USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1948 > Part 4
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Found Not Guilty
16 Operating so as to Endanger 5
Operating under the Influence 9
Placed on Probation
5
Operating without License 1
Sentenced to State Farm
1
Suspended Sentences
6
Descriptive Listing of Crimes Committed:
Leaving the Scene of an Accident 2
Drunkenness
56
Assault and Battery
12
Disturbing the Peace
4
Breaking-Entering and Larceny
3
Operating Uninsured-
Larceny
8
Unregistered Car 1
Non-Support
6
Total Accidents Investigated 200
Present at Gaming
11
Property Damages 82
Released without Arraign- ment
33
Operating after Revocation 2
Using Motor Vehicle without Authority 1
Failure to Stop for Police Officer 1
Failure to Have M.V. Inspected 6
77
REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICERS
Maintaining Gambling Nuisance
Abuse of Female Child
Accosting Persons of Opposite Sex
1 Patrolmen 95
Malicious Destruction of Property 2 of Town Depts. 91
Summons served for Out
Illegitimacy
2 Local Summonses served 94
Trespassing
3 Number of Parking
Vagrancy
1 Tags Issued 1586
2 Insane commitments 13
Respectfully submitted, John J. Maloney,
CHIEF.
Report of your Fire Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Milford:
I herewith submit the report of the Milford Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1948.
The personnel of your Fire Department for the year 1948 was comprised of the following:
1 - Permanent Fire Chief
1 - Call Deputy Fire Chief
15 - Permanent Firemen
25 - Call Firemen
12 - Volunteer Firemen
ALARM RESPONSES
From January 1, 1948 to December 31, 1948 the Department responded to 241 alarms: 25 general or box alarms; 208 telephone calls and 8 personal calls. A breakdown of the responses is as follows:
Building fires 41
Auto or Truck fires 22
G.P.
Personal Injury 118
6 Number of Persons Injured 140
2 Red Light Calls answered 576 Open Doors found by
Resisting Arrest
78
TOWN OF MILFORD
Grass or Brush fires
73
Oil Burner fires
47
False Alarms 5
Chimney fires 9
Short Circuits (no fire)
15
Emergency Calls (no fire)
29
During the year 1948, this department issued the following permits and inspected the work in connection with the installa- tion thereof:
Permits to Install Oil Burning Equipment 363
Permits to Store Fuel Oil 417
Blasting Permits 19
Permits to Remove Gasoline Tanks
7
Permits to Decorate Public Halls 6
Permits for Storage of Liquified Gas 31
In addition to the above activities we have made an earnest effort to conduct periodical inspections of all buildings in our mercantile and industrial areas in addition to our regular Fire Prevention and Clean-up Week programs. This practice has proved most valuable. It not alone serves to better conditions and elim- inate fire hazards but more thoroughly acquaints the personnel of this department with the structures that they may be called upon to perform service in. The size of our permanent depart- ment does not at the present time permit a more regular or in- tensified schedule of building inspection but we are satisfied that work of this type is most important and the citizens of Milford should be greatly interested in it.
The Maxim Motor Company of Middleboro, Massachusetts delivered the two new 750 G.P.M. pumping engines as contracted for in April 1947, at a total cost of twenty-seven thousand dollars ($27,000.00) during the early part of the year. They have both been in service since April and to date they have proved very satisfactory. One (1) is located at the South Main Street station and the other at the Spruce Street station.
Respectfully submitted,
John F. Adams,
CHIEF OF THE MILFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
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REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICERS
1.НА.
Report of your Tree Warden
I hereby submit my annual report on the care, removal of trees and brush and the planting of new trees.
During the year I have removed nineteen trees in various sec- tions of the Town and during the week of April 20 I bought and planted forty-four new trees.
Brush was removed from Beaver, Elm, Eben, Maple, Haven, Howard, Courtland, North Vine and Highland Streets, also on Silver Hill Road and White Wood Road.
During the week of June 1, I completed the spraying program to the extent that the money appropriated allowed and as usual I had a barrier zone sprayed by airplane on the outskirts and com- pleted as far as possible with the hydraulic sprayer.
There has been numerous complaints about the fall web worm which was very prevalent this year but in order to reduce this pest it is necessary to appropriate enough money to spray against it.
During the week of June 8 a crew from the state scouted for the Dutch elm disease at no cost to the Town and I am happy to report that as a result of their report we have escaped from this menace to date.
At the special town meeting of June 24 under the Article 9 it was voted to buy a new pickup truck for my department. I re- ceived delivery of a 3/4 ton Dodge pickup on October 4, and as a result it will save a lot of time in the operaton of my department.
At this time I wish to thank the various departments for their cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully Submitted,
Matthew P. Andreano,
TREE WARDEN AND GYPSY MOTH SUPT.
80
TOWN OF MILFORD
MAK
Report of your Town Forest Committee
At the last annual town meeting it was a surprise to many of the Town Meeting members that Milford had a Town Forest Committee.
It is difficult to say in a few words the benefits and advantages to be derived from a Town Forest. Each year's growth adds to its value and in time will produce an annual revenue. Milford's Town Forest consists of acreage obtained by tax-title sales of property on which foreclosures have taken place.
Our committee functioned several years without any funds. Last year, however, the town meeting members voted the sum of $300.00 for general use. This money has been spent in definitely determining what land is included in the Town Forest and record- ing the boundaries for present and future development.
We are proud of what $300.00 accomplished this year, (a much larger sum would be necessary for a complete survey to be made) and urge a continuance of this small appropriation in order that a program of clearing wood roads, and establishing picnic grounds may be started and continued from year to year.
The services of Robert W. Holbrook were secured to do this engineering and preliminary work. He gave us great value for the amount expended. As a result of his work there is now available, (for the first time since the committee was organized) a set of tracings and detailed abstracts of the properties involved. We submit his report herewith:
Town Forest Committee,
Milford, Mass.
Dear Sirs:
During the past few months I have undertaken at your request to ascertain the boundaries of the lands un- der your jurisdiction. At the outset I planned to present you with a map listing all lands within an area from Dilla to Purchase Streets, from Purchase to Haven Streets, from Haven Street to the Hopkinton line, and from the
81
REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICERS
Hopkinton line to Dilla Street. This has been carried out as far as possible and within the very limited appropria- tion that was made available.
You will find herewith an overlay of the above en- titled lands with abstracts, and several large tracings of large landholders and land of the town of Milford, in this area.
It was your desire that recommendations in regards to future activities of the Town Forest Committee be also submitted.
1. At the present time none of the land that is in the title of the Town of Milford is contiguous. This being the case it does not seem that at the present time that any thru roadway could be made in this area without releases from many adjoining landholders.
2. The possibility of a picnic area on the land allot- ted to the rifle range near the Cedar Street entrance may be feasable.
3. Existing roads in the town area should be im- proved as an aid in fighting forest fire which have been prevalent in past years.
4. There are also many abandoned quarry holes in the area. Some means of protecting the unwary should be considered.
In conclusion I wish to thank the committee for the opportunity offered to me to be of service to you, and I do hope that this report will be of value to you in your future activities.
Respectfully submitted, Robert W. Holbrook.
We urge favorable action on the Article in the town warrant for the appropriation of $300.00 for general expenses of the Town Forest Committee.
Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Andreano, L. Blaine Libbey, Cyril F. Kellett, TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE.
82
TOWN OF MILFORD
8.M.B.
Report of your Dog Officer
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following is my report as Dog Officer for the Town of Milford for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1948.
During the year I have investigated and adjusted dog com- plaints from all parts of the town.
On July 1, 1948, there were turned over to me for investiga- tion 87 unlicensed dogs. After interviewing and notifying the owners all license fees were paid.
During the year of 1948 there were 951 dog licenses issued and one kennel license issued in the Town of Milford.
Respectfully submitted,
Austen J. Davoren,
DOG OFFICER.
Report of your Inspector of Wires
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the year 1948 I inspected the installation of one hundred seventy-seven oil burners, new stokers and new houses. Various types of wiring were checked, including the installation of electrical ranges. Fire calls were answered and inspections were made in order to ascertain whether or not the cause of the fire was due to
83
REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICERS
the wiring, and the matter was discussed with the fire chief, John Adams.
I would like to offer the following don'ts to the people of Mil- ford as a step toward accident prevention in the home:
1-Don't place a radio close to the bathtub while you're bath- ing.
2-Don't turn your refrigerator off when you go away on a vacation.
3-Don't leave your bedroom with an electric blanket plugged in.
4-Don't allow children to play with electrical toys unsuper- vised.
5-Don't fail to ground your television or radio aerial.
6-Don't throw water on an electrical fire. Use a fire extin- guisher.
I still urge the people who are having oil burners, electric ranges, and any amount of an addition made to their electrical load, to make certain that I am called in to make an inspection so that there will be no overload on their supply service.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew N. Niro,
INSPECTOR OF WIRES.
EARLY FUEL
Long years ago, before known history began, this area was overlaid with stratified rock and soil to a depth of a mile or more.
Then came the Ice Age when great glaciers, by their immense weight and force, pulverized and carried away the soil, leaving the land, essentially as we know it.
During this process and the Carboniferous age, between the Ice Ages, coal beds were formed and buried more than 100 feet deep in Mansfield, the Attleboroughs and Providence.
After the last Ice Age there followed another tropical era dur- ing which, along the course of Hopping Brook just over the town line in Medway, large peet beds were formed and buried beneath two feet or more of black mud.
In the early days of our settlers peet was dug from these beds, dried and sold for fuel.
This was one of the standard fuels before coal was discovered.
E. A. B.
84
TOWN OF MILFORD
-
Report of your Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Year ending December 31, 1948.
All places of business in the Town of Milford were visited by me after notifying by public notice, as the Law requires, that all scales, measures, pumps, etc., would be sealed without fees, if brought to my office.
SCALES, MEASURES, ETC., SEALED
Adj. Sealed
Not Sealed Cond.
Platform Scales, over 10,000 lbs.
4
Platform Scales, over 5,000 lbs.
4
Platform Scales, over 100 lbs.
12
43
1
Counter Scales, over 100 lbs.
5
Counter Scales, under 100 1bs.
13
52
Beam Scales, over 100 lbs.
13
Beam Scales, under 100 lbs.
3
8
Spring Scales, over 100 lbs.
1
Spring Scales, under 100 lbs.
11
44
Computing Scales, under 100 lbs.
10
78
1
Personal Weighing Scales
14
Prescription Scales
9
Avoirdupois Weights
214
Apothecary Weights
92
Metric Weights
7
Vehicle Tanks
17
Liquid Measures
3
Gasoline Measuring Pumps
88
Oil Measuring Pumps
17
Grease Measuring Devices
41
85
REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICERS
Yard Sticks 14 2
Cloth Measuring Devices
Sealing Fees $173.16 $173.16
Paid Town Treasurer, Benjamin J. Clancey
Thanking the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the public for the assistance given me during the past year,
Respectfully submitted,
Daniel J. O'Brien,
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
SHOE PEGS
Almost from the beginning of history the human race has found some type of foot protection a necessity.
A very large proportion of the race have, even to the present day, used sandals of various types.
A minority have, however, been more progressive and have de- veloped many types of shoes.
In the early stages of shoe manufacture the bottoms, or soles, were sewed on by hand.
About 1850 there came a change in that for the first time in history boots and shoes were made rights and lefts to better fit the foot. Previous to this change about the year 1815 Joseph Walker of Hopkinton invented the shoe peg.
As a result of this invention a new method of bottoming boots and shoes came in and the demand for pegs resulted in a peg factory in Milford where reports indicate that two men man- ufactured 333 bushels of pegs, valued at $500 in one year.
E. A. B.
SNOW FIGHTERS of the Highway De- partment may be seen here from left to right, Messrs .: T. Begga, Pyne, Bradley, Chanzenski, Surveyor Carroll, R. Begga, Slavin, DiVitto, Darney, Timledge, and Carini. 1948 gave these men many long hours of snow removal work.
PART OF THE SEWER BEDS that are located off the further end of South Main Street. They help maintain good sanitary conditions in our town.
WN OF MILFORD
THE GIANT SNOW REMOVER proved its effectiveness this past year. Milford is very proud of its reputation of keeping its highways safe and passable in the winter.
DOCTOR CLEARY may be seen here performing one of his 2103 operations that he did as Board of Health Dentist. School children to the number of 1068 visited him during the past year.
MASSACHUSETTS " PRUC WEALTH
CHEST X-RAY SERVICE
YOU HAVE PURCHASES THIS EQUIPMENT WITH CHRISTMAS SEALS THROUGH YOUR TUBERCULOSIS ASSOCIATION
A COMMUNITY X-RAY PROGRAM was held this past year. Here may be seen Miss Tompkins of Worcester County Health Association, Dr. Capece of the Board of Health, Mr. Davoren, Chairman, and Miss Mckinnon of the Department of Health. Of the 7539 townspeople from 16 years old up that were x-rayed, 53 cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were discovered. Seven were active, 46 were stable, 11 were pulmonary suspect. ·
BOOK THREE Health, Sanitation, and Highways
R
E.B
88
TOWN OF MILFORD
B.M.B.
Report of your Board of Health
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Milford:
The Board of Health is pleased to submit its annual report to- gether with reports of its various appointees for the year ending December 31, 1948.
ORGANIZATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
The Board of Health for the year 1948 consisted of Dr. Nich- olas J. Capece, chairman; Frank Calzone and Harris Tredeau.
The Board organized on March 9, 1948. Dr. N. J. Capece was reelected Chairman.
The following appointments were made: Clerk and Agent, Louis A. Marino; Dental Clinic Dentist, Dr. John A. Cleary; Physi- cian, Dr. John R. Cicchetti; Nurse, Alice Fitzpatrick; Meat and Slaughtering Inspector, Jeremiah Macchi; Sanitary Inspector, Walter Chapin; Plumbing Inspector, Charles J. Ferrante and John F. Power additional Plumbing Inspector; Burial Agent, Oscar Ayotte; Person to Receive and Report Contagious Diseases, Louis A. Marino.
There were twenty-four regular meetings and several con- ferences held throughout the year.
FOOD HANDLERS' TRAINING COURSE
A well-attended meeting of managers and owners of restau- rants, diners, cafes, taverns and ice cream shops was held in Feb- eruary for the purpose of discussing problems pertaining to the proper methods in helping promote greater interest in cleanliness and sanitation in local establishments.
In March the second annual training course for food handlers was conducted with Dr. Paul Richmond, health district officer, and
89
REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICERS
the sanitary district officer, Theodore Shepardson in charge. All the thirty-eight eating and drinking establishments of the town were represented at these classes.
COMMUNITY CHEST X-RAY PROGRAM
In the Community Chest X-Ray program held by the Board of Health in conjunction with the Southern Worcester County Health Association, Inc., and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in June 1948, of the 7539 townspeople from 16 years old on that were X-rayed, 53 cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis were discovered. Seven were active, 46 were stable, 11 were pulmonary suspect.
The Board wishes to thank all committees and the towns- people for their excellent cooperation.
CLEAN-UP PROGRAM
The Board cooperated with the Selectmen, the Highway De .. partment and the Fire Department in the annual spring and fall clean-up program.
PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY
At the request of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health examination of private water supplies in Milford will be conducted by this Board instead of the District Sanitary Officer.
Due to the large increase in the number of applications for these examinations, the State has requested assistance in taking samplings for bacterial and chemical analysis.
GARBAGE CONTRACT
Contract for the collection of garbage was awarded to the lowest bidder whose bid was also $500.00 less than last year.
PASTEURIZATION OF MILK
The Board has been working on a program of pasteurization of all milk sold in the Town of Milford. With the cooperation of local and out-of-town dealers the Board expects to anticipate in the next year a Pasteurized Milk Ordinance in Milford.
The 1947 State Subsidy received this year amounted to Two Thousand Three Hundred Twenty Dollars and Seventy-one cents ($2320.71).
LICENSES AND PERMITS ISSUED
Burial Permits 241
Manufacture of Ice Cream (Retail 6) (Wholesale 2) 8
90
TOWN OF MILFORD
Conduct of Slaughter Houses 2
Conduct of Poultry Slaughter Houses 2
Sale of Denatured Alcohol 39
Permits to remove or transfer garbage or offal 2 Conduct of Undertaking establishments 8
The amount of money collected and turned into the Treasurer for:
Licenses and Permits $480.05
For reimbursements 80.00
For AD in Booklet on Plumbing Regulations 25.00
The Board wishes to extend its sincere appreciation to all those who in any way cooperated with the Board of Health during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Nicholas J. Capece,
CHAIRMAN,
Harris Tredeau, Frank Calzone.
Quarantine MEASELS
Report of your Sanitary Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
Following is my report of complaints investigated, Contagious Diseases placarded, No Dump signs posted, Inspections, etc., for the year 1948.
Complaints 51 Baker Shop Inspected 5
Inspection for new
No Dump Signs Posted
4
Lunch Licenses 3 Scarlet Fever 3
I had to make several return calls on some complaints before they were abated.
On the whole the public was very cooperative.
The secretary and I also made inspections of the various res- taurants and found most of them living up to the regulations.
1
91
REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICERS
Some were advised of the corrections to be made and said correc- tions were later carried through.
I wish at this time to thank the secretary for the help he has given me during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter H. Chapin, SANITARY INSPECTOR.
P.M
Report of your Plumbing Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
During the year of 1948 the Board has had printed new plumb- ing regulation books so that all concerned in the plumbing indus- try can be advised on the proper installing of plumbing.
You will note a heavy drop in permits for domestic hot water tanks and tankless heaters. This is caused by oil burner and elec- trical contractors installing same without a permit.
I have advised and warned all persons installing hot water boilers or tankless heaters that in the future anyone installing them without taking out a permit will be summoned before the Board.
I would like in the near future to take up before the Board the possibility of having my duties also include the inspection of gas piping installation.
Many cities of our size have such inspection and I believe that the people of our town will greatly benefit by assuring them of proper and safe gas piping.
The following plumbing fixtures were installed during the year and after inspection were approved.
Sinks
165 Hot Water Boilers 33
Toilets
146 Tankless Heaters 11
Bath Tubs
100
Urenals 4
Wash Basins
122 Shower Stalls 9
TOTAL 590
Respectfully submitted,
Charles J. Ferrante,
INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
92
TOWN OF MILFORD
7.8
Report of your Board of Health Physician
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
The Students of St. Mary's and Sacred Heart Schools were all examined for signs of contagious and infectious diseases. Ton- sils, Teeth and Abnormalities of nutrition were also checked. Par- ents of children who were found to have physical defects were contacted and advised to have their family physician remedy the abnormalities.
Reviews in personal hygiene and physical examinations were given to all students engaged in athletics.
Booster diphtheria shots were given this year and the Pre- school Vaccination Clinic and Diphtheria Clinic were very well attended.
Received Smallpox Vaccine
Received Diphtheria Prophylaxis 3 inoculations
Received Diphtheria Prophylaxis 1 inoculation
The Monthly Chest X-Ray clinic at the Board of Health Rooms has one of the largest attendances in the State.
This year, it has been planned to give complete physical ex- aminations periodically every three years and to have any physical disability or abnormality reported to the families who will be ad- vised to contact their family physicians.
At this time, I wish to thank the Board of Health Nurse, Miss Fitzpatrick, and the School Department Nurse, Mrs. Helen Breault, for their very splendid cooperation and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
John R. Cicchetti, M.D.,
PHYSICIAN TO BOARD OF HEALTH.
93
REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICERS
BAR.
Report of your Board of Health Nurse
To the Honorable Board of Health:
I hereby submit my report as Board of Health Nurse for the year 1948.
PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS
St. Mary's and Sacred Heart:
Total enrollment of both schools 1081
Pupils are weighed and measured during the school year.
Physical examinations were given by Doctor John R. Cicchetti, Board of Health Physician. At this time notices of the defects are sent to the parents, referring them to their family physician for corrections.
The Tuberculosis Community X-ray was held in Milford this year, seven thousand, five hundred and thirty-seven people were X-rayed. Very few positive cases were found. All of the St. Mary's High School pupils, and those of fifteen years of age in both schools, were given X-rays. There were no positive cases found.
The Red Cross Home Nursing Course, instructed by Red Cross Nurse Mrs. Allison Anderson, was completed by forty-six of the St. Mary's High School students. Two credit points are given for this course.
Pupils were given hearing tests by the use of the new Audio- meter machine, which is composed of different sounds and pitches. There were very few failures in the hearing test.
The Massachusetts Vision Test was given to the pupils. The test series is composed of three parts. These tests provide a method for screening school children who require an examination by an eye specialist. Many children failed, and slips were sent to
94
TOWN OF MILFORD
the parents. Many corrections were made, for many parents co- operated, and brought their children to the oculist.
A Crippled Children's Clinic is held every third Friday of the month at Worcester.
Speech Clinic: Miss Beatrice L. Smith, Speech Therapist, has resigned, until another teacher is secured, there will no appoint- ments.
Mental Health Clinic: The Traveling Clinic from Wrentham has not been to Milford for over five years. Very few appoint- ments are given at Wrentham State School, transportation is an- other problem, so many children go on year after year not being tested, and no individual help given them, which they need.
Many of the parents of children that have been tested, refuse to send their children to the special class in the town. They are very foolish, and are not really thinking of their child, but of themselves. These classes can only have eighteen students. Each child is taught up to his capacity of learning, and he is taught everything that will help him in his life as an adult. Not things that he will never be able to learn. These children just sit in other classes, and are not able to make use of the talents, that many of them have, and are now making their living with, and are good citizens of their communities.
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