USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1917 > Part 5
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South Attleboro Station.
Hose No. 4, Combination Hose and Chemical, Knox Motor. Ladder No. 2, horse drawn (horses hired).
Hebronville Station, South Main Street, Hose No. 5. Federal Motor Truck, Combination Hose and Chemical.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Sibleyville, Hose No. 6. One hand reel and 800 feet of hose.
Briggs Corner, Hose No. 7 One hand reel and 800 feet of hose.
APPARATUS.
1 Horse drawn straight Hose Wagon.
4 Motor (gasoline) Combination Chemical and Hose.
2 Hose Reels.
2 Horse drawn Ladder Trucks.
1 Motor (tractor) Ladder Truck.
2 Supply Wagons.
1 Chief's Car.
1 Express Wagon for Fire Alarm System.
In Reserve. 1 two-horse Pung, 1 Chief's Buggy.
Horses.
There are five horses in the Department:
2 at South Main Street Station.
3 at Union Street Station.
Harnesses.
There are five sets of double and three single harnesses.
Hose.
South Main Street Station 3,850
Union Street Station. 3,300
South Attleboro Station. 1,450
Hebronville Station.
800
Sibleyville Station. 800
Briggs Corner Station
800
11,000 ft.
HYDRANTS.
At the beginning of the year there were 490 hydrants in service. Four hydrants have been added during the year, making a total of 494.
FIRE ALARM SERVICE.
The Gamewell Fire Alarm System is in use and in good condition. It consists of the following apparatus: Two steam whistles, one at the Pumping Station at South Attleboro, and one at the Electric Light Station, located at the Farmers; three bells, one on Union Street, one on Peck Street and one on Hose No. 4 House, South Attleboro. There is also one striker located in church tower in Hebronville. There are four indicators, located as follows: One at South Main Street House, one at Union Street House, one at Hebronville, and one at South Attleboro.
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ANNUAL REPORT
There are also 23 tappers, located as follows: One at Power Sta- tion at Briggs Corner, and 22 in residences of members of the Depart- ment and factories where employed. There are 82 Street Alarm Boxes owned by the City and two Private Boxes, one of which is owned by the Interstate Street Railway Co. and one by the Taunton and Paw- tucket Street Railway Co.
The Battery Room is up to date and complete in every way. It . contains one Storage Battery complete with a six-circuit switch board and repeater with all the necessary tools for keeping the system in working order. There is at present 71 miles of wire used throughout the Fire Alarm System.
IMPROVEMENTS.
During the year, one new Fire Alarm Box has been installed.
No. 122 at Robinson Avenue and Brown Street. 11/2 miles of wire extended.
The roof at South Main Street Station has been repaired.
A new steel ceiling put up at Union Street Station and new tires purchased for Combination A and South Attleboro Trucks. A new automobile purchased for the use of the Board of Engineers.
SALARIES.
Chief Engineer
$600 per year
Assistant Engineers.
200
Clerk of Engineers.
100
Call Captains in Center
140
66
Hosemen in Center.
125
Laddermen in Center
125
Call Captain, South Attleboro
100
Hosemen, South Attleboro
75
Laddermen, South Attleboro
75
66
Call Captain, Hebronville.
100
Hosemen, Hebronville.
75
Hosemen, Sibleyville
10
66
Hosemen, Briggs Corner
10
PERMANENT MEN.
Captains
$3.50 per day
Electrician
3.50
First year men.
2.50
66
66
Second year men.
2.75
66
Third year men.
3.00
Permanent man at Hebronville, $600 per year.
FIRE RECORD.
The fire December 12th which destroyed the Horton, Pierce and Sanford Blocks with their contents, and damaging the Bates Block, Monroe Block, Gifford Block, Sturdy Block, Brownell Block, Smith & Dexter and Jacobs Buildings, as well as several buildings on Union and Pine Streets, makes the fire loss for 1917 very heavy. The Depart- ment responded to one call to Norton, and one call to Adamsdale, dur- ing the year. The Department, including all Companies, have laid 14,000 feet of hose, raised 946 feet of ladders and used 897 gallons of chemical during the year.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Department has responded to the following alarms:
Alarms from boxes.
50
Assembly calls.
2
Still alarms 164
216
CLASSIFICATION OF ALARMS.
Building fires.
82
Brush and grass
113
Dump
6
Automobiles
9
Bill board
1
Fence
1
Wood box
1
Tree
1
Tar kettle
1
Drowning
1
False .
4
Car, N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R.
1
Flooding Park
1
Oil stove
1
223
FIRE LOSS.
Value of buildings at risk
$656,060.00
Value of contents at risk
464,795.29
$1,120,855.29
Insurance on buildings at risk.
$523,000.00
Insurance on contents at risk.
436,800.00
$959,800.00
Loss on buildings
$92,408.56
Loss on contents.
118,094.91
$210,503.47
Insurance paid on buildings and contents
$170,518.18
Loss not covered by insurance.
$40,085.29
.
FIRE PREVENTION.
Fire prevention means special care on the part of every one by preventing the accumulation of waste paper, rubbish or any inflam- mable material in the cellar or about the premises. Hot ashes should never be thrown into a wooden receptacle. Care should also be taken regarding stove cleaning cloths, oil dust cloths and mops. They should never be allowed in a closet where they may cause a fire by spon- taneous combustion.
We believe in regular inspection of buildings by the members of the Department, but as yet have been unable to do this without a shortage of men. The apparatus must be covered with men in readi- ness at all times. With the present number of permanent men, none can be spared to inspect buildings regularly.
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ANNUAL REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The Ladder Truck now in use at Union Street Station, has been in service almost 30 years. It is in bad repair, and will have to be re- placed before a great many years. We would recommend the pur- chase of an Aerial Ladder Truck. The floor in South Main Street Station can be repaired to last this year, but will probably have to be be replaced next year. We recommend $750 for hose; that the per- manent men be given an increase in pay; that three more men be added to permanent force.
We extend our thanks to his Honor, the Mayor, to the Honorable City Council, and to the Committee on Fire Department for the inter- est manifested in this Department, to the Police Department for their assistance, and to the officers and men of the Department for the man- ner in which they have performed their duties.
Respectfully submitted,
HIRAM R. PACKARD, Chief. FRED A. CLARK, 1st Ass't. CRAIG C. POPE, 2nd Ass't.
.
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ANNUAL REPORT
ESTIMATED EXPENSES 1918.
Permanent payroll
$20,451.56
Call men
5,395.00
Hydrants
14,820.00
Coal and wood.
1,200.00
Hay and grain ..
800.00
Electric lights and gas.
175.00
Maintenance of automobiles
800.00
Maintenance of Fire Alarm
400.00
Repairs on stations
500.00
Plumbing
300.00
Telephones
250.00
Laundry
100.00
Water service in stations.
150.00
Chemical supplies.
100.00
Blacksmithing
200.00
Matches, oil and soap.
100.00
Harness supplies and repairs.
50.00
Express, P. O. supplies, printing and clerical supplies.
50.00
Rubber coats
50.00
Horse hire
50.00
Auto licenses
20.00
Disinfectant
100.00
Fire Police
50.00
Bedding, Paint, hardware, sponges, brushes, toilet paper, insurance, etc.
300.00
$46,411.56
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Hose $750.00
Advance for Permanent Men as recommended by Engineers and City Council. 1,648.00
Three additional Permanent Men. 3,003.00
Combination Pumping and Hose as voted by City Council about
10,000.00
$61,812.56
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ANNUAL REPORT
Committee on Food Production and Conservation
To His Honor Mayor Sweet and the Municipal Council:
The Committee on Food Production and Conservation begs leave to submit the following report on the work of that committee on the garden and public market projects, believing it due your Body for the support and encouragement given the committee, and also believing it should and will be of interest to the public-at-large.
On the Home Garden project the following is the report of Mr. John Anderson, supervisor, who very ably carried that work through to a successful conclusion. Four hundred and seventy entries were made in the Home Garden contest and such number was visited in the first inspection. About 100 of these had dropped out by the time of the second inspection, partly because of stopping the work and partly be- cause of neglecting to attend to their gardens. On subsequent in- spections more were dropped out, so that on the fourth and last inspec- tions 28 gardens were remaining in competition for the prizes. It must be understood, however, that the number of gardens was not re- duced to this number, for about 400 gardens were continued through- out the season, producing a wonderful amount of vegetables, estimated by the supervisor as having been worth between $5,000 and $6,000.
The appropriation for this work was $300. Of this amount $265 was used, leaving a balance of $35. Prizes were given as follows:
On Vegetables.
8 First prizes: to each a blue ribbon and a trip to Ayer.
4 Second prizes: to each a red ribbon and $2.00 in cash.
5 Third prizes: to each a yellow ribbon and $1.00 in cash.
On Flowers.
0 First prizes.
3 Second prizes: to each a red ribbon and $1.00 in cash.
2 Third prizes: to each a red ribbon and 50c in cash.
To Adults.
1 First prize: a blue ribbon and $2.00 in cash.
1 Second prize: a red ribbon and $1.00 in cash.
The trip to Ayer was donated by the Attleboro Sun.
Your Committee covered another branch of its work by making small loans to farmers as their needs called for in the matter of seed and fertilizer. The sum of $200 appropriated for this purpose was used and is due to be returned to the City Treasury in January, 1918.
In the city of Quincy a Public or Community Market was started during last July. Your committee at once got busy, going to Quincy
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ANNUAL REPORT
in a body to inspect the Community Market. As a result it was the unanimous opinion to start a similar market in Attleboro. With the assistance of the Council, which appropriated $200 and gave its con- sent to use the Common for such purpose, such a market was started, the first Market Day being August 10. Because of the untiring efforts of the committee as a whole, of the superintendent, Mr. Joseph McEvoy, and the help of the city officials and teachers and clergy the market was carried through very successfully.
A condensed report of receipts and expenditures is as follows: Of the appropriation of $200.00 there was drawn $142.53. Additional receipts were $9.00, balance from last year's garden project; receipts from team and table space, loans of scales, and profits from sale of baskets $34.90. Total, $186.43. Expenditures were: Storage of scales, tables, etc., between market days, $25.50; labor, $42.00; advertising, $64.25; equipment, $43.80; incidental expenses, $10.88. Total, $186.43. Of the appropriation a balance of $57.47 remains. Add to this the equipment, at present stored in the basement of the White Church and valued at $43.80, and it will be seen that the total cost of the market to the city was $98.73.
The market was open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, making a total of 15 days, between August 10 and September 29. From the City table (for the handling of the produce of small gardeners) there was sold $658.59 of vegetables. It is estimated that from the farmers' teams $2,500 worth of produce was sold. This would make a total of $3,158.59 worth of produce having been sold through the market dur- ing the fifteen days, the average daily sales over the City table being $43.89, and from the teams being $166.33, total average daily sales being $210.22.
The average number of small gardeners bringing produce to the City table was ten. Four was the smallest number and seventeen the largest, for any one day. The average number of teams was nine. Five was the smallest number and eighteen the largest in any one day.
By all associated with the Community Market it was considered as having proven a wonderful success. Two especially desired ob- jects were attained: First, the producer and consumer were brought together, the response from both having been very gratifying; second, a large amount of vegetables raised were conserved for, as we firmly believe, had it not been for the opportunity given to the farmers and small gardeners to sell their produce, a very large percentage of the produce raised would have gone to waste.
Your Committee desires to submit for your favorable consideration the following recommendations :
1. These two projects should be continued next year;
2. A man should be secured whose duty will be to devote his en- tire time to agriculture and managing the public market, with an approximate salary of $1,000;
3. This man should be appointed as early in January as possible, so that he may begin to prepare for his work at once.
Respectfully submitted,
Committee on Food Production and Conservation,
SAMUEL SLOCOMB, Chairman.
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ANNUAL REPORT
FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council:
Gentlemen:
I have the pleasure to submit herewith my annual report as City Forester of the City of Attleboro.
Owing to the widening of Union Street and the straightening of Park Street near the new post office it became necessary to remove 18 trees.
On account of constructing a sidewalk on Newport Avenue it necessitated the removal of four large maple trees.
I also removed nine dead trees in various parts of the city.
As a result of the large amount of rain last season the trees have made magnificent growth.
I was fortunate in obtaining from the United States Department of Agriculture about 85,000 anastatus bifasciatus, a parasite that de- stroys the eggs of the gypsy moth. We have two parasites now that prey on the eggs, and one that devours the larva of the gypsy moth.
Although there is an increase in the gypsy moth the work of the parasite is encouraging.
The spray pump was kept busy all through the larva season.
I again appeal to the property owners for their co-operation in the control of the injurious insects, and more particularly the gypsy moth, by removing worthless trees from their orchards and cementing cavi- ties in the ones left standing.
I have been handicapped in my work by the lack of more rapid transportation and carrying tools and other material used in my work.
I would recommend that a light truck be purchased and that $2,400 be appropriated for use in the department.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. S. SMITH,
City Forester.
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ANNUAL REPORT
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
ORGANIZATION OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
1917.
Health Officer. RALPH P. KENT, M. D.
Milk Inspector. SOLOMON FINE (resigned). SAMUEL LIEBOFF (since September 15).
Inspectors of Plumbing. ARTHUR B. READ. JOSEPH M. SEAGRAVES.
Inspector of Slaughtering. HUGH GAW, D. V. S.
City Dentist. J. E. REYNOLDS, D. M. D.
Inspector of Cattle. HUGH GAW, D. V. S.
Clerk. MARY L. MILLER.
Burial Permits. STEPHEN H. FOLEY.
Examining Physician Tuberculosis Dispensary. RALPH P. KENT, M. D.
STATISTICS.
Population 18,480
Births
421
Still-Births 12
Deaths
Deaths under 1 year.
244 (Excluding Still-Births) 38 (Excluding Still-Births)
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ANNUAL REPORT
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
December 16, 1917.
To His Honor, Harold E. Sweet, Mayor of the City of Attleboro:
The Health Officer hereby submits for your consideration his third annual report of the different divisions of this department end- ing December 15, 1917.
The routine work of the department is still on the increase and so may it ever be-thus is growth indicated.
Our dairy inspection, and laboratory examination have been pro- ductive of many interesting facts and good results. The quality and cleanliness of our milk is very good-in fact better than ever before- showing a gradual but steady tendency for co-operation between the producer and this department.
Inspection of bakeries, ice cream plants, and restaurants shows that there is also in these places a steady improvement.
The Local Tuberculosis Dispensary in its third year has examined 24 patients: 5 tubercular, 7 non-tubercular, 12 suspects. This work is of great importance and I am still of the opinion that some open air schools should be established for the benefit of the numerous children whom I see at the clinic needing such treatment.
We have at the present time, to the best of our knowledge, 91 tu- bercular patients in the City, and 16 in the sanatoria.
We are now in the midst of a mild epidemic of varicella and rothelin which gains much headway owing to the fact that parents do not comply with the law, and it is not simply that they do not report the cases but that they allow the children to run about and spread the disease throughout the neighborhood.
Our department has on hand at the Lilly Company ample supply of culture tubes, Widals, sputum boxes and containers, anti-toxin, anti- typhoid vaccine, cerebro-spinal meningitis serum, and in fact all the supplies essential to the welfare of the community and the assistance of the physicians.
I wish to thank all the members of this department for their earnest efforts and hearty co-operation.
I also wish to thank the school physician for his co-operation.
It was with great regret that we received the resignation of our Milk Inspector, Solomon Fine. In acknowledgement of the excellent work done by him, in putting this department in good running order, and in the conscientious discharge of all his duties, we wish to thank him and wish him success in his endeavors at the University of Missouri.
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ANNUAL REPORT
It was also with regret that we received the resignation of Dr. E. M. Webb, City Dentist, he having enlisted and receiving a first lieutenant commission.
At this time we wish to express our appreciation for his conscien- tious performance of all of his duties.
It was with great gratification that we noted the pleasing addition of the swimming pool at Capron Park.
In closing, I wish to announce that owing to the splendid co-op- eration of the Board of Managers of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital, the Health Department will shortly start a much needed night clinic for venereal diseases, the hours to be defined later. At this clinic not only will free advice be given but as far as possible, through the aid of the State Health Department, free medicine will be given.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH P. KENT,
Health Officer.
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ANNUAL REPORT
DISEASES DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
Diseases declared by the State Department of Health to be dan- gerous to the public health, and so reportable by law. Householders and physicians must give immediate notice to the local Board of Health of all cases of:
Actinomycosis
Ophthalmia Neonatorium
Anterior Poliomyelitis
Supperative Conjunctivitis
(Infantile Paralysis)
Mumps
Antrax
Pellagra
Asiatic Cholera
Plague
Cerebro-spinal Meningitis
Rabies
Chicken Pox
Scarlet Fever
Diphtheria
Septic Sore Throat
Dog-bite
Smallpox
Dysentery
Trachoma
a. Amebic
Tetanus
b. Bacillary
Trichinosis
Glanders
Tuberculosis (all forms)
German Measles
Typhoid Fever
Hookworm Disease
Tphus
Leprosy
Whooping Cough
Malaria
Yellow Fever
Measles
Lobar Pneumonia
VITAL STATISTICS.
Births
Still-Births
Deaths'
421
12
244 (excluding Still-Births)
The following contagious diseases were reported to the Health Department from December 15, 1916, to December 15, 1917.
Anterior Poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis) .
1
Chicken Pox ...
107
Dog-bite (2 rabid dog)
7
Diphtheria
38
Measles
36
Mumps
29
Ophthalmia Neonatorium.
3
Scarlet Fever ..
40
Supperative Conjunctivitis.
1
Typhoid Fever.
4
Trachoma
1
Whooping Cough.
22
Cerebro-spinal Meningitis.
2
German Measles
21
Septic Sore Throat.
1
Lobar Pneumonia.
7
Tuberculosis (all forms)
31
The minimum period of quarantine or isolation for:
Cerebro-spinal Meningitis, 3 weeks after death or recovery of pa- tient.
Diphtheria, 15 days and thereafter until two successive negative cultures have been obtained.
Scarlet Fever, at least 30 days. Chicken Pox, 2 weeks. Mumps, 3 weeks. Whooping Cough, 7 weeks.
Infantile Paralysis, 3 to 6 weeks.
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ANNUAL REPORT
DEATHS BY AGES. (Still-Births Excluded). December 15, 1916, to December 15, 1917.
Deaths of persons under 1 year.
39
Male 19
20
Deaths of persons 1 to 2 years
10
6
4
Deaths of persons 2 to 3 years
2
1
1
Deaths of persons 3 to 4 years
2
2
0
Deaths of persons 4 to 5 years
2
0
2
Deaths of persons
5 to 10 years.
8
3
5
Deaths of persons 10 to 15 years.
2
2
0
Deaths of persons 15 to 20 years
5
3
2
Deaths of persons 20 to 30 years.
15
8
7
Deaths of persons 30 to 40 years
12
5
7
Deaths of persons 40 to 50 years
17
9
8
Deaths of persons 50 to 60 years.
30
9
21
Deaths of persons 60 to 70 years
44
24
20
Deaths of persons 70 to 80 years.
36
17
19
Deaths of persons over 80 years.
20
8
12
244
116
128
DEATHS BY MONTHS. (Still-Births Excluded).
Male
Female
December 15, 1916, to January 1, 1917.
10
6
4
January
24
15
9
February
24
7
17
March
22
8
14
April
15
8
7
May
26
17
9
June
10
6
4
July
18
5
13
August
19
9
10
September
16
6
10
October
32
17
15
November
10
2
8
December 15 (inclusive)
18
10
8
244
116
128
CAUSES OF DEATHS. (Still-Births Excluded).
December 15, 1916, to December 15, 1917.
Tuberculosis, pulmonary
17
Tuberculosis, other than pulmonary
5
Scarlet Fever
0
Diphtheria
1
Typhoid Fever
0
Measles
0
Whooping Cough
1
Diarrhoeal Disease
10
Female
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ANNUAL REPORT
Lobar Pneumonia
11
Broncho Pneumonia
8
Bronchitis
4
Diseases of the Heart ..
43
Diseases of the Brain and Spinal Cord.
9
Cancer
Diseases of the Kidneys.
12
Accidental Deaths
6
Arterio Sclerosis
1
Cerebral Hemorrhage
18
Cerebro Spinal Meningitis.
0
Pernicious Anemia
3
Septicemia
1
Peritonitis
0
Anterior Poliomyelitis
0
Premature
. ...
....
244
REPORT OF J. E. REYNOLDS, D. D. S., CITY DENTIST.
Watson Block, December 21, 1917.
Dr. R. P. Kent:
Following is the report from October 12 to December 18, 1917.
Number of patients.
40
Amalgam fillings
15
Copper cement
2
Treatment with arsenic.
4
Pulps removed with arsenic.
6
Extractions
3
Putrescent pulp treatments.
6
Ether cases
1
Prophylaxis
12
Total operations
49
Money collected
$4.00
Paid for mercury.
2.25
Paid for local anaesthetic.
.50
Paid for one ounce alloy.
1.50
$4.30
I would commend to you the aid given by the School Nurse, who looked after all the appointments in a very able manner.
Respectfully yours,
J. E. REYNOLDS, D. D. S.
10
Other causes
36
Diabetes Mellitus
5
Appendicitis
18
25
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ANNUAL REPORT
SUMMARY REPORT OF MILK AND DAIRY INSPECTION.
Attleboro, Sept. 15, 1917.
To Ralph P. Kent, Health Officer,
Dear Sir:
Because of the call of duty at another place, I must leave with you now, my final report as Milk Inspector for the City of Attleboro. I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to you, the other members of the Health Department, and the executives of this city, for the great help and encouragement you have given me in my efforts to carry out my duties.
In general, this department has progressed remarkably during the past year. Thanks to the foresight of the people of Attleboro and the co-operation of the executives of this city, a modern and well equipped bacteriological and chemical laboratory was established. A fair and thorough system of inspection and analysis was introduced, covering not only milk and dairy products, but also water and if nec- essary sewage analysis. Also, if it proves advisable, pathological and pathogenic bacterial examinations and cases can be studied and diag- nosed. Thus this department has an equipment and facilities for doing constructive preventative work which will safeguard the health of the community and demonstrate the high standard of this city. It is safe to state that even at present there are few cities of the size of Attleboro or even larger, which have an equipment and system com- parable to that of our Health Department.
In order to facilitate and standardize its work, this department has, temporarily at least, adopted a system of grading milk, similar to that used in some of the larger cities. Of course, modifications to suit local conditions had to be introduced. The purpose of such a system is twofold; first, to bring before the eyes of the public, the quality and standard of the milk they buy, judged not in some makeshift way, but on sound and practical scientific principles; secondly, to force the producer to improve the quality of his milk, by the never-failing method of public demand. In this connection several fairly well at- tended meetings for the farmers and the public were held, at which the whole milk question was discussed. At these meetings emphasis was laid on co-operation among the farmers as one of the means of improving the milk supply. Besides the meetings, a monthly review of the work done by this department, was published in the Attleboro Sun. In this review was indicated the grade of the milk found by in- spection, in the possession of the individual milk dealers in Attleboro.
In order to leave a definite record of the system employed, a brief. outline is given here.
METHOD OF ANALYSIS AND INSPECTION.
1. Sanitary.
a. The dairies are inspected from time to time and may or may not be scored.
b. The cleanliness of the delivery is looked into at time of other inspections.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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