USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1937 > Part 8
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1. Children positive to tuberculin and with X-ray evidence of childhood type of T. B.
2. Children with or without known exposure to T. B. suscepted of childhood type.
3. Children exposed to T. B., and who may or may or may not have reacted to tuberculin.
4. Reactors who have definite malnutrition.
5. Children who are definitely under-nourished and under weight.
Two patients were taken to South Hanson for exami- nation while thirteen were taken to the Lakeville Sana- torium for examination and X-ray.
Summary of Tubercular Cases
Adults
56
Pulmonary
43
Hilum 7
Bone 3
Cervical Adenitis 1
Tubercular Kerato · Uvitis
1
Pulmonary Nephritis
1
Deaths
5
Moved
X-Rayed and Examined
19
Patients at Sanatorium
1
Plumbing Inspection
Through the Plumbing Inspector's vigilance many dangerous conditions have been cleared up, and through his care and foresight many more conditions will be remedied at once. I wish at this time to thank Mr. Pearson, the Inspector, for the help he has given the department by his cooperation. The Inspector carries
125
out his various duties with paritality to none but with fairness to all. For further particulars see Report of Inspector of Plumbing.
Milk
See Milk Inspector's Report.
During the year each and every physician has co- operated in every way with the Health Department, and I wish at this time to thank them for their support.
There were 111 Burial Certificates issued during the year. The following make up the above certificates :
Under 1 year
6
From 1 to 10 years
3
From 10 to 20 years
1
From 20 to 30 years
2
From 30 to 40 years
0
From 40 to 50 years
4
From 50 to 60 years
13
From 60 to 70 years
23
From 70 to 80 years
25
From 80 to 90 years
26
From 90 to 100 years
4
Still-born
4
The town has been very fortunate to have the Lake- ville Sanatorium to fall back on in examinations and X-rays for tubercular suspects. A large number have been examined and X-rayed by Dr. John J. Decker, Assistant Superintendent of the Lakeville Sanatorium, and he deserves the thanks of the townspeople and the public for his very efficient work.
During the year 69 visits were made to the different schools by the agent. Forty-two dead animals were picked up by the department from the streets of Middle- boro.
One hundred and eight cesspools were cleaned and 28 new cesspools were constructed in town during the year 1937.
Respectfully submitted, LOUIS C. LITTLEJOHN, Agent, Middleboro Board of Health.
126
SUMMARY-HEALTH DEPARTMENT
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Contagious Diseases
17
33
22
48
33
20
14
10
7
5
6
8 223
Houses Placarded
13
25
20
44
33
20
14
10
7
5
6
7 205
Bakeries Inspected
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
24
Yards Inspected
0
4
1
6
4
2
18
12
2
4
2
4
4 45
Dairy Farm Insp.
1
2
34
10
2
4
6
0
0
0
0
59
Milk Samples Taken
0
0
0
15
49
29
50
50
20
0
0
0
213
Inspection Markets, Stores
11
8
12
9
18
9
21
30
27
35
21
18
219
Inspection Ice Cream Plants
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
24
Insp. Restaurants
4
4
4
3
4
2
8
15
12
9
7
11 83
Insp. Bottling Etsb.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
12
Dead Animals
Reported
5
4
5
1
6
5
2
2
4
5
1
3
42
Privy Complaints Investigated
0
3
1
3
1
1
2
0
0
1
0
0
12
Garbage Complaints
0
0
0
6
0
2
9
3
2
4
2
2
30
Soda Fountain Insp.
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
40
Undertakers' Licenses
0
0
0
3
0
0 0
0
1
0
1
0
1
9
Miscellaneous Comp.
0
8
8
11
6
5
7
2
2
5
2
2
58
Bottling Permits
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
Visits to Schools
5
8
9
14
9
6
0
0
2
11
3
2
69
Dead Animals
Removed
5
4
5
1
6
5
2
1
4
5
1
3
42
Cesspools Inspected
0
7
4
4
2
4
3
3
1
3
2
2
35
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
3
Dog Bites Reported
1
2
0
1
2
0
LOUIS C. LITTLEJOHN, Agent, Middleboro Board of Health.
2 57
Insp. Milk Pdl. Plans
4 0
4
127
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Middleboro, Mass., December 31, 1937
Board of Selectmen, Middleboro, Mass., Gentlemen :
* I submit my annual report as Inspector of Animals for 1937.
I have completed the annual inspection of all neat cattle, swine, sheep and goats, with the following results :
Premises inspected
224
Number of herds of cattle
206
Total number of cattle 1276
Total number of swine
254
Total number of sheep
21
Total number of goats
32
The cattle were divided as follows: 14 pure bred bulls, 107 pure bred cows, 56 pure bred young stock, 1084 grade stock and 15 oxen and steers.
Eleven untested herds were found, numbering 35 head.
There is still one reactor kept in town by permission of the Division of Live Stock Disease Control.
I have received from the Division during the year 15 permits to ship cattle into town from out of the State. Eight of these were returned not used, shipped into other towns, and on the remaining seven, 63 cattle were shipped in.
We have had but one reactor in town this year. No dogs have been quarantined.
Respectfully submitted,
LESLIE N. CLARK, Inspector of Animals.
128
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Middleboro, Mass., December 31, ,1937.
Board of Health, Middleboro, Mass., Gentlemen :
During the year of 1937 two pigs and one cow were slaughtered for inspection. All of these were passed.
Respectfully submitted, LESLIE N. CLARK, Inspector of Slaughtering.
1
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK
Middleboro, Mass., January 4, 1938.
To Mr. H. J. Goodale, Health Officer and Board of Health, Middleboro, Mass., Gentlemen :
I herewith submit for your consideration the report of the Inspector of Milk for the year 1937.
The year 1937 was a very unusual year inasmuch as we had so much dry weather and this made the outdoor feed very short, and this necessarily meant more indoor feeding of the herds. The milk producers all worked very hard and tried as best they could to keep up the high standards hitherto achieved, but with Mother Nature against them it was an uphill struggle. The co- operation of the milk producers and dealers was of the highest.
The pasteurizing plants are kept immaculately clean and every precaution is taken by them to deliver to the public a milk second to none in cleanliness and analysis. These plants are all the time asking for more tests each
129
month and more checking on conditions at the farms that produce this milk, but this is impossible with the amount now appropriated. Milk sold in stores is well taken care of by each individual store. Restaurants and roadside stands keep the milk under refrigeration at all times.
The past year there were 213 samples of milk taken to the chemist for analysis; 25 of these were below standard of solids and 23 below standard of fats, while 11 were above standard in bacteria.
I wish to thank you and each and every milk pro- ducer and dealer that have helped me in the work for the past year. It is through the producer and dealer's co-operation that the high standards have been attained.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS C. LITTLEJOHN, Inspector of Milk.
SUMMARY-MILK DEPARTMENT
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Milk Dealers' Licenses
6 28
28
Ice Cream Plants
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
24
Ice Cream Plants Inspected.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
24
Oleomargerine Licenses
1
3
2
6
Road Side Licenses
Pasteurization Licenses
2
1
1
4
Pasteurizing Plants Inspected
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4 44
Dairy Farm Inspections
1
2
34
10
12
4
6
20
4
10
103
Miscellaneous Inspections
8
2
11
14
10
6
12
28
16
12
6
125
Chemical Analysis Milk
15
49
29
50
50
20
213
Bacterial Analysis Milk.
15
49
29
50
50
20
213
Milk Solids Below Standard
2
1
2
11
9
25
Milk Fat Below Standard
2
2
2
10
6
1
23
Milk Bacteria Above Standard
2
4
5
11
.
·
LOUIS C. LITTLEJOHN, Inspector of Milk.
130
6
Milk Licenses
131
INSPECTOR OF WIRES' REPORT
January 17, 1938.
Board of Selectmen,
Middleboro, Mass.,
Gentlemen
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Wires for the Town of Middleboro for the year 1937, for your approval.
Number of Electrician Report Cards received 578 Number of miles traveled on making inspections 1542
The number of reports received or miles traveled indicates only a small part of the time an inspector puts in, in the performance of his duties. Much time is put in before the larger installations start, and call for a num- ber of trips to the job, to properly inspect the installation as the work progresses.
There are at this time more larger wiring installa- tions under way than the Town has had for a number of years.
I attended the annual convention of the Interna- tional Association of Electrical Inspectors, held at Hart- ford, Conn., to get first hand, the. details of the changes in the new National Electrical Code, which became ef- fective January 1, 1938. I have attended all the meetings of the Municipal Inspectors Association of Massachu- setts and Rhode Island, of which I was elected President this year.
The electrical code, or uniform wiring rules, are revised every two years, to keep up with the new elec- trical developments, so that the rules will require that all wiring installations will at least meet the minimum re- quirements for electrical safety.
In conclusion I want to thank any who have in any way assisted me in the performance of my duties.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH SAMPSON,
Inspector of Wires.
132
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
For the Year Ending December 31, 1937
1
Number of Males licensed
588
Number of Females licensed
96
Number of Spayed Females licensed
128:
Number of Kennels
1
Number of Transfers
1
Number of Duplicates
25
Number picked up
68
Found owners for
2
Sold
3
Destroyed
63
Females
30
Males
38
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT E. HEWITT,
Dog Officer.
133
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Having had a more generous appropriation to work with this year our department was enabled to accomplish many things that we wished to do in 1936 but had to be neglected during that year.
Some graveling was done this year on River Street from Thompson to Auburn Streets, Carver Street from Purchase to Carver line, Chestnut Street from Thomas to Purchase Street, Purchase Street from Chestnut to Car- ver line, Pine Street from State Highway to France Street, and Plymouth Street from E. Main to Hill Ceme- tery. These were given a light coat of gravel and some of them were shaped and rolled.
Some rolling was done on Rocky Meadow and Wall Streets.
We also did some gravel patching on Marion Road, Walnut, Cherry, Precinct, Miller, Wood, Bridge, Pleas- ant, Wall and Rocky Meadow Streets ..
We were also able to put a man and helper on the South Middleboro Patrol and they have accomplished much work that was neglected in 1936. This department feels that the work done in this district has helped the taxpayers and also the schools, as about all these roads are used by the various busses for grade and high school transportation.
Patching
The mild winter of 1936-1937 did not hurt our black top roads very much so our patching was rather light this year, using only 9,180 gallons of material for this work.
Oiling
Much more oiling was done this year as we had to let some of our roads go without in 1936, owing to the small appropriation. We applied 32,519 gallons of asphalt and covered the same with sand on the following streets: Wareham, Cushman, Smith, Pond, Perry, Mil- ler, Coombs, Pearl, Murdock, Everett, Center, Clara, Plymouth, Lane, Prospect, Titicut, West, Crowell, and South Main Streets, and Marion Road, Taunton Road, and LeBaron Avenue.
134
The distance covered with oil was about 13 miles, on which we used 32,519 gallons of asphalt.
Summer Street from Murdock to the Bridgewater line was treated with Tarvia Retread, then honed and rolled, making a much better riding surface and saving the present surface that had become badly worn and cracked. We used 5,105 gallons of Tarvia Retread No. 60, and covered with a coarse screened material from our crushing plant. Similar work was done on Taunton Road.
Fuller Street was scarified, reshaped and rolled, after which an application of binder put on. The first section of .6 miles was constructed with an asphalt emulsion. This was called the Pidgeon Type and is a new method in this locality. We are keeping close watch of this section as we wish to see what effect the winter will have on it. We used 7,115 gallons of emulsified asphalt for this work. The second section of .7 miles we used the same construc- tion as we have in the past on our oiled roads, an appli- cation of Tarvia B. for penetration, and then we put on a seal of Tarvia Retread No. 60, which we covered with very coarse material and then rolled. We used 3,063 gallons of Tarvia B. and 2,292 gallons of Retread for this work. The total distance covered was 1.3 miles and we did this work within the stated amount of $2,000 voted for Fuller Street.
A section of Thomas Street at the end of our present black top, for a distance of .35 miles, was scarified, re- shaped, graveled and rolled, after which a coating of Tarvia was applied and then later sealed with Retread.
Keith Street and Lane Street were reshaped and rolled and an application of Tarvia B. put on, but these should have a seal coat next year. We used 3,192 gallons of Tarvia B. on these two jobs.
A dangerous condition was corrected near the Ford Garage on Wareham Street, where we removed the car rails at the curve and widened the road at this point.
Another dangerous condition was improved at the Waterville School. We put in a new catch basin and widened this curve, using an asphalt pre-mix compound for this surfacing.
135
The Highway Department also built a cement curb- ing beside the Town Hall and installed a catch-basin near the Bates School. This expense was borne by a special appropriation made for this purpose.
The parking lot was scarified, reshaped and rolled, and calcium chloride applied.
New street signs were put up at North Middleboro and the Railroad signs at Cherry Street, Miller Street and Spruce Street were all painted by our department.
Roadside brush has been cut in part of the town and we are now continuing this work in North Middleboro.
We installed a new guard fence at the point near Savery's Pond and Mill, correcting one more dangerous condition.
Sidewalks
Our sidewalk maintenance was rather light this year as the W. P. A. Sidewalk Project built many new walks in town. We feel that this is a very worthy project and hope they continue the good work next year.
Bridges
The small bridge over the railroad on Grove Street was put in good condition this year. The Railroad Bridge repair men put in some new steel and did some welding, after which they put in new cross timbers. We then laid a new bottom deck of 4 in. creosoted plank and covered that with 2 in. hard pine planking. We hope in the future a permanent bridge will be built as we have to maintain the decking, which is very expensive to the taxpayers.
Sewers and Drains
New sewer service was put in this year for the St. Luke's Hospital, Nicholas Dascoulias, J. D. Johnston, and the Woolworth store.
We had about the usual number of stoppages to cor- rect and our catch-basins were all cleaned.
We corrected a drainage condition on Thompson street near the residence of Mr. Higgins, where we in- stalled two metal pipes and dug the necessary ditches.
136
Snow and Ice
The mild winter of 1936-1937 gave us very little bother in the snow condition. It was not necessary to plow any storm. We had some icy conditions, however, making it necessary to sand several times. We had to rebuild our sand shed this year, but used old bridge lumber to save on material.
Equipment
Our equipment is in good condition with the excep- tion of our older trucks used on W. P. A. work.
Two new truck plows were added this year, as we have had to increase our plowed mileage on the outside roads to accommodate the various school busses.
Our department is very grateful to the voters for the splendid co-operation they gave us in making our ap- propriation large enough to give the taxpayers the service we have given this year.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL F. ANDERSON, Supt. Highway Department.
137
REPORT OF COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE
PLYMOUTH COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE Town of Middleboro By H. ARTHUR STANDISH, Town Director
In presenting the report of Extension Service ac- tivities for the town of Middleboro, I would like to first call your attention to the fact that the Plymouth County Extension Service has been functioning for the better- ment of Agriculture, Home Life, and the boys and girls of the County for twenty-three years. It is your or- ganization and its service to you is dependent in large measure upon your desire and request for such services.
Report of Agricultural Work
The County Extension Service endeavors to present useful and practical information to farmers of the County and encourage the application of the same. We aid in securing and presenting information on production, marketing, and assist in co-operative enterprises.
During 1937 much time has been given to the Agri- cultural Conservation Program. The program is in line with our agricultural teachings and can be of assistance to county farmers. Four hundred and fifty men are expected to receive payments totaling $25,000.
We have assisted in every way possible various or- ganizations that have requested our services. Among these are the Associations of County Dairymen, Poultry- men, Cranberry Growers, Production Credit, Goat Owners, Bee Keepers, Rural Resettlement, various Fairs, Granges, and Egg Auction.
Thirty-two hundred farmers in the County were supplied with timely information regarding agricultural problems, while 696 farm visits were made.
Home Demonstration Work
It is the aim of Home Economics Extension Work - to assist women with problems connected with house- keeping, home management, and family life.
During 1937, in addition to the service given in- dividual homes, sixty-seven groups have been organized
138
for study along some one of the lines indicated above. In January of 1938, sixteen more groups were added to this list. The total enrollment is well over 1500. Two hundred and fifty-seven women have helped in the or- ganization and carrying out of the program. The sub- jects especially studied during this period have been home management, home grounds improvement, food preser- vation, furniture refinishing, chair seating, and clothing. Work has also been included in nutrition, parent educa- tion and recreation.
Club Work
In 4-H Club Work, the Extension Service provides for the boys and girls of the County an opportunity for educational development through study and practice in home economics and agriculture, as well as an oppor- tunity for self-improvement. It emphasizes the home, and brings club members and parents together in a com- mon interest. It develops co-operation, leadership, self- confidence, ambition, sportsmanship, ability to think, re- sponsibility and community spirit.
There were 106 4-H Clubs organized in 1937 with an enrollment of 1620 different boys and girls. Those clubs were under the supervision of about 100 volunteer local leaders. All towns and cities in the county had some type of 4-H Club Work this year.
MIDDLEBORO
Four hundred and eight are on the mailing list to receive information relating to Poultry, Fruit, Dairy, Market Garden and Cranberries.
Thirty-three calls relating to agriculture were made by the agent.
Enrolling to keep Farm Records, such as Farm In- ventories, Farm Accounts and Poultry Accounts were 49 men.
In the Agricultural Conservation Program for 1937 there were 86 men enrolled and .41 are expected to receive payments. These men will receive a proportionate amount of some $25,000 earned this year by county farmers, depending on the size of farm and amount of conserva- tion work carried out by each individual.
139
Meetings held in the town were on Agricultural Conservation, Crops and Orchard.
Middleboro men and women have also attended many meetings county-wide in nature.
Five dairymen are members of the Dairy Herd Im- provement Association, and 13 are enrolled in the 3-Year Campaign to Control False Blossom on cranberry bogs. Five enrolled to co-operate in the improvement of farm woodlots. Four poultrymen are on the State accredited list.
Albert Deane is a member of the Board of Trustees, Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture.
Home Demonstration Work
Middleboro was the center for a series of leader meetings in home management, and four meetings in improvement of home grounds, and clothing selection.
There were five organized groups of Middleboro women in home management and one in chair seating.
Demonstrations were given in canning fruits, vege- tables and meat, and in preparing a packed school lunch.
A group has been organized to study the construc- tion of garment finishes.
Additional help along various lines has been given by letter, telephone, office call or home visit.
Club Work
About 300 boys and girls were enrolled as 4-H mem- bers in clothing, home furnishing, handicraft, garden and poultry clubs.
A few of the girls and boys had an unusual and exciting experience as a result of being 4-H club mem- bers. They were asked under Mr. Henry Burkland's supervision to put on a fifteen minute Christmas program on radio station WHDH. It is something those boys and girls will never forget.
Several club members attended Camp Farley, which is the 4-H camp for club members of Southeastern Mas- sachusetts.
140
An excellent exhibit of the articles made by club members was held in May, after which 4-H pins were awarded to those completing their requirements.
J. Clifford Graham, South Middleboro, a club mem- ber for seven years, was selected to be a junior counsellor at Camp Farley.
Committees were appointed by the local granges to visit the garden club members and score their gardens.
Norman Clark, South Middleboro, a dairy club mem- ber, is the first from Middleboro to exhibit a dairy animal at a Fair for a number of years. He exhibited his pure- bred Ayreshire at Brockton Fair.
141
ANNUAL REPORT MIDDLEBOROUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY
January 19, 1938.
To the President and Board of Trustees, Middleboro Public Library :
I herewith submit the annual report for the year ending December 31, 1937. In tabulating the report of books read by the citizens of Middleboro it is interesting to note the increased demand for the better type of book, books for serious reading, the kind that makes one think. It is an indication of a changing world, and an encour- aging one. The books of this type in greatest demand were of that group which includes poetry, plays and essays; next comes biography, and third are books of useful arts-engineering of all kinds, carpentry, cooking et cetera.
Perhaps a feature that is appreciated by the greatest number of people is the privilege of borrowing mag- azines, attested by the fact that 7,975 were circulated this year. Under present economic conditions families have had to cut down again and again on their own magazine subscriptions. Borrowers have access to 106 of the worthwhile magazines of the day.
Along with libraries all over the country, we have ceased to attempt to account for the decrease in circula- tion. Variously we have charged it to increased employ- ment, more time being spent on knitting and other handi- craft and a variety of leisure time activities. Whatever the cause, the decrease still continues, although not at an alarming rate. Statistics show just about the same de- crease as last year, 4,132 volumes. The year has been a very busy one, and to a large majority of our towns- people the library is a vital agency they could not well do without.
Book Collection
In selecting books for purchase, we have attempted to build up a collection of permanent value, not forgetting the demand for recreational reading. During 1937, 1,224 books have been added, with 809 discarded, leaving a total book collection in the library of 36,146 volumes.
142
An unusually large number of books were withdrawn because of an inventory of fiction in the children's room. A great many were found to be either obsolete or too badly worn for circulation. The ones worth while will be replaced and the others discarded to make room for the newer books.
Groups of books in foreign languages-Armenian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian-have been bor- rowed from the Massachusetts Library Commission at the State House for the use of our foreign borrowers, 117 having been taken out during the year.
A collection of books is maintained at the Montgom- ery Home for use of the residents there, and a small group of books is kept at Buttonwoods for the use of East Middleboro residents.
Work With Schools
Deposits of books in five schools have resulted in 1,402 books being taken home by pupils.
Classes from Bates Junior High School came in the Fall for their lessons of instruction in the use of the library. Many in Bates School are doing excellent work with State Certificate reading, whereby a certificate is awarded them for reading a certain number of books on a list issued by the Massachusetts Library Commission. The Librarian gave her annual address before members of Bates School on promoting cooperation between the school and the library.
Activities
Among small exhibits displayed during the year was an interesting one of various forms of the new glass fabic being manufactured by the Corning Glass Works, an exhibit loaned by Mr. Randolph Gammons. The most pretentious exhibition was one of Japanese art prints loaned by the Shima Art Company of New York. These wood-block prints aroused much interest and many availed themselves of the opportunity to purchase some of the prints to ornament their homes.
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