USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1936 > Part 6
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Club members held several exhibits in the spring and took part in the sectional rally held at Liberty Hall in Lowell.
Mrs. L. O. Rodin is leading a clothing club of advanced members in Chelmsford Center. This club was active during the summer and was continued into the winter. Two former club girls are leading clothing clubs : Eva Kelly in the Center and Gertrude Sullivan in North Chelms- ford. Mrs. Ernest Ferron is continuing with her club of advanced girls in North Chelmsford and a new leader, Mrs. Raymond Reid, is leading a first year clothing club in South Chelmsford.
Respectfully submitted, PERLEY W. KIMBALL.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Chelmsford, Mass., Dec. 31, 1936 Chelmsford, Mass.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit my annual report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending Dec. 31, 1936:
Number of Scales Tested and Sealed 161
Number of Weights Tested and Sealed 289
Number of Capacity Measure Tested and Sealed 63 Number of Automatic Measuring Devices Tested and Sealed 405
Respectfully submitted,
LESLIE J. REID.
96
NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION
North Chelmsford, Mass., Dec. 31, 1936
The Directors of the No. Chelmsford Public Library submit the following report for the year 1936 :
Circulation for the year was 10485.
Number of sessions 144.
Number of new books added 196.
A large number of books were rebound during the year.
In recent years rebound books have been made much more attrac- tive in appearance, books now being rebound in various different colors and styles of binding.
The magazines added a few years ago have justified the addition and are very much used, both in school work and general circulation.
Although the circulation for this year is some what less than last year, the library is being increasingly used particularly by the school children. The reference books being very much in use. Many scholars spending whole sessions in securing information from the many refer- ence books for school use.
We are very much in need of a reading room, but facilities are such that we do not have a very large one.
We are always glad to welcome visitors at any time.
ARTHUR O. WHEELER,
NELLIE L. SHAWCROSS, BERTHA A. SWAIN.
NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION
December 16, 1936
TREASURER'S REPORT
RECEIPTS
Balance on hand January 1, 1936 $ 38.48
Town Appropriation 1,100.00
Librarian's fines 7.00
1,145.48 $
EXPENDITURES
Librarian's Salary $ 300.00
Assistant librarian and janitor
115.92
97
Assistant
53.00
Books
438.08
Magazines
18.50 65.00
Fuel
13.67
Binding books
46.79
Miscellaneous supplies and expenses
71.48
$ 1,122.44
Balance in treasury
$ 23.04
$ 1,145.48
Respectfully submitted, BERTHA M. WHITWORTH,
Treasurer.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY
The Board organized with Albert H. Davis as chairman. Mrs. Luella H. S. Clark as secretary and Frederick A. P. Fiske as treasurer.
Mrs. Ida A. Jefts was reappointed librarian and Mrs. Aldegonde Peterson as assistant librarian, Miss Marianna Hemenway was reap- pointed to assist in the Children's Department. On the first of October, owing to ill health Mrs. Edwin R. Clark resigned from the Board of Trustees. For many years Mrs. Clark served on the Board and for fifteen years as librarian.
Very much interested in library work and a sincere lover of books, she gave freely of her time and efforts to make the library useful to the citizens of the town.
For many years she was the purchasing agent and displayed ex- cellent taste in the selection of books. For the past few years Mrs. Clark has served as the secretary of the Board. Mrs. Clark has always been ably assisted by her husband, Mr. Edwin R. Clark, who was also much interested in the work of the library. For many years Mr. Clark numbered all the books as they were purchased and did this without compensation. The trustees desire to express their appreciation of the labors of both Mr. and Mrs. Clark in behalf of the library and to ex- press their regret that it has now become necessary for them to re- linquish their work.
ALBERT H. DAVIS, LOTTIE L. SNOW, FRED W. PARK, FRANCES CLARK, FREDERICK A. P. FISKE.
98
Lighting
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF ADAMS LIBRARY
Jan. 1, 1936-December 31, 1936
RECEIPTS
Balance from last year $ 119.42
Rents from George Memorial Hall
18.00
Fines
14.83
Amount withdrawn from Amos F. Adams Fund
275.00
$ 427.25
EXPENDITURES
Mariana Hemenway for services
2.80
Books
8.83
Rent of Safety Deposit Box
5.50
Mr. Vincent Garvey for removing tree
6.00
Town of Chelmsford for fines and rentals
32.83
$ 354.11
Balance on hand
$ 73.14
FREDERICK A. P. FISKE,
Treasurer.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
December 31, 1936
Circulation for 1936
14,793
Magazines
943
Non fiction
2,101
Fiction
11,749
Books sent to West Chelmsford 1,425
Magazines sent to West Chelmsford
12
Books sent to South Chelmsford
1,130
Magazines sent to South Chelmsford
10
Pictures borrowed from Library collection
55
New Borrowers
123
Books borrowed from Division of Public Libraries
64
State Certificates awarded
79
New Books purchased 200
Received from fines .$ 64.29
99
Received for books damaged
Received from transient borrower Paid for desk supplies Money refunded transient borrower Balance handed Treasurer
1.00
1.00
$ 48.46
1 00
$ 14.83
$ 64.29
$ 64.29
IDA A. JEFTS,
Librarian.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH For the Year Ending December 31, 1936
Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford :
I respectfully submit my annual report of the Board of Health of 1936 to all Citizens of Chelmsford. We ask that all the people of the Town co-operate with the Board in making a proper use of the various public dumps, the Westlands dump particularly was a constant source of annoyance to the community because due to many of the people being careless in dumping refuge in the driveway, it had to be cleared several times lately at a considerable expense. We earnestly request that anyone using the Westlands dump deposit the waste over the bank rather than dump it in the roadway. Carelessness in this respect means additional expense to the tax-payers of the Town.
The Board earnestly requests the co-operation of everyone in secur- ing a desirable sanitary condition, and wishes to be notified of any exist- ing nuisance source of filth or cause of sickness within the Town. We quote in part, from the regulations of the Board of Health :
No person shall allow any sink or waste water to be turned into or upon any street, lane, gutter, or sidewalk of the Town. Brooks opens drains and sluceways upon premises within certain defined limits in the Town shall be kept free from such obstructions as permit the accumu- lation of stagnant water.
No person shall deposit any tin cans or rubbish of any description in any place within the Town, other than in a public dumping ground, or on premises owned or occupied by him, without a permit from the Board of Health.
No person shall suffer any waste or stagnant water which is likely to become a nuisance or offensive or dangerous to public health or remain in any cellar or on any lot of land owned by him.
100
No person shall deposit the contents of any cesspool or privy vault upon the surface of the ground unless the same is plowed under or otherwise covered within twenty-four hours.
No person shall remove the contents of any cesspool, privy vault, or drain from any premises between certain dates if desired without a per- mit from the Board of Health, and in all cases only in watertight re- ceptacles and at such times and in such a manner as shall not be offen- sive nor dangerous to the public health.
No person shall establish or construct within the Town any cesspool or privy vault without a written permit from the Board of Health.
However the citizens of Chelmsford has been very fortunate the last year in contagious diseases as the report of the Agent, shows in her annual report.
Mrs. Mae Lewis deserves much credit after years of careful study and consideration most successful in all her undertaking considering the nature of her work and including so great a territory successfully, and covering the entire Town ought to be appreciated by all citizens of Chelmsford, and especially all parents of School and pre-school chil- dren of the Town.
The clinics have been held as usual with special care to pre-school children and have been well attended.
The appropriation for "Aid" which is applied principally to those unfortunates of our citizenry, afflicted with "Communicable Diseases" has been over-run by $1203.24 during the year 1936. This is a situation which your "Board" has no control, nor can we estimate. We can as- sure you that each case has been thoroughly investigated, by our Agent, by the members of the board, by contact with the Selectmen, and the welfare representative, Mr. MacElroy, before payment was authorized.
The Board is continuously being called for nuisance caused by im- proper sewage disposal. For the protection of our citizens and for the good of the public health in our several communities. The Board has adopted "Rules and regulations," for the proper disposal of house sewage. Permits are issued for installations of this nature and the regulations may be procured from the Town Clerk. The authority vested in us is taken from Section 3 of the "Rules and Regulations for Plumbing" adopted by the Town and Board of Health in the year 1930.
Section 3, the last sentence reads as follows: If a sewer is not available, the sewage shall be discharged into cesspool or septic tank and cesspool or a subsurface distribution system, THE PLANS OF WHICH MUST BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH BEFORE CONNECTIONS IS MADE.
Respectfully, GEORGE MCNULTY, Chairman. JAMES J. KIBERD, JR., WALTER JEWETT.
101
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH AGENT
Mr. George McNulty Chairman of Board of Health Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
The following is a report for the year ending 1936 :
Your Board of Health Agent endeavors to offer to the town a com- plete program in Public Health service. This includes nursing advice for control of communicable diseases ; pre-school and school children, incommunicable disease service. Your agent has assisted the District Healthı Officer in interpreting and enforcing quarantine regulations for the protection of the general public and has helped families to under- stand and meet problems in adequate care of the case. Clinic service also has been rendered by your agent-diphtheria immunization and tuber- culosis diagnostic clinics. In the past spring we had several typhoid clinics in which 600 children and adults were inoculated against typhoid. Physicians in attendance were Dr. Varney, Dr. Scoboria, and Dr. Latham. I also assisted Dr. Varney at the Southwell Mills in inoculat- ing men from the flood districts who worked nights and were unable to attend the evening clinics. Our immunization clinics against diphtheria are held every spring and fall. In 1935 we gave for the first time in Chelmsford diphtheria toxoid to children under 12 years of age and over 6 months. This group does not require the Schick test, but we had sev- eral pupils and two teachers who received the toxin anti-toxin in Octo- ber, 1935 and were given the test in May, 1936-all were immune from diphtheria. In October, 1936 we gave diphtheria toxoid to 26 children over 6 months and under 5 years of age; 122 under 9 years; 15 under 14 years ; 4 under 20 years; and three teachers. All pupils over 12 and the teachers received the toxin anti-toxin and will have the Schick test in the spring, 1937 .- Total for toxoid, 148 and toxin anti-toxin, 22. More than ever we urge all mothers who have children over 6 months old to bring them to the clinic in the spring which will be held at the Center town hall A notice will be in the Courier Citizen a week previous and we always an- nounce it in all the schools. In checking up on my pupils in the fall I found only 42 in the elementary schools who were not immunized or Shicked, as some of these children came from other schools. Our State Health Officer says we have one of the best immunized towns in the State. In 1936 we had one case of diphtheria-an adult who was never immun- ized or Schicked. In October Dr. Martin, who is our school Clinic doctor from the County, gave the tuberculin test to grade seven, nine, and eleven, and contacted new cases in lower grades of children whose parents are either confined to a sanitorium or at home. Report on clinic as follows :
102
108
Children tested
Reacting to test 17
X-rayed 23
Physical examinations 8
Observation cases 6
Observation cases re-examined in one year 1
Observation cases re-examined in two years 2
The X-Ray is given in the McFarlin Gym and we transport the pupils from the other schools when necessary. We carry over several pupils, mostly underweights, who have been examined by the State in past years; these are weighed every 3 months and at the end of the year reports are sent in to the State. The children are examined by a State doctor and discharged, with instructions in regards to rest and diet, providing they are up to standard. Just a word about contagious diesases .- When a physician reports a contagious case to the Board of Health, the house is carded by your agent, and instructions given in re- gards to rules and regulations in the home. A nurse is not allowed to diagnose a case; therefore a diagnosis MUST come from a regular phy- sician. No record attendance is worth the risk of infectious diseases in school! Any child who has a cold, no matter how slight, should re- main away from school, be kept in bed for at least two days and should be seen by the family physician. Nearly all so called children's diseases such as measles, whooping cough, scarlet fever, etc., begin with symptoms which suggest the common cold. Colds may be the forerunner of almost any disease and are not to be trifled with. I have taken children home from school with severe colds only to have them returned the following day with a note saying "It's only a cold, I want him or her to stay in school"! The results are that the child has to be excluded and taken home a second time with instructions not to come back until the cold is gone, and a certificate has been obtained from the physician. When a contagious disease breaks out in a school room all the books are fumi- gated, desks are washed with a disinfectant and all precautions taken. Our school physicians examine pupils in the school, and any child who has been exposed to contagion is excluded from school for at least seven days and must live away from home. To return to school after that period they must have a certificate from their physician or Board of Health.
We must protect our children, please help us! Most parents are very co-operative and some just do not understand. When there is an epidemic in our neighboring city or town please keep the children away from theatres and gatherings of any kind. You will find it will help. our problem tremendously. We had a larger number than usual of con- tagious diseases last year, but this was not peculiar to our town alone,. for the entire State had similar difficulties. One physician remarked. that it was a wonder we did not have many more cases, as some of our townspeople visited homes where there were contagious diseases. How can we meet this situation?
103
Following is a list of contagious diseases reported by physicians : Scarlet Fever 56
German Measles 80
Measles 60
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 3
Chicken Pox
20
Lobar Pneumonia
1
Mumps
18
Diphtheria
1
Dog Bite
10
Home Visits-nursing instructions 290
Sanitary Visits 44
Investigations 68
Pre-natal instructions
12
Several trips were made by your agent to Middlesex Sanitorium, North Reading, Tewksbury, and G. U. Clinics.
Our dental work is being done by Dr. Ritter, who is giving us the very best service for the seventh year. Since the opening of the school term he has finished the dental work in the Westlands school and at present is working the McFalin school; every Wednesday from 9 A. M. to 3 P. M. finds him busy as usual in some one of our schools. The Center Parent Teachers' Association bought a dental chair which was needed very much and greatly appreciated.
Following is a report of dental work:
Examined by dentist 1060
Estimates of dental work sent home
824
Children not needing care
236
Teeth treated 434
Teeth filled-permanent
811
Teeth filled-temporary 506
Teeth extracted-permanent
28
Teeth extracted-temporary 304
Teeth cleaned 734
The Parent-Teachers' Association in all parts of the town give gen- erously to pupils who are unable to have the dental work done even at reduced prices. Also free milk is given in schools where the children are unable to pay for it.
Your agent took a course in Public Health and School nursing, given by Professor Baker of Simmons College in February and March, 1936 at the State House, Boston. I also attended the Institute for Public Health Nursing and Contagious diseases in connection with school chil- dren for two days. I always take every opportunity to attend such lectures, for the subject matter proves very helpful and interesting. Dr. Archibald of the Department of Public Health visited many times during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
MAE S. LEWIS, R. N.
104
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health.
January 1, 1937
Chelmsford, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I submit the following report of animals slaughtered by licensed butchers and owners at their premises. From January 1, 1936 to Janu- ary 1, 1937, have been inspected by me.
Cattle 470
Calves
573
Hogs
576
Sheep
3056
Goats
3
Of these were condemned :
Cattle
3
Calves
22
Hogs 2
All inspections have been reported to the State authorities.
Respectfully submitted,
W. C. GALE, Inspector of Slaughtering.
MEAT INSPECTOR'S REPORT
To the Board of Health,
Chelmsford, Mass.
January 1, 1937
Gentlemen :
I submit the following report on markets, butcher and fish carts. I have found them in good condition, although I have condemned 540 pounds of meat and 50 pounds of fowl that had to be destroyed.
Respectfully submitted, W. C. GALE, Inspector of Meats.
105
ANNUAL REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Chelmsford, Mass., January 2, 1937.
Board of Health Chelmsford, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The following is a report of the Plumbing work done for the year ending December 31, 1936.
Whole number of applications for Permits to do Plumbing
64
New Houses
16
Old Houses
48
-
Total
64
Inspections
141
Tests
48
Total Visits 189
The following is a list of the various plumbing fixtures installed :
Water Closets
67
Lavatories
55
Bath tubs
40
Wash trays
23
Sinks
52
Urinals
3
Shower Baths
3
Floor Drains
1
Sink Traps
3
Total 247
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES N. MIDWOOD, Plumbing Inspector
106
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MILK INSPECTION DIVISION
December 31, 1936
Board of Health
Chelmsford, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present the report of the Milk Inspection Divi- sion for the year ending December 31, 1936.
Forty-seven stores were licensed to sell milk; twenty-four dealers to distribute milk; two plants to pasteurize milk; and eight stores were registered to sell oleomargarine.
There were seven hundred seventeen dairy farms listed by dealers as sources of milk supply. Four hundred thirty-six dairy farm inspec- tions were made and scored; forty-five reinspections were necessary ; two dairy farms are not approved as yet.
The average daily consumption of milk for 1936 was :
573 quarts of milk-Raw; 1753 quarts of Milk-Pasteurized; 50 quarts of Grade A Milk; 9 quarts of buttermilk; 23 quarts of cream.
The total solids and fats were determined on seven hundred forty- nine samples of milk and the fats on thirty-one samples of cream; three hundred thirty-three samples of milk were examined for the bacterial content; the sediment was determined on three hundred eighty-four samples taken from dealers. One hundred seventy-six samples of milk from producers were tested for total solids, fat, and bacterial content.
Sixty-nine dollars and fifty cents, received from license fees, were paid to the Town Treasurer.
The numerical averages of the chemical and the median average of the bacterial samples follow :
Total Solids %
Fat
Median Average
%
Bac. per C. C.
Milk-Pasteurized
12.89
3.98
9,000.
Milk-Raw
13.11
4.32
14,000.
Grade A Milk
12.76
4.10
3,200.
Light cream 22.21%; Medium 26.24%; Heavy 35.82%; Extra Heavy 39.06 ; median bacterial count 28,000. per c. c.
Respectfully submitted,
M. F. MASTER.
107
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS REPORT
Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
The report of the work done by this department during the year 1936 under the direction of the Division of Livestock Disease Control, State Department of Agriculture, follows :
The annual inspection of cattle, sheep and swine ordered during the latter part of the year is now completed and a detailed report has been submitted to the Director of Livestock Disease Control.
There are 200 stables, the same as last year, in which are kept 796 dairy cows, 152 young cattle and 23 bulls, a total of 971 head which is 35 more than last year. There is an increase of 83 dairy cows but a loss of 54 young cattle and an increase of 6 bulls.
West Chelmsford has only 26 cattle in 8 stables and the Westlands 53 cattle in 10 stables.
All cattle in town are regularly tested by State and Federal inspec- tors and only one cow reacted to the test for tuberculosis.
There are 17 goats, 80 sheep and 776 swine in town.
75 cows, one bull and two heifers for dairy purposes, 19 beef cattle and 107 calves were shipped into town on permits issued by the State authorities. They were identified and released upon proof of satis- factory test charts and certificates showing that they came from herds free from Bangs disease during the year previous to entry into the State.
There were no cases of rabies during the year although 40 dog bite cases have been investigated. 22 dogs were held in quarantine for a period of two weeks observation and then released, the other cases were reported after the danger period had passed or the dogs could not be found and were not quarantined. The heads of two dogs were taken to Boston for examination one of which had been buried for several days and the other killed by the police with permission of the owner. Fortunately both dogs were not rabid although they had savagely at- tacked and bitten persons.
It appears quite probable that steps will soon be taken by the State and Federal authorities for better control of mastitis and Bangs disease.
Permits are required to bring cattle into Mass. from other states.
ARNOLD C. PERHAM,
Animal Inspector.
108
BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Chelmsford, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The annual report of the Board of Fire Engineers is respectfully submitted herewith :
The Board is organized as follows :
Harry L. Shedd, Chief. John W. Dixon, Ass't. Chief. Jolın M. Kemp, Ass't. Chief.
with the latter serving as Clerk of the Board.
The Board appointed the following District Chiefs :
Wilhelm T. Johnson
District No. 1
Joseph D. Ryan
District No. 2
Walter Edwards
District No. 3
Henry G. Quinn
Charles House
District No. 4 District No. 5
There are now fifty-three new on the permanet Roster of the Department and by their faithful and loyal service have maintained a high Standard of efficiency.
The Equipment has been kept in excellent condition and no major replacements or renewals have been needed this year.
A blanket policy of accident insurance covering all the men has given them a great feeling of security and protected the town. Frequent drills have been held and the activities of the different districts coordin- ated so that the Department might work effectively as a whole.
The Department has responded to 68 alarms of fire and in addition has rendered aid at brush fires and assistance to neighboring cities and towns.
Some repairs are necessary at the Fire Stations located at the East and South villages and arrangements are under way to have these ac- complished through the agency of the W. P. A. the cost of material being paid for out of our current appropriation.
Our appreciation is extended to them for the whole hearted co- operation given by the excellent Police Department of our town as well as that of the Lowell Motor Cycle Officer and State Troopers.
HARRY L. SHEDD, JOHN W. DIXON, JOHN M. KEMP, Board of Fire Engineers.
109
REPORT OF WELFARE AGENT
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I respectfully submit my report for the year 1936.
The total cost of Outside Relief and Old Age Assistance expended from our Town appropriation was $40,693.25. There remained a balance of $6,068.54 at the end of the fiscal year. These figures do not include administration cost, but are the actual amounts spent on the two divisions of aid.
It is my firm opinion that Outside Relief will gradually decrease from now on, but on the other hand Old Age Assistance is sure to in- crease.
The citizens of Chelmsford must relaize that the Board of Public Welfare or its agent are powerless to prevent an increase on Old Age Assistance when Federal and State legislation have lessened the eligi- bility requirements in every respect.
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