USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1924 > Part 8
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
During the year, two dogs that had bitten five persons were pro- nounced rabid when killed by the State authorities. Several other dogs
106
were killed as soon as they had bitten people. Unless the dog shows un- mistakable signs of being mad, this is the wrong thing to do. It is much better to tie the dog up and notify the Board and give the State Experts a chance to examine the head. You will then know the dog's condition.
Owing to a change in the law from $4 to $16.10 per week for tuber- culosis patients who are Town charges at all State Sanatoriums, it will be necessary for the Board to have more money for aid. We are no more pleased with an increase of more than 300 per cent. than you will be.
Recently the Parent-Teachers' Association and several citizens asked the Department of Public Health for a Dental Hygene. A survey was made by the State in the Westland School. Out of the 115 children examined, only two had perfect teeth. One hundred and thirteen had de- cay in their second teeth. At the Highland Avenue School, 145 children were examined. Six were found with teeth requiring no filling, but badly in need of cleaning. One hundred and twenty-one had decay in their second teeth. Illustrated explanation of these conditions have been given at the Westlands, North and East.
The citizens of the Town asked for it. If you want it say so at the Town meeting. Unfortunately for the Board. the law requires this work done and under the direction of the Board of Health.
A study of the Chelmsford Tuberculosis Report shows 30 odd active ases in all stages of the disease; more vigorous follow up work must be done. The cost at the State Sanatorium is now so great that the Town should take steps to protect itself.
The Board has been badly handicapped this year by the lack of a sufficient amount of transportation appropriation. We believe to do the work properly, the coming year, not less than $200 should be appro- priated. This is a very large Town. From the North Chelmsford-Tyngs- boro line to the South Chelmsford-Carlisle line is over six miles. And from the West Chelmsford-Westford line to East Chelmsford-Lowell is 10 miles, making a large territory to cover, and if satisfactory work is to be done. there must be a sufficient amount of money for transportation of the Board.
Another means of helping to control this disease would be by pro- viding the worst cases with sputum cups and requiring their proper use and distinction. This will increase the amount required for mainten- ance, but will be money well spent.
During the year, there have been several complaints of the way owners have slaughtered their swine. The Board caused active measures to be taken and this has now stopped as has the killing without inspec- tion when the swine are to be sold, making a great deal of improvement in the meat inspection.
The Board wishes to say that beginning April 1 next, anyone who keeps swine in the Town without a permit will be prosecuted. There seems to be no other way, as conditions can not be allowed to continue as they have been this last summer. This rule will be rigidly enforced so save yourself annoyance and trouble by securing a permit. Remem- ber all places for which applications for a permit are made will be in- spected and only those places which are in a suitable condition will be granted a permit. The others must put and keep their places in a proper condition or go out of the keeping of swine. The Board wishes to re- peat what we said in our last report. Namely that this is your Board. You elected it. Without your votes, the members would not be on the Board. Each year you have a chance to replace one-third of it. It will
107
be as efficient as you want it to be and your wishes will be made known by the amount of money you vote for its use.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. MCNULTY, J. C. OSTERHOUT, E. G. BROWN, The Board of Health.
A REPORT OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES FOR THE YEAR END- ING DECEMBER, 1924
Diphtheria
3
Scarlet. Fever
7
Measles
6
Chicken-Pox
11
Whooping-Cough
16
Pneumonia
4
Influenza
2
Mumps
43
Typhoid Fever
3
Bovine Tuberculosis
1
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
5
Tubercular Meningitis
1
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. SHEEHAN, R. N.,
Agent of Board of Health. Chelmsford, Mass.
Dec. 17, 1924.
Mr. George McNulty, Chairman of the Board of Health,
Chelmsford, Mass.
DEAR SIR:
I am submitting the following report for your approval:
The local Board of Health allowed its community the privilege of the "Schick Test." By means of the "Schick Test" it is possible to determine whether or not a person is susceptible to diphtheria, and those who are found to be susceptible can be rendered immune by means of the, diph- theria toxin-antitoxin mixture. This is given in divided injections at weekly intervals.
All children between the ages of six months and six years should be immunized with three injections of the diphtheria toxin-antitoxin without having the "Schick Test" performed.
All children between the ages of six and eighteen years should have the "Schick Test" performed, and if they give a positive (susceptible) "Schick Test" they should receive three injections of diphtheria toxin- antitoxin mixture, unless they show a marked combined reaction.
All persons above eighteen, who are exposed to diphtheria or may come in contact with it, should have the "Schick Test," as stated in the above paragraph.
108
All persons receiving three injections of diphtheria toxin-antitoxin mixture should be retested in six months. If they should still give a positive "Schick Test," they should receive three more injections.
A total of 365 were Schicked.
An underweight clinic was held in June when 41 children were ex- amined. It was found necessary to recommend 17 for observation and seven were entered as suspicious tubercular subjects. These were later X-Rayed at North Reading Sanatorium.
Just what is the value of finding the children 10 per cent. under- weight, when no attempt is made to bring them up to standard? Statis- tics prove that 15 per cent of the children who are underweight are men- tally retarded while eight per cent. are suspiciously tubercular. This glandular or hilum tuberculosis is curable if the proper treatment is given. Already, our town is paying a large sum of money for adults receiving treatment at santoriums. Would it not be more profitable to do preventive work, and have an open air classroom for the under- weight child?
One hundred and twenty-four of the local school children are 10 per cent. or more underweight.
The hot school lunch is essential where commuting at noon is im- possible. The mid-morning lunch of milk is desirable not only for the underweight, but for the normal child.
The Lowell Tuberculosis League has kindly offered the services of Miss Marshall, nutritionist, she has worked very successfully in bringing the underweight children, of the East School, up to normal. The value of such a worker means better health, more nutritious food and happier homes.
Every child has a right to be healthy, but every child is not given the opportunity.
How carefully we are safe-guarding the child against other diseases. We are failing to take the proper measures against a disease, that every year takes its toll of hundreds of lives.
Measures for the prevention of disease are those which tend to im- prove the individual's resistance by increasing his bodily vigor. Some of these are: Cool morning bathing of lungs (chest) followed by friction, sleeping with windows open, wholesome foods, avoidance of fatigue, over- heated rooms, bad ventilation, and a proportional amount of exercise, rest and corrections of defects.
Health knowledge today is available, and certainly many of the diseases in my report could have been eradicated. One measure which would help is by preventing transmission. Another is the employment of the "Schick Test." It is not necessary to have the so called "Child- hood Diseases." It not only means having the disease, but often leaves a defect for life.
Thanking everyone for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. SHEEHAN, R. N. Agent of the Board of Health.
MILK INSPECTOR'S REPORT
The Chelmsford Board of Health:
Dec. 15, 1924. GENTLEMEN :-
A report of the Milk Inspection work for the Town of Chelmsford for 1924, follows:
109
During the early part of the year, visits were made to the milk dis- tributors, supplying Chelmsford, to inform them that all milk plants must be equipped with a minimum amount of equipment before a license would be issued. if they sold more than 20 quarts of milk per day of their own milk. If they sold milk produced by others, they must be equipped regardless of the amount sold. This equipment consisted of:
A suitable milk room, located so as to be free from contaminating surroundings. well lighted, cement floor if possible, washable walls and ceilings; a steam boiler, suitable tubs for cleaning bottles; a bottle ster- ilizer; a can sterilizer; a bottle filler; a suitable filter, and refrigeration.
Some plants were found to be equipped, while some plants had no suitable equipment. But a commendable spirit of co-operation was shown, however, and in a short time 18 clean suitably equipped plants were delivering milk to the consumers within the Town. In three or four instances dealers decided to dispose of their business rather than stand the expense of fixing up their milk plant. There are with out doubt several producers selling a few quarts of their own milk to neighbors in Town whose premises have not as yet been visited, but their places will be visited in due time.
Numerous dairy farms supplying milk to distributors have been in- spected and a few of them have been given a score.
Milk has been seized from the milk distributors and some producers, and tested for total solids, fats, adulterants, bacterial content and sedi- ment. A report of the milk examinations follows:
Four hundred and fifty-one samples of milk have been examined.
Three hundred and twenty-seven samples of milk have been examined for total solids and fat.
Two hundred and forty-five samples of milk have been examined for total solids and fats (seized from distributors).
Eighty-two samples of milk have been examined for total solids and fat (seized from 36 dairy farms).
One hundred and twenty-four samples of milk have been examined ยท for bacterial content.
The total solids and fats of 245 samples seized from distributors, average: Total solids 12.57 per cent .; fat, 3.84 per cent.
The sediment cottons from the 245 samples, showed:
Fourteen zero cottons, 177 number one cottons, 29 number two cot- tons, 22 number three cottons, and three number four cottons. The zero and number one cottons are rated as passing inspection; number two cotton is not satisfactory; while numbers three and four cottons do not pass inspection.
The bacterial count for 124 samples seized from dealers, averages 108,000 bacteria per cubic centimeter. The highest count was 1,723,000; the lowest was 1,300 bacteria per cubic centimeter for raw milk. Of the 124 samples seized for bacterial content:
Five samples had a count under 10,000 bacteria per cubic centimeter. Five samples had a count between 10,000 and 20,000 bacteria per cubic centimeter.
Thirty-eight samples had a count between 20,000 and 50,000 bacteria per cubic centimeter.
Forty-one samples had a count between 50,000 and 100,000 bacteria per cubic centimeter.
Twenty-one samples had a count between 100,000 and 200,000 bacteria per cubic centimeter.
Fourteen samples had a count above 200,000 bacteria per cubic centi- meter.
110
Eighteen milk plants have been inspected and scored by the U S. Government, 40-60 Score Card.
Seventy-three visits to milk rooms have been made.
Twenty visits to dairy farms operated by milk dealers have been made.
Five dairy farms operated by dealers were scored, four passed, one did not pass. This dealer decided to sell out.
Two milk plants desiring licenses were refused, sold out.
Two dealers were refused licenses, out of bounds.
Thirty-six dairy farms supplying milk to dealers were visited :nd samples taken.
Twenty-five stores were visited for the purpose of inspection for milk licenses; 19 passed, six claimed they did not sell milk.
All milk sold in Chelmsford is raised in the Town or within 10 iniles of the Town limits. .
There are approximately 1701 quarts of milk sold daily in the Town by licensed dealers.
Respectfully submitted,
MELVIN F. MASTER.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Jan. 1, 1925.
Board of Health :-
GENTLEMEN :-
Here on find report of the "Inspector of Slaughtering" year 1924.
The following number of animals have been slaughtered by licensed butchers, owners on their own premises, and inspected by me.
Cattle, 331; veal, 715; hogs, 662; sheep, 254.
Of these the following number of animals and pounds of meat was condemned :
Cattle, 13; veal, 17; hogs, 40; sheep and approximately 250 pounds of meat for various reasons.
All inspections have been reported to the State authorities as re- quired.
W. S. HALL, Inspector.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF CHELMSFORD :-
During my inspection of animals for 1924, 942 dairy cows, 160 young cattle, 22 bulls, 204 swine and five goats were inspected. Eight cows were quarantined and condemned because infected with tuberculosis.
The State has now resumed paying a sum not exceeding $25.00 for condemned tubercular cattle.
Fifteen dogs were quarantined during the year, one of which died before release, all dogs that were or may have come in contact with a rabid dog, are held under observation for 90 days and in case of an ordinary dog bite, the dog is only restrained for 14 days. Two dogs were killed which proved to have rabies, while several other were killed by police, or owners, these dogs being suspected of rabies.
Five persons were bitten by a rabid dog that came into town from Tyngsboro, all took the Pasteur treatment.
111
Tuberculosis among cattle appears to be on the decrease, as owners are realizing more and more, the advantage of eliminating the animals, although none, as yet, have an accredited herd. No cases of glanders have been found during the past year.
All orders from State authorities who direct the work of this office, have been duly complied with.
The stables in town are located in the following precincts: Precinct 1, 92; No. 2, 30; No. 3, 18; No. 4, 31; No. 5, 33; No. 6, 17.
ARNOLD C. PERHAM, Inspector of Animals.
Dec. 31st, 1924.
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS.
Chelmsford, Mass., Jan. 9, 1925.
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, TOWN OF CHELMSFORD- Gentlemen:
We herewith submit our annual report of the Cemeteries:
At Forefathers Cemetery the usual care has been given to the lots. A few lots have been regraded and seeded, sunken graves have been filled up and sodded. There has been but two interments here during the season.
At Pine Ridge Cemetery the usual work has been done and in addition two avenues have been extended so a new section has been opened up consisting of 125 single graves and 40 small lots. An artesian well and pump have been installed. This has been greatly appreciated by the lot owners.
At Hart Pond Cemetery the usual care has been given. The tool house has been shingled and painted. At Riverside and West Ceme- teries the usual care has been given, also the headstones cleaned.
Extra work has been done this year on perpetual care lots in all the cemeteries.
ARTHUR O. WHEELER, . BAYARD C. DEAN, RALPH P. ADAMS, Cemetery Commissioners.
REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN.
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF CHELSFORD:
The Forest Warden and Fire Departments have continued the same co-operative plan as last year. The District Fire Chiefs were appointed Deputy Forest Wardens in their districts, with authority to issue fire permits and have charge of the forest and grass fires. Most fires were handled by a few men, rather than by the whole fire company, and the fire trucks were not used unless conditions seemed to require them. Four deputy Forest wardens, other than the district Fire chiefs were appointed, namely : Allan Adams, Fred L. Fletcher, Walter Merrill and Fred Merrill. All have done good work.
About 400 permits for fires in the open were issued between March 1st and December 1st. The deputy wardens have responded to 129 fires during the year, a much larger number than usual. The prompt response to the fire calls, which usually come from the Fire Observer
112
on Robin's Hill, when the fire first starts, have kept the fires very small and loss from same has not exceeded $250.00. Fifty-two fires were caused by engine sparks and the others by the carelessness of boys, berry pickers and smokers, with a few exceptions from fireworks and bonfires. Sixty-seven were grass fires, and 62 bonfires or brush and woodland fires All fires have been reported to the State Fire Warden and notices have been posted as required by law. Fires were located as follows: Fire District No. 1, 67; No. 2, 18; No. 3, 2; No. 4, 10; No. 5, 32.
A. C. PERHAM, Forest Warden.
Dec. 31st, 1924.
REPORT OF INSURANCE FUND COMMISSIONERS January 1, 1925
On Deposit :
Merrimack River Savings Bank, Lowell
$1,329.98
City Institution for Savings, Lowell 1,652.53
Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank, Lowell 1,274.20
Central Five Cent Savings Bank, Lowell 511.25
U. S. Liberty Bond
1,000.00
$5,767.96 WALTER PERHAM. Treasurer, Insurance Fund Commissioners.
REPORT OF APPRAISERS.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford:
After going through each Department very carefully and placing a fair value on all materials, tools, equipment, etc., we respectfully sub- mit the following report, of which an itemized account is on file in the Accountant's Office.
Personal property at the Town Farm
$ 1,829.50
Household goods at the Town Farm
461.75
Highway Department
12,600.45
Moth Department
1,118.50
Fire Department:
Centre
$ 3,980.55
North
4,682.75
South
1,346.20
West
1,606.35
Westlands
354.00
East
... 1,349.00
$13,318.85
Weights and Measures
150.00
Total
$29,479.05
JOHN F. PARKER, ALBERT H. DAVIS, EMILE E. PAIGNON,
Appraisers.
113
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY.
The Board of Trustees met for organization on Feb. 16, at the Library, and chose the following officers and committees: Chairman, A. H. Davis; Secretary, Mrs. E. R. Clark; Treasurer, Rev. Wilson Waters; Purchasing Committee, Mrs. E. R. Clark; To approve bills, A. H. Davis and Mrs. Clark; Prudential Committee, A. H. Davis, Wilson Waters; Periodicals and Reading Room, Frances Clark, Lottie L. Snow, Wilson Waters.
Misses Katherine and Margaret Hall have resigned their positions as Librarians, and Mrs. Ida A.Jefts has been appointed in their stead. In accepting the resignation of the Misses Hall the Trusteed expressed their appreciation of their unfailing courtesy, their patience and willing- ness to help in the general work of the Library. They recognized also the valuable assistance of Mrs. Hall and other members of the family.
During the year nearly a thousand books were repaired by Miss Ruby Tillinghast and the whole library has been recatalogued and re- classified by Mrs. Ellen M. Arnold; so that we feel warranted in saying that the Adams Library is in excellent condition. Several hundred vol- umes were discarded as worn out or useless in the library.
On the evening of Thursday, Nov. 13, the Trustees and friends of the Library met in the reading room to recognize in a quiet way the thirtieth anniversary of the gift to the Town by Amos F. Adams of the handsome building known as the Adams Library. The chairman, Albert H. Davis, called the meeting to order and asked Rev. Wilson Waters to speak. He gave a short survey of libraries in general and exhibited one of the earliest known records in the form of a clay tablet about an inch and a half square, covered with Chaldean characters, found among the temple archives of the Ur dynasty, 4200 years old. He also showed an illuminated manuscript 600 years old and a large folio volume more than 400 years old, as steps in the progress of bookmaking. He then spoke of the free town library supported by taxation as a modern American institution. The Social Library in Chelmsford which was, after a hundred years, merged in the Adams Library, was started in 1794 by Rev. Hezekiah Packard. He spoke of the interest taken in the Library by Henry S. Perham. Walter Perham, who was present, made some pleasant and pertinent remarks, and was followed by A. H. Davis, Alfred P. Sawyer, E. R. Clark and Miss Frances Clark, who interested their hearers. A vote of appreciation was tendered Mr. and Mrs. Clark for their past and present efforts in keeping the Library up to the high standard of excellence it has always maintained. The occasion was one of interest and pleasure to all who attended.
We have the pleasure of acknowledging the following gifts: Twen- ty-three volumes of old Lowell Directories beginning with the first issue, 1832, from Judge Frederick A. Fisher; books from Mrs. Henry Bartlett; art objects from the estate of Miss Olive E. Underhill, a bequest; a cabinet containing a large number of interesting coins, Mr. Harvey B. Greene; silver medal of honor presented to the family of Henry W. Davidson in 1865. He died in New Orleans in 1862; Roscoe F. Proctor.
114
Number of books in the Library
11,500
Circulation for the year has been: Fiction
11,981
Non-fiction
2,472
Total
14,453
New books added
256
New books to replace those worn out
71
There have been 91 new borrowers during the year.
LOTTIE L. SNOW,
A. HEADY PARK,
FRANCES CLARK,
LUELLA H. S. CLARK,
WILSON WATERS,
A. H. DAVIS,
Trustees.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY. RECEIPTS
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1923
$ 8.79
From the Town Treasurer
2,000.00
$2,008.79
EXPENDITURES
Librariains
$ 500.00
Repairing books
95.48
Books
708.89
Fuel
194.00
Gas
86.29
Care of grounds, etc.
61.55
Water
12.00
Binding
36.93
Periodicals
82.95
Repairs
97.26
Printing
39.65
Typewriter
60.00
Treasurer's bond
2.50
Transporting books to S. Chelmsford
20.00
Postage
1.50
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1924
.
9.79
$2,008.79
WILSON WATERS, Treasurer.
115
NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION. REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The regular meeting of the Library Corporation was held on Dec. 17th, 1924, at 7.30 p. m .. The yearly reports were read and accepted, and officers for the ensuing year were elected.
There were 151 books sent to the bindery, and 58 new books bought. The Library was opened 156 sessions.
The circulation for the year was 15,209. Cards were issued to 87 new borrowers, making a total of 1000 borrowers. There are now 8889 books in circulation.
West Chelmsford is still getting books, and every one seems satis- fied with the service which we render them.
Special attention has been given to the pupils of the 6th, 7th and 8th grades of both Highland and Princeton Schools as well as the High School, and we hope the teachers will make their wants known that we may, so far as possible, supply them with the books needed.
It has been our sad misfortune this year, as well as last, to loose two of our officers by death.
Miss Anna C. MacKay, Librarian, passed into the Great Beyond early in the year. Her sunny and cheerful disposition endeared her to all with whom she came in contact and her faithful. conscientious service as Librarian will long be remembered.
Mrs. H. Ellen Sargent, for many years a director, passed away in November. She was a woman of sterling character, quiet and un- assuming and very much interested in the welfare of the Library, and we shall greatly miss her wise counsel.
ARTHUR O. WHEELER,
MRS. SARAH E. SHELDON, Directors.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION.
RECEIPTS
$ 38.13
Fuel Rebate
3.00
Town Appropriation
1,200.00
Librarian's Account
20.00
EXPENDITURES
Librarian's Salary
$ 415.92
Books
123.14
Fuel
115.00
Light
29.50
Bindery
98.55
Supplies
14.75
Transportation of books to West Chelmsford
39.00
Printing
24.29
Repairs
277.05
$1,137.20
$ 123.93
Balance on hand
$1,261.13
JOHN J. CARR, Treasurer.
116
$1,261.13
Balance from 1923
Warrant for Annual Town Meeting Feb. 2, 1925, and Feb. 9, 1925
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. MIDDLESEX, ss To Fred Il Vinal, a Constable of the Town of Chelmsford, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid you are hereby required to notify and warn the legal voters of said Chelmsford to meet in their several Polling Places, viz :
Precinct 1, Town Hall, Chelmsford Centre.
Precinct 2, Town Hall, North Chelmsford.
Precinct 3, Historical Hall, West Chelmsford.
Precinct 4, School House, East Chelmsford.
Precinct 5, School House, South Chelmsford:
Precinct 6, Golden Cove School House, Westlands. on MONDAY, the SECOND DAY of FEBRUARY, 1925, being the first Monday in said month, at 12 o'clock noon, for the following purposes :
To bring in their votes for the following officers : Moderator for one year.
One Selectman for three years.
One Overseer of the Poor for three years.
One Assessor for three years.
Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes for one year. One Member of the Board of Health for three years.
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.