
1927
Frederick U. Corson
66
1927
Agnes Edwards Hatch
1927
Board of Appeal
Angier L. Goodwin, Chairman
Term expires 1929
Thomas McKie.
1927
Royal B. Wills.
1927
Victor H. Mutty .
1926
William B. Wadland. .
66
1926
Victor C. Kirmes, Clerk
List of Ex-Mayors
*Levi S. Gould . John Larrabee.
Terms of Office
.1900
1901-1902
1926
William E. Waterhouse.
1925
Thomas J. Edwards
20
CITY OF MELROSE
*Sidney H. Buttrick 1903-4-5
*Charles J. Barton . 1906
*Eugene H. Moore 1907-8-9-10-11
*Charles H. French 1912
*Oliver B. Munroe. 1913-1914
Charles H. Adams
1915-16-17-18-19-20
Angier L. Goodwin
1921-1922
*Deceased.
List of Ex-Presidents Board of Aldermen
Terms of Office
George R. Jones.
1900
*John G. Robinson.
1901-2
Aaron Hill, Jr ..
1903-4-5-6
Charles C. Swett
1907-8-9
*Charles E. French
1910-11
*J. Sydney Hitchins
1912-1913
Frederick T. Peabody
1914-1915
Edward F. Cassell
1916-1917
William A. Carrie . 1918
Albert M. Tibbetts 1919
- Angier L. Goodwin
Leslie F. Keene . 1920
1921
H. Ray Wilson.
1922-3
*Deceased.
Report of Advisory Committee Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building
The Advisory Committee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building submit the following report for the year 1924.
The past year has been an eventful one in the history of the Memorial Building. Work has just been completed on a series of caisson piles put in to properly support the rear of building, which was fast becoming in bad shape and was generally conceded unsafe. The rear wall was badly cracked before the recent work of the contractors, and was in such condition that it was thought best to tear it down and rebuild.
It was proposed, as long as the wall was to be taken down, that we should rebuild it some eighteen feet back, giving an opportunity to place the organ on the new foundation, as it was conceded by the experts on the organ that if something was not done to give better support, it would eventually be ruined; also this would enable us to enlarge our present stage to the original size.
An order was passed by the Board of Aldermen for this work, and plans are now underway to put the building in excellent condition.
It is unfortunate that we were obliged to close the Memorial Hall, but when the work is completed we will have a Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Hall second to none in the country.
We think something should be done at once towards raising the rentals of the Hall, as they are too low at present, and the building is far from being self-supporting.
Salaries and Wages
Appropriation
$3,060.00 2,410.93
Expended
Balance
$649.07
Repairs to Building
Appropriation
$16,500.00
Expended
10,265.00
Balance
$6,235.00
Other Expenses
Appropriation.
$4,500.00
Refunds from Telephone coin box .
14.24
Expended
3,564.85
Balance
$4,514.24
$949.39
T. J. EDWARDS, Chairman
Report of Board of Appeal
On February 5, 1924, Chapter 22 of the Acts of 1924 was approved by the Governor, providing for the establishment of a Board of Appeal in the City of Melrose, to be comprised of five members. This act was accepted by the Board of Aldermen March 3, 1924, and approved by the Mayor on March 5, 1924. Considerable time elapsed prior to the nomi- nation and confirmation of the members of this Board. It was not until August 5, 1924, that it organized with Ex-Mayor Angier L. Goodwin as its Chairman.
During the year 1924 there were 23 appeals from the decisions of the Inspector of Buildings which were referred to the Board of Appeal. The Board of Appeal held 8 meetings and 8 public hearings in connection with the matters brought before it.
The Board of Appeal affirmed the Inspector of Buildings' decisions in 10 cases, reversed it in 10 cases, and modified it in no case. One case was withdrawn, and on two cases no action was necessary.
It is the intention of the Board of Appeal to be broad and consistent in modifying or enforcing the application of our Zoning Laws and to give due regard for the existing use and character of a neighborhood before rendering a decision at variance with the Zoning Laws. The Board of Appeal has not yet arrived at the point where it feels it is desirable to recommend a revision of the zoning map as our citizens are afforded every opportunity to appeal from the decision of the Inspector of Buildings with the assurance that the Board of Appeal will give sincere and careful consideration to each matter brought before it, and will render a decision which in its opinion will not conflict with the spirit and intent of the existing Zoning Laws and Map. If it appears to be desirable at some future date to revise certain portions of the Zoning Map, it is the intention of the Board of Appeal to so recommend to the Board of Aldermen, and in the meantime, if our citizens feel that any injustice is being done to them by the existing Zoning Laws and Map, they have the right to petition the Board of Aldermen for relief.
It is recommended that Section 6, of Chapter 24 of the Revised Ordinances be amended so as to provide that hearings for Public or Apartment Garages may be held by the Board of Appeal instead of by the Board of Aldermen. At present there is an unnecessary duplication of hearings on the above type garages, one before the Board of Aldermen and the other before the Board of Appeal. This duplication results in a waste of time on the part of the Aldermen and citizens, and as the Board of Appeal has final judgment in such cases as are approved by the Board of Aldermen, it seems likely that the Board of Aldermen would wish to relieve itself of holding hearings as above stated.
For the Board of Appeal,
H. RAY WILSON, Chairman
ADDENDUM
Year
Census
Dwell- ings
Polls
Value Buildings
Value Land
Total Val. Real Estate
Value Personal Estate
Total Valua- tion
Rate per $1,000
City Appro- priation
Sewer- age Tax
Park Tax
State Tax
County Tax
Overlay
Total Tax Levy
Year
1000
12,715
3,237
3,650
$7,582,525
$4,398,150
$11,980,675
$797,690
$12,778,365
$18.00
$199,837.41
$9,341.01
$6,645.00
$11,857.11
$9,540.04
$237,310.57
1000
1001
12,781
3,248
3,711
7,610,850
5,993,025
13,603,875
1,286,890
14,890,765
16.20
206,635.82
9,727.23
7,473.50
13,388.55
*11,463.29
248,652.39
1001
1002
13,369
3,280
3,931
7,781,400
5,927,575
13,708,975
1,656,505
15,365,480
17.20
237,107.27
10,561.31
$1,977.83
6,375.00
13,365.88
2,861.15
272,148.26
1002
1903
13,641
3,312
4,052
7,865,250
5,915,375
13,780,625
1,397,005
15,177,630
18.00
237,087.74
10,808.84
5,169.59
10,625.00
13,917.89
3,692.28
281.301,34
1003
1004
14,021
3,319
4.137
7,945,700
5,867,625
13,813,325
1,424,530
15,237,855
17.40
225,003.32
11,744.15
5,696.87
11,625.00
15,716.05
3,627.28
273,412.67
1904
1905
14,572
3,363
4,235
8,131,450
5,787,100
13,918,550
1,559,330
15,477,880
17.80
229,066.55
12,222.49
6,183.01
16,275.00
16,188.40
4,100.81
283,976.26
1006
1907
14,860
3,382
4,318
8,288,850
5,781,500
14,070,350
1,664,060
15,734,410
17.00
219,753.24
9,264.95
7,183.32
18,000.00 }
15,880.08
6,038.36
276,120.97
1007
1908
15,122
3,393
4,344
8,450,675
5,788,475
14,239,150
1,733,810
15,972,960
18.50
234,100.42
14,397.93
7,868.56
*19.75 }
15,606.50
7,444.60
304,187.76
1008
1909
15,246
3,416
4,438
8,627.425
5,775,725
14,403,150
1,746,675
16,149,825
19.30
250,100.51
13,567.95
8,158.31
20,250.00 }
17,250.17
11,220.90
320,567.62
1909
1910
15,735
3,447
4,490
8,865,325
5,771,450
14,636,775
1,827,090
16,463,865
19.40
255,567.13
14,834.95
8,494.76
23,760.00
16,478.32
9,224.31
328,378.98
1910
IQII
16,118
3,503
4,515
9,164,225
5,757,450
14,921,675
1,975,950
16,897,625
20.40
276,517.13
15,496.52
11,634.39 l
23,760.00
15,170.07
7,067.28
353,741.55
IQII
IQ12
16,241
3,564
4,596
9,452,650
5,757,150
15,209,800
2,213,000
17,422,800
20.40
283,731.71
15,804.48
9,412.75
27,000.00
14,860.33
12,466.03
364,517.12
IQI2
1913
16,612
3,611
4,620
9,791,425
5,791,425
15,582,625
2,420,900
18,003,525
20.40
289,544.80
17,103.24
10,262.39
32,640.00
16,466.40 l
7,316.90
376,511.91
1913
1914
17,037
3,674
4,685
10,144,550
5,816,700
15,961,250
2,606,080
18,567,330
21.70
316,917.47
17,437.18
10,558.39
35,700.00
19,577.92 )
10,154.95
412,281.06
1914
1915
17,096
3,748
4,850
10,494,300
5,823,300
16,317,600
2,623,780
18,941,380
23.70
359,106.29
17,201.57
10,796.50
39,780.00 )
20,682.55
9,236.85
458,610.70
1915
1916
17,317
3,864
4,949
10,957,650
5,891,700
16,849,350
2,795,800
19,645,150
22.00
350,771.03
16,153.54
8,183.80
32,000.00 }
20,650.93
12,008.66
442,091.30
1916
1917
17,275
3,958
5,061
11,326,050
5,916,700
17,242,750
1,530,000
18,772,750
23.40
379,561.18
17,657.22
10,464.99
43,450.00
19,871.65
14,833.40
449,404.35 }
1917
1918
17,353
. 3,964
5,043
11,519,250
5,912,150
17,431,400
1,644,975
19,076,375
23.40
413,680.07
18,851.06
10,597.62
43,450.00
21,532.85
11,719.08
522,252.43
1018
208. 65
205.30 S
*65,799.25 |
597,830.22
1919
1920
18,371
3,981
4,585
12,799,450
6,079,350
18,878,800
2,206,600
21,085,400
29.50
569,876.17
19,111.76
12,381.78
57,174.00 1
23,923.39
9,098.07
708,821.41
1920
1921
18,670
4,010
4,661
13,453,550
6,417,750
19,871,300
2,606,050
22,477,350
30.80
623,903.04
23,447. 16
13,576.76 )
57,174.00 }
31,197.18
10,697.21 l
777,502.38 1
1921
1922
18,964
4,048
5,424
14,017,500
6,469,050
20,486,550
2,617,950
23,104,500
32.60
684,835.78
21,359.60
14,037.11
46,560.00 )
29,576.48
19,182.61
834,826.70
1922
1923
19,368
4,106
5,492
16,198,650
6,570,350
22,769,000
2,710,800
25,479,800
30.80
715,248.68
23,547.37
15,293.01
46,560.00 )
28,652.62 )
20,795.85
871,660.64
1923
1924
20,197
4,208
5,658
17,404,450
6,823,800
24,228,250
2,978,700
27,206,950
30.60
772,887.24
22,848.59
15,503.70
38,800.00
30,876.18
20,646.66
904,991.57
1924
2,388.03 J
568.00
249.83
223.34
61,142.90
14,559
3,334
4,235
8,020,150
5,845,800
13,865,950
1,463,745
15,329,695
18.00
227,044.58
12,077. 04
5,922.31
18,600.00
15,272.57
5,488.01
284,404.51
1005
1006
18,114
3,973
5,169
12,203,650
6,048,425
18,252,075
1,951,500
20,203,575
26.20
488,671.38
18,714.38
12,182.89 l
45,474.00 l
22,040.33
8,045.26
58,158.56
$461.53 J
862.60
63,877.11
13,755.05
1545.34 1
724.32
13,983.00 S
61,895.00
557.06
232.67
16,272.00
54,500.00
1,935.89
2,441.56
471.68
237.98
16,476.00
59,422.80
*Charles River Basin İState Highway.
Miscellaneous Estimated Receipts.
*200.00
*289.30
1,974.84
200.54
225.67
*38,835.14
*20.00 J
*1,502.39
67.65
136.46
1,621.29
52.40 }
133.25
*19.75 J
*19.51 }
*4,076.16
*20.00
*1,323.37
*18.75 }
*1,655.79
1,731.04
2,131.59
284.00
286.41 1
*2,177.13
*2,254.37
2,213.39
2,007.80
*1,834.04
*102.00 }
24,750.00
Report of Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors respectfully submit the following report of the Assessing Department for the year ending December 31, 1924.
TAXABLE VALUATION OF THE CITY
Real Estate.
$24,228,250.00
Personal Estate
2,978,700.00
Rate of Taxation $30.60 per $1,000.00.
$27,206,950.00
Amount raised on Property and Polls:
Real Estate.
$741,384.45
Personal Estate.
91,148.22
5658 Polls at $2.00 each.
11,316.00
$843,848.67
BUDGET
State Tax. .
$38,800.00
County Tax.
30,876.18
Metropolitan Sewer Tax.
22,848.59
Metropolitan Park Tax.
15,503.70
State Highway Tax.
568.00
Charles River Basin Tax
2,388.03
Fire Prevention Tax.
249.83
Metropolitan Planning Tax
223.34
City Budget
772,887.24
Overlay .
20,646.66
$904,991.57
Less Income Tax and School
Fund. .
$59,142.90
Municipal Indebtedness. . 2,000.00
61,142.90
$843,848.67
$843,848.67
Number of residents assessed
3,336
Number of non-residents assessed .
680
Number of persons assessed for poll tax only.
3,987
Number of horses assessed.
106
Number of cows assessed.
202
Number of dwellings.
4,208
Valuation of Exempted Property
Houses of Religious Worship. $645,500.00
Literary and Benevolent Institutions 370,900.00
JOHN C. CROLLY, FREDERICK W. PATTEN, CHARLES H. ADAMS,
Board of Assessors
Report of Board of Health
The Board of Health respectfully submits herewith its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1924. The membership of the Board was as follows, viz: Clarence P. Holden, M.D., Chairman; Melvin H. Nicholls, M.D., and Rev. Lester L. Lewis.
General Health .- The general health of the community during the year 1924 was very good, there being 230 deaths as against 235 for the previous year.
Diphtheria .- There were 27 cases and 2 deaths.
Scarlet Fever .- There were 150 cases and 2 deaths.
Typhoid Fever .- There were 2 cases and no deaths.
Pneumonia .- There were 24 cases and 22 deaths.
Rabies and Hydrophobia .- The epidemic of rabies in dogs reported in the previous year continued during the early part of 1924. A large number of cases of dog-bites were cauterized as usual and several persons bitten by dogs suspected of having rabies, received the anti-rabic treatment.
Tuberculosis .- Cases on the list Dec. 31, 1923. 39
New cases reported in 1924 19
-
Total 58
Disposition:
To the arrested list 8
Removals . 6
Cases not found. 2
Deaths-Pul. 3, General 1, Meningeal 2. 6
Health Certificates for working were given to children as usual.
MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS .- In addition to the routine work of inspection for communicable diseases, all the children in grades 1 to 8 have undergone a physical examination. The chief defects found are defective teeth, tonsils and adenoids. Many cases are taken care of at the Melrose Hospital. A very serious condition found is the number of children more than 10% underweight, there being 265 in our primary and grammar grades. It is the opinion of the Board of Health that the problem of nutrition is the most important one, not only to the Helath Department and School Committee but also to all parents. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of nutrition and growth in the lives of our children.
BARBER SHOPS .- The barber shops have been inspected and have been rated from a sanitary viewpoint as follows :- 9 good, 2 fair, 0 unclean. DAIRY INSPECTION .- Dairies were inspected and rated as follows: 15 good, 7 fair, 0 unclean; 114 licenses to sell milk and oleo were issued.
BAKERIES .- Inspection of bakeries was made as required by law. There were 10 registered, all complying satisfactorily with requirements.
NUISANCES .- Following is list of complaints received and nuisances abated during the year, with list for 1923 in parallel column
25
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
1923
1924
Privy nuisance
5
1
Cesspool nuisance.
9
8
Hen nuisance.
9
5
Dumping nuisance
7
Unclean premises
25
6
Pig nuisance.
2
C
Stagnant water
1
1
Defective plumbing
4
4
Defective drainage. .
1
1
Exposed or offensive garbage.
16
2
No water or defective supply
7
0
Other nuisances.
4
7
Complaints investigated and no cause found for complaint
8
6
Dead animals buried.
97
91
UNDERTAKERS .- The following named undertakers have been licensed: Henry W. Clark, Albert J. Walton, Fred T. Churchill, John W. Gately, Harry F. Ferguson, F. Sears Stetson and Frank H. Whitney.
BOARDING HOUSES FOR INFANTS .- The Board has approved the applications of the following named persons to maintain boarding houses for infants :- Mrs. Nellie Crosby, Mrs. Jane Dieter, Mrs. Frances I. Dike, Mrs. Helen C. Loesser, Mrs. Annie Mullay, Mrs. May E. Roberts, Mrs. Mary E. Silver, Mrs. Mary Walden and Mrs. Sarah E. White.
Table I
CASES AND DEATHS OF DISEASES DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, BY MONTHS
This table includes all cases (with their deaths) irrespective of whether cases were transported into the city from elsewhere or were contracted outside of the city; also all deaths of Melrose cases dying in hospitals out of town.
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.