USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1921 > Part 4
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After the contagious cases are reported and quar- antined the next step is to educate the family in the proper isolation and nursing care; the only way to ac- complish this is by practical demonstration and super- vision, which the bedside nurse cannot give on account of her contact with maternity cases.
During the year the nurse has visited, instructed and supervised 42 cases of Whooping Cough, 3 cases of Scarlet Fever, 1 case of Typhoid Fever, (daily visits three weeks), 234 throat cultures taken.
The Tubercular work was carried on in co-opera- tion with the assistant district health officer and the local health officer. Ninety-eight cases were investi- gated; from that number 51 were located in Middleboro, 266 proved to be arrested cases, 26 active cases are under some supervision, 5 cases placed in a sanatorium for fur- ther treatment. This does not include cases at Lake- ville Sanatorium or Ex-Service men.
Child Welfare.
The Baby and Pre-school Age Clinics have been held at the Community Center every Wednesday after- noon, with a good attendance when weather was favor- able.
In some cases follow up visits were made to the homes to instruct in the preparation of formulas pre- scribed by the family physician.
One hundred and twenty-eight babies and children of pre-school age were registered at the Clinic. Weigh- ing Clinics were held at Wappanucket, Fall Brook, Green and West Side districts.
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Some of the nurse's time has been given to conduct- ing patients to the Boston Clinics who were referred there for specal treatment.
recognized fact that a child habitually 7 to 10 per cent. underweight is one year retarded in growth, the causes being Lack of Home Control, Physical Defects, Over Fatigue, in school or home, Faulty Diet and Faulty Health Habits.
Health Teaching in schools. Health Talks by Teachers and Nurse.
Health Habits, "Modern Health Crusade."
Inspections of Heads when requested by teachers.
Follow up inspection. Home visits to advise as to treatment. 1
The Public Health Nurse also relieves the bedside nurse during the latter's time off, so there is always a nurse on call.
Respectfully submitted,
LORETTA McGUIRE,
Public Health Nurse.
1
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REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
Middleboro, Mass., Dec. 31, 1921.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: I hereby submit the thirteenth annual report and detailed statement of the duties performed by the Police Department of the Town of Middleboro for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31st, 1921. The following are the present members of the Department.
CHIEF OF POLICE.
Alden C. Sisson.
PATROLMEN.
Alton R. Rogers
Robert B. Davenport
William Murdock, Jr.
SPECIAL POLICE.
Frank W. Hastay
William Chamberlain
Isaac Maxwell
John H. Pushee
E. Kimball Harrison Samuel Hathaway
Charles Hagerty
Paul F. Anderson
Elmer F. Gay
Warren E. Jefferson
RESIGNED.
Smith T. Sharples Frank B. Sellers
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STATISTICAL REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Number of arrests during the year
186
Males
173
Females
13
Minors
3
Non-residents
90
Native born
129
Foreign born
57
Amount of fines imposed and collected
$1,588.50
Number of commitments
6
Number of adult cases in Middleboro Court
183
Number of minor cases in Middleboro Court
B
Cases investigated
500
Buildings found open
151
Disturbances quelled without arrest
1
Lost children restored
4
Nuisances reported
15
Automobile accidents investigated
78
Deaths caused by auto accidents
3
OFFENCES
Males Females Total
Manslaughter
1
1
Idle and disorderly
6
7 13
Assault and battery
6
6
Assault
6
6
Lewdness
1
1
2
Disturbing the peace
1
1
Runaways returned home
9
3
12
Drunkenness
61
61
Violating auto laws
48
1
49
Non-support
2
2
Neglect of family
3
3
Insane taken to hospital
4
2
6
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Arrested for out of town officers
5
5
Liquor nuisance
8
8
Illegal sale
1
1
Exposing and keeping
9
1
10
Transportation of liquor
2
2
Larceny®
10
10
Vagrant
5
5
Receiving stolen goods
2
2
Assault on officer
1
1
Perjury
1
1
Using improper language
1
1
Peddling without a license
1
1
Capias
1
1
Assault with intent to rape
1
Throwing glass in street
2
2
Scales not properly sealed
2
2
Track walking
8
8
House of ill fame
1
1
2
Lodgers
12
12
LIQUOR.
Liquor search warrants served
14
Liquor seizures
14
Liquor notice served and posted
14
PROPERTY.
Value of stolen property recovered and restored $754.00
CONCLUSION
I wish to express thanks and appreciation for the assistance and co-ordination given me by the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the people of the Town of Middle- boro, and the officers of the Department who have helped
72
to make the administration of this Department a suc- cess.
Respectfully submitted,
ALDEN C. SISSON,
Chief of Police.
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REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Middleboro, Mass., December 31, 1921.
Mr. H. J. Goodale, Town Manager, and
The Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Dear Sirs :
I have the honor, sirs, to report the year's work of this Department for the year 1921.
The following scales, measures and weights have been sealed by this Department the past year :
Platform scales 26
Beam and Counter scales
42
All other scales
42
Molasses pumps
S
Yard Sticks
27
Spring scales
27
Computing scales
4
Avoirdupois weights
229
All other weights
218
Gasolene measuring devices
56
Liquid measures
77
All other measuring devices 3
Six scales, one gasolene pump and one yard stick were condemned.
Six scales were adjusted and made O. K. for sealing.
Thirty-eight scales, six measures and five weights were brought to this office to be sealed.
In view of the large territory covered and the num- ber of times that some of the Gasolene pumps in the out- lying districts have to be visited and tested for their ac- curacy, I would recommend that each and every pump within the town limits be licensed for a small amount.
In a number of instances whole days have been used
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testing for accuracy. In one special case three whole days were used before the trouble was found and reme- died. The various companies have co-operated with this department to their fullest extent.
The large Test Balances now in this office were in- stalled in the year 1846 and are inaccurate and antiquated and were condemned by our State Inspector, so are worth- less.
I would recommend that a new balance be purchased for use in this department from W. & L. E. Gurley at a cost of about $800. I do not feel that it is necessary this year to buy the extra weights as the ones now in use can be used for another year.
One two gallon measuring can and one one gallon measuring can, both of the Dover Automatic type will be needed in this department the coming year, aside from the above the necessary yearly supplies will be needed for the office.
The working equipment of this office and the depart- ment of weights and measures is in excellent condition.
The large platform scales at the Town barn were overhauled and put in first class shape and should with careful use, be good for a number of years.
Very respectfully submitted,
LOUIS C. LITTLEJOHN,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
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REPORT OF WIRE INSPECTOR
To the Selectmen of Middleboro:
Number of jobs inspected 127
Number of jobs condemned
1
'These inspections are all on new work.
Yours respectfully,
JESSE C. WILBUR,
Inspector of Wires.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
January 1, 1922.
The following is an abstract of the Town Clerk's records for the year 1921:
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, JAN. 17, 1921.
The following served as Election Officers :
Ruth M. Harriman
Henry W. Sears
Mary L. D. Cleveland
Robert E. Nolan
Richard E. Cobb
Mertie E. Witbeck
Michael J. Cronan
E. Kimball Harrison
Luke F. Callan
Thomas C. McCormick
Mabel B. Sears
The result of the balloting was as follows :
MODERATOR, FOR ONE YEAR.
Alvin C. Howes had
52
Alvin Howes had
39
Nathan Washburn had
26
Scattering and blanks
1,114
TOWN TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES, FOR ONE YEAR.
77
Albert A. Thomas had Blanks 151
1,080
SELECTMAN, FOR THREE YEARS.
William G. Boynton had 797
Edward H. Cromwell had 583
Chester E. Weston had 843
Blanks and scattering
239
SELECTMAN, FOR TWO YEARS.
Harlas L. Cushman had 200
Alexander Heath had
307
Lyman P. Thomas had
832
Theodore N. Wood had 892
Blanks and scattering
231
SELECTMAN, FOR ONE YEAR.
William M. Haskins had 718
Frank S. Thomas had 418
-
Blanks and scattering 95
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, FOR THREE YEARS.
George W. Stetson had 1,060
Lorenzo Wood had 1,000
Blanks and scattering 402
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, FOR ONE YEAR.
Kendrick Washburn had 1,013
Blanks and scattering 218
"Shall an act passed by the general court in the year nineteen hundred and twenty, entitled, "An Act to per-
78
mit, under public regulaton and control, certain sports and games on the Lord's Day," be accepted ?"
Yes had 432
No had 679
Blanks
120
"Shall an act passed by the general court in the year nineteen hundred and twenty, entitled, "An act to estab- lish a state boxing commission to serve in the department, of public safety," be accepted ?"
Yes had 409
No had 582
Blanks
240
"Shall licenses be granted for the sale of certain non- intoxicating beverages in this town?"
Yes had
347
No had 781
Blanks 103
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, FEB. 14, 1921.
Article 6. Voted :- That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen or a majority thereof, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the Revenue of the Municipal Year beginning January 1, 1921, to an amount not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of two hundred seventeen thousand dollars ($217,000.00) and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year from the dates thereof, and any debt or debts incurred under the authority of this vote to be paid from the revenue of said Municipal Year.
Article 5. See report of Assessors for complete list of appropriations voted by the Town at the annual, spe- cial and adjourned Town meeting during the year.
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Voted :- That monies received from dog licenses and other licenses, except those collected by the Board of Health, be appropriated to the use of the Middleboro Public Library.
Article 9 . Voted :- That the yards of persons chosen as field drivers shall be town pounds as long as they remain in office, provided they be elected pound keepers.
Article 5. Voted :- That the sum of $206,836.30 less the estimated Corporation and Bank Tax and less the amount to be received from the State Income Tax and plus the State and County Tax, be raised on the Estates and Polls of the Town, and that it be assessed, committed and collected in accordance with the Statutes and By-Laws of the Town.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, MAR. 29, 1921.
Article 5. Voted :- That the matter of insurance on town property be left in the hands of the Selectmen, they to use their best judgment as regards insuring all property.
Article 6. Voted :- To instruct the Selectmen to petition the General Court for amendatory legislation relative to the appointment of assistant assessors of the Town.
Article 4. Voted :- That the School Committee be authorized to establish and maintain State-aided voca- tional education in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 471, Acts of 1911, and acts amendatory thereto or dependent thereon.
Voted :- That the School Committee be authorized to expend a sum not to exceed $150 for this purpose.
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Article 2. Voted :- That the sum of $200 be appro- priated for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture.
Voted :- That John B. Savage be named as Town Director.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, APRIL 7, 1921.
Article 2. Voted unanimously :- That there be ap- propriated the sum of $17,786.54 to pay the town's share of the cost of the Plymouth County Tuberculosis Hos- pital, in accordance with the provisions of chapter two hundred and eighty-six of the general acts of the year nineteen hundred and sixteen; and to meet said appro- priation that there be raised in the current year's tax levy the sum of $1,786.54; and that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen or a majority there- of be and hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of sixteen thousand dollars and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor, said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of said chapter two hun- dred and eighty-six, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than ten years from the date of issue of the first bond or note or at such earlier date as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine.
Article 3. Voted :- That the sum of $500 be appro- priated for the use of St. Luke's Hospital, and that this sum be raised in the tax levy of the present year.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, AUG. 23, 1921.
Article 1. Voted :- That a committee of five be ap- pointed to investigate conditions at the Pumping Station and report at an adjourned meeting embodying their recommendations. The Moderator appointed William M.
81
Haskins, Morrill S. Ryder, James A. Thomas, Carlton W. Maxim and Levi O. Atwood.
Article 5. Voted :- That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to sell at public auction or private sale the Oak Street engine house and lot lying on the westerly side of Oak Street, the deed for the same to be executed in accordance with the provisions of Statute.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, AUG. 23, 1921.
To see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of the Acts of the year 1921, chapter 395, the same be- ing an Act authorizing the appointment of assistant as- sessors in the Town of Middleborough.
The following tellers were appointed :- William M. Haskins, Carlton W. Maxim, Morrill S. Ryder, Chester E. Weston, Carl G. Kendall.
The result of the balloting was as follows:
Yes had 15
No had 9
Blanks 1
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, SEPT. 27, 1921.
Voted :- That the matter covered under Article 1 of the Warrant be referred to the Selectmen for consid- eration, they to report their finding or recommendations at an adjourned meeting.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, SEPT. 27, 1921.
The committee appointed at the last meeting under Article 1 reported as follows :
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PUMPING STATION.
At the Town Meeting, held Aug. 23rd, 1921, action was taken on Article 1 of the Warrant and the following vote was passed :- "That a committee of five be ap- pointed by the Moderator to investigate conditions at the Water Works Pumping Station, and present a report at an adjourned meeting embodying their recommenda- tions."
Your committee has attended to its duty, and begs leave to submit the following report :-
Your committee has gone into this matter very thoroughly. They have visited many pumping stations, and the Town Manager has accumulated a large amount of data, including reports of Superintendents of Water Departments showing the costs of pumping water by the various types of pumps in use at the present time, and he has also obtained from pump manufacturers estimates of the initial cost of installing six different types of pumps, together with their operating costs. The types of pumps include a Cross Compound Crank and Fly- wheel Unit, a Uniflow Engine Fly-wheel Condensing Unit, a Steam Turbine Driven Centrifugal Condensing Unit, an Electric Motor Driven Centrifugal Unit, an Electric Motor Driven Triplex Plunger Unit, and a Triplex Plunger Pump driven by an oil engine. All these types of pumps are modern and up to date and each fits its own condition.
The work of your committee has, therefore, been to analyze the conditions existing at our own pumping sta- tion in order to decide which type of pump is best suited to our needs.
We have mentioned three types of power :- Steam, electricity, and oil. We, at first, of course, analyzed our
83
present steam plant to learn the age of the boilers, their present condition, the pressure of steam which is at present allowed, and the length of time which that pressure would be allowed, and the probable life of them.
We found that they are thirteen years old, in fair condition, with an allowed steam pressure of 125 pounds, and with the probability that within a very few years this pressure would be cut to 100 pounds, at which time, for efficiency, they would be scrapped. Even 125 pounds is not considered high pressure in modern pumping en- gines, and, with the probability of this soon being re- duced, we decided that putting in new steam pumps would only be patch work, and that in a few years new boilers would have to be installed, which would mean an addition to the station besides the cost of the boilers.
We next considered the Triplex pump driven by oil engine, as in comparing the figures furnished us shows that the operating cost of this type of pump was less than any of the others. This pump occupies so much room that the station would have to be enlarged, thus increasing the initial expense, and also the small pump, which pumps the water into the filters, would have to be electrified, so that the total cost of operating the whole plant would be but little less than the cost of steam.
We next considered the electrically driven Triplex pump. This proved to be more expensive than the oil engine, but not enough less than steam to make it a fac- tor in our consideration.
We next considered electric motor driven centrifu- gals, and after weighing all the facts connected with all the other types, we have decided to recommend a com- plete electrically equipped pumping station, consisting of two 900 gallon per minute centrifugal pumps, motor driven, for the main pumping room, and two 900 gallon
84
per minute centrifugal motor driven pumps for the fil- tration plant.
We also recommend that suitable recording gauges be installed to record the height of water in the stand pipe and also a Venturi Meter to record the total amount. of water pumped into the system.
In order to operate the pumping station economic- ally, it is necessary to know how much water is being pumped, as, by this means, a check is kept on the pumps, and one can readily tell whether or not they are per- forming their full duty, also unusul consumption of water, or large leaks in the mains may immediately be detected.
The total initial cost of this work will be about four- teen thousand dollars, ($14,000.00) but the saving in the expense of operating the station will be such that the water department will be able to take care of the in- terest charges and the notes or bonds as they become due, without increasing the water rates.
A few figures of the initial cost and operating costs of the various types of pumps may be of interest. These estimated costs in each case include both filter and main pumps.
Steam pumping engines $14,000.00 to $25,000.00, yearly operating cost, including 12 per cent. depreciation, $5,400.00 to $9,500.00.
Steam driven centrifugal $10,500.00, yearly oper- ating cost $10,600.00.
Oil engine driven Triplex pump $13,000.00, yearly operating cost $4,500.00.
Electrically driven Triplex pump $8,500.00, yearly operating cost $7,300.00.
Electrically driven centrifugal pump $6,100.00 to $7,100.00, yearly operating cost $6,400.00 to $8,000.00.
You will see by these figures that an oil driven main pump and electrically driven filter pump is the
85
cheapest; next is the steam pump; and the most expen- sive is the electrically driven centrifugal pump. But bear in mind please that in all 'cases, with the exception of the electrically driven pump, these costs include but one unit, while in the case of the electrically driven pumps we shall have two new complete units, so that in case of a breakdown in one, we shall have another just as good to take its place.
In the case of the steam pump, we are only post- poning a large expense for the near future, in installing new boilers.
In the case of the electrically driven pumps, we be- lieve we are following the trend of modern times and are recommending modern power.
In nearly every pumping station we visited they had either discarded steam entirely, or as on several occa- sions they were letting modern high duty steam pressure pumps remain idle and pumping their water with elec- tricity.
We are further influenced to recommend electricity when in discussing our electric power station, the feasi- bility of at least doubling our own manufactured elec- tricity seemed so practical.
There is a possibility of installing another water wheel at our station, which could be run with the water that goes to waste for five or six months in the year, and the water power being wasted at Muttock should be har- nessed, thus using water to pump water.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM M. HASKINS, JAMES A. THOMAS, CARLTON W. MAXIM, LEVI O. ATWOOD, MORRILL S. RYDER.
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On motion duly seconded it was voted that the report of the committee be accepted and recommendations adopted.
On motion duly seconded it was voted unanimously that :- As the pumping equipment at the Pumping Sta- tion has become unserviceable, and being faced with the emergency of making replacements thereto, that the Town appropriate the sum of Fourteen Thousand Dollars ($14,000.00) to replace the present pumping equipment at the Pumping Station, and that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen or a ma- jority thereof, be, and hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of Fourteen Thousand Dollars ($14,000.00), and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the pro- visions of the Statutes, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than five (5) years from the date of issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier date as the Town Treasurer and Board of Selectmen or a ma- jority thereof may determine. Said bonds or notes to bear such rate of interest as may be determined by said Town Treasurer and a majority of the Board of Select- men.
Article 2. The motion that the Town appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 as indicated in Article 2 was lost.
On motion duly seconded it was Voted :- That the Selectmen be appointed a committee to investigate the matter of an appropriation as covered by Article 2 of the Warrant, such committee to report their findings at .an adjourned meeting.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, OCT. 19, 1921. Report of the Selectmen :
On the application of the Colonial Casket Company
87
that the Town of Middleborough discontinue that part of old Centre Street, now called Centre Avenue, which lies westerly from its intersection with Cambridge Street until it meets the right of way of the Old Colony Rail- road Company, we the undersigned, Selectmen of said town report, that having viewed the premises and given notice to all parties interested, that the Selectmen would hear all parties in interest at the office of the Selectmen on Tuesday, the eleventh day of October, 1921, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, and said Selectmen having heard all parties interested, they are now of opinion that public convenience and necessity does not require the discontinuance of said road, and accordingly they recom- mend that said part of the way as prayed for be not dis- continued.
WILLIAM G. BOYNTON, WILLIAM M. HASKINS, CHESTER E. WESTON, · THEODORE N. WOOD,
Selectmen of Middleborough.
Voted :- That the report of committee be accepted and adopted.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, OCT. 19, 1921.
Article 2. Committee reported as follows :
The Town of Middleboro has nearly 200 miles of highways. Road work costs twice what it did a few years ago and the cost will not soon be appreciably less. With these two facts in mind, (and every voter should keep them in mind) we believe there is no justification for the appropriation of money for the town to build permanent highways, of the character proposed, in su- burban districts.
88
With the comparatively small amount of money that the town feels it can afford to appropriate for highways, and in order to serve the greatest number, this money should be used to improve in some degree, as many miles of road as possible.
In our opinion this can best be done by simply "gravelling" the roads, and then following it up with a drag scraper as soon as the road shows signs of "rut- ting," instead of waiting until the surveyor "gets his hay in."
If there is much travel over the road it will soon be- come hard and smooth.
We believe this should be the policy of the Highway Department, in its treatment of suburban roads, for the next few years.
We do not believe the town can afford to use stone for suburban roads except in extreme cases of heavy traffic, and we know of no such case at the present time.
The use of stone exhausts the appropriation rapid- ly while mileage should be the result sought.
It would not be just, neither can the town afford, to spend three thousand dollars upon three-fourths of a mile of road so little used as is Fuller Street, and we recommend that the matter of the improvement of this street, now before this meeting, should be passed over and that no special appropriation should now, or at the next annual meeting, be made for this street.
We think, however, that that part of Fuller Street which traverses the swamp should be gravelled next spring, but that it should be paid for out of the regular highway appropriation.
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