USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1929 > Part 7
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The Town scale located at the town barn should be scraped and painted to keep it from rust and decay. By doing this the scale will be put in first class condition to withstand the elements for some time to come. The Town standards and working equipment are all in good condition with one exception, namely, the Adv. Weights which must be given attention and renickled this coming year or they will have deteriorated so that new ones will be necessary .. The large test weights have been recalibrated and painted and are now in good condition. As a whole, the conditions regarding Weights and Measures department throughout the town are very good.
The Gasoline Viz-Guage installed this year on about 99% of the gas pumps in town shows to the buying public just what they are getting for their money expanded. While they are an excellent thing they are a source of continuous annoyance to the dealer, as they require constant attention, many times causing long trips, with the result that a con- demned tag is affixed, by the Sealer.
During the year flour was found to be running short weight. A conference was called between the General Manager of the company involved, Town Manager Goodale and the Sealer. A satisfactory agreement was reached and put into effect at once. All short weight flour was removed rom the town.
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I would again recommend that all license fees for re- newals or installations of pumps be advanced $1.00 each; the amount thus received be credited to the Weights & Measures Department to make up in some way the cost of many trips where the pumps can not be sealed and another trip is required before the pump is made ready for sealing and a collection made.
During the year 1929 the following work was done :-
1992 pieces were sealed ·
147 66 adjusted
48 . " condemned
11 6 non-sealed
1212 articles were reweighed
1199 were corrected, 13 were underweight.
Cartons were inspected in 14 stores
18 Peddlers' licenses were inspected
5 milk dealers' jars were inspected
3 cans
3 coal certificates inspected
14 stores were visited and bread labels and weights in- spected.
2 Transient Vendors' licenses inspected
All clinical thermometers in three drug stores were in- spected and record made of each.
5 ice dealers' scales were re-inspected
2 junk
66
34 gasoline pumps were re-tested
614 stops on gas pumps sealed
18 peddlers were followed and licenses inspected, some of which were ordered out of town as their licenses called for another state.
During the year cheese, meat and butter were added to the articles which come under local licensing.
Transient Vendors' licenses have been inspected and found to be in accordance with the laws of the Common- wealth. Peddlers' licenses were all checked and several
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warned against law violations. In each instance the re- quest of the Sealer was cheerfully complied with. Ice scales, junk scales and clinic thermometers came in for a systematic inspection, also a re-inspection, and with one or two exceptions were found to be O. K.
There was one prosecution during the year for violation of the peddling laws. A $10.00 fine was imposed.
I wish to thank Town Manager Goodale for the great assistance he has given me, also Chief Sisson and the Hon- orable Board for their co-operation the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS C. LITTLEJOHN,
Sealer of Weights & Measures.
119
REPORT OF THE MARIA L. H. PEIRCE LUXURY FUND
To the Selectmen of Middleboro
Gentlemen :-
I beg to report that from this fund, we furnish all the tobacco, the daily papers and Sunday papers, and all par- ticular medical or surgical appliances for the residents of the Town Farm.
At Easter time, surprise baskets of Easter dainties were given to the residents and potted plants placed in the sitting rooms and dining room of the infirmary.
Each birthday is remembered with cake and ice cream for all and a special present for the one having the natal day. Holidays are also celebrated by having cake and ice cream for supper.
About two weeks previous to Christmas, each one was given a dollar bill for Christmas shopping.
On Christmas eve each one received a present of candy, slippers, tobacco and pipe or an apron.
As we continue to use this fund, we are impressed anew with the kindliness of the thought that prompted this be- quest enabling us to make easier the path of some of us not so plentifully endowed.
Thanking you for granting me the opportunity to get into touch with this phase of the work, I am
Very truly yours,
LELAH M. HATHAWAY,
Trustee Maria L. H. Peirce Luxury Fund.
120
REPORT OF THE MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I offer for your consideration a report of work accom- plished by the Moth Department for the year 1929.
In taking up the duties of Superintendent of this depart- ment, I have endeavored to carry the work along in very much the same manner, with a few exceptions as it has been in previous years.
In the late winter and early spring all roadsides through- out our town as well as the state road from the Rochester line to the Bridgewater line were scouted and all webs of the brown tail moth were gathered and burned. The egg mass- es of the gypsy moth were creosoted, whi h renders the eggs infertile. In patrolling the town we find as yet no great evidence of the brown tail moth, although in one section of Rock Village they are very plentiful, with a few at East Main Street and some scattered ones on other streets.
It is with reluctance that I speak of the Rock situation, but with a feeling that it is a good suggestion to fruit tree owners, that they spray their trees for the control of brown tail and gypsy moths. In one case the owner did not care to invest the sum of $2.50 and consequently the fruit trees were defolited and the crop destroyed.
So much for the owners loss, while a very conservative estimate of the cost of gathering the webs this winter will amount to five times the cost of spraying at the right time with the probability also of near by orchards being contam- inated.
The gypsy moth we find about the same as in 1928 with possibly a slight decrease. Large colonies are found on Plymouth Street near Nemasket Cemetery also at East Grove, Wood, Acorn, Chestnut and Short Streets.
The Elm leaf beetle which again appeared in 1928 are increasing at an alarming rate, and drastic measures should be used to save the beautiful trees of our town, and with the
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co-operation of the towns people these pests can be con- trolled.
Only two reports of the satin moth were called to our attention, one at the corner of Wareham and Smith Streets and one at the corner of North and Everett, both being now under perfect control.
Spraying is in order about April 15. All roadsides of the town were treated with an arsenical spray, to control the tent caterpillar whose nests or webs are so unsightly to all who travel through the country. The same spray is used for the control of the brown tail and gypsy moth.
Private spraying is indeed quite a problem. Starting on or about May 20th and continuing from 15 to 20 days. The private spray jobs consisting of orchards, cranberry bogs, and potato fields, numbered 302. This work necessi- tates the use of two trucks, and two sprayers, early and late: The equipment of this department consists of one 400 gallon sprayer in first class condition capable of forcing spray to the top of our highest trees. The 200 Fitzhenry-Guptill power sprayers for lighter work that are in very poor condition and only by constant attention and care were we able to keep them in commission during the rush of private work. Through the remainder of the season, our work was completed by using parts of one to keep the other at work.
The trucks of the department are in good condition with the exception of one Ford Truck which has passed its useful ness. I earnestly recommend the purchase of one truck that in your opinion would be adequate, to replace it, also one new Fitzhenry-Guptill power sprayer, that will také care of our spraying jobs more efficiently, and economically.
For the purpose of keeping the public informed will say that this department is in a position to, and capable of, at- tending to any deceased tree whatever size removing if necessary or whatever surgery may be needed, also pruning fruit and shade trees. Estimates of the same gladly given.
In conclusion we thank you for your co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK S. THOMAS, Local Moth Superintendent
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INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Board of Selectmen, Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :-
As my term as Inspector of Animals for the town of Middleboro expires on this day I hereby submit my report of Animal Inspection for 1928 and 1929 to date.
I have found a few cases of Tuberculosis during this year only, and I find owners are going into the "Accredited Herd Plan," more each year, which will eventually eradicate the dread, disease.
At this time I believe Middleboro to be as free from Tuberculosis and perhaps more so than many of the nearby and surrounding towns.
This is the only contagious or infectious disease that has been the cause of much trouble during my term as Inspector, and Middleboro has escaped several diseases classed as such.
With few exceptions the barns are as good or perhaps even better, than they have been and in several cases I know, if they could be improved it would be beneficial to all, but in some cases the finances of the owners must be taken into consideration, as a reason why the conditions so exist or in other words, if the owners were able financially they would have better accommodations for their stock.
SUMMARY OF INSPECTIONS
Number of Premises inspected 230
Number P. B. Cows H. 12 G. 12 A 21 J 17 MS 2 64
Number of P. B. Young H 7 G. 4, A 11, J 6 28
Number of Cows Grades H, 461, G, 200, A 50, J, 126, D.1 838 Number Young Grades H. 76 G, 104, A. 23, J, 39
Red 1 MS, 1 244
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Number Oxen 14
Number Bulls P. B. H 5, G 4, A. 4, J, 1 MS 1
15
Number Bulls Grades H 7 G. 7, A 1 D 2 MS 1 J 1
19
Pig
97
Sheep
1
Goats
8
Total Number Animals 1328
In closing permit me to note that I have found your out- laying districts much easier to reach, by reason of greatly improved "Roads" that at times in my inspections pre- viously were almost impossible to reach in any way but by walking.
I wish to thank Mr. Goodale, the Town Manager for all co-operation and assistance given me and I consider it a great privilege to have worked for so efficient and gentle- manly official.
Very truly yours,
CHAS. R. BORDEN, D. V. S.
Board of Selectmen,
Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :-
Number of cattle shipped into Middleboro under State Test 114
Number of reactors killed 16
Number of dogs quarantined 7
Number of dogs killed having symptoms of rabies
2
Very truly yours, 139
JOHN H. PUSHEE
124
REPORT OF WIRE INSPECTOR.
Board of Selectmen
Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen;
I herewith submit my annual report as inspector of wires in the town of Middleboro ending December 31, 1929.
Total number of jobs reported for inspection 466
Number of minor jobs of which no inspection was made 27
Number of jobs not passed until corrections were made 15
Number of jobs yet to be inspected 16
Number of miles traveled on inspections 1238
I have reported three electricians to the State Examin- ers of Electricians for prosecution for violating our Local By-Laws and Electric Department Regulations; also one for doing electrical work without a license.
One thing that gives considerable trouble is the wiring done by an owner or tenant who has little or no knowledge of how to properly install wires to comply with safety rules and who fail to report any wiring done, as required by our By-Laws and Regulations of the Lighting Plant.
Another cause of trouble comes from the use of the cheap bridge or floor lamps. They are wired with small improperly insulated wire and soon give trouble.
I have re-inspected a number of old wiring jobs and have found a number of places where additions to the' original wiring have been made in such a way that it caused a fire and life hazard. In such cases the owner or tenant has been notified and given a limited time to put the wiring in proper condition. I have found a few places where defective wir- ing was causing the meter to register all the time.
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I am taking particular notice of the fusing of circuits to see that they are properly fused, as when the proper size fuse is used there is less liability of trouble even if the wiring is in poor condition.
I have attended ten meetings of the Massachusetts Association of Municipal Electrical Inspectors held in Bos- ton. These meetings are of great importance to all wire inspectors as any unusual problems that have come up in any of the cities and towns are thoroughly discussed so that all the inspectors get a better understanding of what they may expect to find and be in a better position to handle them should they come up in his Town.
In conclusion I want to thank those electricians and others who have in any way helped to raise the standard of wiring in this Town the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH SAMPSON,
Inspector of Wires
A
126
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
The work this year, as in past years, has been wholly in removing dead trees and cutting out the dead limbs in others. While we have not taken down all the dead ones, we have selected those considered most dangerous, as our appropriation is not large enough to do all the work that proper regard for public safety would seem to indicate was necessary.
Dead trees have been removed on John Glass Jr. Square, Southwick, East Main, Courtland, West, Vine, Elm, High and Oak Streets.
All this work has been done by the men in the Moth De- partment and the cost charged to the Tree Warden Ac- count. All the money charged to this account has been for labor and supplies, as the Tree Warden receives no compen- sation for the time he puts in on this work.
Respectfully submitted,
H. J. GOODALE,
Tree Warden.
127
FOREST WARDEN
There were forty-one calls for the services of this depart- ment this year, to put out grass and forest fires. The total acreage burned over was 28, and the estimated loss only $114.00, as all the fires were either grass or on land of prac- tically no value. The largest area burned in one fire was only four acres, and we had only one Railroad fire.
The cost of this department for this year, $303.88, was for labor and materials, as the Forest Warden receives no salary.
H. J. GOODALE,
Forest Warden.
128
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER.
Number of males licensed 766
Number of females licensed 168
Number of kennel licenses
2
Total 936
Out of the total number of 69 stray dogs that were picked up, 13 were either claimed by their owners or suitable homes were found for them; the remaining 56 stray dogs were killed.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT E. HEWITT,
Dog Officer
129
APPOINTMENTS MADE BY THE SELECTMEN MAR. 1, 1929
Town Clerk & Accounting Officer Assessor
Overseer of the Poor
Registrar of Voters
Health Officer
Tree Warden
Burial Agent Dog Officer Field Driver & Pound Keeper
Fence Viewers
Inspector of Animals Inspector of Slaughtering Inspector of Milk Inspector of Wires
Sealer Weights & Measures Soldiers' Physicians
Town Hall Agent Trustees of the Public Library
Town Counsel Keeper of Lockup
Waldo S.Thomas Harrison F. Shurtleff Lelah Hathaway Minnie A. Jones John T. Connor Harry J. Goodale Kendrick H. Washburn Robert Hewitt E. Kimball Harrison Alden C. Sisson
Frederick S. Weston
James A. Thomas
Luther B. Pratt John H. Pushee
John T. Connor
John T. Connor Ralph Sampson Louis C. Littlejohn
Dr. E. L. Perry
Dr. A. Vincent Smith
E. Kimball Harrison Walter L. Beals Leonard O. Tillson Nathan Washburn Nathan Washburn Alden C. Sisson
Public Weighers
Louis Ritter Lura A. Bradford Howard T. Lincoln Mable McCrillis
Louis C. Littlejohn Ernest S. Pratt John Dutra Wilson S. Scudder
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Edwin F. Shaw
Albert F. Soule
Elliot H. Perkins John Rebell Avard L. Gates Ralph D. Kelly
Jesse Hall Lewis F. Harding John E. McManus Ivan B. Sparrow Garrett E. Whitty
Special Police Officers
Paul Anderson
Alton T. Smith
Louis C. Littlejohn
Frank Harrington
Ralph Sampson
James J. Vigers John Callan
Myron A. Bump
Warren E. Jefferson
E. Kimball Harrison
S. Edward Mathews
Elmer Gay
Samuel Hathaway
Lorenzo W. Rice
Arthur B. Caswell
Bert S. Brown
William O. Casey Patrick McMahon
Walter Carmichael
John J. Sullivan
George A. Barney
Ernest St. Armand George R. Fredette
Measurer of Wood, Bark & Lumber
Leo. A. Quindley
Frank S. Thomas
William G. Wilcox
Charles N. Warren
Benjamin C. Shaw Forest S. Churbuck
David P. Wilcox Henry W. Sears
Ernest I. Perkins N. S. Cushing, Jr. Ernest S. Pratt
Constables
E. Kimball Harrison
Alden C. Sisson Harry Allen
Frederick S. Weston
Myron W. Baxter I. Mendall Boehme Robert R. Melville Harrison F. Shurtleff
Albert T. Savery Levi O. Atwood Albert Deane James A. Thomas Chester E. Weston
William F. Clark
Robert E. Hewitt
Archer S. Phillips
Frank P. Stanton
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ELECTION OFFICERS
PRECINCT 1
Warden-Bert J. Allan Deputy Warden-Robert C. West Clerk-Percy W. Keith Deputy Clerk-Ernest I. Perkins Inspector-Benjamin E. Holmes Inspector-Harold M. Pratt Deputy Inspector-William C. Allison Deputy Inspector-Horace W. Macomber Officer-Josiah T. Carver
PRECINCT II.
Warden-Luke F. Kelley Deputy Warden-John F. Perry Clerk-John T. Connor Deputy Clerk-Frank S. Thomas Inspector-Frank Read Inspector John J. Mahoney Deputy Inspector-Ralph W. Maddigan Deputy Inspector-Stephen F. O'Hara Officer-E. Kimball Harrison
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REGISTRAR'S REPORT, DECEMBER 31ST, 1929
Number of Registered Voters Jan. 9th, 1929 .
Precinct 2
Men 1978
Women 1755
Precinct 1
Men 106
Women 98
Total Men
2084
Total Women
1853
Total Voters
3937
Number of Registered Voters Jan. 9th, 1930
Precinct 2
Men
1974
1
Women 1764
Precinct 1
Men 105
Women
: 98
Total Men
2079
Total Women
1862
Total Voters
3941
· There were five public meetings and several private meet- ings of the Board. At the public meetings, forty-four names were added to the voting list. The other meetings were devoted to adjusting the lists to date.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. COUGHLIN,
Chairman of Board
133
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Much more work has been done by this department this year than any previous one, due to the larger appropriation, and use of the gravel crushing plant, purchased in 1928, through the whole year.
The purchase of this plant has proved to be a very wise one, and one that just fits our particular needs. With the addition of this plant to our equipment we have been able to place much better material on our roads, and at a much less cost than ever before. With the old method of loading our trucks with a belt conveyor we thought that we were very fortunate if we could build gravel roads at a cost of $1.25 per cubic yard. This year we have brought the cost down to $0.97 per cubic yard, and as we have used 14812 cubic yards, this represents a saving of $4,147.36, or nearly the total cost of the plant.
The roads upon which we have worked this year are given in the following schedule :-
Cu Yds. Gravel.
Cost
Street
Thompson St.
1521
$1171.45
River St.
1768
1402 77
Summer St.
1875
2285 33
Vernon St.
1152
1355.94
Center St.
3886
4336.89 Total 1928 & 29. Gravel
5770 cu. yds. cost $6277.16.
Ca nbridge St.
220
233.22
Frank St.
156
340.52
Shaw Ave.
187
170.51
Rice St.
245
431.13 Includes oiling .
Montello St.
915
2137.12 Gutters completed, road in-
complete.
Benton St.
220
362.66
Wood & Bridge Sts.
892
959.99
Pleasant St.
730
615.60
13,767
$15,803.13
Includes setting curb.
1055 cu. yds. of gravel placed on ten other streets at a cost of $1261.96.
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SIDEWALKS
Gravel and ash sidewalks have been built on Webster, Oak, Forest, Clifford, Center, Vine and Bourne Streets.
The appropriation for this work was materially reduced this year so that little could be accomplished. I trust that it will be increased for 1930 as there is much that should be done.
Cement walks were built this year on the south side of Center St. from Oak St. westerly; on the northerly side of Center Avenue, and on the easterly side of Pearl St. from Peirce St. southerly. This appropriation was also much too small to meet the demands for hard walks.
CENTER STREET IMPROVEMENT
The car tracks in the middle of Center St. have been a nuisance and source of danger for a long time. With the discontinuance of the use of these tracks by the Street Rail- road, an opportunity was given us to cover them up and oil the whole surface of the road. This was done early in the summer and has not only improved the appearance of the street, but eliminated a source of danger.
DRAINAGE.
Drainage conditions in the center of the town are bad, and as soon as money is available this situation should be remedied, particularly the North St. section at the junction of Myrtle, School, Pearl and Rice Streets, and on Vine and West Streets.
There are poorly constructed drains put in quite a few years ago in both of these sections, and it is only by spending a considerable sum of money each year that they are made to work at all, and even then are very unsatisfactory.
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OILING AND PATCHING
54800 gallons of road oil were used this year, and 10570 gallons of patching material. The continual increase of gravel surfaced roads and the increased use of automobiles necessitates an annual increase in the appropriation each year if the surface of the roads is to be kept in the condition which the citizens have a right to expect.
BRIDGES
The bridge on Soule St. has been repaired and replaced the stringers and flooring.
A much needed improvement has been made on the ap- proach to the river bridge on Vernon St. The road at this point was very narrow and the guard rail badly rotted. To remedy this condition cement curbs on top of the retaining walls were put in and wire guard fence erected. This work widens the road and corrects a very dangerous condition.
Culverts have been rebuilt on Marion Road, Center, Ash, Bedford and Clay Streets. By keeping these water- ways open added protection is given to the roads.
SEWERS
The usual number of new connections have been made this year, and the usual number of stoppages have been cleared.
All the catch basins have been cleaned out twice, and many of them three times.
One extension on Clifford Street has been made. In doing this we encountered ledge nearly the whole length, which increased the cost of construction considerably above the estimate.
136
SNOW
Although no large snow storm occurred during the year it was necessary to plow the roads once in January, three times in February, once in March, and once in December. Total snow fall for the year was 36 inches.
EQUIPMENT
Our equipment with the exception of the crushing and hot mixing plant at the yard are in very good condition.
The boiler used to operate these plants is nearly worn out, and we may with considerable patching and careful use get by with it this year, but have been informed by the in- spector that that is all we may expect of it. If we are to use this plant another year we will need to purchase some elec- tric motors, as this will be cheaper to operate than steam and much more convenient.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL F. ANDERSON,
Superintendent ..
137
JURY LIST, MIDDLEBORO, MASS.
June 29, 1929.
James H. DeMoranville, Shoeworker, Center St. Herbert L. Johnson, Tel. Empl., Clay St. John Sigworth, Farmer, Mill St. William C: Allison, Shoeworker, Pleasant St.
Nathan P. Richmond, Shoeworker, Pleasant St.
Robert C. West, Farmer, Pleasant St. Claude H. Turkington, Farmer, Plymouth St. Anthony C. Coombs, Salesman, Alden St. Valentine Deane, Shoeworker, Arch St. Ernest St. Amond, Shoeworker, Arch St. William J. Huxley, Shoeworker, Arch St. Winthrop E. Benson, Shoeworker, Arch St. William H. Hayward, Clerk, Barden Hill Road Victor Landstrom, Plumber, Barden Hill Road Chester V. Duncklee, Clerk, Barrows St. Ernest B. Jones, Contractor, Barrows St. Herbert W. Cornish, Carpenter, Benton St. Myron L. Hinckley, Jeweler, Benton St. William J. Coughlin, Shoeworker, Benton St. Charles A. Shaw, Salesman, Bourne St. Kenneth C. Leonard, Salesman, Bourne St. Earl C. Raymond, Shoeworker, Carey St. Chester S. Mendell, Shoeworker, Center St. Gilbert Broadbent, Mechanic, Center St. Charles L. Card, Shoeworker, Center St. Charles E. Reed, Mechanic, Center St. Ralph J. McQuade, Clerk, Center Ave. Paul Greene, Florist, Cherry St. L. Mendall Boehme, Clerk, Coombs St. Merton Braley, Painter, Court End Ave. Rhodolphus P. Alger, Salesman, Court End Ave. Harold A. Williams, Merchant, Courtland St. Maynard H. Goodridge, Shoeworker, Courtland St. Walter E. Wells, Ins. Agt., Elm St.
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Frank E. Benton, Carpenter, Everett St. James Maxim, Laborer, Everett St. William E. Whitty, Shoeworker, Everett St. Daniel H. Harrington, Shoeworker, Everett St. Everett W. Martin, Insurance, Everett St. Albert B. Shaw, Shoeworker, Everett St. Ralph E. Longfellow, Mechanic, Everett St. George E. Budd, Shoeworker, Everett St. Roger V. Anderson, Shoeworker, Everett St. Franklin A. Peirce, Shoeworker, Everett St. John A. Witbeck, Clerk, Everett St.
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