USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1922 > Part 6
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Counter
24
1
1
Platform
28
3
Beam
8
Spring
55
3
Computing
24
109
Personal Weighing
2
Adv. Weights
197
3
Liquid Measures
93
5
Ice Cream Cans
4
Dry Measures 2
Gasolene Pumps
35 including 197 stops.
Kerosene Pumps
6
1
Molasses Pumps
2
Yard Measures
14
1
There were 36 articles brought to this office for testing and sealing.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS C. LITTLEJOHN,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
110
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
The total amount spent in this department this year was for labor only, as the Warden receives no salary.
Many dangerous and dead trees have been removed and a large number of dead limbs taken down to avoid danger to pedestrians.
A great deal of trimming has also been done to as- sist in preventing interruption to the lighting service and to increase the effectiveness of the street lights. There have been many complaints of dark and damp houses and of the injury to roofs caused by overhanging limbs. These have been eliminated so far as possible.
There are many streets on which a portion of the trees should be removed in order that those remaining may have a better chance to develop. This would improve the appearance of the streets and would not reduce the amount of shade.
Respectfully submitted,
H. J. GOODALE,
Tree Warden.
111
FOREST WARDEN REPORT
A total of 41 grass and forest fires has been reported this year. Of these 28 were set by the railroad locomotives and 13 by the carelessness of individuals.
Although this number is considerably less than last year the acreage burned was very much larger, 101 acres being the result of individual carelessness, and 109 acres from sparks from locomotives.
The largest fire was between Thompson and Plympton streets, about 70 acres being burned, as the result of a thoughtlessly discarded lighted match.
Through the watchful eye of Mr. Matthews the forest fire observer, and the faithful and conscientious work of the deputy forest wardens we were enabled to keep the fire loss as low as we have, and they should receive the thanks and appreciation from the citizens of the town for their de- votion to duty.
We have supplied some additional equipment to the deputies, but more is needed.
Respectfully submitted,
H. J. GOODALE,
Forest Warden.
112
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS.
The following .is a brief report of the Inspector of Animals for the year 1922:
Number of cows and young stock inspected 1162
Swine 153
Sheep
13
Goats 15
15 Cows condemned as Tuberculous.
9 cases of Hemorrahogic Septecemia.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER H. HASKELL, D. V. S.
113
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
To the Board of Health,
Gentlemen :
I recently read a paper written by an eminent health worker in which he said that a noted health officer remarked to him that "the eyes of the people of America are now fixed upon the health officer who teaches Preventative Medicine." That "preventative medicine" so-called, is the medicine of today. It is here to stay. Never again will we return to the old conditions where epidemics will be ram- pant, and never will the school physician and the school nurse be dispensed with until the defects from which school children are suffering are corrected by the family physician.
In the past much of the time and money of health de- partments were expended in efforts to control the common communicable diseases by securing reports, by isolating and quarantining cases, and contacts and by terminal disinfec- tion. The results were not satisfactory, and we know why. Our limited knowledge of the causes, of diseases, and our consequent ignorance of their methods of distribution, necessarily made us incapable of adopting proper means for their control. We were like men thinking to stop a bucket from leaking by plugging up one visible hole while ignoring many smaller holes that we could not see. We confined our attention solely to the clinically sick person, ignoring the unrecognized case or carrier. Our viewpoint has changed. Increased knowledge has made us appreciate that without relaxing our vigilance over clinical cases, we must endeavor to reach the more prolific sources of danger -the carrier-the unrecognized mild case and the case in the incubation stage.
114
In Diphtheria, as we know, carriers and unrecognized cases far outnumber clinical cases; and the same is prob- ably true of scarlet fever. With measles and whooping cough the most dangerous period is during incubation, when germs may be broadcasted by coughing or sneezing, although the disease has not been recognized. These dis- eases are transmitted in the secretions from the mouth and nose of the person with the germs. Since it is not known what persons have the germs, it should be assumed that the secretions from the mouth and nose of all persons are potentially dangerous.
Preventative medicine is taught in the public schools by the school nurse and school physician, by the health offi- cer and health nurse in their visits to the homes infected with communicable diseases, and by the health officer in conversations over the telephone to people seeking advice in health matters.
The health officer is giving careful attention to the location of carriers and mild unreported cases. Two typhoid fever carriers have been located in Middleboro, who it is assumed will continue to be carriers of typhoid until an operation has removed the cause. The children in the families have been immuned with anti-typhoid serum.
The carriers are under the supervision of the health officer, and if prevented from handling milk and food, are not a menace to the public.
A series of health meetings are being planned to edu- cate the citizens of Middleboro, by motion pictures, health lectures, and talks by expert health workers who teach preventative medicine. To teach the parents how to pre- vent all children from having diphtheria by means of the Schick test; how to prevent small pox by vaccination ; how to prevent typhoid fever, pneumonia and other diseases by the use of serums especially prepared for these diseases.
Following is a summary of the reports of com- municable diseases as received by the Hoard of Health.
115
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May JuneJuly Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Whooping cough
4 3 25 24
58
Chicken-pox
2
13
4
1
20
Tuberculosis
1
2
1
2
2 2
1 12 1
Measles
4
3
1 10
Mumps
1
3
2 4 6
16
Lobar pneumonia 3
1
1
1
6
Scarlet fever
20
2
12)
1
32
Diphtheria
1
3 2
1
4
Typhoid fever
1
1
2
Total
3 6 25 9 26 13 4 9 7 26 27
5 160
NUISANCES
One of the principal causes of nuisance and the one from which the health officer received the most complaints is the garbage. We have been very unfortunate in the collection of garbage the past summer, and the conditions have been very unsatisfactory. Mr. Sisson, who has col- lected the garbage for years, was compelled to resign owing to ill health. Mr. Trinque applied for a permit to collect the garbage and was given a permit. Being unfamiliar with the houses from which garbage was collected and those where it was being fed to their own or neighbors' hens, compelled him to make a great many unnecessary stops, and made his service slow and unsatisfactory. After he had become familiar with the routes, and learned where to stop, his collections became regular, and there were no complaints. After collecting three or four months, his swine became in- fected with a disease and most of them died, which so discouraged Mr. Trinque that he resigned the position.
Following is a summary of the complaints received by the Board of Health from nuisances during the past year, all of which were investigated by the health officer :
Garbage
140
116
Privies
15
Hen Yards
25
Rubbish
41
Dead cats on street
16
Dead dogs on street
3
Pig pens
7
Cesspools
19
Total
266
The following named licenses were issued by the Board of Health the past year :
Milk, eighty
$40.00
Alcohol, ten
10.00
Oleomargarine, eleven
5.50
Slaughtering, one
1.00
Reimbursements to the town for money expended :
R. L. Moulton
$36.40
Charles J. Bopp
19.00
Madaline Wiley
110.00
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. WHEELER,
Health Officer.
117
MIDDLEBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT OF THE CHIEF
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to present herewith for your consid- eration, the second report of the Chief of the Middleboro Fire Department, for the year ending December 31, 1922, in accordance with Sect. 21 of Chapter 592, Acts of 1920.
The apparatus and appliances are in a somewhat im- proved condition over last year, as much needed parts have been added to some of the apparatus, such as self starter on Ladder No. 1, as well as a new clutch. New set of tires have been placed on Ladder No. 1 and two new rear tires on the Combination No. 1. Some of the apparatus has been varnished as well as the ladders.
Again I feel it my duty to call to your attention, the unsafe condition of the floor of the Central House. Because of visions of a new building for fire department purposes, it has been the policy not to urge any great expenditure on this building, but the time has now arrived when for the safety of the men and the apparatus, steps should be taken to prevent Engine No. 1 falling through the floor for the condition is such that the floor sinks down too much for safety every time this piece is placed in position on the floor.
Some of the bear wire on the fire alarm system has been replaced with new covered wire and enough is on hand to replace, this coming year, that most needing replacing.
The air whistle continues to give excellent satisfaction and has proved its value over the old system it replaced. Some over 1000 feet of hose was purchased during the year,
118
and with that on hand which we know is good, feel that with the addition of 1000 feet of new hose this coming year will be adequate to provide sufficient hose for such needs as may arise, therefore recommend the purchase of 1000 feet of new hose, payment for which has been taken in con- sideration in the estimate submitted for 1923. Three new boxes have been installed as follows: Number 46, West Street opposite Hillside Avenue, Number 28, Montello Street, and Number 37, Benton Street between Rock and Webster. Also recommend the installation of one new box this coming year.
The time has arrived that steps should be taken to pro- vide more modern quarters for the Fire Department. While much might be said in favor of this project, and provides many angles from which it may be viewed, it seems quite inconsistent to exact from others that which will make con- ditions safe for life of tenants and property and allow con- ditions that are far from State requirements to exist which endangers the lives of those whom the Town pays to serve it, in the capacity of permanent firemen, and compel them to sleep in the building.
Also should be considered in connection with the pres- ent building, the unsafe condition with possibility of col- lapse of building when assembly meetings are held on the second floor. It must be borne in mind that it is an old building and not intended for the purpose it is now called upon to serve.
The present location is such, that there is increased danger to children when leaving the school directly oppo- site and which are inclined to crowd the street to see the apparatus come out at alarm of fire. And for these reasons, and many more which can, and probably will be advanced when the proper time comes, recommend that this matter of new buildings be brought to the attention of the voters and such action taken as will provide the much needed
119
change in quarters for apparatus and men as soon as prac- tical.
The recent total loss of another building in one of the outlying villages, emphasizes the need of some inexpensive piece of apparatus located at these villages as was men- tioned in my last report to your Board and it is not too soon to give this matter serious consideration as the growing needs of these villages are entitled to such.
Summary of calls for year ending December 31, 1922. Box alarms
27
Squad calls inside old Fire District 11
Squad calls outside old Fire District 34
Squad calls outside of Town 7
Still alarms inside old Fire District 46
Still alarms outside old Fire District
4
Still alarms outside of Town 1
1
Assembly calls
Forest Fire Warden calls
29
Total 160
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. MAXIM, Chief.
120
GAS AND ELECTRIC PLANT.
I again have the honor to present herewith for your consideration and approval, the twenty-ninth annual report on the operation of this department, and the several accounts showing the results of the financial part of the operation, as shown by the books as closed of December 31, 1922.
The growth of both the gas and electric sales has as usual increased over the previous year and the balance car- ried to the Profit and Loss Account, being $30,163.15 against $22,215.41 last year. This makes the Profit and Loss Account show a profit of $44,494.50 by the operation of the plant, and for your information this same account in 1906 showed a loss of $68,361.44, or a net gain of $112,855.94 . since that time.
The total addition of meters to our lines and gas system the past few years has now made the total of sufficient numbers that it is time to consider the fact of the possible loss of revenue by inaccurate meters. There exists a very wide difference of opinion as to the proper period during which consumers' meters should remain in service without a test being made of its accuracy. Some companies con- sider five years the proper period; other companies con- sider three years the proper length of time, and still others again feel that ten years is a sufficiently short period of time. First and foremost the principle should be accepted that it is one of the prime duties of the company to main- tain its meters in such manner that they shall ALL register with a reasonable degree of accuracy. With this fact in mind, would recommend the purchase of a meter prover. I feel that it would prove beneficial in the fact that com-
121
plaints could be readily disposed of, and that the satisfac- tion of knowing that the income due the department will be received.
The calorimeter set installed through the generosity of the Pierce Trustees has proven its value by the fact that those in charge can make frequent tests in addition to those made by the State inspector, and thereby ascertain the proper amount of enriching material to be used in the manu- facture of the gas to maintain the legal standard, and has resulted this past year in the saving of over 5000 gallons of oil. While the benefits accruing from the possession of a meter prover may not be so marked as in the case of the calorimeter, it would result in the keeping of the gas meters in a more accurate condition. Furthermore, very old gas meters will not hold their accuracy for as long a period of time as those of more recent construction, which therefore, necessitates the more frequent test and overhauling to maintain the general accuracy of all meters, and as the cost of repairing of old meters is more expensive than those of recent make, sometimes running up to sixty per cent of the cost of new ones, a prover will give some idea as to the relative value of keeping an old meter or discarding it.
The trunk lines leading from the electric station were ample for the output at that time which was many years ago, and no additions to these lines have been made to pro- vide for the increase in the output which has more than doubled since the last additions have been made.
While the past few years a large amount has been spent in extending the lines to sections of the town and in Lakeville where a profitable income was assured, the time has now arrived when more attention must be paid to the building up of the trunk of the system. This may be ac- complished in two ways. One by substituting larger wires from the station to the distributing points. The other by additional circuits from the station and attaching thereto some of the present distributing lines. The latter, to me
122
seems the better method for the reason that the greater number (to a reasonable extent) of circuits, the greater the possibility of being able to keep the water power loaded. As you know, one of the problems at the station at the present time is to keep the water wheels loaded under the present switch board conditions, where as with three more panels with that additional number of circuits the oppor- tunity to keep a full load on the water wheels will be greater. Therefore would recommend that previous to making any more extensions to outside districts, other than already planned or started, that three more panels be added to the switchboard and additional circuits be run from the station to the distributing points of some of the circuits already overloaded, which would give better service on all the systems as it would reduce the line losses as well as the additional feature of reducing the number of consumers without service, should for any reason a circuit become disabled.
Approximately two thousand feet of four inch cast iron main have been laid on the following streets; Arch Street from Oak to Cambridge, and on Cottage Court and Shaw Avenue, and four hundred and ten feet of six inch cast iron main on Wareham Street from the four corners to just beyond Clifford Street. Forty new gas services have been added, some of which were laid to two and three tenement houses.
The most recent development in the science of series street lighting is the development of the new high candle- power sizes of series lamps. These lamps have efficiencies which were never before thought possible, and make high candle-power incandescent lamp units practical. The six new street lights of this type installed last March on Cen- ter Street from the four corners to School Street have given universal satisfaction and showed the immediate demand for two more, which were placed on Center Street opposite Union Street and on North Main Street opposite the tele-
123
phone building. These eight were put up to dmonstrate the value of more modern methods of street lighting than heretofore existed. To the minds of all, this value has been proven, and the improvement appreciated not only by the merchants located on that part of the street, and the citi- zens who have occasion to use that part of the highway lighted by them, but also appreciated by the Police Depart- ment, as these lights have been a great aid to them in their work. There is a just demand for additional lights adjacent to the center of the Town, and at least fifty should be added this year and some each year until a somewhat near ade- quate system of street illumination has been obtaind. The poles are up and wires now run through all of the places which should receive immediate attention and through nearly all that should in the near future be provided with better lighting. While there is a strong tendency in all directions to improve our street illumination, the improve- ment must be very great before we can approach anything like extravagant lighting, particularly in our residential dis- trict where we have hardly advanced beyond what might be called "path finding" illumination.
An additional word concerning the desirability of ex- tending the new system of lighting in the business district, and on Center and Wareham Streets. It is good business to have well lighted streets; good business for the merchant and property owners, and good business for the Town as a whole. The basic reason for street lighting is protec- tion. It is true that light alone may be insufficient protec- tion, but it is equally true that police alone in reasonable numbers, cannot afford complete protection. A well lighted street carries an assurance of safety. The Mercantile dis- trict is the most important. Here is centered the commer- cial life of the community, the streets are busier, the traffic more congested, and bright lighted street intersections pre- vent accidents ; therefore a well lighted street is a municipal convenience. The tax payers of a town are the stockholders
124
of that town. Insignificant street lights pay insignificant dividends. All other things being equal, the town with the White Way pays the largest dividend. It attracts more favorable publicity. It is an indication of a prosperous con- dition and a progressive spirit.
It is true that in the past a lack of funds has been an obstacle in the path of improvement in our street lighting system, but it is equally true that with the improved effi- ciencies of lamps and fixtures, it is possible in nearly every case to realize more than double the present street illumina- tion without any increase in the cost of operation, and for this reason and many other favorable features connected therewith, would recommend steps be taken to extend the system already installed on lower Center Street. The light- ing of our streets at night should be a vital municipal issue.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. PHILBROOK.
125
Financial Reports
REPORT OF ASSESSORS.
VALUATION.
1
Personal Property
$1,360,165.00
Value of Buildings
3,979,765.00
Value of Land
1,901,755.00
Total Valuation $7,241,685.00
Total Departmental Appropriations $297,723.51
Less Departmental Receipts 110,784.79
Net appropriations
$186,938.72
State Highway Tax
5,299.08
State Tax
15,600.00
Municipal Light Plant
41.24
County Tax
11,747.80
Pilgrim Tercentenary Committee 616.76
Overlay
3,765.14
Civilian War Poll Taxes 8,400.00
$232,408.74
RECEIPTS.
Civilian Poll Tax, 2,800
@ $2.00 $5,600.00
Civilian War Poll Tax, 2,800 @ $3.00
8,400.00
Income tax, General Purposes
5,782.19
Income Tax, Fire District 314.39
126
Income Tax, School Fund 8,890.00
Bank and Corporation Tax
5,000.00
$33,986.58
Balance to be assessed on Per- sonal and Real Estate
$198,422.16
TAX RATE.
$27.40 on $1,000.00.
COMMITTED TO TAX COLLECTOR.
Assessed on 2,800 polls at $2.00
Town Assessment
$5,600.00
Assessed on 2,800 polls at $3.00 State Assessment
8,400.00
Assessed on Personal Property
37,269.24
Assessed on Real Estate
161,154.44
Assessed on Moth
1,612.74
Total Assessments $214,036.42
Persons, firms, etc., assessed on property
2,626
Residents
2,301
Non-residents
325
Persons assessed for poll tax only
1,285
Number of horses assessed
426
Number of cows assessed
872
Number of swine assessed
58
Number of sheep assessed
10
Number of neat cattle other than cows
55
Number of fowl assessed
14,945
Number of dwelling houses assessed
1,892
Number of acres of land assessed
40,485
Population of Town 8,453
Taxes remitted in 1922 have been as follows :
Account 1919 Assessment $876.94
Account 1920 Assessment 695.30
127
Account 1921 Assessment
1303.17
Account 1922 Assessment
1736.28
$4,611.69
BENJAMIN C. SHAW JAMES F. GARDNER, ERNEST S. PRATT,
Assessors of Middleborough.
128
TOWN INDEBTEDNESS
Notes and Bonds of the Town of Middleborough out- standing as of December 31st, 1922 :
School House Loan; 4 per cent. Four (4) notes of $1,650.00 each to Common- wealth of Massachusetts, due Nov. 1, 1923 to Nov. 1, 1926, inclusive $6,600.00
Municipal Light Loan; 4 per cent.
Four (4) notes of $1,000.00 each to Bearer due Nov. 1, 1923 $4,000.00
Four (4) notes of $5,000.00 each to Common- wealth of Massachusetts, due Nov. 1, 1924 to Nov. 1, 1927, inclusive 20,000.00
24,000.00
Departmental Equipment Fire Department Loan; 5 1/2 per cent :
One (1) note due Nov. 1, 1923 to T. S.
Pierce Trustees 2,500.00
Plymouth County Hospital Loan; 5 per cent : One (1) note to Middleborough Savings Bank due Dec. 15, 1923 $2,000.00
One (1) note to T. S. Pierce Trustees, due Dec. 15, 1924 2,000.00
One (1) note of $1,000.00 to Montgomery Home due Dec. 15, 1925 1,000.00
One (1) note of $1,000.00 to Middleborough Savings Bank due Dec. 15, 1925 1,000.00
One (1) note of $2,000.00 to Middleborough Sav- ings Bank, due Dec. 15, 1926 2,000.00 Two (2) notes of $2,000.00 each to Montgomery Home due Dec. 15 ,1927 and Dec. 15, 1928 4,000.00
One (1) note of $2,000.00 to Middleborough Sav- ings Bank due Dec. 15, 1929 2,000.00
14,000.00
Departmental Equipment Water Loan 41/2 per cent. Three (3) notes of $1,500.00 each to T. S. Pierce Trustee, due Dec. 15, 1923 to Dec. 15, 1925, Inclusive $4,500.00
One (1) note of $1,000.00 to T. S. Pierce Trustees, due Dec. 15, 1926 1,000.00
5,500.00
Middleborough Water Department Loan. 4 per cent:
Eighteen (18)
notes of $1,000.00 each to
129
Middleborough Savings Bank, due Jan. 1, 1923 to Jan. 1, 1940, inclusive $18,000.00 Twenty-three (23) notes of $1,000.00 each to Middleborough Savings Bank, due June 1, 1923 to June 1, 1945, inclusive 23,000.00
41,000.00 $93,600.00
Total
Temporary Loans :
Notes due April 15, 1923, 4 per cent. to F. S.
Moseley & Co., Boston, Mass.,
$25,000.00
Notes due April 20, 1923, 41/4 and 41/2 per cent
to T. S. Pierce Trustees 35,000.00
60,000.00
$153,600.00
Total
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT A. THOMAS, Treasurer, Town of Middleborough.
130
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
For the Year Ending December 31st, 1922.
Cash on hand January 1, 1922
$18,840.58
Received for accounts as follows :-
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