USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1951 > Part 7
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Very truly yours,
BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS. ALLAN KIDDER, Chief Engineer, WILLIAM L. COLMER, Asst. Chief Engineer GILBERT PERHAM, LEO A. WILLIAMS, CHARLES D. HARRINGTON, Clerk.
95
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
During the year this Board appointed Mr. Francis J. Brown to assume the duties of Health Agent, Sanitarian and Milk Inspector for the Town of Chelmsford. The performance of his duties started on June 1st.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
The incidence of contagious diseases was low this year, particu- larly with regard to those types peculiar to childhood.
Following is a list of communicable diseases reported to the Board of Health office for the past six years :
'46
'47
'48
'49
'50
'51
Anterior Poliomyelitis
Chicken Pox
6
2
1
16
3
13
Diphtheria
1
2
1
-
Dog Bite
16
15
11
7
14
16
Pneumonia, Lobar
2
3
3
1
-
Measles
8
4
36
22
24
4
Mumps
2
1
13
2
2
1
Scarlet Fever
9
5
10
2
7
Pul. Tuberculosis
Typhoid Fever
1
Whooping Cough
14
1
7
7
3
German Measles
1
2
1
4
-
Anterior Poliomyelitis
Throughout the country this year the incidence of "polio" was much lower than 1950 and the epidemic year of 1949. Although many of the neighboring towns and cities reported cases of infantile paraly- sis, Chelmsford was lucky to escape without having one single case.
Pamphlets and booklets were obtained from the National Foun- dation for Infantile Paralysis concerning the precautions to take to prevent "polio", what to do when it arrives and all the known facts about the disease. This reading matter was left at various places throughout the town so that the people could gain a better knowledge of the dread disease, infantile paralysis.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Of all the communicable diseases, the hardest to overcome is tuberculosis. It is also the communicable disease that is the most ex- pensive to the community and to the patient himself. Last year, this department spent over six hundred dollars for the hospital care of patients afflicted with tuberculosis. Added to this cost will be the
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
amount levied by the county on the Town of Chelmsford for the deficit of the sanatorium at Waltham. This represents the cost to the tax- payers but it does not tell the whole story. It does not tell us the amount of money spent by the Welfare Department and other agencies for rehabilitation and also care of the dependents of persons ill with tuberculosis. It also does not show the loss in productive capacity of the patients which perhaps is around three thousand dollars a year.
This department is trying to exhaust every avenue of the discov- ery, prevention and spread of this disease. The greatest factor we know of to prevent the disease is the early detection of it. This is best done by chest x-rays and follow-up physical examinations.
We are carrying on a program of routine x-ray check-ups for food handlers.
During the year we checked on all old tuberculosis patients and their contacts and also new and suspected cases.
Diphtheria
This year we are happy to report that no cases of diphtheria were reported in Chelmsford. We feel that the immunization clinics carried on by this department, through the school nurse, plus the excellent work in prévention carried on by private physicians are showing de- sired results.
SANITARY INSPECTIONS
Sanitary Inspections of Food Handling Establishments *-....
Eating and drinking establishments 60
Grocery stores 23
Bakeries 2
Soft drink bottling plants 2
School cafeteria 2
- Made since June 1st.
Much improvement was seen in food handling establishments this year.
In June the United States Public Health Service Code for Eating and Drinking Establishments was adopted by this department. It is the most complete and fairest code for restaurants in the country. It has been authored by experts in the field of sanitation.
July was the month that saw a complete survey of the eating and drinking establishments in the Town made. It was conducted by our sanitarian with the help of Mr. Karol Wisnieski of the State Health Department. The results showed that much would have to be done to improve the sanitary conditions in these establishments. After the survey, a meeting was called with the owners and managers of the eating and drinking establishments. At this meeting it was explained just what would be expected of the eating and drinking places under the new code.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Reinspections of all establishments were made in September and again in November. Various new equipment had been installed in some places to improve sanitizing methods for the safer production of food and drink. On the second inspection the town average had risen 19 points.
In most cases the cooperation given by the restaurant owners and their help was excellent. Without this cooperation no improvement could have been made in the sanitary conditions of these places.
On November 26th, 27th and 28th a Food Handlers' School was conducted by the sanitarian with the help of Mr. Theodore Shepardson of the State Health Department. It was given with the idea of en- lightening the food handlers not only as to what they should do as far as santation is concerned but also the reasons behind all of these rules and regulations.
Conditions in eating and drinking places are by no means where they should be and there is still much to be done. Additional educa- tional programs and inspections are planned for the following year. It is hoped that these programs will not only further improve the san- itary condition of the eating and drinking places but that they will also keep the sanitary conditions on the high level that we hope to attain.
MILK CONTROL PROGRAM
There are 41 stores or other places of business that are licensed to sell milk in the Town of Chelmsford.
There are 28 licensed milk dealers that distribute their milk in Chelmsford.
There are two pasteurization plants in the Town of Chelmsford, both of which have been licensed by this Board. Since June two com- plete inspections have been made of these plants by this Board. An inspection of each place was also made by the State Dept. of Public Health. Both plants are, at present, installing new equipment so that they may turn out a better, cleaner and more healthful milk product.
In the Town itself, there are 43 dairy farms who send their milk to dealers who peddle in the town. All of these farms were inspected twice during the year. In most cases, conditions were found to be satisfactory. Recommendations were made where necessary.
If all of the milk producers that contribute to Chelmsford's milk supply were inspected, it would require visiting over 500 dairy farms and it would take you far up into northern Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
There are about 5,900 quarts of milk sold each day in the Town in door to door delivery. This figure does not include the milk bought in grocery stores or the milk that is consumed in restaurants. If these figures were taken into consideration, it could probably be said that the average consumption of milk in the Town is 2/3s of a quart per
98
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
person per day. Without taking into consideration the grocery store and restaurant sales, the figure is well over a pint a day. This is very good when you consider that the average for the whole country is only a pint of milk per person per day.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
During the year rules and regulations were adopted relating to the installation and cleaning out of sewage disposal systems. These rules and regulations require that no sewage disposal system shall be installed without obtaining a permit from the Board of Health. This was adopted so that these installations could be inspected by this Board. These systems were checked for size, construction, placement, possibility of causing pollution or sickness and suitability for the building they were to serve. It was impossible to inspect every in- stallation because contractors and others building homes were not familiar with the new procedure and did not apply for permits. It is believed that about 95% of the installations were checked. Next year it is hoped that 100% will be possible.
NUISANCE COMPLAINTS (Since June 1, 1951)
Animals
2
Dumping
8
Housing
5
Rats 1
Sewers and Related Conditions
23
Smoke
2
Swine 7
Since June 1st this department investigated about 50 cases of nuisances of various types as shown by the above figures. It is well to note that by far the greatest majority of these were classified under sewerage complaints. Sewerage is a great problem in most sec- tions of town. In most cases, it was found that the poor conditions were not due to poor installation or maintenance but because of lack of space, also because of the fact that the land available will take only so much water. Chelmsford is suffering from growing pains as far as its sewerage systems are concerned.
Illegal dumping is another problem of this department. It seems a shame that inasmuch as the Town provides two dumps for the dis- posal of rubbish that citizens continue to dump illegally on the prop- erty of others and on the roads and highways of the town. Another problem along the same line is the expense which the dumps have be- come to the town. They are not only a burden to the Health Depart- ment but also to the Fire Department and the Highway Department. The answer to this could be in a rubbish collection system-a system whereby the collector would be the only one to enter the dumps, or the answer could be in the awarding of a contract to a person or persons for the care and supervision of the dumps. Under this contract the successful bidder would be bonded and would be held strictly to the
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
terms of the contract which would include keeping the dumps in a con- dition satisfactory to this Board.
No nuisances had to be abated by taking court action.
BIOLOGICAL DEPOT
During the year a refrigerator was purchased. It was installed in the Board of Health office in the Town Hall.
This was approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as a suitable station for the distribution of biologicals.
Among the biologicals kept in stock at the depot are the follow- ing: Diphtheria antitoxin (2 strengths), Schick tests, Tetanus toxoid (2 sizes), Triple vaccine (2 sizes), Typhoid Para A & B vaccine, Double vaccine (2 sizes), Smallpox vaccine (2 sizes), Sterile vaccination needles, Tuberculin (2 sizes), Silver nitrate and Immune serum glob- ulin.
These serums are available, free of charge, to physicians for the treatment of Chelmsford patients. Formerly doctors had to wait days to obtain these biologicals. Arrangements have been made so that this station is open to physicians at all times.
SCHOOL INSPECTIONS
Since September two complete inspections were made of the schools in the town. During these inspections special attention was paid to the sanitary condition of the lavatory and the toilet facilities. The school cafeterias were also included in the inspections.
Conditions were found to be very satisfactory. There were no unsanitary conditions found at the time of the inspections. It is planned to make frequent inspections of the schools throughout the year.
KINDERGARTENS AND NURSERY SCHOOLS
The kindergartens and nursery schools in Chelmsford were in- spected and licensed during the year. These are required to have the same facilities for the children as there are in the schools. Toilet facil- ities were checked especially along with adequate space, light, heat and ventilation. Children are required to be vaccinated before enter- ing a kindergarten or nursery.
MULTI-PHASIC CLINIC
Next year this department hopes to conduct a multi-phasic or multi-diagnostic clinic. The purpose of this clinic would be to ex- amine people, not only for tuberculosis, but also for heart disease, can- cer, diabetes and other chronic diseases. No diagnosis would be made in this clinic but people would be referred to their family physicians for a confirmatory diagnosis on the positive findings of the clinic.
This clinic will not be conducted without the approval of the local physicians and their Medical society. It is this approval or disapproval that the Board of Health is now awaiting.
100
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
NEW LABORATORY
To do a complete job of sanitation in the Town of Chelmsford, samples from restaurants, milk samples and water samples should be analysed frequently. Samples from all of the milk dealers should be done once a month. Restaurant samples should be taken at least every other month.
If we were to do this job of sample taking, it would cost at least nine hundred dollars to send the samples elsewhere to be analysed. Instead of doing this, this Board is asking for the nine hundred dol- lars so that it may be invested in laboratory equipment. This amount is not enough to install a full, well-equipped laboratory. It will take four or five years to obtain a complete laboratory. By the second year we hope to have enough equipment so that we can do a certain amount of laboratory analysis.
With a laboratory of this type much can be done to further pro- tect the health of the town.
Milk could be analysed. It could be tested for the total amount of bacteria in a certain sample to see if it is of a safe drinking quality. The efficiency of pasteurization could be tested. Another test could be performed which indicates how carefully milk is handled after pas- teurization. Equipment coming in contact with milk could be tested as to its sterility. Many other tests could be performed on the milk to assure the townspeople of a safe supply.
In eating and drinking places samples could be taken of the uten- sils that come in contact with food or drink to assure the people that they are not contaminated and that good dishwashing procedures are being used. Food could also be analysed to be sure that spoiled or "rotten" food is not being served.
Well water samples could be analysed for their purity for those people who still depend on this means of water supply.
This laboratory would be an added service to the Town-a service which this Board feels is needed. It is a step which many communi- ties in Massachusetts have already taken or are planning to take.
INCOME OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR 1952
Referring to the figures of former years and making slight ad- justments, an estimate of the money that will be received by the Town as a result of the business of this department has been made.
Plumbing permit fees $1,200.00
Slaughter house licenses 65.00
Slaughtering fees
1,000.00
Wood alcohol permits
30.00
Milk licenses 60.00
Carbonated beverage permits 20.00
Sewage disposal permits 300.00
Miscellaneous permits (cabins, swine, etc.) 20.00
State subsidy for TB patients 205.00
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
EXPLANATION OF CHANGES IN THE 1952 BUDGET
Contagious Diseases-The amount asked for is considerably less than in previous years due to the fact that the Health Department will no longer be required to pay for the care and treatment of tuberculosis patients. This cost for care and treatment will be added to Chelms- ford's assessment for the deficit of the Middlesex sanatorium at the end of the year.
Transportation for Sanitarian and Nurse-We are asking for more money for this account because of the higher taxes on gas, registra- tion fee, increased insurance rates and the other increased costs of operating an automobile.
Meat Inspector's Salary-Formerly the meat inspector was paid $125 a month. Some months there were no inspections made, espe- cially during the summer. So that the Town will not be paying for work not done, the Board of Health has raised the slaughtering fees to one dollar for each animal slaughtered and the meat inspector will be paid one dollar for each animal he inspects. In this way the slaugh- tering inspector's salary will be paid for by the slaughtering fees col- lected.
Care of Dumps-This board is planning to call for bids in the spring on two separate items pertaining to the dumps. The first one is for the filling and leveling of the dumps and putting them in a good condition. For this item we are asking for $500.
We then intend to call for bids for the constant maintenance of the dumps. In other words, the successful bidder will be required to keep the dumps in a neat, orderly condition at all times. For this item we are asking for $2000.
The total of these items, $2500, is less than the amount that was spent on the dumps last year by the Health, Highway and Fire De- partments combined.
CONCLUSION
We, the Board of Health, were very happy to serve you during the past year. We hope that the steps toward the improvement of the public health in Chelmsford we took last year and the ones we intend to make in the coming year have met and will continue to meet with your wholehearted approval.
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVER A. REEVES, Chairman DR. CHARLES C. FARRINGTON EDMUND J. WELCH
102
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Board of Health
Chelmsford, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as plumbing inspector for the year ending December 31, 1951. -
A total of 165 "Application for Permit to Do Plumbing" were issued to licensed plumbers and referred to me. Of this number 112 were for new homes and 53 were for old buildings. The issued per- mits necessitated 142 tests and 253 inspections before they were ap- proved.
Following is a list of the various plumbing fixtures installed; a total of 681.
Water Closets
165
Lavatories
161
Bath Tubs
131
Sinks
109
Combination Sink and Tray
10
Double Sinks
17
Bar Sinks
1
Bradley Wash Sinks
3
Showers
7
Tumbler Washer
1
Wash Fountain
1
Wash Trays
36
Clothes Washers
7
Dish Washers
1
9
Disposals
5
Drinking Fountains
1
Tankless Heaters
1
Urinals
2
Traps (grease)
2
Floor Drains
2
Drip Pipes
6
Dental Chairs
2
Storage Tanks (gas)
2
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. GAGNON,
Inspector of Plumbing.
..
103
REPORT OF SLAUGHTERING INSPECTOR
REPORT OF THE SLAUGHTERING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health 'Town of Chelmsford
Gentlemen:
The following report is submitted for the Inspector of Slaughter- ing for the year ending December 31, 1951: .
NUMBER INSPECTED
Cattle
46
Calves
15
Hogs
454
Sheep
20
Goats
2
Horses
201
Total Inspected
738
NUMBER CONFISCATED
Calf (condemned)
1
Mr. Patrick Haley served as Slaughtering Inspector from Jan- uary 1, 1951, to September 19, 1951, at which time he passed away. His report is included in the above statistics.
Respectfully submitted, (Signed) SPENCER W. CHAMBERLIN
Slaughtering Inspector.
104
REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR
REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR
Board of Selectmen:
My Thirty-seventh Annual Report follows:
The annual inspection of all neat cattle, sheep and swine has recently been completed and the list totals 567 Cows, 83 Heifers, 130 Calves, 28 Bulls, 14 Steers, 16 Sheep, 40 Goats, 591 Swine and 64 Horses, in 118 different stables.
The tuberculin test was applied to all cattle and eight cows were condemned for tuberculosis, all from one herd. This is the third suc- cessive year that reactors have been condemned but from a different herd each year. Previously there were several years when no reactors were found.
The infected stables were thoroughly cleaned, repaired and dis- infected as required.
Eighteen cattle were shipped in from other states accompanied by the proper health certificates and all were released on identification.
Fifty dog-bite cases were reported and investigated; 41 were quar- antined and later released as no rabies developed; the others were out of town or could not be found.
Respectfully submitted,
ARNOLD C. PERHAM,
Animal Inspector.
REPORT OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE 105
REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
Middlesex County maintains an Extension Service in Agriculture and Home Economics for the benefit of all towns within the County. This service is available to all citizens, especially farmers, home gardeners, homemakers, rural youth and 4-H Club boys and girls.
The work is developed by an unpaid Board of Trustees who main- tain a staff of agents at the headquarters at 19 Everett Street, Con- cord. The trustees appoint a director in each town to represent them in all phases of Extension Work or in a few cases towns elect a director and make an appropriation to help defray local expenses.
In addition to farm and home visits made upon request, local meetings are held or sectional or county-wide meetings or tours are helps available to everyone. A monthly bulletin is published, timely letters mailed on spraying, fertilizing, seeding, poultry problems, in- formation to homemakers, boys, and girls' 4-H work or general com- munity problems.
Some of the activities that took place last year in Chelmsford are as follows:
Educational work with t the dairymen was concentrated on programs to assist the farmers in solving their problems of raising better roughage, disease control and milk marketing. Manuel J. Avila, H. M. Blackie, T. W. and J. P. Emerson, Charles Koulas, Walter F. Lewis, Sheehan Brothers, Albert R. Simpson, Howard A. Thayer and Edwin H. Warren enrolled in the Green Pasture Program, completed the program and received appropriate seals for their work. Some organization and planning work was done to make better contacts with smaller fruit growers in the Chelmsford, Westford, Dracut, Tyngsboro, Dunstable and Billerica areas. Chelmsford seemed to be the ideal center and two meetings were held at the Town Hall. One Twilight Meeting was held at Shuhany's fruit farm.
Increased efficiency, flock health, greater breeding progress, and better marketing practices were the principal goals of the Extension Poultry Program. Efficient management practices and equipment were among the topics discussed at meetings of the Middlesex County Poultry Association, which is held at the Acton Town Hall on the second Monday of the month. T. W. Zabierek is secretary of this or- ganization. Charles Koulas, Walter F. Lewis, Lupien Farms, John Parkinson and Meindert Schuts are enrolled in the Middlesex Flock Health Program, through which the Extension Service is attempting to help poultrymen and turkey growers to keep their flocks healthy. T. W. Zabierek is a member of the committee directing this program.
106
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Walter Lewis helped plan and presided at a series of breeders' meetings held by the Extension Service during the spring. He was one of 40 poultry breeders from the entire nation selected on the basis of their previous accomplishments in the Chicken-of-Tomorrow Con- test to compete in the National Finals. His entry of White Americans was awarded third prize in the comprehensive scoring system. Mr. Lewis also competed in the 1951 Massachusetts Chicken-of-Tomorrow Contest. Rabbit breeders were given assistance through the Middlesex Commercial Rabbit Association, which meets monthly at the Extension Service "Schoolhouse" in Concord.
Mrs. Callie McEvoy, Mrs. Thomas Elliott, Mrs. F. V. Bale and Mrs. Frank Monsen are the Chelmsford representatives to the Women's Advisory Council. A three-meeting series on "New Ideas in Food Preparation" was well attended as well as a demonstration on Effec- tive Windows. Chelmsford women also enjoyed the Christmas Gift Kit.
4-H work increased in popularity in Chelmsford this year with boys and girls enrolled in poultry, garden and dairy projects.
Mrs. Philip St. Germain was very active as leader of the poultry club and also as town chairman for all 4-H work. Other people assisting with 4-H work were: Mrs. Andrew Sheehan, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Lewis, Miss Pearl Koulas, Mrs. Theodore Chianis, Mrs. Christy Pettee, and Mr. Harold Blackie, Jr.
PERLEY KIMBALL,
Town Director.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
The Board of Appeals acted on seventeen requests for variations in the Town Zoning Laws during the year of 1951. Eleven were granted, four denied and two were denied in default.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD M. BABSON, JR., EDWARD V. WHELAN FREDERICK BURNE, CLIFFORD HARTLEY, WILLIAM B. MOCHRIE, EVERETT T. REED,
Board of Appeals.
107
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Your Commissioners are striving to run your cemetery depart- ment on an efficient business-like basis. We are trying also to have the six cemeteries in our town looking as well as any others in our State comparable with towns of like size.
We are certain that we have been making progress along these lines during the year 1951.
The appearances of the cemeteries during the past year have been satisfactory.
Over 300 stones and slabs in the Forefather's Cemetery have been repaired or straightened. We look forward in making this cemetery a truly historical one.
We wish to thank Mr. Norman Mason and the Proctor Lumber Co. for donating all the lumber in repairing the fence at the Riverside Cemetery in North Chelmsford.
We wish to thank Mr. Perry Snow as trustee for his offer of $100.00 to pay for material to paint the fence in the front part of the Cemetery in West Chelmsford.
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