USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1929 > Part 8
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Elijah S. Ober, Farmer, Everett St.
Robert E. Hewitt, Shoeworker, Fairview St. A. Dalton Champlin, Clerk, Forest St. Joseph P. Hayden, Shoeworker, Forest St. Austin L. Beals, Salesman, E. Grove St.
Arthur B. Caswell, Shoeworker, Jackson St. Mason H. Leggee, Shoeworker, Lovell St.
Fletcher L. Barrows, Shoe Mfgr., So. Main St.
Ezra F. Shaw, Varnish Mfgr., So. Main St. Albert D. Walker, Student, So. Main St. William D. McMillan, Shoeworker, So. Main St. Elwyn B. Lynde, Retired, So. Main St Morrill S. Ryder, Retired, So. Main St. Charles W. Clark, Farmer, So. Main St. Allerton E. Wilbur, Farmer, Marion Road Harlas L. Cushman, Salesman, Miller St.
Herbert W. Batchelder, Shoeworker, Montello St.
Ernest S. Pratt, Ice Dealer, North St. Royal G. Nourse, Shoeworker, North St. Bernard S. Howes, Salesman, North St.
D. Melvern Gammons, Shoeworker, North St. Alfred Hodder, Barber, Oak St. Charles Boehme, Shoeworker, Pearl St.
H. Dexter Parrish, Shoeworker, Pearl St.
139
William A. Green, Foreman, Pearl St. John M. Deane, Farmer, Precinct St. Sylvanus L. Brett, Shoecutter, Rock St. Sylvester Green, Shoeworker, Shaw Ave. Harry W. Howes, Supt., Thomas St. Fred Lang, Shoeworker, Union St. Robert A. Clark, Salesman, Walnut St. Elisha H. Shaw, Clerk, Wareham St. Henry P. Messer, Shoeworker, Wareham St. Henry J. Campbell, Shoeworker, Wareham St. Harris B. Tripp, Chauffeur, Wareham St. William F. Shaw, Ins. Agt., Wareham St. Allan R. Thatcher, Manager, Webster St. Howard J. Shurtleff, Shoeworker, Webster St. Leslie G. Moranville, Shoeworker, Webster St. George W. Perkins, Machinist Webster St. Charles C. Chandler, Foreman, Webster St. Edward Begley, Merchant, Webster St. Horace K. Atkins, Photo finisher, Williams Place John E. Erickson, Y. M. C. A., Wood St. Freeman T. Shaw, Mechanic, Wood St. William L. Frost, Farmer, Wood St. Charles H. Tripp, Fish dealer, E. Main St. Arthur Belcher, Clerk, E. Main St. Frank Leighton, Merchant, E. Main St. Matthew Allison, Clerk, E. Main St. Alonzo R. Dealtry, Clerk, No. Main St. Walter C. Shaw, State Emp., No. Main St. S. Forest Smith, Shoeworker, Pearl St. Charles A. Lee, Retired, Pearl St.
Elmer E. Phinney, Secretary, Pearl Court Adnah H. Harlow, Salesman, Peirce St. A. LeRoy Chadwick, Shipper, Peirce St.
140
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE, 1929.
The Plymouth County Extension Service cooperated with citizens in every town in the county this past year in bringing to them information about agriculture and home- making. Local and county-wide meetings were held for this purpose. Through the meetings and by means of correspondence, press notices, and by individual service, thousands of men, women, boys, and girls, were instructed in the better performance of farm operations and home duties.
Many Middleboro people attended the meetings, demon- strations, and tours conducted by the county agent. At one series of three dairy meetings, an orchard tour, and a turkey growers' meeting, held in Middleboro, there was an attendance of more than 300 farmers. Representatives of the Massachusetts Agricultural College and leading farmers were the speakers. The county agent visited 32 different farms in the town to leave definite advice about poultry raising, dairying, and orcharding. Letters and bulletins on agricultural subjects are sent regularly to 152 Middle- boro farmers.
The town also had an exceptionally strong extension program for the home-makers. Six garment finish groups were formed in various parts of the town and successfully completed this project. Middleboro also participated in other clothing projects and had a share in the nutrition and garden programs. The local extension committee is plan- ning an equally strong program for the current year.
Thirty-one boys and girls enrolled in the 4-H clothing, garden, and canning clubs in 1929. The enrollment for 1930 winter clubs now includes 75 boys and girls who are studying food, clothing, and handicraft. The clubs are all organized and holding meetings regularly with their leaders. They are following out their programs with actual exper- ience at home.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR STANDISH,
Local Agent.
141
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Middleboro, Mass. December 31, 1929.
Board of Health, Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my first annual report of slaughtering for year ending December 31, 1929.
No one made application for licenses to slaughter during year. What was done was by people who raised them.
Number of Neat Cattle 0
Number of Veal
Number of Hogs 10
1
11 Total
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. CONNOR,
Inspector of Slaughtering.
142
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK ·
Middleboro, Mass. December 31, 1929
Board of Health
Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my first annual report. On Septem- ber 17, I was appointed to the position left vacant by resig- nation of Mr. Edward B. Van Dusen. Since then I have taken four collections of milk from some thirty-two dairies, comprising some three hundred and fifty cows.
From the report of Mr. George E. Bolling of Brockton, two of them contained garget. Most of them were up to standard in solids and butter fats, and only in two was the bacteria high, all the rest were very low in bacteria. They were attended to at once and on second test were found all right.
I have received a letter from Dr. George H. Bigelow, wanting me to bring before your Board to have tubercular tested cows. I did, and on August 24, you held a public hearing, which I could not attend, as I was away; but it seems all of the producers who did attend were opposed, unless it became a county law, and your Board voted to lay the matter on the table.
But I hope sometime in the near future you will hold another public hearing and I will have someone from the state to speak in favor of it.
Licenses and Permits issued in 1929.
Milk Licenses 93
Oleomargarine 8
Summary of Milk Analysis.
Analysis for Butter Fat 82
66
" Total Solids 82
66
" garget 5 Respectfully,
JOHN T. CONNOR,
Inspector of Milk
143
REPORT OF THE HEALTH OFFICER
Middleboro, Mass. December 31, 1929.
The Board of Health Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my First Annual Report. I came into office April 1, 1929, and found a peculiar situation. There were a number of chickenpox cases reported and on going around, I found most of them adults and all of them had chickenpox before, also, that none of them had ever been vaccinated. On April 19, I had 49 active cases and among them some very bad cases.
On April 22, I attended a Health Convention at Hyannis where I met Dr. Richard P. MacKnight and called his atten- tions to conditions here. He came to Middleboro that same evening. I showed him some of the worst cases. He re- ported to Commissioner of Contagious Diseases, Dept. of State, Dr. Clarence L. Scamman, who with Dr. Place of Boston City Hospital, came to town April 23, and pro- nounced them smallpox, and advised me to call a meeting of the Board for that evening, which was done, and they ad- vised compulsory vaccination, which the Board granted.
On April 25, vaccination started in different sections of the town, at the Town House, Church chapel, at the Green, South Middleboro School, North Middleboro at Pratt Free School and the Community Church at Rock. The first day there were over five thousand vaccinations, and I want to state here, that both Dr. Scamman and Dr. Place said they had never seen such hearty cooperation as the people of Middleboro had shown and they were very much pleased.
144
From then on conditions began to improve. The last onset was May 5. Of the 223 cases in town, we had 1 in January, 5 in February, 40 in March, 144 in April and 33 in May. God was very merciful to us, as not a death occurred and the expense was not as great as many anticipated.
Total vaccinations April 25-28, 1929 9,906
Total Read May 2-4, 1929 6,860
Of those read there were 6342+ and 518 revaccinations Percentage of 92.4%
Out of town vaccinations 665
I want to thank all the Doctors for their courtesy to me, also, Town Manager Goodale, Superintendent of Schools, J. Stearns Cushing, Health Nurse, Miss Helen Pasztor and Chief of Police Sisson, Motorcycle Officer Murdock for their great help in relieving the people in quarantine, also, your Board for your confidence in me during this trying period.
HEALTH NURSE
Miss Helen Pasztor, R. N., has taken a great interest in the Dental Clinic. She has had from ten to fifteen children from the lower grades in every Wednesday morning to have their teeth cleaned, extracted or filled. Dr. Wood has done a great work for the short time he has. We have attended Health Conventions at Hyannis, Osterville, New Bedford, South Hanson and Canton.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Scarlet fever has had quite a run for the past two years. There were some seventy-seven cases from the first of year until school closed in June. Until the opening of school in September there were no contagious Diseases, when six cases were reported from Union St. School. Then we had some fourteen cases reported from School Street. At no
145
time has the situation been serious. I have been in consul- tation with Dr. Richard P. MacKnight and Superintendent of Schools Cushing. We have had Dr. Smith and Miss Pasztor visit these schools every day, but conditions are no different here than in a number of cities and towns where the same thing has occurred. Outside of the scarlet fever cases we have no communicable diseases reported since opening of the schools.
There has been no new tubercular cases. We have six patients at Plymouth County Hospital.
RECORDS OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Month
Anterio
Plomelitsis
Chickenpox
German
Measles
Pneumonia
Lobar
Measles
Scarlet Fever
Mumps
Smallpox
Whooping
Pulmonary
Tuberculosis
Other forms of Tuberculosis
TOTAL
January
3
2
18
1
10
34
February
2
11
18
5
36
March
2
87
28
40
6
163
April
16
144
160
May
17
6
5
33
61
June
5
2
1
2
10
July
5
1
6
August
September
4
20
24
October
1
4
1
14
1
21
November
1
23
24
December
1
1
14
6
22
561
BAKERIES
I have made two inspections of bakeries, one with State Inspector and found most of them complying with the law. In a few cases their attention was called to some of the things which needed to be done, and they were complied with cheerfully.
The restaurants and wayside stands were investigated a number of times during the summer, and will say that in most cases the owners want to do everything that the law requires, and I have had hearty cooperation from them.
Cough
146
Garbage
The collection of garbage was handled in a very satis- factory manner the past summer. Very few complaints were made, and I want to congratulate Mr. Jennings in the way he has handled it.
Public Dump
When I came into office there were numbers of complaints on the condition of the dump. I appointed Mr. A. A. Sisson caretaker and have had nothing but praise for him, the way he has handled it. He has a place built in from East Grove Street where the trucks can back in and dump very easily, also, keeps all papers and such burned up. Had a number of complaints about the rats there. We obtained a poison that we put around there. Mr. Sisson tells me that there are very few of them now, and I have not had a complaint for months.
Financial Statement
Milk Licenses
93 at 50c.
Alcohol
22 at $1.00
$46.50 22.00
$68.50
Respectfully submitted, JOHN T. CONNOR, Agent
The duties of a Public Health and School Nurse are so closely inter-related that it is impractical to separate the activities into two reports. Therefore I have written a full report of my duties under one heading namely "The Report of the Public Health and School Nurse" which you will find incorporated under the School Department Report.
HELEN B. PASZTOR, R. N.
147
MIDDLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
January 10, 193 0
To the President and Board of Trustees
of the Middleborough Public Library:
I have the honor to present the annual report covering the year ending December 31, 1929.
This year the library rounds out twenty-five years in the building so generously given to the people of Middle- boro by Mr. Thomas Sproat Peirce. Middleboro is indeed fortunate to have a library of such size and beauty, and in the twenty-five years of its existence many architects and other visitors have praised the beautiful architecture and design of the building.
On April 25, 1904 the new library building was opened for the inspection of the townspeople, and the following day was opened for business. That the new library was popular is evidenced by the fact that the circulation for that year showed an increase of 15,000 over the previous year when the library was located in the Town Hall.
CIRCULATION
In the year 1904 the circulation for the year was 44,410 and in 1929, twenty-five years later the library issued 81,863 books. Of the books issued, 49,197 were fiction, 13,685 non-fiction, 3,918 magazines, 119 foreign books and 18,926 were borrowed from the young peoples' room.
On February 23, 1929 the library had the largest circula- tion in its history issuing on that day 669 books. That February is the peak month is shown by the fact that other record days have all occurred in that month, the one pre- viously having been on February 20, 1926 when 601 books were issued.
148
EFFECT OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
The circulation for 1929 would undoubtedly have been much larger had it not been for the epidemic which visited the town in the Spring. During this epidemic of smallpox our circulation dropped to about one third of its usual vol- ume, despite the assurances of the doctors that no possible harm could come from library books. It took many months for the public to overcome their fear and it was not until well into the Fall that circulation became normal.
We lost a great many books because of contagious dis- eases, as it is a rigid rule of the library never to take back a book that has been in a home where there has been con- tagious disease, whether or not the book has been in the room or in contact in any way with the one who is ill. The borrower is instructed to destroy the book and the library stands the loss, feeling it is wiser to sacrifice the book and save the peace of mind and retain the confidence of the pub- lic.
BRANCHES
The branch that was opened in North Middleboro at the request of the Community Club is functioning well under the efficient supervision of Mrs. Stephen Richmond, who generously gives her time and home to this work.
Deposits of books are kept at the Rock, South Middle- boro and Bates Schools, and at the Montgomery Home.
After nine years of efficient and loyal service, Miss Laura Deane has found it impossible to continue the branch that has been located in her home at East Middleboro. Miss Deane has given a great deal of her time and energy to this work without any financial recompensation, and to her we owe a debt of gratitude for having made it possible for the people of East Middleboro to enjoy books from the main library.
149
REPAIRS
During the twenty-five years the library has been built almost nothing has been done in the way of repairs. The time has come when some re-decorating is necessary.
In September the Trustees Room was re-decorated. Sanitas wall covering in a soft grey was put upon the walls and the paint was refinished in a warm ivory, making a very attractive room.
There is much that remains to be done, and the coming year it is hoped that more re-decorating may be done where it seems to be most needed.
ACTIVITIES
In January the library sponsored a series of talks on new books given by Mrs. Wanda Power Tauber of the Personal Book Shop, Boston. This course proved very popular, and we are planning to have Mrs. Tauber give another course the coming year.
The Cabot Club had a most interesting exhibit and talk on etchings in the Community Room on January 11th. Under the same auspices was held an exhibit of batik and tied-and-dyed work, with a lecturer from Boston.
In May John Callan, a local artist, held an exhibit of his work in the exhibition hall of the library. The walls were filled with paintings and drawings of unusual merit, and the display aroused much interest.
The Community Room is in constant use, the District Nursing Association, State University Extension, the Sym- phonic Society, the Cabot Club, the Girl Scouts and other societies enjoying its use.
During Book Week, which this year came in the week of November 17th, an exhibition was held of the work of Middleboro artists. This not only included paintings and drawings by local people, but also basketry, needlework, hand
150
wrought jewelry, painted china and iron work, tinted win- ter bouquets, photography, cabinet and batik work.
This exhibition aroused more interest than any pre- viously held, and there was large attendance every after- noon and evening during the week the exhibit was open. Because of the many requests, the exhibition was kept open into the next week.
The staff has been well represented at library conferences. Miss Florence Robinson attended the meeting of the Amer- ican Library Association held in Washington in May. The librarian was in attendance at the conference of the Massa- chusetts Library Club held in June at Provincetown. Other members of the staff have attended meetings in Brockton, Boston and other nearby cities.
The librarian spoke on new books before the Evening Alliance of the Unitarian Church, the Cabot Club and the Parent Teachers Association, and at the High School on "Books as Companions" before the Southeastern Massachu- setts League of School Publications
IN APPRECIATION
We are very grateful to all those who contributed their handiwork to our exhibition held during Book Week and so helped to make it the success it was.
We wish to express our thanks to the teachers in charge of deposits of books, to Mrs. Richmond of North Middle- boro and others who are helping in this way.
It is with sincere regret and a deep sense of gratitude to the librarian there that we discontinue the branch at East Middleboro. Miss Laura Deane has given her loyal service for over nine years.
The Middleboro Gazette has been most generous in allowing us space. That this type of publicity is of great benefit to the library is evidenced by the many calls we receive for the books mentioned in the columns of the Gazette.
:
151
We are grateful to the friends who have presented the library with books, magazines, plants and flowers.
The librarian wishes to take this opportunity once more to express to the Board of Trustees her very great apprecia- tion for their cooperation and loyal support, and to the staff for their faithful service which has made possible the successful year just reviewed.
STATISTICS
Circulation of books
Central Library
Adult circulation
Fiction
48,331
Philosophy
437
Religion
216
Sociology
707
Languages
55
Sciences
690
Useful arts
1,140
Fine Arts
958
Literature
1,640
History
931
Travel
1,418
Biography
1,249
Magazines
119
Foreign
61,809
Juvenile circulation
8,791
Fiction
8,208
Non-fiction
16,999
3,918
152
Branch circulation East Middleboro Fiction
489
Non-fiction
-
63
Juvenile
219
771
North Middleboro
Fiction
324
Non-fiction
84
Juvenile
95
503
South Middleboro School
Non-fiction
4
Juvenile 267
271
Rock School
Juvenile
391
Bates School
Fiction
108
Non-fiction
56
Juvenile
955
1,119
3,055
Total circulation for 1929 Number of volumes owned by library Jan. 1, 1929
81,863
31,387
added by purchase 1,027
66
66
" gift 68
66
66
66
66
" binding 48
(magazines)
-
Total number of volumes added 1,143
32,530
153
Number of volumes lost or discarded
409
Number of volumes owned by library Dec. 31, 1929
32,121
New cards issued Adult's Juveniles (Under 14 years) 167
209
376
Respectfully submitted,
MERTIE E. WITBECK,
Librarian.
154
MIDDLEBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT OF THE CHIEF
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to present herewith, for your considera- tion, the ninth annual report of the Chief of the Middleboro Fire Department, for the year ending December 31, 1929, in accordance with Section 16 of Chapter 592, Acts 1920.
APPARATUS
The apparatus of the department consists of the following :-
1 Maxim 1000 Gallon Pumping Engine purchased April 23, 1928.
1 Maxim 500 Gallon Pumping Engine, purchased June 28, 1920.
1 Knox Combination Chemical and Hose Car, purchased October 14, 1912.
1 Maxim City Service Ladder Truck, purchased October 11, 1915.
1 Maxim Hose Car, purchased May 12, 1914.
All are well supplied with ladders, 3 gallon hand extin- guishers and the most necessary appliances for aiding the extinguishing of fires.
ORGANIZATION
The personnel of the Department at the close of the year is as follows:
One Call Chief. One Permanent Deputy Chief. One Call Deputy Chief. One Permanent Captain.
155
Four Call Captains. Eight Permanent Drivers. Thirty-nine Call Men and nine substitute members. One Fire Police. A total of 65 members.
OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT ALARMS
Month
Box
Squad
Still
Warden Totals
Jan.
6
17
3
26
Feb.
2
5.
7
Mar.
1
5
8
7
21
Apr.
3
9
4
16
May
1
6
6
3
16
June
1
3
2
5
11
July
2
4
6
4
16
Aug.
1
2
4
4
11
Sept.
3
2
4
9
Oct.
2
6
5
13
Nov.
9
5
14
Dec.
3
6
9
Totals
11
51
77
30
169
Equipment used
21/2
3/4 3 gal.
40 gal. PC pyrene
hose
hose tanks foamite tank ·
Box
3650'
1400'
8
1
Squad
2450
5400
41
1
1
Still
.
2850
61
4
1
Warden
58
70
-
-
Totals
6100'
9650'
168
1 2
74
1
156
Mileage
Box Squad
Still Warden 133.4
Total
Engine No. 1
14.7
381
529.1
Engine No. 2
14.7
13.5
28.2
Comb. No. 1
14.7
1.7
1.7
18.1
Comb. No. 2
14.7
12.6
9.1
179.7
216.1
Ladder No. 1
14.7
14.7
Totals
73.5
408.8
142.5
181.4
806.2
Hose on hand Jan. 1, 1930 21/4"
6250
3 Gal. tanks charged
126
FIRE LOSSES
Claims settled 1929
Assessed value buildings
$40,900.00
Insurance on buildings
84,300.00
Estimated value of contents
34,200.00
Insurance on contents
32,200.00
Damage to buildings
28,120.47
Damage to contents
11,857.77
Insurance paid on buildings
28,120.47
Insurance paid on contents
10,232.77
Total values
$75,100.00
Total insurance
116,500.00
Total damage
39,978.24
Total insurance paid
38,353.24
Permits issued
Gasoline
53
Garage
13
Fireworks
5
Dynamite
4
750
15
Inspections
1367
Business property Special
125
Leonard & Barrows
87
The apparatus is in good performing condition.
Ladder 1 and Combination 2 wagon need painting and varnishing very much. The engine of Engine 1 has been thoroughly overhauled, cylinders reground and new brake drums put on. For additional safety measure, booster brakes have been installed.
The total alarms have fallen off this year, most notably in the Box and Still alarms. Perhaps the decrease in Still alarms, and in fact all alarms, may be attributed to the effi- cient inspection of all buildings in town last year, and owners' and occupants' attention called to the then existing fire hazards and advice given to remedying them. In addi- tion to this the ·continual inspection of all business proper- ties with the cooperation of tenants in endeavoring to minimize fire hazards; has been a significant factor in not only reducing the number of fires, but the fire losses.
As you will note, with the assessed value of buildings of $40,900.00 and estimated value of contents of $42,000.00, the damage in excess of insurance paid was only $1625 for the year, this being the lowest loss for a number of years. There has been almost 100 special inspections more than reported in 1928. By direction of your Board, the daily inspection of one of the factories has been made.
To all property owners, especially in the suburbs, I would like to emphasize the importance of inspection and cleaning out of their chimneys. This will result in less calls for the Fire Department to respond to, lessen the possibility of losing your home, and perhaps prevent damage to the apparatus, or fatal accident to those responding with the apparatus, such as was so recently averted in responding to a call of this kind.
158
The facilities provided by the installation of the dry hydrant connected to the pond at Rock Village, and one at the river in North Middleboro, will prove of great value in case of any serious fire in the vicinity of either.
In connection with these installations and those installed in Nevertouch Pond for additional protection for the Geo. E. Keith factory, I fully concur with ex-chief Maxim and recommended in last year's budget, in the desirability of purchasing 1000 feet of 3 inch hose. This was a part of the program as laid out in 1927 in connection with these dry hydrants, for in the case of Geo. E. Keith and North Middle- boro, and possibility Rock Village, because of the distance of source of supply from where needed it would become necessary to use one pumper as a booster pump to be placed 1000 feet from either pond or river.
The value of the 3 inch hose over the 21/2 inch was based on the following:
Friction loss per 100 feet in 21/2 inch hose is 16.4 lbs. and on the 3 inch, 3.6 lbs.
With 3 inch hose, 85 lbs. pressure at the pump will de- liver the same amount of water that it takes 200 lbs.' at pump to deliver through 212 in. hose.
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