USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1960 > Part 4
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But to repeat Soren Kierkegaard's philosophy: "While life can only be under- stood backwards, it must be lived forwards".
And I foresee that the great changes made since nineteen forty-five (1945) pale beside those just ahead. Miracle drugs, tranquilizers, heart surgery, pain- less dental drills, hormones, Salk vaccine, cortisone, mump vaccine, whooping cough vaccine, organ transplants, plastia artery substitutes, cobalt bombs, -- the list of medical achievements since nineteen forty-five (1945) is practically endless. The fact is that eighty (80) percent of the prescriptions written this year could not have been written ten years ago. In ten years, health insurance coverage was extended from sixty-six million (66, 000, 000) to one hundred twenty- eight million (128, 000, 000) people. And yet we have merely scratched the sur- face with our advances in proportion to that which is still to come.
42.
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Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
Highlighting the remainder of the communicable disease picture for 1960 were reports of 698 cases of the common childhood diseases, indicating an increase of 169 cases over last year's total. Mumps, which accounted for 203 cases, and measles, 132 cases, showed sharp increases, while a decline was noted in German measles cases, which were prevalent last year. Eight cases of scarlet fever represented a sharp drop of 40 cases from the previous year. Seven new cases of pulmonary tuber- culosis equalled the total reported for 1959.
Our Health Agent was busy on many fronts during the year. The continued expan- sion of housing in unsewered areas of our city required the Agent to give more detailed consideration to proposed plat layouts and sewage installations where soil conditions are not optimum. Other sanitation activities carried on by the Agent included periodic field and laboratory examination of our city's milk and water supplies, inspection of all food and drink handling establishments, over-night cabins and trailer camps, markets, convalescent homes and homes for the aged, bakeries, ice cream and soft drink manu- facturing plants, and other establishments affecting the health of the citizens. The quality of our milk and cream supply was found to be generally high, and our city's water supply continues to be of excellent quality. A willingness on the part of food handlers to comply with the sanitary standards prescribed by our health code has been noted, and wherever health nuisances were found to exist, they were in most cases promptly abated.
In addition, three new programs were initiated by the Agent in cooperation with other agencies. These included laboratory antibiotic analysis of dairy products, raw milk flavor scoring and fullness and weight testing of food products.
Our Health Nurse has kept close watch on all communicable disease cases report- ed to the department, and when the need was indicated she made home visits to arrange for care and hospitalization and to give instruction regarding isolation and quarantine regulations to be observed. Careful and constant supervision and follow-up of all tuberculosis cases and contacts were an important part of her public health activities. Also, she provided nursing follow-up for the health programs at St. John and St. Jo- seph parochial schools, where all youngsters were weighed and measured and given the Massachusetts Audiometer Test.
In compliance with state regulations, the department licensed seven Day Care Agencies in the city after inspection and follow-up visits by the Health Nurse.
Biologic and culture outfits obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health were distributed to local physicians. These are available at Sturdy Hospital, where our Health Nurse keeps a close check on supply and demand.
Our Dental Clinic, in addition to routine service of the annual survey and classi- fication of teeth of 3380 public and parochial school children of the first six grades, looked after the dental health of the children of these grades whose parents were un- able to provide private dental care for them. Of a total of 2262 referrals of children requiring early dental care, 641 applied for treatment at the clinic for the 1960-1961 school year. With the clinic operating on a daily, morning schedule, the problem of handling such a heavy case load must be given serious consideration.
45.
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The Tufts University School of Dental Medicine completed its two-year project in dental health among the city's school children. Purpose of the project was to de- termine the effectiveness of a tooth brushing program in preventing dental decay.
Our Plumbing Inspector and his associate have conducted their inspections in a manner satisfactory to all. The total inspections, 872, were lower by 23 than those of 1959.
The report of the Animal Inspector shows he had another busy year. Dog Bite Cases investigated by him totaled 100, 15 over last year's figure, and 1280 animals were inspected by him at 47 premises.
The work of caring for the City Dump is being satisfactorily carried on by Mr. Albert Dumont, who holds a contract extending to October, 1962. Our rat control program at the dump keeps the rat nuisance problem there at a minimum.
The garbage collection service provided by Correia Bros. continued good during the past year, with a minimum of complaints recorded.
The Department expresses its sincere appreciation of the cooperation and assis- tance given by the City Government as well as by the public and private welfare agen- cies and all others who have in any way contributed to the maintenance and promotion of a high standard of public health protection in Attleboro.
A detailed account of the activities of the department staff and usual tables of statistical data will be found in the following reports.
Respectfully submitted,
Fernand L. Girouard, M. D. Health Officer
46.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURES AND RECEIPTS -
Expenditures: -
Salaries. .
. . $17, 825. 00
Sanatoria. C ....... 0
4,108. 31
Other Expenses. . . . · · · · · · · @ 0
11,623.57
Garbage Collection ..
20.990.00
54, 546. 88
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
RECEIPTS: -
Licenses and Permits were issued as follows for the year:
Milk Store. . . . . o
91
Oleomargarine. . 00 ..
. ... ....
43
Milk Dealer. .
0
O
o .. 000
39
Pasteurization. . . . . . . .. . ...
1
Funeral Directors.
6
Methyl Alcohol. . O
0 00000 .000]
Cabins and Trailer Camps. . .
6
Ice Cream Manufacturers. . . . 0 0
2
Massage.
2
Bottling. .
0 0
0 . . o
1
Sale of Ice Cream. . ... o . 0
.91
Day Care Agency. . 0
o 0 5
Total Fees Collected for these licenses. . o o
$302.00
Dental Clinic Fees. . .
318. 25
Polio Clinic Fees. .
194.00
Health Department Reimbursements, 1960:
State subsidy for seven Attleboro settled cases at Bristol County Hospital. .
680. 01 1
State reimbursement for four unsettled cases hospitalized
at Bristol County Hospital. . . . ....
637.50
TOTAL RECEIPTS $2,131. 76
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Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
ATTLEBORO VITAL STATISTICS BY MONTHS
BIRTHS
DEATHS
January
54
22
February
53
24
March
66
32
April
35
30
May
49
22
June
50
18
July
42
27
August
57
13
September
47
17
October
52
30
November
35
27
December
45
20
585
282
(318 Males
148 Males,
267 Females)
134 Females)
CAUSES OF ATTLEBORO DEATHS
Accident, asphyxia, 1; Accident, auto, 5; Accident, electrocution, 1; Accident, fall on stairs, 1; Accident, monoxide poisoning, 2; Accident, struck by train, 1; Acute Alcoholism, 1; Acute Leukemia, 1; Acute Pancreatitis, 2; Acute Ventricular Failure, 2; Arteriosclerosis, 9; Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, 26; Atelectasis, 1; Bronchial Pneumonia, 9; Cancer, 49; Cardiac Arrest, 2; Cardiac Decompensation, 4; Cardiovascular Renal Disease, 1; Cerebral Hemorrhage, 16; Cerebral Thrombosis, 12; chronic Bronchitis, 1; Cirrhosis of Liver, 3; Congestive Heart Failure, 1; Coro- nary Heart Disease, 4; Coronary Occlusion, 7; Coronary Thrombosis, 46; Diabetes Mellitus,& Duodenal Ulcer, 3; Edema of Brain, 1; Gastric Ulcer, 1; Hypertensive Heart Disease, 3; Hypostatic Pneumonia, 2; Interstitial Pneumonia, 1; Lobar Pneu- monia, 1; Lymphatic Leukemia, 1; Myocardial Infarction, 15; Meningioma, 1; Par- kinson's Disease, 2; Peritonitis, 1; Poliomyelitis, bulbar, 1; Prematurity, 6; Pul- monary Edema, 1; Pulmonary Thrombosis, 1; Rheumatic Heart Disease, 1; Ruptured Aneurysm, 1; Ruptured Appendix, 1; Schleroderma Heart Disease, 1; Septicaemia, 1; Stillborn, 9; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, 2; Suicide, 1; Uraemia, 8. TOTALS, 282 Males, 148; Females, 134.
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Report of the Health Department continued-
DEATHS BY AGES
Stillborn, 9; Under one year, 15; one-5 years, 1; 5-10 years, 2, 10-20 years, 2; 20-30 years, 2; 30-40 years, 3; 40-50 years, 15; 50-6 0 years, 21; 60-70 years, 52; 70-80 years, 77; over 80 years, 83. TOTALS, 148 Males, 134 Females.
DEATHS UNDER ONE YEAR
Under one day, 7; 2 days, 3; 2 months, 1; 3 months, 1; 4 months, 1, 5 months, 1; 11 months, 1. Total, 15. Eight males, and seven females.
CAUSES OF THESE DEATHS
Atelectasis, 1; Asphyxia, 1; Bronchial Pneumonia, 4; Cerebral Hemorrhage, 1; Interstitial Pneumonia, 1; Prematurity, 6; Septicaemia, 1. Totals, 15. Eight males and seven females.
CASES OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES and DEATHS FROM COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Cat Bite, 1 case, 0 death; Chicken Pox, 193 cases, 0 deaths; Dog Bite, 97 cases, 0 deaths; Encephalitis, 1 case, 0 death; Enteral Pathogenic E Coli, 1 case, 0 death; German Measles, 46 cases, 0 deaths; Hepatitis, infectious, 1 case, 0 death; Measles, 132 cases, 0 deaths; Influenza Meningitis, 1 case, 0 death, Menin- gococcal Meningitis, 1 case, 0 death; Viral Meningitis, 2 cases, 0 deaths; Mumps, 203 cases, 0 deaths; Poliomyelitis, bulbar, 1 case, 1 death; Raccoon Bite, 1 case, 0 death; Rat Bite, 1 case, 0 death; Salmonellosis, 1 case, 0 death; Scarlet Fever, 8 cases, 0 deaths; Tuberculosis, pulmonary, 6 cases, 0 deaths; Whooping Cough, 1 case, 0 death.
TOTAL CASES, 698. TOTAL DEATHS, One.
REPORT OF THE HEALTH AGENT
Fernand L. Girouard, M. D. Health Officer Health Department Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Doctor Girouard:
Herewith submitted is the annual report of the Milk Inspector and Agent for the department for the year ending December 31, 1960.
During the year 1960, one new milk dealer was granted a permit to sell dairy products in Attleboro, and four dealers went out of business. Forty-three dealers now serve Attleboro.
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Several new programs were initiated during the year by the Milk Inspector and Agent in cooperation with other agencies. They included laboratory antibiotic analysis of dairy products, raw milk flavor scoring and fullness and weight testing of food products.
The antibiotic testing of dairy products came about because of the cranberry incident. If antibiotics find their way into dairy products, consumers will build up immunity to them. This immunity will lessen the effectiveness of medically-applied antibiotic drugs. This is considered adulteration of a food product. During the year considerable attention was given to this problem by industry and other health officials. Consequently, it is now felt that much improvement has been made, and antibiotic adul- teration of milk has, for the time being at least, been removed as a public health threat.
Milk and fluid dairy products, as a whole, continue to improve in quality, while cream and ice cream products remain only fair. Much work remains to be done by industry to improve their freshness.
The trend toward multiple packaging and wholesale distribution of milk continues, with over 75% of the fluid milk consumed in the Attleboro area being distributed through wholesale outlets. However, the per capita has remained the same. The raw milk flavor scoring program was initiated with the cooperation of the Department of Agri- culture in an effort to improve the flavor of manufactured milk and dairy products sold in the area. Monthly ratings of producers' and dealers' milk are being made.
The department personnel worked together on several projects during the year, including the plastic bag (suffocation) problem in stores and cleaning establishments, food handlers' workshop and polio immunization clinics.
One hundred and forty-three nuisance complaints were received and investigated. These included complaints concerning pigeons, oil fumes, insanitary rubbish and gar- bage disposal, animals, overflowing cesspool and septic tanks, insanitary keeping of fowl, water pollution, air pollution, insect infestation, faulty plumbing, substan- dard housing and many rat nuisance complaints.
It should be noted that as of November 1, 1960 the Sanitary Code was passed by the Massachusetts Legislature. These regulations supersede any local regulations which might conflict in any way and are to be enforced by the local Health Depart- ments. The Code requires enforcement and does not need approval by city govern- ments. Article II of the code deals with "Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation" (kitchen facilities, bathroom facilities, water supply, hot water facili- ties, heating facilities, lighting and electrical facilities, ventilation installment and maintenance of facilities, space and use, exits, installation and maintenance of struc- tural elements, insects and rodents, garbage and rubbish storage and disposal, sew- age disposal, temporary housing, placarding of condemned dwellings, removal of occupants, demolition, cleaning or repairing ordered by the Board of Health). Article III deals with "Housing and Sanitation Standards for Farm Labor Camps". Also, the Code includes a section on atmospheric pollution and gives the local Health Depart- ment the right to prevent air pollution which might (a) cause a nuisance, (b) be in - jurious, (c) unreasonably interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property-
50.
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or the conduct of business.
These new tools were sorely needed by the local Department of Health and should enable more definitive action on certain nuisance problems.
The revised rules and regulations of our department dealing with private sewage systems has resulted in a big improvement in these systems and has! greatly reduced the nuisances connected thereto.
A need for a full-time employee working in cooperation with the Public Works Department as an inspector of connections to city drains and sewers, private sewage installations, plumbing and gas piping has come to the fore, with many problems needing attention.
Statistical Review
Number of milk pasteurization plants under inspection .
19
Number of inspections of pasteurizing plants in 1960 . 0 0 o e
9
C
27
Number of pasteurization plants in Attleboro .
Number of milk, cream and ice cream samples collected from dealers 0 2
and plants . 0
0 0 512
Number of product violations O
O 91
Total number of laboratory tests made on the 512 samples. . . . O 0
2842
Number of inspections of the eight bakeries. 0 . .. 23
Number of samples of public and private water supplies analyzed . . . 0 0 0 0 0
423
Number of laboratory tests made on these water samples
o 2640
Number of private wells condemned as not being a safe water supply . . . . 7
Number of public swimming pools under inspection 0
6
Number of inspections of the six pools . ..... 14
Number of tests made on swimming pool water ........ 140
Number of eating and drinking establishments under inspection ..... 73
Number of inspections of eating and drinking establishments. 209
Number of swab-bacteria counts made of eating and drinking utensils. . . .. 434
Number of violations of bacteria exceeding standards for eating and drinking utensils
131
Number of Boarding or Convalescent Homes under inspection .
6
Number of inspections of these Boarding or Convalescent Homes ..... 7
Number of new private sewage applications . . A
141
Number of inspections of new sewage installations 107
Number of new plats inspected and approved for drainage, water supply and sewage disposal. 3
Respectfully submitted,
John R. Harvey, R. S. Health Agent
51.
.
@
0 O 0
®
O
8
Number of bakeries under inspection. one ... 0 .0 0
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Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued
REPORT OF THE HEALTH NURSE
Doctor Fernand L. Girouard Health Officer
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Doctor Girouard:
I herewith submit the annual statistical report of the activities of the Health Nurse for the year 1960:
Number of visits to and in behalf of tuberculosis cases. . . . . . 190
Number of visits to and in behalf of contacts of tuberculosis ........ 000 47
Number of visitsto and in behalf of suspicious tuberculosis cases. 44 Number of visits to Bristol County Hospital with persons for x-ray follow- up and admittance. 51 0.00.
Number of active tuberculosis cases reported in 1960. 7 0 0
Number of inactive tuberculosis cases reported in 1960. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 . . . . . . . 0
Number of deaths reported from tuberculosis reported in 1960. . 0
Number of visits to and in behalf of other infectious diseases. . . o 00 0900 Number of visits to and in behalf of services to crippled children. . . . 00
48
37 Number of visits to and in behalf of school children .. 256
Number of visits to and in behalf of non-communicable diseases. . . 48
Other visits-check on biologicals at Sturdy Hospital, inspection of Day Care Agencies, premature baby program, social service, Health Dept. business, meetings attended, etc. . 6460
TOTAL OF ALL VISITS. 1188 0
Six thousand, two hundred and thirty-five children and adults received free polio inoculations at six clinics sponsored by the Health Department.
All children at St. John and St. Joseph Schools were weighed and measured and given the audiometer test for hearing. First grade children were given the Patch test for tuberculosis.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy McManus, R. N.
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REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
Dr. Fernand L. Girouard Health Officer Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Doctor Girouard:
We herewith submit the annual report of the Dental Clinic for 1960:
During the year 1960, the school dental clinic had 896 patient appointments at the clinic.
Principal treatment consisted of 901 radiographs, 806 extractions and 198 restorations.
Four children were given minor orthodontia treatments to improve both appearance and dental health.
In September the dental clinic carried out its annual inspection. An oral examination and classification with throat stick and flashlight was performed on 3380 children in grades one through six in nine public and three parochial schools.
There were 2262 referrals - that is, children requiring early dental care. Of this number, 641 applied for treatments at the dental clinic. During the calen- dar session of September, 1959 to June, 1960 inclusive, 295 school children re- ceived treatments at the clinic.
The dental hygienist made 15 visits to the first six grades of the Attleboro schools. Seventy-four dental health education talks were presented in the class- rooms. These talks were supplemented with direct individual instructions at the school dental clinic.
The dental hygienist also made 22 visits to the schools for special exams, and eight home visits were made to consult with parents concerning child-patients of the clinic.
Respectfully submitted,
Lino Tiberi, D. M. D. Domenic Basile, D. M. D. Ruth C. Merriss, D. H.
53.
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Report of the Health Department continued-
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING (
Dr. F. L. Girouard, Health Officer
City Hall, Health Department Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Dr. Girouard:
During the year 1960 the Plumbing Inspectors made a total of 872 inspections , 687 by Allan A. Gross and 185 by Constant Poholek. These included rough plumb- ing and finished inspections and were as follows:
305 New homes
58 Old lead replacements
45 Soil stacks replaced
10 Dishwashers
5 Disposals
42 Gas water heaters
4 Oil water heaters
56 Electric water heaters
16 Tankless heaters
38 Washing machines
102 Fixture replacements
21 Water piping
2 Soda Fountains
12 Drinking fountains
5 Roof drains
2 Boiler water feeders
2 Health inspections
30 Sewer connections
31 House removals
35 Sinks
35 Soil pipes
3 Gas station oil receptors
13 Slop sinks
I would like to state that a committee is being formed by the Builders and Master Plumbers Association to study revision of the plumbing code to bring it up to date. Mr. Poholek and myself are members of this committee.
Respectfully submitted,
Allan A. Gross Plumbing Inspector
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Report of the Health Department continued-
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Dr. F. L. Girouard Health Officer Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Dr. Girouard:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals and Inspector of Slaughtering for 1960.
Number of animals examined and quarantined to determine whether or not they had rabies. 100
Number of premises inspected.
47
Number of animals inspected at these premises:
Cattle. .
352
Heifers.
0 0 .DO
.
. . .
32
Calves.
0
0 0 .
0
.
0 0 0
0
53
Bulls.
0 000000000 . . 0
0
. o
.....
5
Horses.
31
Sheep.
1.9
Goats. .
7
Swine.
770
0
0
0
0
0
0 .. 0
O
O
o
0
0 0000 O
0000
o
0
.
0
0
O
0
0
.
o
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e
Number of interstate permits received and checked. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24
Respectfully submitted,
James C. DeWitt, D. V. M.
)
55.
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11
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Annual Report
REPORT OF THE VETERANS REHABILITATION AND REEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE 1960
To His Honor the Mayor and Members of the Municipal Council:
There are approximately 375 Attleboro men and women serving in the Armed Forces at the present time. Their re cords are on file in this office and are kept up to date.
This department has available 44 Veterans Administration Forms, including such benefits as, pensions for veterans, veterans widows and children, disability compensation, hospitalization, etc. Assistance is given in filling out and filing these applications, not only to veterans, but also to wives and dependent parents.
The veteran, when discharged reports to this office, for a copy of his separation papers, which are photostated and recorded in this office, and are available to the veteran in case of lost or needed copies for veterans benefits.
This office also typed the address cards and envelopes, plus the Money Orders .. for the "Boy's in Service Christmas Fund". There are about 320 boys and girls receiving these checks.
Veterans have been assisted during the past year in securing On-The-Job- Training benefits in various business establishments throughout the city.
The director has transported veterans to the various V. A. hospitals, such as Davis Park, Hope Street Medical Center, Boston, Chelsea, Jamaica Plains, and Brockton through out the year,
The Servicemen's Rehabilitation and Reemployment Center, continues to be of very valuable service to the veterans and their families.
The Service Center appreciates the cooperation of the executives and doctors of the various Veterans' Hospitals also local doctors, who throughout the year assisted this office in many ways, also Mr. Blandin, the City Clerk, and his secretary for the courteous assistance in supplying Birth Records, Marriage and Death Certi- ficates etc.
Respectfully submitted
Joseph A. McGee Director.
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Annual Report
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1960
John P. Lee, 42 Mayhew Road .
Terms Expire January
1962
Donald Antaya, 133 Union Street .
1962
Ernest A. Bragg, Jr. , Melby Road
1962
Mary E. Tyson (Mrs. ), Melby Road
1962
J. William Glenn, 218 County Street 0
1964
Herbert Mclaughlin, 14 Hope Street .
1964
Robert Powers, 21 Earle Ave. , South Attleboro.
1964
Katherine Scott (Mrs.), 8 Forest Street
1964
A. Irvin Studley, 26 West Street .
ORGANIZATION
John P. Lee
A. Irvin Studley
Katherine Scott. .
...
Chairman Vice-Chairman Secretary
STANDING COMMITTEES
Teachers and Course. of Study
Mrs. Mary E. Tyson, Chairman Mr. Studley Mr. Mclaughlin
Buildings Dr. Ernest Bragg, Chairman Mr. Powers Mr. Antaya
Athletic Committee Mr. Herbert Mclaughlin, Chairman Mr. Glenn Mrs. Scott
Cafeteria Mrs. Katherine Scott, Chairman Mrs. Tyson Mr. Powers
Salary Mr. Donald Antaya, Chairman Mrs. Scott Mr. Glenn
Textbooks and Supplies
Mr. Robert Powers, Chairman Mr. Antaya Mr. McLaughlin
Finance
Mr. J. William Glenn, Chairman Dr. Bragg Mrs. Tyson
Trade High School
Mr. Donald Antaya, Chairman Dr. Bragg Mr. Studley
Transportation Mr. A. Irvin Studley, Chairman Mr. Glenn Mrs. Scott
Regular meetings, first and third Mondays of each month at 7:45 P. M. All bills to be acted on must be submitted in dup- licate and be in the hands of the Clerk of the Committee, Superintendent's Office, before the third of each month in order to be paid on the 15th of that month.
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