USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1946 > Part 3
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
REPORT OF DENTAL HYGIENIST
School Visits
86
Classroom Talks.
206
Mouth Inspections 897
Cleanings
56
483
New Patients.
1022
36
ANNUAL REPORT
Other Activities
I. Assisted School Dentist in Dental Clinic-kept records of clinical work, made and renewed appointments, ordered supplies, etc.
II. Made annual dental inspections in Grades 1 through 3.
III. Arranged for a Puppet Show which was shown to all grammar grades ex- cept grades 5-8 in Richardson and St. Joseph's Schools. Approximately 2283 pupils enjoyed this educational program, which stressed the following 4 rules: Regular Dental Attention, Daily Brushing, Proper Diet, Chewing Exercise. Lower grade pupils drew pictures and wrote letters about the the show.
IV. Distributed toothbrushes to be sold in lower grades at cost (6c.).
DEATHS BY MONTHS
Stillbirths
Deaths
January
2
29
February
4
34
March
2
24
April
2
19
May
0
21
June
3
37
July
0
23
August
1
28
September
1
36
October
1
23
November
0
25
December
2
30
TOTALS
18
329
CAUSES OF DEATHS
Accident-auto, 6; Accident-drowning, 2; Accident-fall, 1; Accident- gun shot wounds, 1; Accident-poisoning, 2; Accident-crushed by R. R. train, 1; Acute Respiratory Infection, 2; Acute Yellow Atrophy, 1; Anaemia, 4; Apoplexy, 1; Appendicitis-acute, 1; Anencephalitic Monster, 1; Arteriosclerosis, 17; Ar- thritis, 1; Asthma, 2; Atelectasis, 3; Bright's Disease, 1; Cancer, 27; Cardiorenal Disease, 1; Cerebral Embolism, 1; Cerebral Hemorrhage, 38; Cerebral Throm- bosis, 3; Cirrhosis of Liver, 3; Collapse of Thoracic Vertebra, 1; Coronary Oc- clusion, 7; Coronary Spasm, 1; Coronary Thrombosis, 28; Diabetes, 1; Dia- phramic Hernia, 1; Encephalitis-Meningo, 1; Endocarditis, 3; Heart Disease, 59; Hepatic Insufficiency, 1; Hodgkins Disease, 1; Inanition, 1; Intestinal Obstruc- tion, 1; Leukemia, 1; Lymphoma, 2; Myocarditis-chronic, 12; Nephritis-acute, 2; Nephritis-chronic, 5; Peptic Ulcer, 1; Peritonitis, 2; Pulmonary Edema, 1; Pulmonary Embolism, 2; Pneumonia-Broncho, 7; Pneumonia-Hypostatic, 1; Pneumonia-Lobar, 4; Pneumonia-Terminal, 1; Post-Operative Shock, 1; Pre- maturity, 17; Renal Insufficiency, 1; Respiratory Failure, 4; Senility, 1; Suicide- by poisoning, 2; Suicide-by gun shot, 1; Suicide-by hanging, 2; Stillborn, 18; Toxemia of Pregnancy, 2; Tuberculosis-Pulmonary, 22; Uraemia, 8. TOTALS, 347.
DEATHS BY AGES
Under 1 year, 35; 1-2 years, 2; 2-3 years, 1; 5-10 years, 3; 15-20 years, 7; 20-30 years, 7; 30-40 years, 12; 40-50 years, 24; 50-60 years, 51; 60-70 years, 70; 70-80 years, 66; Over 80 years, 51. TOTALS, 175 males, 154 females.
37
ANNUAL REPORT
DEATHS UNDER ONE YEAR
Under 1 day, 21; 1-2 days, 3; 2-3 days, 2; 3 days-1 week, 5; 1-2 weeks, 2; 2-3 weeks, 1; 1-2 months, 1. TOTALS, 18 males, 17 females.
CAUSES OF THESE DEATHS
Anencephalitic Monster, 1; Atelectasis, 3; Cardiac Failure, 1; Cerebral Hemorrhage, 2; Diaphramic Hernia, 1; Pneumonia, 3; Prematurity, 17; Pul- monary Hemorrhage, 1; Respiratory Failure, 5; Toxemia of Pregnancy, 1. TOTALS, 35.
CASES OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES and
DEATHS FROM COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Chicken Pox, 179 cases, 0 deaths; Cat Bite, 1 case, 0 deaths; Encephalitis- meningo myelo, 1 case, 1 death; Dog Bite, 64 cases, 0 deaths; German Measles, 7 cases, 0 deaths; Malaria, 2 cases, 0 deaths; Measles, 420 cases, 0 deaths; Mumps, 2 cases, 0 deaths; Lobar Pneumonia, 2 cases, 0 deaths; Scarlet Fever, 27 cases' 0 deaths; Septic Sore Throat, 3 cases, 0 deaths; Pulmonary Tuberculosis, 13 cases, 5 deaths; Tuberculosis, Other Forms, 1 case, 0 deaths; Whooping Cough, 137 cases, 0 deaths. TOTAL CASES, 859; TOTAL DEATHS, 4.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Dr. F. L. Girouard Health Officer Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Doctor Girouard:
I herewith submit my twenty-fifth annual report as Inspector of Animals and my seventeenth annual report as Inspector of Slaughtering.
I have started to make a complete inspection of all meat cattle, sheep and swine within the limits of the city. This inspection is ordered by the Director of the Division of Livestock Disease Control, in accordance with Section 19, Chapter 129 of the General Laws. I expect to complete this inspection for 1946 by the last of January, 1947.
Respectfully submitted,
Frederick L. Briggs, D. V. M.
3%
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
Dr. Fernand L. Girouard
Health Officer
Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Doctor Girouard;
The following is a report of the plumbing inspection work performed by me during the year 1946.
There were 147 permits issued :
Number of water closets installed 253
Number of bath tubs installed 49
Number of urinals installed . 47
Number of wash bowls installed 148
Number of sinks installed 88
Number of shower baths installed
11
Number of sinks and trays installed
8
Number of slop hoppers installed 7
Number of wash trays installed .
5
Number of dentist chairs installed
2
Number of sewer connections.
8
Number of renewals of lead bends
19
Respectfully submitted,
James F. Forrest
39
ANNUAL REPORT
CHIEF FRED A. CLARK
40
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Fire Department
1946 Expenditures $138,679.55
1947 Budget 225,088.50
1946
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
To His Honor the Mayor and Municipal Council:
The Department has responded to the following alarms:
Alarms by boxes.
66
Assembly .
540 Total 608
Still alarms
Classification
Automobile
38
Automatic sprinkler.
11
Awning.
2
Bridge.
1
Broken water pipe
3
Brush
293
Building.
69
Chimney.
14
Dump, rubbish and fire menace.
46
Electrical appliance and wiring.
False.
12
Fence.
3
Flushing.
6
Gain entrance
1
Lumber
4
Motor.
2
No fire
25
Repair.
3
Rescue animal.
2
Rescue person.
4
Respirator
11
Rope in flag pole.
5
Syphon
1
Testing.
2
Ties. .
1
Transformer.
1
Underwriters test.
1
One pipe heater
1
Total 608
Out of City to North Attleboro, Seekonk and Rehoboth.
All hose laid 33,150 feet; Ladders raised 1980 feet; Water cans 880; Booster 271; Pyrene 22; Foam 1; Oxygen tanks 12.
6
15
Hay stack
25
Oil burner, range and furnace.
2
41
ANNUAL REPORT
Salary and Wages
1. Salary of Chief
$ 3,500.00
Salary of Deputy Chief, (3) at $2,700.00. 8,026 20
Salary of Captain, (12) at $2500.00. 28,185.40
Salary of Men (35) at $6.10 per day. 67,771.00
Salary of Men (32) at $5.50 per day, first six months 31,680.00
Salary of Men (32) at $5.75 per day, second 6 months.
28,152.00
Maintenance of Equipment
$ 2,500.00
Stations
3,500.00
Hose
1,450.00
Apparel,
Officer uniform
All other
25.00
$ 7,475.00
3. Light.
550.00
Phone.
575.00
Water
150.00
Fuel.
2 000.00
Office .
50 00
Incidentals.
150 00
Hydrants
4.
Pension Account
5.
Recommendations
We recommend that the brick walls of the South Attleboro station be pointed up. They are in very poor condition and the longer they go the more it will cost. $1,000.00
We recommend the purchase of one thousand feet of two and one- half inch hose. Price subject to change. 1,450.00
We recommend the purchase of six Scott Air-Pak masks and two extra cylinders.
1,149.00
We recommend the purchase of four C-O2 fifteen pound ex- tinguishers.
192.00
We recommend the purchase of two radio sets. One to be in- stalled at headquarters for two way communication with the desk man, as the present system is unsatisfactory. One to be installed on engine 3, saving many unnecessary miles.
2,000.00
The upstairs floors of the South Attleboro station are in such poor condition that we recommend they be convered with asphalt tile or linoleum.
500.00
We recommend that in the near future a cement floor replace the wood apparatus floor in the South Attleboro station as the present floor is worn and a fire hazard.
$167,314.60
2. Autos
Other Expenses
$ 3,475.00
We wish to bring to your attention the request of our Superintendent of Fire Alarm for six boxes a year, over a period of five years, to replace obsolete boxes. We feel that this recommendation should be brought to your attention and that further addition of boxes to the alarm system be withheld until the obsolete boxes are replaced. Many of these boxes have been in service since 1886.
42
ANNUAL REPORT
We firmly believe that the City should buy the Scott Air-pak mask which we have recommended. This mask furnishes fresh cool air from a tan : and is safe against all fumes and is practical under water. This mask proved to be the best mask used during the war and is now used in many departments.
On September 22, 1946, we had a fire where a tank of Chlorine gas exploded. This incident could have been much more serious, although 16 firemen and policemen had to have hospital care. Many kinds of acids and caustics are used in our City and we are liable to run into a bad situation any time. Our present masks are good for certain gases only and none of them are safe to use where there is a low content of oxygen which is the usual case in bad cellar fires. Our men should have the best and safest mask available for the citizens as well as themselves and the best is none too good when a life is in danger.
The following suggestion is worthy of your consideration and future action.
That the Union Street station be turned over to the Water Department division of the Public Works. That the South Main Street station be sold for business purposes. That the property bounded by Pleasant, Emory, Holman and Morey be acquired. The last three named streets be widened and a Central Fire Station and Fire Alarm Building be constructed to house all the Central Fire apparatus. This suggestion would add to the efficiency of the Department and reduce overhead expenses, also be an asset to our center both in appearance and traffic congestion.
Fire Loss
Value of Buildings at risk. $504,790.00
Value of Contents at risk
826,800.00
$1,331,590 00
Insurance on buildings 657,415.00
Insurance on Contents .
820,700.00
1,478,115.00
Loss on Buildings.
31,962.60
Loss on Contents.
22,867.67
54,830.27
Insurance paid on Buildings
31,502.60
Insurance paid on Contents.
21,442.27
52,945.27
Loss not covered by insurance
1,885.00
Appreciation
We wish at this time to thank His Honor the Mayor and Municipal Council, The Committee on Fire Department and the Police Department for their assist- ance. And to the Officers and Men for the able manner in which they per- formed their duties. Also the members of Box Nine for assisting us and direct - ing traffic at fires.
The Board of Fire Engineers believes it is for the best interests of the City to separate the Division of Fire Alarm from the control of our Board and the Board makes this recommendation.
The Fire Alarm system has grown very rapidly in the last ten years and the Superintendent as wire inspector is obliged to devote a lot of time to this Department with the result he cannot keep the Board fully informed as he did in past years.
Respectfully submitted, BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Chief Fred A. Clark Chairman W. E. Sweeney H. H. Sweet Chas. G. Thomae
43
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Dog Officer
$1,050.00
1946 Expenditures 1947 Budget 1,050 00
101 Dogs Boarded
101 Dogs Statutory
456 Investigations 74 Dead Dogs Removed
3,946 Miles Performing Duties
1,707 Dogs Licensed
Kennel License-One Fifty Dollar License
Kennel License-Three Twenty Dollar Licenses
Kennel License-Ten Ten Dollar Licenses
Antone J. Dias. Dog Officer.
Report of Plane Crash Group
To His Honor, the Mayor and Members of the Municipal Council:
The quasi-public activities of the Plane Crash Group, now housed in a building it constructed on a municipal lot and which it turned over to the city, suggest that it submit an annual report to the city it serves.
The well equipped ambulance which the Group operates is for general emergency use. Thus, it helped in the removal of 16 persons overcome at a local fire; it aided at the plane wreck at Hayward Field where the pilot hit a section of the grandstand and crashed; it was present at various football and baseball games and in one case there rendered prompt aid; it took the place of the city ambulance when the latter broke down at a time a patient in South Attleboro was waiting for hospital removal; it assisted at the Welcome Home Parade.
The speed of the responses which have been made and the fact that the Group has been trained in its work makes the ambulance available in any emer- gency.
Previously housed at the police station through the co-operation of Chief Marron, the outfit by means of a public subscription built a garage on the city property. On December 2nd it turned it over to the city for the exclusive use of the ambulance.
While Chief Clark assigned Box 13 on the fire alarm as the signal for the Group to assemble, the latest fire alarm list does not include it and we respectfully ask that it be placed on the list and given the proper publicity.
For the past two years the civilian defense funds took care of the license plate's, insurance and supplies for the ambulance but these funds are now ex- hausted and so I ask His Honor the Mayor and the Council for $100.00 appro- priation to care for these items.
Respectfully submitted, Archie W. Stentiford, Charles C. Cain, Jr. Chief of Operations
44
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Public Library
1946 Expenditures $30,184.46
1947 Budget. 31,748.50
February 10, 1947.
To- Hon. Francis J. O'Neil, Mayor of the City of Attleboro and City Council,
Gentlemen,
Enclosed herewith is a very comprehensive report of the Library work, with graphic charts describing the physical and financial operation.
Your trustees have been very seriously presented with the salary problem, affecting directly the operation of the' ibrary. The standards required for our needs have very materially increased, which have made it next to impossible to get trained workers on the funds with which we have to operate. Only thru the resourcefullness of our Librarian, Mrs. Cavander, has it been possible to keep on a somewhat even keel.
Despite all the difficulties, reading periods and story telling have been maintained. Research and consultations have been continued, but not to the degree which has been demanded by the public. All these services take a great deal of time and effort and are direct functions of your library.
You will note that the childrens' work has practically doubled; borrowers have increased and the desire for vocational and scientific reading have made like progress. This is all to the good for the community and we not only wish to maintain this level but to increase it for the sake of the material and educational progress of the community.
The city has been extremely fortunate in having such a fine and lov 1 library staff and your trustees wish to express their sincere appreciation to Mrs. Cavander, the librarian and her staff for the very efficient and gracious cooperation which they have given to us.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Trustees, Attleboro Public Library, Joseph L. Sweet Memorial. Ethel H. Barden, Secretary.
Attleboro Public Library Joseph L. Sweet Memorial" Attleboro, Mass.
Statement of Operations 1946
How many borrowers?
Adult 3672
Juvenile 2520
Main Library
0+<01<
ofcork
oflot
of cote
of
-<
Hebronville 9
Lincoln
of
Tiffany 옷
Washington £9
new "customers" {{{}}
<
옷= 100
How many books were Circulated ? 95, 153
59, 510 volumes in Library December 31, 1946
22,193
10.000
Adult
5.000
ZZA Juvenile
1.000
main Library
Hebron - ville
Lincoln Tiffany
washing - Ton
Hospital
High Santol
35, 268
20,000
What is the cost of Library Service ?
*
Total 29,401.76
Building Repairs $ 1970.77
Branches '60 7.50 Supplica 1 57835 maintenance 1399.3 2
Books and Bindery
5113.4:
Salaries Builti io Staff 1865.00
Salaries Library Staff
17,667.35
city Appropriation
.
Total $4,334.87
other Expenses 196861
Books 1209.63
Salaries 1156.63
Funds
48
ANNUAL REPORT
The year 1946 in libraries as in business, has been marked by serious short- ages in personnel, in materials, and by the grave difficulty of adjusting budgets to meet rising costs.
The schedules of work at the main library and at the branches have been subject to constant change caused chiefly by an unusual amount of illness during the year. There have also been three resignations.
Due to the prevailing rates of pay it was not possible to fill vacancies, except the position of Senior Assistant, with qualified workers; persons graduating from library schools were receiving beginning salaries far in excess of our maximum rates for the open positions. Consequently it was necessary to cover hours with part time workers, a situation which permits of but little continuity or planning of work and which is expensive in terms of training time as well as financially. We had, however, the very good fortune of being able to secure exceptional people who made real contributions to the work of the library by bringing new contacts and trained and alert minds. Some of these will continue to work on special assignments.
During the summer months particularly, these part time employees were largely responsible for selecting and preparing material for picture collections used in correlation with school work, for revision of special classes of books, for the inventory of the collections at the branches, and for the repair of several hundreds of books which shortage of help had held up for the past two years. The files of periodicals were also revised according to a basic plan.
A survey of the work of the past years show a changing emphasis from mere circulation of books to their more considered use. This is evident in all phases of the library's services.
Reports presented by the assistants in charge of branches show a definite trend toward greater use of the branches as sources of information. Whereas formerly branches served mainly as deposit stations for the circulation of recrea- tional and escape reading, an increasing use has been developing of books which correlate the school programs. The branch librarians have been alert to build up well-rounded collections to meet the needs of the locality (with the exception of desperately needed new fiction) and closer cooperation is being effected with the various schools in, or near which, the branches are located.
At Washington branch a special summer reading club was again held with the dual purpose of providing something to do for youngsters during the long vacation, and of introducing boys and girls and books more personally than can be done during the rush of school sessions.
Lincoln branch continues its story-book hour to fit into the school program.
Hebronville has regular class visits from grades 2-6, while Tiffany gives service not only to the school clientel but also to the community recreational room conducted by the Sisters of the Holy Ghost Cenacle.
That children really like to read is attested by the increasing number who flock to the main library as well as to the branches. Their chosen titles cover a wide range: fairy tales, animal stories, how-to-do, and how-it-works books, stories of far away lands and peoples, sports, music, and the perennial favorities about Indians, Pilgrims, and early days in the colonies.
In the past years one person could handle the work of the children's room with some special help 3 or 4 times a week. Now one person is needed to care for reference questions and parents and teachers requests alone, while on certain days four people are none too many to handle the circulation and shelving. Mornings must be devoted to book selection, cataloging and kindred tasks. Formerly the children's librarian has been available as morning desk alternate in the adult department.
Statistics are presented elsewhere but it is worthy of note that in 1927, children's books accounted for 26.4% of the total circulation, while in 1946, they represented 52.6% of the total number of books loaned.
In the use of the library by adults the past two decades have shown a decided change. Twenty years ago any library was pleased if the circulation of non fiction was 1-4 of the total number of books loaned. In 1946, non-fiction ac-
49
ANNUAL REPORT
counted for 40% of the adult circulation of the Attleboro Public Library. In 1927 it was 18.9%.
Beneath the percentage lie other factors. One assistant can readily charge one book a minute, or even 100 in an hour, perhaps, if there are no interruptions. But time and quantity rates collapse when reference and consultation work are considered.
Requests, sometimes simultaneous, are not at all unusua! for such varied material as research on the psychological aspects of Sin, 18th century novelists. their style and plots, pictures of different types of cotton gins, textile statistics on workers in women's and children's knit underwear, occupational requirements and opportunities in the wood-working trades, pictures of the current costumes worn by speed skaters (figure skaters won't do). Such questions and hundreds more or less complicated demand a thorough knowledge of the library collections- books, pamphlets, pictures and statistical documents. They require time, and yet the only demonstrable record may be a total of 3 pictures and 2 books cir- culated: all the other material was used at the library.
Therefore the increasing use of the library's resources during the past years brings not only satisfaction but problems; there are problems of books, their increased cost, their lack of durability requiring rebinding soon after purchase. likewise at an enormous increase in cost. And the problems of shelving-both special and in terms of some one to do it.
But the foremost problem is one of personnel. Intelligent service pre- supposes a well read, well trained and resourceful staff. This means not only at the central library but also at the branches and for the hospital service. And no person can be in two places at once.
The revised schedule of qualifications and duties, recently adopted, will serve as a basis for staff selection and promotion. But selection is impossible with out a salary budget which can offer a fair measure of compensation which will make hireing possible. Obviously the people of Attleboro want good service from their public library.
That costs money; not as a luxury, but as just plain bread and-margarine. A beginning has been made. Just getting by in wages or services is not enough.
The Attleboro Public Library must be Good
Respectfully submitted,
Lucile Palmer Cavender, Librarian.
50
ANNUAL REPORT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Edwin F. Leach, President Mrs. Winthrop Barden. Secretary Raymond F. Horton. Treasurer Mrs. Lewis Chilson
Mrs. Arthur Conro
Mrs. William Gregory Mrs. Charles Holden Frank Licher Dr. Frederick V. Murphy
THE STAFF
Lucile P. Cavender. Librarian
Janet H. Bandilli. Children's Librarian *Louise F. Chandler. Senior Assistant Helen M. Claflin, Senior Assistant *Barbara M. Gavin, Junior Assistant
Dorothy I. Hannaford, Assistant Librarian and Cataloger
Alice I. Kingman, Senior Assistant
. Marion B. Moore, Senior Assistant Phyllis E. Thomsen. Staff Secretary
SPECIAL PART-TIME ASSISTANTS AND PAGES As of December 1946
Shirley Bell Prudence Bergeron
Bertha C. Bigney
Cynthia Brown Jean Faulkner Madeline Governo Edna Guillette
Alice M. Hoyle Carol Moore Dorothy Robinson Ruth Sharkey
Roberta Smith
Jean Walker
JANITOR
*Resigned
John L. Barrett
51
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Planning Board
1946 Expenditures. $1,944.22
1947 Budget. 3,675.00
To His Honor the Mayor and the Honorable Municipal Council:
Gentlemen:
During the year 1946 the Planning Board held thirty-one meetings, twenty- seven hearings and many conferences which were attended by a part or full membership of the Board.
The twenty-seven hearings were divided as follows:
22-Hearings on the change in "Use" of lots, of which 14 of the petitions were approved and 8 were disapproved and so recommended to the Municipal Council.
2-Hearings on amending the Zoning laws
(1) Affecting yard regulations in all districts, and
(2) The providing for an "Airport Landing Field or Air Navigational Facilities";
3-Hearings on new plats of which two were approved and accepted. One pending until proof of ownership is established.
The change in "Use of lots and their location is as follows:
.52
AREAS CHANGED FROM "GENERAL RESIDENCE" TO "BUSINESS" USE
1946
Lot No. Lots 105-111 inel.
New Plat 61
New Plat 61
Southeast corner of Brook and Holman Streets
New Plat 28
Between Park and Emory Streets
New Plat 28
Between Emory and Holman Streets
Between Holman aud Falmonth Streets
New Plat 28
Loty 222 to 226 inel. Lots 332, 3234, 323, 326, 328 and 327
New Plat 28
New Plat 28
Northerly side of Falmouth Street Westerly side of Morey Street and southerly side of Emory Street Easterly side of Morey Street between Park and Falmouth Streets
Northeast corner Fisher Avenue and South Main Street
East side of South Main Street, northerly of Fisher Avenue
Westerly side of South Main Street
New Plat 58
Northerly side of Pleasant Street and easterly of Starkey Avenue, 300 feet deep
New Plat 58 Northerly side of Pleasant Street, 300 feet deep.
New Plat, 58 Easterly side of Starkey Avenue
New Plat 39 Westerly side of James Street at the corner of Pearl Street New Plat 42 Easterly side of James Street at the corner of Pearl Street
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.