USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1955-1959 > Part 37
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8 491
Total
698
Other work done classified as follows:
Inspection of mercantile buildings 1425
Permits for oil burners, blasting, etc. 360
Permits for outdoor burning 3186
Ambulance calls since July 23 102
The Fire Alarm and Forest Fire trucks voted at the 1957 Town Meeting have been delivered and placed in service.
We badly need a new 1000 gallon pumping engine to replace the present one which is over twenty years old. I am asking for a new one at the 1958 Town Meeting, and sincerely hope the people will give it their support.
I wish again to thank the Town Officials and the citizens of the Town for their cooperation during the past year, also the members of the department.
Respectfully yours,
CARLTON P. HARRIS, Chief of Randolph Fire Department
Report of The Board of Health
The Board of Health respectfully submits its report for the year 1957.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE REPORT
During the year 1957 the practicing physicians of the community have submitted 290 reports concerning com-
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
municable diseases or other conditions reportable to the Board of Health as follows: pulmonary tuberculosis, 9 cases; typhoid fever, 3; Salmonellosis, 4; chicken-pox, 57; German measles, 5; mumps, 18 ; scarlet fever, 13; dog-bite, 150.
The reporting of 9 new cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis during this year indicates the continuing na- ture of this problem in this Town of approximately 17,000 population. Arrangements have been completed for a tuberculosis case finding program. The procedure to be followed will be to do skin tests on the school population followed by x-rays and careful follow up study of all who show positive skin tests. Since a positive skin test indicated contact with the germ of tuberculosis it is intended to try to find the person or persons who are contacts of these "positive" children and who themselves are infected and responsible for infection of the child. Thus all persons in the family or otherwise closely associated with these positive children will be given the opportunity to be x-rayed. Through the cooperation of the Norfolk County Tubercu- losis association, the Mass. Dept. of Public Health and the Personnel of the Norfolk County Hospital the program is first to be instituted in the 2nd and 11th grades during January of 1958. If feasible the program is to be extended later in the year under he auspices of the Board of Health to include all school children. Such a procedure will elim- inate the great expense of and the objections to an initial mass x-ray screening program.
The typhoid fever cases were those of a single out- break and were caused by contamination of food by a typhoid carrier. Through the efforts of the Health Officer, the agent, the family physician and the Public Health nurses and others closely associated with the problem the situation was brought under control and the carrier source of infection located, and preventive measures were insti- tuted.
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
The salmonella fever cases constituted another family outbreak which through the efforts of the members of the Health Dept. and the family physician apparently was limited to the single family. The family was transient. Original infection did not occur in the Town of Randolph. Effective control measures were speedily instituted. The family shortly thereafter moved to another community where appropriate follow-up studies are being continued by others.
The minor childhood diseases, measles, mumps and chicken-pox are probably very incompletely reported.
Again this year the Board wishes to call special at- tention to the high rate of dog-bite reports. We wish to emphasize hat this is indicative of the serious problem which would face the physicians of this community should just one case of dog rabies be imported into this community. Simply because of the absence of rabies in this area during the past few years the people of Randolph must not become complacent about this problem. If an epidemic of rabies should occur among dogs of our relatively large dog popu- lation the indications are that many human cases could result, and much use of the relatively dangerous anti-rabies human inoculation would become mandatory. The way to prevent such an epidemic among dogs is to vaccinate the dog population while there is no rabies present. Again the dog owners of Randolph are urged to voluntarily go to their veterinarian and obtain anti-rabies inoculations for their pets. The Board of Health is gratified to learn from local veterinarians that there was an increase in dog vaccina- tions following the plea in last years town report. Please act immediately while this matter is fresh in your mind. Remember that human rabies is almost 100% fatal and a rabid dog does not know his master nor his master's children.
During January and February much of the immuniza- tion program for prevention of diphtheria, tetanus and
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
whooping cough was completed for all elementary and Junior High School pupils. All town physicians assisted in the inoculations and the Board of Health takes this op- portunity to publicly thank them for their excellent co- operation. Randolph is one of few communities of the State to have such a high level of protection against these dis- eases. In the years to follow and starting during 1958 this high level will be maintained by inoculaion of children of the first grade and pupils of the senior class in high school. Protection of the senior class against diphtheria is especially important because some of the few recent cases of diph- theria in the U. S. have been in adults whose immunity has "worn off", the remainder were in un-inoculated persons.
Polio vaccination clinics were held in the Board of Health office for approximately 1500 pre-school children and persons 18 to 20. Also town personnel, by the local physicians assisted by the health officer, public health nurses, Miss Beatrice Scannell and Mrs. Janet Dimmick and the Health Agent. Clinics at the various schools were con- ducted by the school physicians assisted by the school nurses, Miss Helen Conlon and Mrs. Signe Heath, the Health Office and Health Agent.
Plans are being completed in conjunction with the Randolph Visiting Nurse Association for the inoculation of adults 20 through 40 years of age. This program is to be conducted without the support of public funds and it is anticipated that the Visiting Nurse Association will charge a nominal fee for the polio inoculation. It is hoped that this provision for a campaign to conquer poliomyelitis in this age group will meet with large success and that a large number of persons in this age group will obtain their polio shots.
Town employees were vaccinated in September by the Health Officer for Asian influenza. This was done when it appeared that an epidemic was imminent.
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
An epidemic caused by the new mutent influenza virus called "Asian" Influenza occurred in Randolph dur- ing the last week of October and the first week of Novem- ber. Absenteeism from schools attained a peak of approxi- mately 30% of school children during the last week of October. It is estimated that approximately 60% of the pupils enrolled in Randolph schools became ill with "Asiatic flu" during the course of the epidemic. Of great interest is the fact that the attack rate for older age groups was very much less than for the school children and very little' absenteeism was reported from local industry or other adult fractions of the population from which information could be obtained. Widespread use of inoculations of a vaccine against this strian was reported by practicing physicians. No death were reported as attributable to influenza in this town.
PREMATURE INFANT PROGRAM
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 601 of the Acts of 1949 reports of the live births of 32 premature infants were received by the board during 1957. Of this number there were ten births for whom financial assistance was required and given by the Board of Health. These 10 infants received 159 days of hospital care at a cost of $1441.56. In addition the Public Health nurses rendered care and parental instructions to all of these premature cases.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING PROGRAM
Miss Beatrice Scannel, senior nurse and Mrs. Janet Dimmick, junior nurse have cared for the sick in their homes, instructed in carrying out orders left by physicians, taught sound health measures to insure good care during illnes and preventing further illness in the home. They gave instructions and supervision to mothers before and after the birth of the baby and care of the new-born and older children. Reports of premature infants are received
135
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
from hospitals and home appraisal visits are made at once. These babies are visited after their arrival at home by the nurses.
A well child conference is held once a month with a physician and two nurses in charge. Any child referred by a physician is followed as advised. This conference is sponsored by the RVNA and the Ladies Library Associa- tion and heretofore financially assisted by the Local Chapter of the American Red Cross provided services for 129 children and there were 350 visits at this clinic. Be- cause of the lack of financial support to the local Chapter of American Red Cross, financial assistance for this clinic is no longer to be expected from this source. The Board of Health has included in its budget a sufficient amount under the item of immunization and clinic to enable the con- tinuation of the public health aspects of this well-baby Conference. The public health nurses have been in at- tendance and have assisted at each session of this Confer- ence and have been responsible in referring families in need of this sort of service.
Triple Antigen and boosters are given twice yearly at these clinics in series of 3 shots.
In-service courses conducted by State Dept. of Health were attended by both nurses. Certificates of training in disaster nursing were received. First-aid System Instruc- tors Certificates were awarded to each nurse by Massa- chusetts Civil Defense Agency. One course was completed at the State Hospital School in Canton and the second at Sector 1B Headquarters, Stoughton.
Coverage in School Nursing at Boston School for the Deaf was continued all year by one of the nurses. This also included Polio vaccination of these handicapped children and Asian Flu shots were administered with their assistance. The time spent at all clinics during this
136
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
year was time-consuming but beneficial to the Health of the Town.
The Board of Health wishes to thank, by the public medium of this report, the industrial firm which pro- vided the vehicle which is used by our Public Health and Visiting Nurses. The original vehicle was donated by the Claff Foundation which is a charitable Foundation sup- ported singly by the M. B. Claff and Sons, Inc.
The Board also wishes to thank, on behalf of the citizens of the Town, Good Brothers for their agreement to replace the vehicle at frequent intervals, as necessary, at no cost to the Visiting Nurse Association nor to the Town. This succession of vehicles which was made pos- sible by the original gift of the Claff Foundation is saving the taxpayers of the Town a considerable sum of money which otherwise would have to be appropriated for this item of transportation of our nurses.
Crippled children and rheumatic heart patients are referred to Health nurses for follow-up and referred to ap- propriate clinics or rehabilitation centers.
The nurses urge tuberculosis suspects and their con- tact of known tuberculosis patients to be x-rayed at Norfolk County Hospital clinic or in the office of private physicians, and to have reports returned to Board of Health.
All cases are followed as recommended by the doc- tors of clinics or by private physicians and are seen at least twice yearly. Case records are kept on all T.B. patients, suspects and contacts. Most patients are hos- pitalized at Norfolk County Hospital or a hospital at the place of "settlement" of the case.
All cases of communicable disease of major public health importance were visited by the nurses and tech-
137
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
niques for the care of the patient and for prevention of spread of the disease were demonstrated.
ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION
Considerable time was spent on nuisance abatement during the year. There were a few less complaints re- garding overflowing cesspools. The Board is receiving good cooperation from the townspeople who realize the seriousness of the Public Health nuisance and source of disease. The last piggery in the Town of Randolph was closed on June 30. A public hearing was held during the year to pass on an application for a permit to operate a mink farm. The Board after careful consideration denied this request since the mink farm would have been located in a strictly residential area and because of the proximity of numerous residences to the potentially offensive busi- ness of mink keeping.
The refuse collection in the Town is administered by the Board of Health. Several meetings have been held with the Town Manager and the Contractor with a view to making the collection of rubbish and garbage as effi- cient as possible. The Town Dump has been used to its fullest capacity by the residents, merchants and manu- facturers and others in the Town.
It is planned during this next year to spend con- siderable time surveying the sub-standard housing prob- lem. This problem does not consist of blighted slum areas in the Town, but seems to consist of a house here and there essentially unfit for human habitation located between houses of above average condition. Owners of such sub- standard properties will be requested to raze or improve them to meet at least minimum standards for human habitation.
Ragweed and poison ivy control was accomplished by Mr. Joseph Hart of the Forestry Department in co- operation with the Board.
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
ANIMAL AND SLAUGHTER INSPECTIONS
Mr. Cornelius J. Crowley, Animal and Slaughter In- spector reported that as of Dec. 31, 1957 there were in the Town of Randolph 67 Cows and 41 Horses. During the year 149 dogs were quarantined as result of reported dog bites. Each of the quarantined dogs were visited daily for ten days to observe whether or not any symptoms of rabies developed. Fortunately none occurred. Had this occurred in any animal, the inspector would then report immediately to the Board of Health and to the physician caring for the person whom the dog had bitten. so that anti-rabies treatment could be started immediately. He would also send the dog away for special laboratory studies.
The attention of the townspeople is respectfully called to the fact that Mr. Crowley made 149 inspections of quarantined dogs who had bitten humans during 1957 in addition to his other duties.
PLUMBING INSPECTIONS
Mr. Thomas O'Riley, plumbing inspector issued more than 100 licenses. Fixtures installed included 181 toilets, 140 sinks, 165 wash bowls, 125 bath tubs, 63 wash trays, 6 showers, 3 dishwashers, 3 washing machines, 2 sink trays and 103 tankless. The sum of $1,071.00 was col- lected and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Mosquito Control is the responsibility of the Ran- dolph Board of Health and the Control Project of which the Town of Randolph is a member. Their work is as follows: aerial spraying 700 acres, ground spraying 1174 acres, pre-hatch dusting 84 acres, drainage 2682 feet, culverts cleaned 2, catch basins treated 144 and clearing brush 1,925 feet. Repeated spraying resulted in an ex- cellent level of control during 1957.
139
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
FOOD SANITATION
Visual inspection of food serving establishments and markets were made throughout the year. It has been gratifying to see the constant improvement in facilities and cooperation with the Board of persons engaged in this business. Funds have been included in the budget for two series of bacteriological swab testings of utensils used in restaurants, taverns, fountains and school cafe- terias, to check on the efficiency of dish sterilization in these establishments.
The milk inspection program is performed by Henry Merrill, the Milk Inspector. Milk samples were taken from 8 distributors in the Town for bacteriological analy- sis, fat content, total solids and proper pasteurization. Licenses were issued as follows: 2 pastuerization, 42 store, 23 vehicle and 32 oleo.
REVENUE PRODUCED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH
The sum of $382.00 from sewage disposal permits; from regular licenses $36.50; from hospitalization sub- sidies $1,931.36; from plumbing licenses $1,071.00 and from milk and dairy products licenses $71.00.
SETH W. SWAIN, Chairman
F. RANDOLF PHILBROOK, M.D., M.P.H. ROBERT A. COREY
Report of The Water Commissioners
To the Citizens of the Town of Randolph:
The seventy-second annual report of the Board of Water Commissioners is hereby submitted, covering activi- ties of the Department for the year ending December 31, 1957.
140
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Organization of the Board was as follows:
Frederick D. Driscoll Chairman
Martin E. Young Clerk
William J. Almond Associate
During the calendar year 1957 two hundred twelve (212) new applications for service were received. These have all been installed and added to the system.
60 service leaks were repaired - of these 25 were broken pipes in cellar and 35 in the street; 30 services were renewed; 8 others were relocated and three services were discontinued. Also, 21 frozen services were thawed out by electricity and 18 services were rodded out and cleaned.
10 hydrants were broken by autos. In addition 5 faulty hydrants were replaced with new hydrants.
In conjunction with the widening and surfacing of Chestnut St. it was necessary to gate and relocate two (2) hydrants to new curb line of street. Also, in con- junction with the South St. road job 200 feet of 6" main was lowered to new grade, 3 hydrants were set back to new curb line and gated and 12 services were renewed from main to new side line of street.
METER DEPARTMENT
During the year the Department removed 134 meters; 58 were not registering, 3 were removed to be junked, 14 were frozen and burst, ten were removed for test and the balance for various other reasons. 25 meters were set as replacements and 239 new meter settings were made. 130 meters were reset into service.
MAIN BREAKS
Tangen St., Cor. of Oak-6" main (cracked pipe) ; Madison Ave .- 6" main, (broken by contractor) ; Web- ster St .- 6" main (cracked pipe) ; Scannell Road-6" main
141
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
(cracked pipe) ; Cochato Park-6" main (blown joint) ; Isabel Circle-6" main (blown joint) ; Tucker Terrace- 6" main (cracked pipe).
NEW CONSTRUCTION
High St .- 1000 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-2 gates; Patterson Ave .- 528 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-2 gates; Pine Ave .- 800 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 2 hydrants-3 gates; Garden St .- 300 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-1 gate; Ham- mond St .- 400 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-2 gates; Can- ton St .- 1060 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 2 hydrants-4 gates; Cochato Park-660 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 2 hydrants-3 gates; Boothby C rcle-700 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 2 hydrants-3 gates; Truelson Rd. 450 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-2 gates; Pauline St .- 232 ft. 6" C. I. pipe-1 gate; Access Rd. (Canton to Irving Rd.)-600 ft. 6" C. I. pipe-1 gate; Bartlett Rd .- 335 ft. 6" C. I. pipe-1 gate; Englewood Ave .- 500 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-2 gates; Barry Circle-350 ft. 11%" copper tubing; Beverly Circle-225 ft. 6" C. I. pipe-2 gates; Grove Lane-625 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-2 gates; Junior Terrace-500 ft. C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-3 gates; Vine St .- 500 ft. C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-2 gates; Althea Road-840 ft. C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-1 gate; Smith Road-800 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, 1 hydrant-1 gate.
On December 31, 1957 the system had: 55.17 miles of main from 14" to 4". 461 hydrants.
4667 services-active and inactive.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM J. ALMOND, Superintendent.
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Pumping Report of Joint Station follows :
Gallons Pumped
Daily Average
Fuel Oil Gallons
Fuel Oil Daily Average 692
Jan.
39,082,000
1,260,000
11,467
Feb.
36,190,000
1,292,500
17,887
639
March
38,478,000
1,241,000
20,087
638
April
41,494,000
1,383,000
20,414
680
May
49,434,000
1,623,700
22,926
739
June
55,113,000
1,837,100
24,314
784
July
54,832,000
1,768,700
24,998
806
Aug.
50,319,000
1,623,200
23,533
759
Sept.
49,888,000
1,622,900
23,247
775
Oct.
43,684,000
1,409,100
20,157
650
Nov.
37,693,000
1,256,400
19,326
644
Dec.
40,706,000
1,313,100
20,846
672
Total gallons supplied by well-51,427,300
Largest pumping day : June 15 2,796,000 gals.
Largest pumpng week: June 9-15 16,316,000 gals. Water pumped in 1956: 503,358,000 gals.
Water pumped in 1957:
At Station
536,892,000 gallons
At Well 51,427,300 gallons
Fuel oil on hand for year ending 1957 : No. 1 Tank-6,028 gallons
No. 2 Tank-5,704 gallons.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM S. SILSON, Chief Engineer.
143
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
Report of Collector of Taxes To the Citizens of the Town of Randolph:
I herewith respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1957.
Commitments for 1957 Taxes
Refunds
$1,633,030.67 28,793.07
$1,661,823.74
Collections
Abatements
$1,401,889.91 83,586.53
$1,485,476.44
Balance December 31, 1957
$ 176,347.30
Outstanding for Previous
Years
$ 87,646.16 1,198.07
$ 88,844.23
Collections
29,733.19
.
Abatements
2,613.97
$ 32,347.16
Balance December 31, 1957
$
56,497.07
Every effort is being made to clear up the previous years taxes at the present time.
EDWARD F. BERRY, Collector.
144
Refunds
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Tree and Moth Department
To: The Honorable Town Manager and Board of Select- men :
I hereby submit my report as Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent for the year of 1957.
Within the past year of 1957 we trust you have found that we have performed our duties conscientiously and to the best of our ability.
During the year, seventy (70) dead trees were re- moved and extensive pruning and surgery was done.
Spraying for Poison Ivy was done.
Tree Planting: The just demands and growing need for shade and ornamental tree planting has created a backlog for Petitions.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH J. HART, Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent
145
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
Report of The Trustees The Turner Free Library
HOURS OF SERVICE
Monday through Thursday- 2 p. m. to 8 p. m. Friday-2 p. m. to 6 p. m.
Saturday-9 a. m. to 1 p. m. (Closed on Sundays and all legal Holidays)
To the Citizens of Randolph:
In accordance with the provisions of Article III of the By-Laws for the Government of the Trustees of the Turner Library, this eighty-second annual report is sub- mitted to show the condition of the Trust-the Building, Library and Funds-for the calendar year 1957 and to call attention to such other matters concerning the Library as may be of general interest.
Although the Turner Library building has served the Town of Randolph for more than eighty years, the Trustees believe it to be in reasonably good codition throughout. All necessary repairs and replacements have been made during the past year; and the skillful services and splendid cooperation of the Library's part-time cus- todian, Mr. Paul Anderson, have done much to improve and maintain both the physical appearance and the proper operation of the library.
Under the inspiration and experienced direction of Librarian, Mrs. Lucia S. Faulkner. the Trustees feel that remarkable progress has been made during the past year toward an up-to-date library service for our Town. The most notable changes have been mentioned in the Librar- ian's annual letter to the Trustees which is appended as a part of this report. Too numerous to mention, however, were other administrative changes and special features
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
associated with rendering good library service. Among these are such items as the systematic mending of books, the loaning of magazines (back issues), the elimination of the highest bookshelves wherever possible (for the greater convenience and safety of the public and the library staff), the use of brighter lights, the special holiday decorations and book displays, the gradual addition of useful pieces of library furniture and equipment-some new, some used and some ingeniously created from dis- carded materials, but all clean, attractive and serviceable. All of these changes and special features and the many others that have taken place have contributed appreciably to the over-all success of the year's operation.
During the past year, Mrs. Faulkner has had several meetings with school principals, teachers and P.T.A. Groups. These meetings have presented excellent oppor- tunities to point out how the Turner Library and its staff may assist in class and group projects as well as meet the reading and reference needs of individual children. The splendid cooperation of the educators and parents brought an immediate response from the children. It is clear that these school contacts should be continued and extended during the year ahead.
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