USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1933 > Part 15
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The following tables, 1, 2, 3 and 4 are a summary of the work of the department for the year :
Table 1 RECEIPTS
Months
License
Applications
License Fees
Analytical
Cash Paid
Analysis on
Account
Total Income
$163.00
January
13
6.50
......
6.50
156.00
162.50
February
13
6.50
4.50
11.00
196.00
207.00
March
11
5.50
5.00
10.50
154.00
164.50
April
273.50
217.50
491.00
May
547
273.50
......
84.50
151.00
235.50
June
*29
16.50
1.50
18.00
203.50
221.50
July
17
8.50
4.00
12.50
167.00
179.50
August
+18
75.50
.....
75.50
171.25
246.75
September
17
8.50
2.00
10.50
219.00
229.50
November
£12
25.00
2.00
27.00
148.00
175.00
December
§4
11.50
......
11.50
147.00
158.50
871
$532.50
$19.50
$552.00 $2,082.25 $2,634.25
* Court Fees included.
1 7 Pasteurizing Licenses included.
į 2 Pasteurizing Licenses included.
§ 1 Pasteurizing License included.
For Department
Fees
$11.00
$152.00
$10.50
$ .50
City-Treasurer
..
...
October
169
84.50
266
ANNUAL REPORTS
Table 2 SAMPLES EXAMINED
Months
Chemical Samples
Collected
Bacteria Samples
Collected
Total
Collection
Lorenz
Tests
Samples
Submitted
Microscopical
Examinations
January
168
176
344
126
243
356
1,069
February
160
324
484
108
146
339
1,077
March
164
245
409
120
152
275
956
April
155
176
331
98
207
514
1,150
May
173
126
299
85
142
176
702
June
182
231
413
122
211
467
1,213
July
192
154
346
148
141
311
946
August
184
176
360
156
179
209
904
September
158
179
337
144
147
209
837
October
127
126
253
135
155
135
678
November
121
210
331
104
220
218
873
December
205
174
379
129
145
182
835
Total
1,989
2,297
4,286
1,475
2,088
3,391
11,240
Table 3 LEGAL NOTICES
Months
Chemical
Bacteriological
Lorenz
Temperature
Milk Plant and
Dairy Corrections
Total
January
1
18
1
0
33
53
February
0
20
0
0
27
47
March
0
21
0
0
15
36
April
0
33
0
4
17
54
May
2
28
0
6
15
51
June
3
41
1
90
16
151
July
1
42
1
14
15
73
August
0
48
0
37
12
97
September
0
21
0
0
11
32
October
0
19
0
0
12
31
November
2
45
0
0
26
73
December
0
16
0
0
12
28
Totals
9
352
3
151
211
726
.
Total
267
BOARD OF HEALTH
Table 4 INSPECTIONS
Months
Dairy Milk Stations
and R. R.
Milk and Ice
Cream Plants
Restaurants
and Stores
Total
January
12
94
93
199
February
14
130
29
173
March
13
140
20
173
April
14
88
42
144
May
11
94
19
124
June
11
209
101
321
July
72
329
24
425
August
44
149
7
200
September
9
70
18
97
October
15
100
16
131
November
8
124
63
195
December
10
102
12
124
Totals
233
1,629
444
2,306
During 1933 license fees and fees for analyses amounted to $2,634.25. There were in 1933, 11,240 laboratory examina- tions. Sediment and microscopical examinations were carried out as routine and the Reductase test applied as occasion de- manded.
Each month during the year pint or quart samples have been taken from each milk dealer and analyzed for food value (fats and solids) and cleanliness (bacterial count and sedi- ment) and microscopically for types of bacteria.
The higher the fats and solids the greater food value. The lower the bacterial count, greater care in production, better handling, or more efficient pasteurization is shown. By calling the office of the Milk Inspector, these figures will be cheer- fully quoted.
DAIRY AND CREAMERY INSPECTION
During the year, creameries and dairies located in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Northern New York and Massa- chusetts have been inspected and many corrections have been
268
ANNUAL REPORTS
requested, some imperfect equipment has been condemned, sev- eral dairies were excluded on account of unsanitary conditions and one creamery was closed.
GRADE A DAIRIES
The major part of this grade of milk is produced in Mass- achusetts but some is produced in Vermont and New Hamp- shire. The requirements for the production of Grade A Milk are much more strict than for the regular Market Milk. Cov- ered pails, cooling to below 50° F., milk houses and better equipment are required. This grade of milk must contain not less than 4% butter fat when delivered to the consumer.
CERTIFIED MILK
Certified milk can now be purchased either raw or pas- teurized and also with or without the Vitamin "D" Concen- tration. In this state the Vitamin "D" Concentration is pro- duced by the feeding of irradiated yeast to the herd.
CREAM FROM DISTANT POINTS
During the year there have been a few additional permits issued to creameries located at a distance from New England to ship cream for manufacturing purposes to this city, as New England is unable to supply sufficient cream for Massa- chusetts needs. These certificates are issued after the dealer has filed with this department a questionnaire properly filled out which assures this department that the plant is equipped and processes the cream according to Massachusetts standards. This questionnaire is accompanied by a voucher from the state or city department which supervises the sanitary conditions at the plant.
QUALITY
During 1933 the high quality of milk distributed to Somer- ville consumers has been maintained. There were eleven thou- sand two hundred and forty laboratory examinations of milk samples. Milk distributed at homes averaged 12.87% total solids and 4.11% butter fat. Milk distributed by stores aver- aged 12.59% total solids and 3.83% butter fat. Grade A Milk distributed in this city averaged 13.09% total solids and 4.35% butter fat.
269
BOARD OF HEALTH
The average bacterial count of all Market Milk was 30,000 and the average bacterial count of all Grade A Milk was 16,- 000. Counts were made by the Standard Plate Method of the American Public Health Association. These results are well within the legal requirements established by legislative act and Board of Health regulations.
Due to financial stress the consumption of fresh milk and cream has fallen a little below 1932.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That all operators of pasteurizing equipment be ex- amined, as to the purposes, legal requirements and methods of control of all types of pasteurized machines and if successful in obtaining a passing mark they should receive a certificate authorizing them to operate such machines. This examination could be conducted by the State College or Health Depart- ment.
2. - That plate counts, direct microscopical counts or Methylene Blue tests of the raw milk from each producer be made at the creamery or milk plant receiving same, at least once in two weeks.
3. That dealers manufacturing and pasteurizing ice cream mix be required to take out a license to maintain an establish- ment for the pasteurizing of milk products similar to the pas- teurizing licenses required of milk dealers.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT E. BOWMAN, Inspector of Milk and Vinegar
270
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
April 9, 1934.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :
Gentlemen :-
In compliance with the Revised Ordinances of the City of Somerville, I have the honor of submitting, for your inform- ation the Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1933.
ALARMS AND LOSSES
Number of Bell Alarms
548
Number of Still Alarms
530
Total number of alarms
1,078
Number of alarms during 1932
1,071
Increase in number of alarms in 1933
7
Value of Buildings at risk
$2,562,866.00
Insurance on Buildings at risk
2,812,345.00
Damage at Buildings
188,975.19
Value of Contents at risk
1,068,823.00
Insurance on Contents at risk
1,020,925.00
Damage to Contents
60,960.26
Total value at risk
$3,631,689.00
Total Damage
249,935.45
APPROXIMATE PER CAPITA LOSS 2.49
CLASSIFICATION OF CAUSES OF ALARMS
Automobile fires
111
Accident calls
8
Blow torch carelessness
2
Bon fires
55
Burning dump
36
Burning food
6
271
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Burning grass
21
Burning rubbish
47
Careless use of candle
6
Careless use of matches
9
Careless smoker
69
Careless use of cigarettes
21
Careless use of inflammable fluids
23
Children and matches
18
Clothes drying over stove
5
Chimney fires
48
Defective oil burners
40
Defective fire place
4 18
Electric flat iron
9
Escaping ammonia and dioxide gas
9
Escaping illuminating and coal gas
6
False alarms
43
Fireworks and firecrackers
7
Fumigating building
3
Filling tank with water
2
Hot ashes in wooden container
7
Inhalator calls
8 2
Locomotive sparks
1
Malicious mischief
36
Miscellaneous causes
28
Needless alarms
18
Mice and matches
3 21
Overhauling burnt building
1
Persons locked out of home
26 - 3
Short circuit of electric wires
30
Steam and smoke mistaken for fire
26
Sparks on shingle roofs
15
Towing automobiles with wrecker
33
Unknown causes
26
Spontaneous ignition
12
Washing fertilizer from street
1
Out of City calls
142
1,078
Defective sprinkler system
Lightning striking building
Overheated stoves and furnaces
Removing signs on building
-
SERVICE OF COMPANIES
COMPANIES
Engine 1
Engine 2
Engine 3
Engine 4
Engine 6
Engine 7
Engine 8
Ladder 1
Ladder 2
Ladder 3
Ladder 4
Bell Alarms
412
315
332
212
108
233
92
127
123
55
214
Still Alarms
50
161
102
29
117
49
59
97
133
54
55
Miles Traveled
627
765
701
432
291
465
242
292
425
207
500
Ft. 21/2 Hose used
19,550
38,600
32,400
19,550
10,250
16,100
9,350
0
0
0
0
Ft. 34" Hose used
25,250
40,750
41,250
12,400
14,650
9,750
11,000
2,600
0
0
0
0
240
1,701
0
1,590
0
0
0
0
0
Gals. Chemical used
0
0
270
0
90
20
0
4,643
5,326
1,565
3,468
Ft. Ladders used ..
0
5
13
0
7
12
10
2
10
15
3
10
Extinguishers used
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
20
15
7
..
0
0
4
0
9
0
12
2
5
8
U
Out of City Calls ..
7
31
6
0
20
23
11
0
14
13
0
ANNUAL REPORTS
272
...
Covers used
Covering Stations.
273
FIRE DEPARTMENT
In Memoriam
CHIEF ENGINEER JOSEPH A. CRIBBY (Retired)
Died at his home February 17, 1933.
Appointed October 1, 1892, as Callman.
Appointed February 12, 1896 as Permanent.
Appointed September 8, 1897, as Lieutenant.
Appointed September 1, 1899, as Captain.
Appointed August 1, 1921, as Deputy Chief.
Appointed January 10, 1930 as Chief of Department. Pensioned January 1, 1933.
A member of the Department for 41 years.
DENNIS J. COLLINS
Died at his home October 29, 1933. Appointed July 15, 1911 as Permanent. A member of the Department for 22 years.
274
ANNUAL REPORTS
MANUAL FORCE
The manual force consists of one hundred and fifty (150) permanent men. During the year one private died from causes contracted while in the performance of duty, three Lieutenants and four privates have been retired at their own requests and their names placed on the pension rolls.
The Roster of the Department is as follows:
1 Chief Engineer
1 Deputy Chief
2 District Chiefs
7 Captains
1 Master Mechanic
15 Lieutenants
123 Permanent men, 3rd Grade.
APPARATUS
The motor apparatus in the Department is as follows :
1-1300 gallon pumper and hose wagon
3-1000 gallon pumper and hose wagon
1- 900 gallon pumper and hose wagon
2- 750 gallon pumper and hose wagon 1- 500 gallon pumper and hose wagon Combination booster pump and hose wagon Combination chemical and hose wagon
1- 1- 2- 1-
4- 4- 1- Combination chemical and hose wagon (in reserve)
85 foot aerial ladder truck with booster tank
1 --
75 foot aerial ladder truck City Service tiller ladder trucks Combination Chemical and Ladder truck (in reserve) Searchlight and rescue wagon Wrecking truck
1-
Automobile, Buick, Chief Engineer's car
1- 1- Automobile, Ford, Deputy Chief's car
2- Automobile, Ford, District Chiefs' cars
HOSE
Two and one-half inch double jacketed rubber lined fire hose :
On hand January 1, 1933 13,300 feet Purchased during 1933 2,000 „
15,300
275
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Condemned for fire service, some of which was given to the Sanitary and Engineering De- partments
1,700
13,600
Total on hand on January 1, 1934
13,600
Three quarter inch chemical and booster hose:
On hand, January 1, 1933
3,350 feet 200 A
Purchased during 1933
3,550
Total on hand, January 1, 1934
3,550
"
FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTIONS
There were 14,043 original inspections of the different mercantile and manufacturing establishments, garages, apart- ment and tenement houses, theatres and cellars of some of the private dwellings throughout the city.
Of the 14,043 original inspections, there were 1450 cases re- ported for correction and written notices were issued and each case followed up until rectified. Conditions over which the Fire Department had no control were reported to either the Building Commissioner, Wire Commissioner, Board of Health, or the Gas Companies.
All installations for the storage of fuel oil in excess of ten gallons, as provided by Chapter 148 of the General Laws were inspected a fee was collected and a permit issued.
There were 4022 fuel oil inspections made and permits is- sued from January 1, 1933 to January 1, 1934.
Permits for the sale of fireworks at (80) different loca- tions were also granted after an inspection was made of the premises, for which a fee was collected.
A check up of all gasoline locations was made throughout the entire city upon a request from the City Clerk, in regard to increased capacity and renewal of license, there were (318) of the above named locations checked up and a report of the same made in full to the City Clerk's Office.
276
ANNUAL REPORTS
DRILL SCHOOL
A valuable Red Cross drill course in first aid, extending six weeks was given to practically all Officers and several priv- ates for which they received certificates. Almost every private and some Officers received instructions in drafting and pump- ing operations at the pond in Saxton C. Foss Park all summer. Twelve Officers and privates attended the Massachusetts State Vocational School for training Firemen at the Arlington Drill Tower and received diplomas for satisfactory completion of their course. There was some drilling in the evolutions of lad- ders and the handling of fire tools. However this type of in- struction would be greatly enhanced in value by the erection of a Drill Tower, which was recommended by the National Board of Fire Underwriters in 1916 and again in the report of its survey in early July of this year.
The cost of erecting a wooden drill tower would be less than $1,000.00. A more durable and fire resisting structure of brick could be built for the sum of $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 de- pendent upon how elaborate a building was desired. A large tract of city-owned land which is fairly central to every fire station is available adjacent to Engine Co. No. 8 on Somerville Ave. corner of Lowell Street.
The former entire personnel of the Fire Department of 159 men has by death and pension been depleted to 148 men. The National Board of Fire Underwriters in its survey of 1933 recommended a force of 168 men. The closely constructed wooden buildings make it imperative to keep the Fire Depart- ment sufficiently manned.
After several conferences and a physical survey of some districts in Somerville in conjunction with the New England Insurance Exchange Engineers it appears that a co-operative movement by property owners in the demolition of property that has become unrentable and unusable would probably re- sult in the removal of the penalty rates that were assessed in September 1932. The removal of these buildings would not only tend to lower insurance rates but would probably be re- flected in the decrease of rents and would improve sanitary conditions in some cases.
CONCLUSION
My sincere appreciation is hereby expressed to His Honor, the Mayor, the Public Safety Committee, the City Government
277
FIRE DEPARTMENT
as a whole and to the various other municipal departments.
The Officers and Members of the Department have my com- mendation and sincere thanks for the efficient and faithful manner in which they have performed their duties during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN C. MCNALLY, Chief Engineer.
278
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE CITY OF SOMERVILLE
. SCHOOL COMMITTEE ROOMS
December 18, 1933.
Ordered, that the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Schools be adopted as the Annual Report of the Board of School Committee, it being understood that such adoption does not commit the Board to the opinions or recommendations made therein ; that it be incorporated in the reports of the City Officers, and that six hundred copies be printed separately.
EVERETT W. IRELAND, Secretary of School Board.
279
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1933
FRANCIS J. FITZPATRICK Chairman
CRAWFORD K. SWEELEY .
. Vice-Chairman
Members
EX-OFFICIIS
JOHN J. MURPHY, Mayor . . 19 Gibbens Street GEORGE J. MORAN, President Board of Aldermen, 14 Lincoln Parkway
WARD ONE
FRANCIS J. FITZPATRICK ..
. 2 Austin Street
THOMAS E. HEGARTY 9 Mt. Vernon Street
WARD TWO
EDWARD T. BRADY . 68 Dimick Street 5 Magnus Avenue WILLIAM F. DEWIRE
WARD THREE
JOHN J. DONAHUE .
108 Summer Street
JOHN C. KELLEHER .
8 Bigelow Street
WARD FOUR
EDITH L. HURD
J. LUCILLE
MARQUESS
125 Central Street 34 Bradley Street
WARD FIVE
LOUIS B. CONNELLY
PERRY F. NANGLE .
84 Bartlett Street 29 Highland Road
WARD SIX
HERBERT CHOLERTON
EDWIN A. SHAW
94 College Avenue 63 College Avenue
WARD SEVEN
CRAWFORD K. SWEELEY
25 Curtis Street
ORVILLE S. WALDRON 135 Powder House Blvd.
Superintendent of Schools EVERETT W. IRELAND
Office: West Building, High School, Highland Avenue.
Residence: 137 Powder House Boulevard.
The Superintendent's Office will be open on school days from 8:00 to 5:00; Saturdays, 8:00 to 10:00. His office hour is 4 o'clock on school days, and 8:30 on Saturdays.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools WALTER P. SWEET 71 Hume Avenue, Medford.
280
ANNUAL REPORTS
Superintendent's Office Force
Mary A. Clark, 15 Pleasant Avenue Mildred A. Merrill, 26 Cambria Street Marion E. Marshall, 30 Gilman Street
S. Regina Truelson, 38 Rogers Avenue Alice I. Amidon, 27 Gorham Street Bernice A. Tuck, 17 Irving Street Cecilia A. Cleary, 59 Church Street.
Board Meetings
January 2 January 30 February 20 March 27
April 24 May 22
June 26 September 18
October 30
November 27 December 18
281
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS 1933
To the School Committee :
In accordance with your Rules and Regulations I submit the report which the Superintendent of Schools is required an- nually to prepare as the record of the stewardship of the School Committee and the achievement of the schools during the calen- dar year now closing. This is the sixty-second in the series of such reports and the sixth which I have prepared.
Included in this document are the usual statistical tables which set forth the comparative figures over a period of years concerning enrolment, membership and attendance, cost of in- struction and maintenance, and other matters of organization. These statistics constitute the report of the School Committee to the citizens.
The report of the Superintendent of Schools may take any one of several forms depending entirely each year upon the im- portant situations which have developed during the year which have a direct or indirect bearing upon the schools. These sit- uations may develop the need for consideration by the School Committee of problems social, physical, financial, or instruc- tional.
The reports of the past few years have been concerned with the physical, financial, and instructional phases of the school problem. On account of the particular, economic situa- tion now facing us, it is deemed advisable to discuss especial- ly at this time the social and financial problems of the schools only.
The purpose of education may be expressed in a variety of ways, but all of these expressions boil down to that of enabling the individual to progress successfully in life. Education attempts to fulfill its function in two ways; first, through the individual aim of making the individual a better personality
282
ANNUAL REPORTS
to himself, and second, through the social aim of making him a more serviceable personality to others.
During the prosperous times or in the days before life became highly complex and cooperative, those entrusted with the solution of the problems of public education placed the emphasis upon the individual aim in education. As Dewey phrases it, "Education was the key to individual success, to making one's way in life, to getting on and getting ahead."
During the past score of years so many significant events have been crowded into the world's history, that we have lived through an era of rapid changes. These transitions have been quite revolutionary in their nature. Such periods shatter to earth the structures of weak institutions, and reveal all the weaknesses and defects of the strongest. When the stability and validity of such ancient and vital institutions as the church and the home are attacked with doubts and criticisms it is only inevitable that the educational institutions should also become the target for doubts and criticisms.
Alert educators, however, became aware of the imminent crisis, and through scientific study and survey, faced the issue several years ago and evaluated the institution anew.
Throughout this transition period the character of mod- ern civilization has been becoming more and more compli- cated day by day. Science is placing the control of nature in the hands of man. Certainty about most things has replaced the idea of chance solutions. Had we been able to fathom the laws of human nature with the same progress that science has fathomed nature, our relationships with other people would not have become so complicated, but former harmonious work- ing arrangement with our environment broke down because we were not able to meet the requirements of the fast changing environment.
Hence during the past few years the emphasis has been shifted to the social side. "The School," again quoting Dewey, "is the community's agency for most effectively bringing the child to share in the inherited resources of the race, and to use his own powers for social ends."
In earlier times the task of the school was comparatively simple-to pass on traditions and to maintain the accepted order. The school supplemented life by adding the three R's
283
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
and telling the students what to think. That thinking was used only to understand ready-made solutions.
Today because of rapidly changing conditions, we are not aware of the problems which will confront our charges, nor are we prepared with ready-made solutions. Consequently there is a need for the development of a technique of thinking applicable to new and unsolved problems.
Education, then, is a life-long process of adjusting oneself- physically, emotionally, or mentally,-to an ever-changing en- vironment, either by changing the environment or by changing self to fit the environment. Schooling seeks to broaden the stu- dent's original intelligence to understanding, and attempts to develop the innate emotions into a well balanced personality with distinctly social attitudes.
The School Committee as I have often repeated is charged by statute with the establishment and maintenance of a public school system which will offer the best opportunity for the highest possible type of education to every child in the com- munity. In order to carry out this responsibility, the School Committee must face the future, strive to understand the youth of the generation, and provide educational opportunities for training and experience which will be as effective as possible in adjusting the youth of today to the life of today and which will be effective in preparing him for thinking so that he may solve intelligently the problems of tomorrow.
The responsibility is clearly defined and the success of the fulfillment depends upon the intelligent attention and sincerity of purpose given to the responsibility. That the na- tion was aware of this responsibility is attested by the calling of the White House Conference in 1930 by President Hoover.
This conference evolved "The Children's Charter" which recognized the rights of the child with reference to birth, home, love, security, protection of health, and welfare and education. Sections VIII through XIII set forth specifically the child's right with reference to education as follows :
VIII. For every child, a school which is safe from hazards, sanitary, properly equipped, lighted, and ventilated. For younger children, nursery schools and kindergartens to supplement home care.
284
ANNUAL REPORTS
IX. For every child a community which rec- ognizes and plans for his needs, protects him against physical dangers, moral hazards, and disease; pro- vides him with safe and wholesome places for play and recreation ; and makes provision for his cultural and social needs.
X. For every child an education which, through the discovery and development of his individual abil- ities, prepares him for life ; and through training and vocational guidance prepares him for a living which will yield him the maximum of satisfaction.
XI. For every child such teaching and training as will prepare him for successful parenthood, home- making, and the rights of citizenship; and, for pa- rents, supplementary training to fit them to deal wise- ly with the problems of parenthood.
XII. For every child education for safety and protection against accidents to which modern condi- tions subject him-those to which he is directly ex- posed and those which, through loss or maiming of his parents, affect him indirectly.
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