Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1952, Part 5

Author: Attleboro (Mass.)
Publication date: 1952
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 148


USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1952 > Part 5


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.$13,350. 00


Sanatoria.


6,138. 11


Other Expenses


15,606.34


TOTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURES, 1952. . . $35,943. 09


RECEIPTS: -


Licenses and Permits were issued as follows for the year:


Milk Store. 96


Oleomargarine


57


Milk Dealer


47


Pasteurization 6


Funeral Directors.


7


Methyl Alcohol .


33


Cabins and Trailer Camps


10


Ice Cream Manufacture 2


Massage .


4


Rendering


5


Bottling .


2


Sale of Ice Cream .


96


Day Care Agency


8


Total Fees collected for these licenses $ 395. 00


Health Department Reimbursements, 1952


State Subsidy on patients at Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital and Rutland Training Center for cases having a settlement in Attleboro $2,664. 29


TOTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECIPTS, 1952. . $3,059. 29


60


Annual Report


ATTLEBORO'S VITAL STATISTICS BY MONTHS


Births


Stillbirths


Deaths


January


36


3


19


February


53


0


22


March


33


0


20


April


49


1


25


May


37


1


24


June


36


1


20


July


38


1


17


August


60


0


21


September


43


0


22


October


37


0


22


November


53


0


23


December


31


0


22


506


7


257


(274 Males,


(5 Males,


(140 Males,


232 Females)


2 Females)


117 Females)


CAUSES OF ATTLEBORO DEATHS


Accident, asphyxiation, 5; Accident, falls, 6; Accident, motor vehicle, 1; Acute Luetic Aortis, 1; Acute Myocardial Infarction, 7; Acute Nephritis, 1; Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, 30; Ascending Myelitis, 1; Aspiration Pneumonia, 2; Arteriosclerosis, general, 7; Atelectasis, 4; Brain Tumor, 1; Bronchial Asthma, 1; Broncho Pneumonia, 7; Cancer, 38; Cardiac Decompensation, 5; Cardio-renal Vascular Disease, 1; Cerebral Arteriosclerosis, 1; Cerebral Hemorrhage, 26; Cerebral Thrombosis, 14; Chronic Ulcerative Colitis, 1; Cirrhosis of Liver, 1; Coronary Heart Disease, 5; Coronary Occlusion, 10; Coronary Sclerosis, 1; Coronary Thrombosis, 22, Diabetes Mellitus, 1; Hyper- tensive Heart Disease, 9; Hypostatic Pneumonia, 2; Imperforate Anus, 1; Intestinal Obstruction, 1; Leukemia, 2; Lobar Pneumonia, 1; Malignant Hypertension, 1; Mitral Stenosis, 1; Murder, 1; Myocarditis, chronic, 8; Nephritis, chronic, 2; Paralytic Ileus, 1; Parkinson's Disease, 1; Perforated Duodenal Ulcer, 2; Pre- maturity, 4; Pulmonary Embolism, 1; Pulmonary Edema, 1; Pulmonary Tuber - culosis 3; Ruptured Aortic Aneurism, 1; Septicemia, 2; Stillborn, 7; Subcortical Hematoma, 1; Sucide, 1; Uraemia, 10. TOTALS, 264. Males, 145. Females, 119.


DEATHS BY AGES


Stillborn, 7; Under one year, 13; 2-5 years, 1, 5-10 years, 1; 10-20 years, 1; 20-30 years 2; 30-40 years, 4; 40-50 years, 13; 50-60 years, 38, 60-70 years, 64; 70-80 years, 61; over 80 years, 59. TOTALS, 145 Males, 119 Females.


DEATHS UNDER ONE YEAR


Under one day, 6, 1-2 days, 3; 2-3 days, 1; 1-2 weeks, 3; TOTALS, 13 Seven Males and Six Females.


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Annual Report


Deaths Under One Year (cont'd)


CAUSES OF THESE DEATHS


Aspiration Pneumonia, 2; Atelectasis, 4; Broncho Pneumonia, 1; Cerebral Hemorrhage, 1; Imperforate Anus, 1; Prematurity, 4.


CASES OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES and DEATHS FROM COMMUNICABLE DISEASES


Chicken Pox, 116 cases, 0 deaths; Cat Bite, 1 case, 0 deaths; Dog Bite, 57 cases, 0 deaths; Rabbit Bite, 1 case, 0 deaths; Encephalitis, 1 case, 0 deaths; German Measles, 28 cases, 0 deaths; Measles, 483 cases, 0 deaths; Mumps, 14 cases, 0 deaths; Poliomyelitis, 1 case, 0 deaths; Scarlet Fever, 5 cases, 0 deaths; Pulmonary Tuberculosis, 9 cases, 3 deaths; Undulant Fever, 1 case, 0 deaths; Whooping Cough, 41 cases, 0 deaths.


TOTAL CASES, 758. TOTAL DEATHS, 3


REPORT OF THE HEALTH NURSE


Dr. Fernand L. Girouard Health Officer


Attleboro, Mass.


Dear Doctor Girouard:


I herewith submit the annual statistical report of the activities of the Health Nurse for the year .952:


Number of visits to and in behalf of tuberculosis cases. . 237


11


٠١ 11


11 '1 " contacts of tuberculosis 59


11


11 11 11 11 -


11 suspicious tuberculosis cases 34 Number of visits to Bristol County Hospital with persons for x-ray and 71 admittance


Number of cases of tuberculosis reported in 1952 9


Number of deaths from tuberculosis reported in 1952 3


Number of visits to and in behalf of other infectious diseases 125


"


11 11


11


crippled children 11 immunization . 376


23


11


11


11 11 11 11 11


school children 220


Other visits - check on biologicals at Sturdy Hospital, inspection of boarding homes for children, inspection of day care agencies, premature baby program, dental clinic, social service, Health Department business, meetings attended and talks given 523


TOTAL OF ALL VISITS 1,668


62


11 = 11 =


Annual Report


Twenty-three persons received care and treatment at Bristol County Hospital last year. Three persons received care and treatment for tuberculosis at other hospitals, and one person received rehabilitation training at Rutland Training Center.


Of the babies born in 1951, almost 83% were found to have been inoculated against diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus during their first year, either by their private physicians or at the Health Department Clinics.


Respectfully submitted, Lois Wilmarth, R. N. Health Nurse


REPORT OF THE HEALTH AGENT


Dr. Fernand L. Girouard


Health Officer


Attleboro, Massachusetts


Dear Doctor Girouard:


I herewith submit my annual report as Milk Inspector and Health Agent for the year ending December 31, 1952:


During the year 1952 two milk pasteurizing plants stopped operations and transferred milk to another dealer for pasteurization. These dealers were Bauer and Narkiewicz.


Bliss Bros. Dairy opened their new dairy plant and ice cream stand in 1952.


Four milk dealers dropped their Attleboro licenses and three new ones were added.


Milk and cream consumption showed a slight drop from 1951 levels.


Number of dealers selling milk in Attleboro. 39


Estimated number of quarts of milk sold daily in Attleboro 10,970


11 11 11


' cream 385


Number of producers selling milk to dealers in Attleboro


287


Number of milk pasteurizing plants under inspection


28


Number of milk pasteurizing plant inspections . 275


Number of Milk Pasteurizing Plants in Attleboro. 6 Number of inspections of dairy farms . 23


Total number of pasteurized milk and cream samples collected 827


63


Annual Report


Tests made on these samples: Bacteria . 824


E. Coli Bacteria 824


Butterfat Tests . 826


Total Solids Tests 587


Phosphatase Tests 825


Sediment tests . 824


Micro Examinations 110


Regular reports were sent out on samples of milk and cream to the dealers concerned, and letters were sent to them on any sub-standard samples.


Samples of raw milk were taken from three producers and the following tests were made:


Bacteria (raw) . 18


Bacteria (Lab. Past. ) 20


Butterfat . 7


Total Solids


2


Microscopics 32


Efficiency surveys were made on six milk pasteurizing plants and the following tests were made: Bacteria Counts 12


E. Coli Counts


49


Microscopic Exams 6


Ice cream samples were taken from four dealers and the following tests were made:


Bacteria Counts 12


E. Coli Counts .i.


12


Butterfat Tests 12


Number of Bakeries in Attleboro 6


Number of Bakery Inspections


18


Sixty-four samples of public and private water supplies were taken or received and the following tests were made:


Bacteria Counts 61


E. Coli Determinations 61


pH Tests 63


Chlorine Residuals P. P. M. 22


Number of swimming pools under inspection 5


Number of swimming pool inspections . 47


Tests made on these: pH . 47


Bacteria Counts . 47


E. Coli Determinations . 47


Chlorine Residuals P. P. M. 47


64


Annual Report


Number of Eating and Drinking Establishments under inspection. . .69


Number of inspections of Eating and Drinking Places 223


Number of swab tests on eating and drinking utensils 473 Number of bacteria counts from swab tests . 468 Number of soft drink bottling plants . 2


Number of inspections of soft drink plants 2


Number of overnight cabins, trailers and recreation camps 8


Number of inspections of overnight cabins, trailers and recreation camps . . 8


City Dump inspected monthly for sanitary condition, also for efficiency of rat control program carried on by Pest Control Company.


Number of boarding and convalescent homes under inspection 4


Number of inspections of convalescent and boarding homes . 2 Number of talks before civic organizations on Health Department activities . 3


Attended hearings at State House on local health administration legislation and attended meetings on Civilian Defense at Fall River.


One factory was inspected for industrial health hazards.


A one-day symposium on small milk plant operation was conducted.


One hundred and 14 nuisance complaints were received and investigated, and three court cases resulted from nuisance complaints. Overflowing sewage systems, contaminated wells, water shutoffs, lack of heat, keeping of animals and fowl without a permit, improper rubbish and garbage disposal and miscel- laneous insanitary conditions comprised the complaints.


Forty -two samples of cream were taken from cream dispensers at 28 eating and drinking establishments and 42 butterfat tests were made on these. Those selling a mixture of milk and cream or just milk were ordered to dis- play a sign denoting to the public that cream was not served. Mass. Food & Drug required that this sign read "We serve a mixture of milk and cream in our coffee and on our cereals. "


A complete survey was made of our 65 Eating and Drinking Establish- ments, in company with Mr. Vincent Brimley, District Sanitary Officer. The overall percentage for these establishments was 86. 83%. Fifty-four places had from 0-3 items to be corrected; seven places had major items to be corrected and four places were very unsatisfactory and were given 30 days to correct de - fects. All complied.


Respectfully submitted,


Frank L. Cushman Agent & Milk Inspector.


65


Annual Report


REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC


Dr. Fernand L. Girouard Health Officer Attleboro, Mass.


Dear Doctor Girouard:


We herewith submit the annual report of the Dental Clinic for 1952:


Clinic Sessions


212


Number of Sittings 1080


Number of Fillings 1844


Number of Extractions


191


Number of Cleanings


166


Number of Sodium Fluoride Treatments 413


Number of Patients Completed


255


In September the Dentist inspected the mouths of all children in grades one through four. Of the 1754 inspected, 1154 were found with defective mouths. The Dental Hygienist also inspected the mouths of all fifth and sixth grade pupils. An increase in the number of children receiving dental care was noted.


The Dental Clinic is now caring for patients in the first four grades of school, and there are 333 accepted applicants for the school year 1952-1953. These children are given all necessary dental care, and sodium fluoride treat- ments are given all new patients.


The Dental Hygienist made 101 visits to elementary schools throughout the city this year and led 345 classroom discussions - emphasizing the need for regular dental care, methods of tooth brushing, good nutrition and basic dental anatomy.


Respectfully submitted,


W. E. Turner, D. D. S. Barbara Arnold, D. H.


REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING


Dr. F. L. Girouard Health Officer Attleboro, Mass.


Dear Dr. Girouard:


I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals and Inspector of Slaughtering for 1952.


66


Annual Report


Report of the Inspector of Animals and Inspector of Slaughtering - continued


Number of animals examined and quarantined to determine whether or not they had rabies


84


Number of premises inspected


74


Number of animals inspected at these premises:


Cows


534


Heifers


64


Calves


69


Bulls .


30


Steer


5


Swine .


291


Sheep


72


Goats.


9


Ponies


4


Horses


30


Number of interstate cattle shipment permits received and checked. . 19


This fall, vesicular exanthema, a disease entirely of swine and non- contagious to humans, was discovered in the surrounding towns. Fortunately, there were no cases in the city. It is a serious disease of swine and has affected much of the country, and necessitated federal control in order to prevent its spread. At the present time, Bristol County is under quarantine for the disease.


Respectfully submitted,


James C. DeWitt, D. V. M. Inspector of Animals Inspector of Slaughtering


REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING


Dr. Fernand L. Girouard, Health Officer Attleboro, Massachusetts


Dear Doctor Girouard:


During the year 1952, 777 plumbing inspections were made and of this amount 132 were made by Mr. Wilfred Perra, the Assistant Plumbing Inspector.


116 were for new houses 35 were for replacing old work


31 were for replacing sink traps


41 were for replacing lead work


67


Annual Report


Report of the Inspector of Plumbing-continued


27 were for connecting house to sewer


11 were for hooking up dishwashers


89 were for hooking up washingmachines


2 were for hooking up disposals


4 were for drinking fountain hook-ups


2 were for safety valves


6 were for health inspections


31 were for connecting range boilers


63 were for connecting tankless heaters


32 were for connecting gas water heaters


14 were for connecting electric water heaters


2 were for dental units


3 were for soda fountains


2 were for air conditioners


18 were for shower stalls


7 were for floor drains


4 were for grease traps


7 were for slop sinks


13 were for laundry trays


12 were for urinals


16 were for replacing soil pipe


4 were for miscellaneous


I recommend, as a saving to the City, that we do as various towns and cities surrounding us, make a charge of $2. 50 for the first fixture, and 50 cents for each additional fixture, to be paid at the time the applications are made out. This amount could be applied to all expenses incurred, and would alleviate the burden to the City.


Respectfully submitted,


Allan A. Gross Plumbing Inspector.


68


Annual Report


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS 1952


To His Honor the Mayor and the Municipal Council


Gentlemen:


We herewith submit our annual report for the year 1952.


TABLE OF AGGREGATES


Number of Persons assessed on Real and Personal Property 9,600


Number of Polls assessed 7,746


Number of houses assessed- 4,879


Number of acres of land assessed


15,000


Valuation of Taxable Real Estate.


$ 34,786,700


Valuation of Taxable Personal Property


$ 2, 870,810


TAXES LEVIED


Real Estate Tax -


$1,575, 837. 51


Personal Property Tax


130,047.69


Poll Tax


15,492. 00


Total $ 1,721, 377. 20


MOTOR EXCISE TAXES


Number of cars assessed


9,,332


Total Valuation


$ 3,936,730. 00


Total Tax Levied


169,430. 04


Average Value


422.00


Average Tax


18. 15


TOTAL VALUATIONS


Valuation of taxable Real Estate


$34, 786,700. 00


Valuation of taxable Personal Property-


2,870,810.00


Valuation of non-taxable Real Estate-


5,555,890.00


Valuation of non-taxable Personal Property -


2,279,515.00


Tax Title Deeds to City


68,525.00


Land of Low Value


445. 00


Total Valuation - Taxable and Non-taxable


$45, 561, 885. 00


1


69


Annual Report


Assessors' Report -continued


ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES


1952 Budget and Appropriations


1952 Amount to be raised for County and State


$ 2,532,355. 34 168,153. 16 654. 10


1952 Judgement on Taxes


1952 Overlay Account


20,123.08


Total amount to be raised


$ 2, 721, 285. 68


Less Estimated Receipts


999, 908. 48


Total amount to be raised on Polls, Real Estate and Personal Property $ 1,721,377. 20


Less Polls-


15,492. 00


Net amount to be raised on Real Estate and Personal


$ 1,705,885.20


Total Valuation $ 37, 657, 510 X $45. 30 (tax rate per thousand) will raise


$ 1,705,885. 20


Respectfully submitted,


Patrick J. Byrnes, Chairman


Christopher W. McNary


Carl A. Nelson


REPORT OF CUSTODIAN OF PROPERTY 1952


Honorable Cyril K. Brennan Mayor of the City of Attleboro


Dear Mr. Mayor:


Every day I receive inquiries for available lots owned by the City which could be used for building purposes. I have successfully arranged for the sale of many parcels, advantageously to the City, all with the consent of the Honorable Members of the Municipal Council and with the approval of the Mayor's Office.


These parcels have been non-tax producing for many years and by their sale the City receives not only the taxes on the land but also new revenue in the form of taxes on buildings built thereon


I still have many parcels of desirable land and many parcels are added each year. My office is open to the public at all times for inquiry re- garding same.


70


Annual Report


Report of Custodian of Property-continued


I wish to thank the Assessors' Office, the Finance Committee and the Treasurer's Office for their kind assistance in working closely with me in the performance of my duties.


During the year 1952, the following parcels were sold:


Lots 443-445 New Plat 5 Central Avenue


$100. 00


Lots 39 & 40 New Plat 18 Sullivan Street 80. 00


187-189 New Plat 6 Sycamore Street 225.00


45-50 New Plat 20 Colvin Street 300.00


45 Devonshire Park Dean Road 15.00 I


148-152, 184-186 Prescott Street New Plat 81


250. 00


1.53-154, 157-162 New Plat 81 Hamilton Street 200.00


7-8-47-48 New Plat 9 Cumberland Avenue 80.00


106 New Plat 33 13th Street 350.00


632 New Plat 44 Bushee Street


100.00


137-138 New Plat 4 Guild Avenue


250. 00


354-356, 376, 377 New Plat 19 Owne Street


125.00


Tiffany Street Lot 13 75.00


100.00


Evergreen Street 286-287 New Plat 36-


66 New Plat 62 County Street-


200.00


290-294 New Plat 16 Scott Street -


150.00


Margin Street lots 98-99 New Plat 65


20.00


1


1


I


1


1


Respectfully Submitted, Henry Rotenberg, Custodian of Property Acquired by the foreclosure of Tax Titles.


71


Annual Report


REPORT OF CITY SOLICITOR 1952


To the Mayor and Municipal Council:


Gentlemen:


This office rendered many decisions for the various departments and city officials in the year 1952. This aspect of work is very important And in most instances requires assiduous research which demands the expending of much time It would be a virtual impossibility for me to ascertain the number of conferences and opinons had and rendered last year.


The following cases are no pending in the Superior Court for Bristol County, most of which should be disposed of by trial or settlement in the en- suing year:


George Ireland v. City of Attleboro - land damage Eli St. Jean v. City of Attleboro - land damage Edward Kray v. City of Attleboro - land camage Abel Pimental v. City of Attleboro - land damage William Boyle v. City of Attleboro - land damage Quimert v. City of Attleboro - tort Vetter v. City of Attleboro - zoning


The Vetter case has been tried before a Master and the pleadings should be completed sometime in 1953. Regardless of the decision, it is com- templated that the matter will be finally adjudicated in the State Supreme Court. Zoning problems are increasing, both from the defense aspect and the prosecu- tion of violators as reported to this office. It may be easily deduced that this requires more time in the Courts for the City Solicitor.


Allow me to take the liberty of reiterating that the compensation for City Solicitor is far below that in other areas comparable to the City of Attleboro.


This office wishes to extend appreciation to all City officials and de- partments for their cooperation and courtesey extended to the City Solicitor during the year.


Respectfully yours,


Francis M. Flaherty City Solicitor


72


Annual Report


REPORT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY 1952


The Honorable Cyril K. Brennan, Mayor Members of the Municipal Council City of Attleboro Massachusetts


Gentlemen:


The Attleboro Housing Authority held sixteen regular and special meetings dur - ing the year in addition to many conferences with Contractor, Architect and members of the State Housing Board.


Chapter 200-1 Development


The construction work on this development was sufficiently advanced in January 1952 so that occupation by veterans families was completed. The average shelter rent established for these units was at $36. 75 plus utility services at cost and this average has been maintained throughout the year. No loss of rentals has been experienced.


There were numerous items, mostly on the outside of the buildings, that were not completed at the time of occupation. Progress has been somewhat slow on these items inasmuch as several of them are under discussion between the Authority, Contractor and State Housing Board. It is hoped that agreement on technical matters will be reached in the near future and that this development brought to final completion.


The cost of financing public housing has advanced very materially during the past two years. Because of the many delays which the Authority experienced in construction it has been deemed advisable not to enter into permanent financing as yet.


Chapter 372 Development


The operation of this development has now started on its fourth year. Of the Thirty- one original occupants twenty-six remain. Transfers to other localities made it necessary for five families to leave the development. Immediate occupancy was made by new families and no loss of rental has been experienced in this development during the three years of operation.


The condition of water in the basements of numerous of the units of the development which had been refered to in previous report s has been corrected and very little trouble from that source should be experienced in the future.


73


Annual Report


Report of the Housing Authority (Cont'd)


During the year many applications were received from eligible veterans. Owing to this the Authority brought to the attention of the Mayor and the City Council the fact that further developments were possible under Chapter 372, Chapter 200 and the Federal Housing Administration. If no ,aditional housing is considered necessary or desirable the Authorit ; would respectfully call attention to the fact that there are some forty lots on the Hillcrest Oaks Development which are currently vacant. These lots can be considered as completely develanec in that water, electricity, gas and telephone services are installed in the streets and are available to each of them. A substantial part of the original cost of the installation of the streets could therefore be realized from the sale of such lots.


The Authority wishes at this time to express its appreciation for the continued cooperation of the Mayor, members of the City Council, members of the Public Works Department and other city officials involved.


Respectfully submitted,


John E. Turner, Chairman


Leland B. Smith Leonard I. Lamb


Harold W. MacDonald Mrs. Francis J. O'Neil


74


Annual Report


REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1952


To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council:


Gentlemen:


The Departmental report for the year 1952 of work accomplished with pertinent data and construction is herewith submitted.


New plat development and single home building on a city wide basis required the installation of extensive water main line extensions and services. A particularly difficult job was the Mason St. extension which required con- siderable blasting of the rock encountered.


The fact that it is now necessary to hire an outside specialist for all dynamiting rather than have this done by Department men increases the cost of some extensions considerably.


The State law covering the use of explosives is very plain and also rigid so that under the present conditions it is not advisable for the Department to do this work since the man actually handling the explosives has no legal protection whatever and will be held directly responsible in case of injuries to persons and property.


Some sort of insurance coverage for a city employee to do the blast- ing would be less costly and would save time by his being immediately available when rock is encountered.


It is interesting to note the gross amount received from the sale of water and guarantees on main extensions for this is $167, 359. 16 and that 1. 85 miles of water main extension was placed.


In the late summer numerous complaints of water users and Health Department tests indicate that immediate action should be taken in an attempt to improve the quality of water being pumped from the Wading River Station. This Department believed that perhaps a part of theccon- dition was caused by the clay seal on top of the gravel packed wells having been broken by over pumping or by long disuse. Nearly one half of the filter bed area was excavated to depths of two to four feet by which a layer of iron bearing semi-impervious material was wasted and replaced with clean, somewhat coarse gravel. The hard strata was re- moved down to previous gravel. Around the wells the old material was removed and clean gravel refilled. Before refilling the top of each well and around each suction pipe and gate, a solid layer of specially purchased brick clay was carefully placed and tamped. The intent being of course, to seal the top of the well gravel and thereby prevent sur- face water from entering directly into the suction line. Subsequent tests of water in the station proved the value of this work.


75


Annual Report


All excess suction lines holding dead water was removed and the lines in use plugged beyond each well.


A new hydrant was set in the station yard on the City side of the force main check valve and by a dual line of fire hose from it all the suction lines and the station vacuum tank was completely washed out using City water at the normal system pressure. The work as outlined was very worth while as the daily routine water tests indicate a very high quality of supply.




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