USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1932 > Part 15
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 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
For such results as have been obtained at Marblehead competent supervision, efficient organization of the work- ing forces into gangs under experienced foremen, and the insistence of the Commissioners that-while an un- employment relief measure-the prime objective of its operation has been the economical construction of sewers
325
as required. This definite objective has created an in- terest and morale in the workers which has resulted in an economy of construction which-considering that no machinery is used-is quite remarkable.
We have extended this reference to the Marblehead experience to register the reasons for our conclusion that the extension of the Braintree sewer system-necessary in any case to realize on the investment in the main intercepting system-can be made the means of relieving unemployment at relatively small increase over what must in any case be paid out as Welfare aid.
We therefore recommend the appropriation of $100,- 000. for the construction of sewers in 1933.
By the proposed extension of the system, a total length of 11.9 miles of street sewers will be laid, and approxi- mately 100,000 feet of abutting property frontage will be made available for assessments.
Respectfully,
CHARLES S. MARSHALL, Chairman. WALTER R. HOWLAND, WILLIAM D. AITKEN,
Sewer Commissioners.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
Health Department OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE FROM
December 31, 1931 to December 31, 1932
OF
NMOI
1€
EE
..
A
SA
1640 CHUSE
Printed by Order of the Town
328
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of the Town of Braintree :
The Board of Health hereby submit their report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1932.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
During the year 491 cases of contagious diseases were reported as shown in the Secretary's tabulation approved.
In the Diphtheria Clinic 269 children were inoculated which is about 75% of those available.
We hope to be able to take in more of these pre-school children; ages (1 to 5) each year in order that at the end of the 10 year period, only the very youngest (1 to 2 years) will need this inoculation.
In view of the fact that there are still some parents who do not care to have their children inoculated, it will therefore be impossible to make this Town 100% free from Diphtheria.
Only 6 cases were reported this year, 4 of which were- what is known as carriers.
One death occurred from Diphtheria in 1932.
With an appropriation of $350.00, and an expendi- ture of $313.80 the average cost was 1.17 per child, which is 100% lower than in previous years.
We hope that this will appeal to our Citizens as money well expended in stamping out this childhood scourge, and we sincerely recommend this treatment a mighty fine protection and preventive; as a splendid investment for the Town at the nominal cost of $1.17 per child.
329
CHADWICK CLINIC
During the past year, we invited the State Department of Public Health, to conduct its Chadwick Clinic for the Tuberculosis diagnoses in our Public Schools. With the follow-up work that goes with this clinic, we shall be in a position to detect any Tubercular or incurable stage, and this in years to come will cut down our annual budget at the Norfolk County Tuberculosis hospital.
We wish to express our thanks and appreciation for the hearty co-operation of the Supt. of Schools, the school- teachers and especially the school nurse, Miss Mary Collins, in this most arduous and painstaking work.
One positive case of Tuberculosis was detected and is now at the North Reading State Sanatorium. 2,012-children were T. B. tested.
499-children were classified as suspects.
498-children were X-Rayed and are now on the fol- low-up list.
Incidentally this is the first time that such a clinic has ever been held in Braintree, and we feel that it is not only a worth while project, but one that is of a important and beneficial nature to the health and welfare of the Town in general, and particularly for the benefit of the children-our future citizens.
MILK
During the year we have adopted a milk ordinance, which requires that all milk sold in Braintree, shall, either come from Tuberculin tested herds, or be pasteur- ized.
At the present time owing to the fact that the State Dept. of Animal Industry is unable to test Braintree
330
cattle, it will be several months before our rules become operative. It is hoped however that every Braintree milk producer will apply for an early testing of cattle.
Because of the fact that the state has no funds for this purpose, they are unable to comply with our request for an immediate inspection and test of these Braintree Herds and near-by Town Herds from which our milk supply is now received.
We feel that we have taken an important step in hav- ing made the request for this test and also in having the local farmers prepared for a T. B. test of their cattle, in what we hope will be the near future.
We are glad to report that condition of sewerage in the town has improved tremendously, due to the close attention paid to this particular feature of the Health situation, and at the same time the Board wishes to thank its Agent for his splendid effort and co-operation in fol- lowing up complaints, after said complaints have been investigated by members of the Board.
Our main problem with the sewerage situation seems to be in the business centers. We earnestly hope that the main trunk line sewerage system will be completed and in operation in 1933, at which time this bad condition in said business districts will automatically be taken care of.
JOHN H. CAHILL, Chairman. JOHN J. ATKISON, HARRISON W. BAILEY, Board of Health of Town of Braintree.
331
To the Braintree Board of Health,
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my annual report covering inspec- tions of markets, bakeries, meats, provisions and slaugh- tering :
Markets inspected 101
Notices given 11
Follow-up Inspections 21
Bakeries Inspected
5
Bakeries Inspected (follow-up)
2
Hogs Inspected
139
Hogs Condemned
1
Livers Condemned 4
I also visited every Barber Shop in the town and placed therein a copy of the State Laws regarding Barbering.
Respectfully submitted, H. F. VINTON, Agent, Braintree Board of Health.
To the Board of Health of the Town of Braintree,
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1932, with schedule of diseases dangerous to the public health appended. I have issued three under- takers, three scavangers and one slaughtering license and one ice cream manufacturers' license. Also thirteen alcohol permits at $1.00 each, total $21.00; for which I hold a receipt from Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted, MRS. E. A. VINTON,
Secretary.
332
REPORT OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES FOR 1932
January
February
March
o April
May
- June
- July
September August
October
· November
· December
Chicken-pox
2 11 19 29 21 2 1 0 1 5 15 11
117
Diphtheria
1 0 0 000140001 7
Dog-bite 1 5 1 5 5 5802546
47
Eye-infection
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2
Influenza
0 0 0000000001
1
Lobar-pneumonia
322110200021
14
Measles
221300100201 12
Mumps
3 0 0 4 3 2 0 0 0001 15
German measles 1 2 0000002000 5
Scarlet-fever
11 5 15 20 35 10 6 7 2 4 14 10
139
Sceptic-sore-throat
0 0 0 0 0 0 000000 0
Tuberculosis 30 0 2 0 2 0 7 2 2 6 2 0 53
Typhoid-fever
0 0 0 0 0 0 000000 0
Whooping-cough
2 5 6 13 19 4 5 0 1 0 0 0 55 14 0 210102205 18
Gonorrhea
Syphillis
1 2 0 2 40300001 13
- TOTALS
497
TOTALS
Anterior-Poliomylitis
0 0
0 0 1
0 0
0 1
333
REPORT OF THE MILK INSPECTOR
To the Braintree Board of Health,
Gentlemen :
I submit as Milk Inspector the following report :
Permits issued dealers. 6
Permits issued producers 14
Permits issued sellers 74
Permits issued oleomargerine 2
96
Approximate number of quarts of milk consumed for the year, 8,000.
During the year no milk-borne diseases have been reported. Although your Board has applied for the tuber- culin test among the Braintree milk producers, I have been unable to apply the Milk Regulations because the State Department of Animal Industry, owing to the lack of funds, has been unable to apply this test. It is expected, however, that this condition will be remedied before many months have passed.
Respectfully submitted,
H. F. VINTON, Milk Inspector.
334
REPORT OF TUBERCULOSIS FOLLOW-UP WORK
1932
Two hundred twenty-nine visits have been made in con- nection with the follow-up work in Tuberculosis.
All new cases reported through the Board of Health have been investigated, histories taken and reports sent in to the State Board of Health.
An increase of sixteen new cases has been noted in the past year.
Respectfully submitted, T. JANE FOGERTY, R. N.
DENTAL CLINIC REPORT FOR 1932
The report of the Dental Clinic, held at the Braintree Friendly Aid Rooms, from January first to December thirty-first, 1932, herewith submitted.
All pupils from the kindergarten to the second grade inclusive, are examined and sent to Clinic for treatment.
January-
Number of children attended.
112
Cleanings
70
Fillings
95
Extractions
2
Treatment
3
O. K. cases
7
Finished cases
47
Deferred cases
14
Referred to family dentist. . .
1
Total operations 170
335
February-
Number of children attended.
64
Cleanings 46
Fillings 32
Extractions 4
Treatments 1
O. K. cases
3
Finished cases
22
Deferred cases
16
Referred to family dentist .. .
0
Total operations 83
March-
Number of children attended.
97
Cleanings
93
Fillings 37
Extractions
8
Treatments
2
O. K. cases
5
Finished cases
29
Deferred cases
24
Referred to family dentist ...
0
Total operations 120
April-
Number of children attended.
38
Cleanings
12
Fillings 64
Extractions
4
Treatments
1
O. K. cases
1
Finished cases
29
336
Deferred cases 3
Referred to family dentist ...
1
Total operations 81
October-
Number of children attended
97
Cleanings
80
Fillings
49
Extractions
0
Treatments
0
O. K. cases
3
Finished cases
33
Deferred cases
17
Referred to family dentist ...
2
Total operations
.
129
November-
Number of children attended
95
Cleanings
69
Fillings 49
Extractions
2
Treatments
3
O. K. cases
11
Deferred cases
17
Referred to family dentist. .
1
Finished cases
39
Total operations 218
December-
Number of children attended
Cleanings 32 60
337
Fillings 61
Extractions
3
Treatments
3
O. K. cases
2
Deferred cases
6
Finished cases
40
Referred to family dentist ...
0
Total operations 99
Total number of cleanings 430
Total number of fillings 387
Total number of extractions 23
Total number of treatments 13
Total number of finished cases 239
Total number of deferred cases.
97
Total number referred to family dentist.
5
Total number of children
563
Total number of operations 900
Respectfully submitted,
T. JANE FOGERTY, R. N.
338
REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS OF PLUMBING
January 13, 1933.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Braintree,
Gentlemen :
We herewith submit our report for Inspection of Plumbing from January 1, 1932, to December 31, 1932.
Plumbing and fixtures were installed in 77 buildings amounting to twenty-one thousand dollars ($21,000.00). The fixtures installed were 15 sinks, 7 trays, 41 combina- tion sink and trays, 95 closets, 80 lavatories, 66 bath tubs and 5 shower baths. The approximate cost of the fixtures was seven thousand dollars ($7,000.00).
Respectfully submitted, WALTER B. SKINNER, ISRAEL P. WESTON, Inspectors of Plumbing.
339
REPORT OF THE ANIMAL INSPECTOR
January 11, 1933.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Braintree.
Gentlemen :
The following is the report of the Animal Inspector of the Town of Braintree.
Premises inspected on annual inspection
65
Cows under State and Federal Supervision
31
Grade cows
174
Bulls
4
Young cattle
18
Goats
7
Swine
1888
Sheep
5
Barns under State and Federal Supervision 4
Dog bite cases investigated
103
Dogs quarantined
47
Dogs released
41
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER J. MATTIE, Inspector of Animals.
340
REPORT OF THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR 1933
Never before in the history of the Town of Braintree has there been such heavy demands upon the Welfare De- partment. Not only is this true from the financial stand- point, but also in the matter of investigation and service rendered.
When the administration changed, we not only found an ever increasing number of applicants for assistance-be- cause of the unemployment situation,-but we also found - that one of our chief problems was to curtail expenditures which we did in many respects.
The first saving was the result of this department elim- inating all electric light bills. We felt that electric lights were not a necessity of life and that the money saved from this source would purchase necessities.
Orders were issued and enforced relative to people re- ceiving Welfare assistance who owned or drove auto- mobiles, instructing those receiving air that they could not drive or own an automobile while receiving Welfare assis- tance.
This order has been rigidly enforced, and as far as we know there are no recipients of Welfare assistance who drive an automobile.
There seems to be some confusion in the minds of some citizens about certain people driving automobiles who were supposed to be receiving aid.
In a number of cases, people who had been assisted through Welfare prior to March first and who owned or drove automobiles, were given work on the Highway De- partment, chiefly on the sidewalk construction program.
For this work they were paid cash from the Highway
341
Department appropriation-not Welfare-and paid their own rent, grocery bills, etc. Therefore, we could not pre- vent or instruct them not to drive a car when they were working for cash, any more than we could so instruct a regular employee of the Highway Department.
However, as soon as the cash work was completed and these people applied for Welfare assistance, their applica- tion for such assistance was denied, unless they agreed to and did discontinue operating an automobile.
Obviously, the average citizen knowing that some neigh- bor had received Welfare assistance in the past, undoubt- edly assumed they were still being aided, even though such was not the case.
At the last Annual Town Meeting, in March, 1932, a sum of $5000 was raised and appropriated for the pur- chase of gravel to be used by the Welfare Department.
Any able bodied man receiving Welfare assistance- works for the Town on various projects in exchange for the assistance he receives.
Naturally, there must be some materials furnished for these men to work with.
The above mentioned gravel was for such purpose.
After looking over many gravel banks in various sections of the Town, after having Welfare workers dig test holes in the different banks, and after the materials found in said banks were analyzed, we finally leased a large bank at the rear of Fountain Street, for a period of seven years at a cost of $3500, or at the rate of $500.00 per year.
In this bank we not only found tons of binding gravel- which kind of gravel is very scarce and high in price-but lots of live gravel, sand and stone which will be crushed and used for street and sidewalk base.
342
Incidentally, we have moved the crusher and machinery from the old and obsolete pit on Liberty Street-work of moving done with Welfare labor-to the new pit, where with Welfare labor doing the work, at no actual cost to the taxpayers, we have set up and are operating a real sand, gravel and stone business of our own, which will save the tax payers during the ensuing six years at least $50,- 000, speaking conservatively.
We wish to call the citizens attention to a sidewalk built from materials taken from this pit-which side- walk runs from Peach Street to the Holbrook line on the Easterly side of Washington Street in the Highlands sec- tion.
The labor on this sidewalk was entirely Welfare. The sidewalk makes it possible for hundreds of people and particularly school children, to have a safe place to walk instead of being forced to travel on foot as previously on a much too narrow, heavily travelled state highway, the scene of many serious and one fatal accident.
Incidentally, this permanent sidewalk, this safety spot, could never have been built if we had not leased a gravel pit, for the money appropriated for gravel would have been depleted months before this sidewalk was built if we of necessity had to purchase gravel for other projects, at prevailing market prices.
Before going into detail on this Welfare report, you will be interested in knowing something about the Infirm- ary-which is obviously a Welfare Institution.
With a change in management of the Infirmary this institution has taken on an entirely new aspect.
The inside of the building has been thoroughly cleaned from cellar to attic. This work in itself represented a tremendous job-much of which was done by Welfare
343
workers and a few able inmates under the direction and supervision of the genial and capable Superintendent, Mrs. Ludwig N. Golden and the competent and conscien- tious foreman, John Barnet.
While the new Superintendent was not appointed until well along in the year of 1932, she has done most excel- lent work and it now gives the Board of Public Welfare great pleasure to invite any interested citizen to visit this institution for inspection, or otherwise. Consult any of the inmates, if you so desire, let them tell you of the drastic and beneficial changes in the food, cleanliness and their general treatment and welfare at the institution.
Concluding-relative to the Infirmary, you will be in- terested in knowing that slightly better than $1000 was returned to the tax payers of Braintree from the Infirm- ary in 1932, as a result in the change of management and the subsequent economical administration of the Infirm- ary.
Elsewhere in the Town Report you will find the Visi- tor's report of the number of cases aided through the Wel- fare Department, as well as other information which will be of interest.
This year, however, because of the unusual Welfare conditions which have arisen we feel that the citizens would appreciate a general review of the Welfare situa- tion in condensed form and we are therefore submitting this special welfare report which ordinarily is not pub- lished.
We herewith submit the following facts and figures for your convenience and perusal.
Expended for Temporary Aid 1931-$40,555.53-187 cases. Cost per case 1931-$216.86.
Expended for Temporary Aid 1932-$65,717.28-368 cases. Cost per case 1932-$178.57.
344
A saving of .214 per cent, per case, over previous year.
Number of visits and interviews 1931-1637.
Number of visits and interviews 1932-6678.
Analyzing the above figures we find that the 1932 ex- penditures for Temporary Aid are $65,717.28, an increase of 25,162 over 1931.
On the other hand 368 cases were assisted in 1932 as compared with 187 cases in 1931.
In other words we assisted 97% more cases than in the previous year at a cost of 61% more.
Obviously, the cost per case has been reduced 31%.
Number of visits and interviews in 1932 total 6678 as against 1637 for 1931, a total of 5041 more visits. Of course there were almost twice as many cases, but you will readily appreciate by the above figures that allowing for the increase in the number of cases, more supervision, investigations and services rendered, would and did nat- urally result in reducing considerably the cost per case.
Mother's Aid
Expended in 1931 for 11 cases $6,518.45
Expended in 1932 for 12 cases 5,695.28 Saving $883 plus one additional case.
Cost per case for 1931 $598.04
Cost per case for 1932 474.60
Saving per case 123.44
As compared with previous year, or a 20% reduction in cost.
Work Done by Welfare Department During the year 1932 we have insisted that any family
345
receiving Welfare assistance, in whose household resided an able bodied man, that said able bodied man work for the Town in some capacity to reimburse the Town for assistance rendered.
Splendid results were attained by the Welfare workers on such projects as grading school yards-and particu- larly at the Braintree Highlands School-cleaning and grading playgrounds, cleaning streets, catch basins, build- ing drains, planting gardens at Infirmary and cutting wood at Great Pond.
In connection with the wood cutting activities, you will be interested in knowing that the Welfare workers to date have cut more than 300 cords of wood and are still cut- ting, thanks to the splendid co-operation of the Water De- partment, who gave us the wood on the tract where the men are cutting.
Incidentally, this wood will and has cut our expendi- tures for fuel, materially.
Work Done by Welfare Department Under Highway Department Supervision
Including Highways, Drains, Sidewalks, cutting wood, snow removal and Infirmary-29,032 hours-or to the value in dollars and cents of $14,515.54.
Under Welfare Supervision-22,600 hours-or to the value in dollars and cents of $11,300.00.
System
April 1, 1932, we installed a system in the Welfare De- partment by which we can tell in a moment's glance, just what assistance any family or person is given. The cost
346
is figured weekly and shows every penny expended in each case, subdivided as to what was spent for such as rent, groceries, fuel, etc. This record shows 1931 and 1932 on one side of the page, and provision is made for 1933 and 1934 also on the reverse side of page.
Incidentally, the hours worked by each man on Welfare is credited and we can readily tell to just what extent work is rendered for assistance received.
Before the system was installed it was almost impos- sible to obtain such information.
In conclusion, we extend herewith a most cordial invita- tion to any citizen or tax payer to visit the Welfare De- partment, to inspect the present system for the purpose of ascertaining any facts concerning the Welfare Depart- ment or its work, or expenditures, to which the public are entitled.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN H. CAHILL, Chairman.
Town Infirmary
I hereby submit the report of the Braintree Infirmary for the year ending Dec. 31, 1932.
Number of inmates, Jan. 1, 1932. 17
Number admitted during 1932. 14
Number cared for during 1932. 31
Discharged to other institutions 2
Discharged to State Infirmary 1
Discharged to relatives. 6
Discharged to care for self 7
Died 2
Number inmates at Infirmary, Dec. 31, 1932.
13
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. L. N. GOLDEN.
347
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Honorable Board of Selectmen, Braintree, Mass.
Gentlemen :
In compliance with your request, I submit the follow- ing report of the Department of Sealer of Weights and Measures, for the year ending December 15, 1932.
I have tried most earnestly during the year just passed to perform the duties of the office in an impartial and fair manner, and therefore be just to all parties con- cerned. I have found our merchants most courteous and willing to comply with the laws in relation to the sealing of weights and measures and inspection.
After the two days of controversy with the Division of Standards and the Highway Department of the Town of Braintree in reference to the weight of hot mix and crushed stone, I have come to the conclusion that it is absolutely necessary for the town to own a set of master scales for the re-weighing of coal, stone and other ma- terials to be used by the town, and to be located either at the rear of the town hall or at the town barn.
Appropriation .$750.00
Salary $500.00
Supplies & Expenses
250.00
Expended
749.38
Balance
$ .62
Received and Paid Treasurer :
State Licenses $21.00
Sealing Fees
171.72
Junk Licenses
125.00
348
Hawker
45.00
Total $362.72
Inside and Outside Work
Scales Tested and Found Correct 247
Scales Tested and Condemned and Not Sealed . 16
Weights Tested and Found Correct. 337
Scales Tested and Adjusted 8
Weights Tested and Condemned . 10
Liquid Measures Tested and Found Correct. 122
Liquid Measures Tested and Condemned. 14
Measuring Pumps Found Correct 47
Oil Measuring Pumps Sealed
23
Oil Measuring Pumps Not Sealed
129
Slot Weighing Machines Sealed .
11
Apothecary Weights 58
Total Number of Inspections Made from
December 15, 1931, to December 15, 1932 820
In conclusion, I have tried to make this department a truly public service department, and have earnestly en- deavored to extend its influence in the closest manner possible to the people, thereby affording them every op- portunity to protect themselves against insufficient weights and measures.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES S. HANNAFORD, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Approved by State auditors, and also by · Town of Braintree auditors.
HERBERT W. CURTIS, RALPH W. ARNOLD, THOMAS J. HENSHON. January 20, 1933.
349
REPORT OF THE PLAIN STREET CEMETERY
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Braintree.
Gentlemen :
The first annual report of the Supt. of the Plain Street Cemetery for year ending Dec. 31, 1932.
There were seven burials from April 19 to Dec., 1932. Six adults, one infant.
The Cemetery was partly staked during the year by the town Engineers.
I wish to thank Mr. Fred Tenny, Chief of the Fire Dept. and his men for burning a large portion of dead grass at the Cemetery, also Mr. Fred Austerbury, Supt. of the Highway Dept. for supplying plenty of gravel and loam which the caretakers were able to fill about thirty-five graves that were caving in.
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.