USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1939 > Part 5
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Organization
The personnel of the department as of December 31, 1939, is as follows:
1 Permanent Chief
1 Permanent Deputy Chief
5 Call Captains
8 Permanent Drivers
40 Call Men
8 Substitute Call Men A total of 58 members
Operation of the Department
Through the cooperation of the Highway Department a 600 gallon tank wagon will be available and will cover all 4-1-3 calls in addition to Engine No. 1 and Engine No. 3.
Box
Squad 78
ALARMS Still 85
Warden Total
16
26 205
MILEAGE AND EQUIPMENT USED
Mileage
Feet 21%" hose Feet 11/2" hose Feet . 3/4" hose
1209.1
7,600
4,300 27,100
Soda and Acid Tanks
61
10
Pyrene Inhalator 8
The Department has answered more calls and used more equipment during 1939 than in any year since 1925.
PROPERTY LOSS
Buildings
Assessed Val
Insurance Damage Ins. Paid
Total loss
$29,730.00
$87,401.00 $49,162.00 $34,162.00
$15,000.00
Contents
Est. Value
Insurance Damage Ins. Paid
Loss
$129,200.00
$101,200.00 $59,565 .50 $32,365.50 $27,200.00
PERMITS
Special Oil (Range Burners) 88
Light Oil (Furnace)
34
Fireworks
4
Dynamite
10
INSPECTIONS
Property (Fire Hazards) 1704
Hazards Found
41
Corrected
18
Unsatisfactory
23
Remarks
Four new tires were placed on Engine No. 2.
The roof of the fire station was repaired and is now tight for the first time since the station was built.
A second hand pump was put on Engine No. 1 to replace the pump that broke down at the Rock Mfg. Co., fire last June.
60
These repairs were paid for from the Fire Department appropria- tion and make it necessary to include equipment that would normally have been bought this year in the 1940 budget.
Recommendations
I would again recommend: That the fire alarm circuits be extended to provide protection to the districts served by recent water extensions.
That all school buildings be connected through inside boxes to the fire alarm system and that they be equipped with automatic sprinklers.
That a Deck Gun be placed on Ladder No. 1. In event of a bad fire in any of our large wooden buildings the heat would make effective work with lines operated by hand impossible, and the delay occasioned by having to send out of town for this type of equipment might cause the loss of other buildings.
That as soon as funds can be made available, this department be equipped with a portable generator and flood lights. A broken leg or injured back can easily cost the Town more than the price of the equipment.
Respectfully submitted, FRED M. RYDER, Chief Fire Dept.
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Middleboro, Massachusetts,
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the report of the Fire Warden for the year 1939.
When consideration is given to the ratio of the number of fires to the large acreage of our town which is wooded, the cost of the forest fire account is extremely low.
The factors which were responsible for this low figure are as follows :
1. The rigid restrictions which were imposed upon the issuance of permits.
2. The able and efficient direction of the fire fighting work by Deputy Louis Forney in conjunction with the Fire Department and Highway Department. Total number of permits issued for 1939 684 Total number of forest fires 23 Total number of Railroad fires 4
The largest fire during the year was on October 19th, at which time approximately fifteen acres were burned over at a cost to the department of $98.04. The damage to the property was around $75.00.
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The total cost of the department for 1939 is as follows:
Fires and Patrol
$444.62
Transportation
30.70
New Equipment
61.50
All Others
6.25
$543.07
I recommend that consideration be given to the purchase of a motor driven pump unit and sufficient small size hose. This unit could be mounted on the water tank truck and should prove to be very efficient.
Additional pump cans should be purchased each year until there is an adequate number available, for it has been shown in past instances that this type of fire-fighting apparatus is very efficient for this work.
Respectfully submitted,
E. C. PETERSON, Forest Warden.
REPORT OF THE MOTH DEPARTMENT
Honorable Board of Selectmen, Middleboro, Massachusetts,
Gentlemen :
The year 1939 showed some increase in the gypsy moth infestation in some sections of the Town. As pointed out in the 1938 report, the occurrence of the hurricane rendered difficult the problem of locating egg clusters which could be reached for creosoting. In addition to this factor many of the caterpillars were blown into the town from adjacent areas in other towns. The areas which suffered the worst were in North Middleboro, the infestation in South Middleboro being much lighter. Most of the spraying and other activities of the department were con- fined to the northern section. As the result of our activities defoliation was prevented in all areas that could be reached and the only defoliation which occurred was in the interior areas where spraying could not be done.
A recent survey shows a general increase in the number of egg clusters throughout the Town. Much valuable assistance has been rendered by the W. P. A. in the creosoting of clusters, and this work should be encouraged and continued.
The spraying equipment of the department, with the excep- tion of the truck, is in better condition than it has been for years. Much of it has been overhauled during the year and brought up to date.
Much cooperation has been received from other departments of the Town and from the State Department of Conservation as well. The following letter received from Mr. Walter Holmes, Division Superintendent of the Department of Conservation,
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shows the degree of cooperation and feeling which exists between the Middleboro Moth Department and the State Department of Conservation.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Conservation Division of Forestry 20 Somerset Street, Boston Buzzards Bay., Mass., Sept. 4, 1939.
Mr. Louis Forney, Local Moth Superintendent,
Middleboro, Mass., Dear Mr. Forney :
I am sending you this brief report of moth conditions, and results of your work for the season of 1939, and wish to thank you for your cooperation as to suggestions offered.
During later July and early August with Mr. Lucius Stark, of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, we made a careful inspection of all towns in Plymouth and Barnstable County, and our report for the Town of Middleboro is as follows:
Conditions show marked improvement over last, and previous several years. We found very little evidence of Elm Beetle or Canker Worm on the town shade trees, being well sprayed and in excellent condition.
The Gypsy Moth situation seemed well under control; the roadside foliage throughout town was quite thoroughly sprayed, and back woodland infestation only was noted in a few sections in the south and north parts of town.
Your work and results were very satisfactory in all parts of the town.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) (Div. 1 Moth Superintendent)
WALTER F. HOLMES.
In conclusion may I express my thanks to the Town Man- ager, Town Officials and all those who have been so helpful to the department during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS H. FORNEY.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
The results of the hurricane in 1938 are still coming to our attention. During the year 1939 many additional evidences of serious damage were found. We repeatedly find broken, cracked, and split limbs which were not discovered previously. Many of these conditions keep getting worse so that ultimately branches, limbs and sometimes entire trees have to be removed. In many instances limbs have had to be bolted and cabled so that they would not fall. It is apparent now that the full effect of the
63
hurricane damage will not be known for a long time and contin- uous watch will have to be kept in order to keep our shade trees and other trees in good condition.
I also recommend that new trees be planted to replace many of those which have been removed or seriously damaged.
I am pleased to report that up to the present time there is no evidence of the Dutch Elm disease.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Town Manager and all Town officials for their kind cooperation and assistance which has been so helpful throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted.
LOUIS H. FORNEY.
REPORT OF THE HEALTH OFFICER
To Mr. Edward C. Peterson, Health Officer and Middleboro Board of Health
Gentlemen :
In my closing remarks of the Town Report of this Department last year, your attention was called to the fact that a new garbage truck was needed very much. This year an amount has been in- serted in the budget and it is my earnest hope that it is approved and accepted. The present truck is no longer in a condition to do the work efficiently; it is worn out. In my mind it would be false economy to try to repair the present one.
The unit that was in my mind when the budget was prepared, is in operation on the garbage truck in the Town of Plymouth. It has been in constant use since 1933 and is in perfect condition to- day. This information was obtained from the Health Officials in that Town. The unit is sanitary and will mean better service to the people of Middleboro if it can be obtained.
During the year 1939, there were 136 deaths, exclusive of still- births. This gave the Town an adjusted death rate of 16.0 figur- ing on the 1935 census. This is, however, an increase of 1.6 over 1938.
Infant mortality was low for the year, but was slightly higher than last year. There were 9 deaths under 10 years of age during the year 1939.
Immunization of children against certain diseases is still con- tinuing to prove its worth, as is evidenced by the fact that not a single case of diphtheria nor smallpox was reported in Middleboro during the past year.
Speaking of contagious diseases, we did hear very much from one in particular, namely, measles. There were 349 cases report- ed and perhaps some that were not reported. November was the peak month with 231 cases. Chicken-pox was right in the running also with 151 cases of this disease reported during the year 1939.
64
If certain parents could only be brought to realize just what happens to others when they send their children to school with a contagious disease, I doubt very much if they would do it. This happened during the past year and it was too late when it was discovered. More strict quarantine regulations are being placed on the children of negligent parents and perhaps this will wake them up to the fact that they cannot gamble with the health of other school children.
Rubbish and Garbage Collections
The collections of rubbish and garbage took place quite regu- larly with but few exceptions. In these instances it could not be avoided. Sometimes inclement weather will affect collecting. Also certain localities will be re-routed to attain better service.
There are still some people who do not use approved types of containers for either rubbish or garbage; this does not improve the service for others as it means wasted time on the part of the collectors. Better service could be had if all would co-operate and think of the other fellow and the work that it makes in such in- stances as this for example: Glass, cans, boxes and broken dishes thrown in the garbage for collecting. Rubbish boxes placed in front of a house not adequately protected against the elements, means scattered rubbish. Containers so heavy that they can hardly be lifted on the truck. Containers so poor that they fall apart when lifted on the truck. These are some of the things that hinder the men in their work and consequently retard collections. So it isn't always the fault of the men on the job, if collections are a little late sometimes. We of the Department realize that instances of this nature are not intentional but nevertheless they are often costly. So, in conclusion, let me urge the people of Middleboro to use approved containers for garbage and good strong but not heavy containers for their rubbish.
Tubercular Clinic
The work of the clinic is under the direction of Dr. Bradford H. Pierce, of the Plymouth County Hospital at South Hanson, Mass.
A clinic was held at the Memorial High School on Oct. 30, 1939 and a skin test was given to 359. The skin test is called the Von Pirquet Test and the reading took place on Nov. 2nd. The results showed 61 Reactors and 298 Negatives.
An X-Ray examination was held on Nov. 7, and 68 were in- cluded in this group. Of this number 47 were Negative and 10 were included for further examination and 11 were referred for physical examination on Dec. 11th.
There were 6 discharged and 15 continued on the Clinic Follow- up. The summary is as follows:
Skin Test 359
61
Reactors
Negatives 298
X-Ray
Negative 47 68
65
Observation 10 Referred for Physical Examination. 11
Physical Examination 11
Discharged from Clinic Follow-up. 6
Continued on Clinic Follow-up 15
Total Number of Children for Follow-up
15
Plymouth County Hospital
There have been five patients receiving treatment at the Plym- outh County Hospital during the year 1939. Two were discharged during the year and one of these is in the out-patient department. There is also another patient receiving treatment in the out-patient department.
The Bailey Summer Health Camp also is under the direction of Dr. Pierce and this year was in operation from June 28th to August 22nd, for a period of 8 weeks. There were three children of Middleboro sent to the Camp for the Summer.
The children attending the Camp are selected from the follow- ing group:
1 Children positive to tuberculin and with X-Ray evidence of childhood type of tuberculosis.
2. Children with or without known exposure to tuberculosis suspected of childhood type.
3. Children exposed to tuberculosis and who may or may not have reacted to tuberculin.
4. Reactors who have definite malnutrition.
5. Children who are undernourished and underweight.
Eighteen persons were sent to the Plymouth County Hospital for physical and X-Ray examination. These examinations were made at the request of their family doctor or else were known to be exposed to tuberculosis.
Summary of Tubercular Cases
Adult Tubercular Cases:
Types of Cases :
Pulmonary 49
Hilum
7
Bone
3
Cervical Adenitis 1
Kerato-Uvitis
1
Pulmonary Nephritis 1
1
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Of this number:
Moved out of Town. 0
Number of Deaths 1
Examined and X-Rayed. 21
New Cases 2
Patients at Sanatoria. 2
Tubercular Peritonitis
66
Diphtheria Prevention Clinic
The diphtheria clinic was held on March 30, April 6, and April 13, 1939. There were 117 reported for the first clinic. On the sec- ond clinic there were 113 and on the third treatment 111 of this number returned. The children treated were between the ages of 1 and 8 years.
Ages
1st Treatment
2nd Treatment
3rd Treatment
Under 1
4
4
4
1
20
18
18
2
9
9
9
3
7
7
6
4
8
8
7
5
16
15
15
6
32
31
32
7
16
16
15
8
5
5
5
Total
117
113
111
Pre-School Clinic
On May 19, 1939, a pre-school clinic was held and 20 children were examined by Dr. A. Vincent Smith. The same children were examined for dental defects by the clinic dentist, Dr. Raymond H. Wood.
Dental Clinic
The school dental clinics are held every Wednesday morning from 9 to 12 o'clock Noon, from October to June.
Examination :
School membership of the first two grades. 290
Number of children examined. 269
Number found with dental defects. 217
Number found without dental defects.
52
Correction of Defects :
Children with defects corrected at the clinic.
203
Clinic Operation :
4
Fillings, Temporary teeth 104
Permanent teeth 98
89
Extractions, Temporary teeth Permanent teeth
30
. Number of different children treated, 1939 203
Number of pupil treatments
325
Dental certificates issued
64
Emergency cases 33
Summer Camp children treated.
3
Retarded Class children treated. 2
Children treated for the Welfare Department 17
Amount collected in fees. $27.50
Contagious Diseases
Two cases of contagious diseases were sent to The Haynes Memorial Hospital in Brighton, Mass. One of our patients from
Cleanings
67
South Hanson was under observation at the Eye and Ear Infirm- ary of the Massachusetts Memorial Hospital. One case of tubercu- losis was sent to the State Sanatorium at Rutland, Mass., and an- other case was treated at the Lakeville State Sanatorium. The lat- ter case died after 20 days' confinement.
The treatment of gonorrhea and syphilis is now the responsibil- ity of the Town. Early in the year 1938 funds which were ordin- arily available for this purpose became exhausted and reimburse- ment is now available to only clinics and hospitals, upon direct application from these clinics and hospitals. This in turn has placed rather a heavy burden upon the various towns and cities in the Commonwealth due to the fact that treatment for these cases goes on for many months and often several years.
The Summary of Contagious Diseases
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total
Chicken-Pox
53 69
22
4
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
151
Dog Bite
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
5
2
0
14
German Measles
1
2
0
1
1
2
0
0
0
1
1
1
10
Tuberculosis
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
Measles
0
0
1
0
0
3
5
1
7 26 0 1
231 0
0
29
Scarlet Fever
0
3
3
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
11
Whooping-Cough
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
3
Tetanus
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Epidemic Cerebro
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
Spinal Meningitis Syphilis
1
1
0
0 1
2
0 1.
1
1
0
8
Gonorrhea
0
0
1
0 0
0 00
0
0 0
0
0
1
55 80 34 10 6 15 16 6 13 32 237 76 580
Milk
349
Mumps
0
4
7
2
3
6
6
0
0 0
A detailed report of the Milk Inspector, Dr. Bertram Cameron, follows under the report of this Department. I take this oppor- tunity to thank him for his co-operation. He has kept a close watch on the marketing of milk and milk products in the Town of Mid- dleboro. The sources of supply are all important when the question of disease is at hand and in my opinion, we are most fortunate in having a man of Dr. Cameron's ability. He knows animals from his training as a Veterinarian and coupled with the fact that he is Animal Inspector of the Town; he is without doubt well ac- quainted with the source from which milk comes.
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SUMMARY - HEALTH DEPARTMENT
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total
Bakeries Insp.
2
1
3
2
1
1
1
2
3
2
2
2
22
Cesspools Insp.
3
4
5
3
6
4
2
1
3
31
Cesspools Cleaned
9
14
7 24 21
12
10
11
3
12
8 13 144
Cesspools Built
0
0
0
1
2
1
1
0
2
0
0
0
7
Contagious
Diseases
55 80 34 10
Contagious Placards
54 78 33
9
5 12 15
2
2
0
1
1
0 0
6
Dead Animals Removed
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
0 0
1 0
1 0
0
0
5
Garbage Compl'nts
2
0
0
0
4
2
Insp. Bottling Plants
0
0
1
0
0
1
1 2
1 2
1 1
0 0
0 0
0 0
10
Insp. of Stores
11
8
14
9
14
6 10
8
11
6
7
0
6 89
Miscell. Comp.
0
1
3
0
0
5
2
2
0
0
3
0 16
Privy Complaints
0
0
2
0
1
0
4
1
0
0
1
0
9
Soda Fount'n Insp.
0
2
1
2
2
3
2
0
2
1 18
Visiting Schools
2
6
3
6
8
0 4 0
3 0 2 4
0 3 2
0 1 0 1
0 3 1 0 0
6 4 0 0
0
15
Licenses Granted Past. Milk
0
2
0
0
1
0
0
0 1
1 0 1 0
1 3
0 22
28
Bottling Bev.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ice Cream Mfg.
0
0
0
2 3
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0 1
0 0
1.7
Overnight Cabins
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
4
0
0 1
0
1
0
6 16 21
17
8 14
5
0 12 132
Insp. Restaurants
8
4
2
0
0
1
2 2
0
4
1
2
2
4
1
Wood Alcohol
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
Undertakers
0
0
0
Cessp'l Permits
0
0
0
4
2
5
4
1
Vaults Cleaned Water
2
0
0
5 0
4 0 5
24
Examinations
2
1
Yards Insp.
0
0
0 0
0 0
1 2
Plumbing Inspection
Through the efforts of the Plumbing Inspector, Mr. John J. Pearson, many conditions of improper plumbing have been cor- rected. Property owners have been ordered to abate nuisances of the public health and have complied in each instance after these have been brought to their attention. The so-called "alley plumber" has been shown that there is no room for his type of work in this Town. These are the men that practice plumbing, not being quali- fied to do the work and have no license to engage in the business of plumbing.
6 15 16
6 13 32 237 76 580
8 27 234 76 553
Dead Animals Reported
3 11
25
5
Insp. Ice Cr. Plants 1
1
38
16
5
3
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For Mr. Pearson's co-operation with this Department I am deep- ly grateful and I extend my thanks to him. His report follows in this report, in detail.
Burials
There were 140 Burial Permits issued during the past year. One of these was for a removal and three were for Stillborns. The following comprise the permits issued in regard to age:
Stillborns
3
Under 1 year.
9
From 10 to 20 years 0
From 20 to 30 years
0
From 30 to 40 years
3
From 40 to 50 years.
4
From 50 to 60 years
7
From 60 to 70 years.
12
From 70 to 80 years.
25
From 80 to 90 years.
43
From 90 to 100 years.
33
Removals
1
140
For the splendid co-operation of the various employees of this Department and their efforts to reflect credit to the Health Depart- ment, I again thank them. I also want to thank the other depart- ments of the Town and any individuals who in any way extended their efforts in my behalf.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN M. CALLAN, Agent, Middleboro Board of Health.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Middleboro, Mass., December 31, 1939.
Board of Selectmen,
Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I submit my annual report as Inspector of Animals for 1939.
I have completed the animal inspection of all neat cattle, swine, sheep, and goats in the Town of Middleboro, as follows:
Premises inspected 196
Total number of herds. 179
Total number of cattle 1,376
Total number of swine 289
Total number of sheep 26
Total number of goats. 16
The cattle inspected were divided as follows:
Pure bred cows 154
Pure bred young stock 63
Pure bred bulls 17
70
Grade cows 879
Grade young stock 218
Grade bulls 32
Steers and oxen 13
There were ten untested herds found, numbering 104 heads of cattle.
There is still one reactor animal kept in the town by permission of the Division of Livestock Disease Control.
There have been 19 permits received from the Division to ship cattle into town from out of state. Three of these were returned not used and on the remaining sixteen permits, 230 cattle were shipped into the town.
During the year there were eleven dogs placed under quaran- tine for the disease suspected as rabid and were later released. The owner of one dog was brought into court for allowing the dog to run at large while under quarantine. The plea was nolo con- tendere and a fine of $5.00 was paid.
All cattle tested for tuberculosis were found to be free of the disease.
Due to the vaccination of as many horses as possible as ad- vised by the Division, and the extreme dry summer, prevented the reoccurrance of sleeping sickness in horses this year.
Respectfully submitted,
B. N. CAMERON, D. V. M., Inspector of Animals.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK
Middleboro, Mass. December 31, 1939
Board of Health, Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I submit my annual report as Inspector of Milk for 1939.
Producers with two or more milking cows, who were selling milk to consumers or distributors, were inspected and were issued a Certificate of Registration by the Division of Dairy. All milk dealers have in their possession a license from the Milk Control Board and are licensed in the town to sell milk and milk products.
Distributors of milk are in every way trying to give to the peo- ple of Middleboro a superior milk as can be found elsewhere. Their equipment and the modes of transporting the milk to the con- sumers have insured good milk to all.
The storage and cooling devices in stores, cafes, restaurants, and road-stands for milk and milk products have been kept up to all requirements.
71
During the year one complaint was made to this department and was investigated and referred to the Division of Dairy.
An audit of this department's books was made by State Audi- tors on December 8, 1939.
This department has issued the following licenses :
Oleomargarine licenses 8
Milk licenses (dealers) 24
Milk licenses (stores) 71
License fees obtained from the above were turned into the Town Treasurer. Amounts received from each of the above are as follows :
Oleomargarine licenses $4.00
Milk licenses (dealers) 12.00
Milk licenses (stores) 35.50
Total $51.50
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recommend that the Board of Health at their earliest meet- ing provide and approve laws governing the production and sale of milk and milk products for the protection of the public health of the Town of Middleboro.
I recommend that the Board of Health promote or encourage a greater use of milk and its products by the public, thus making a market for such products greater than before. With this encourage- ment, the producers and distributors will endeavor to employ bet- ter safeguards for milk against diseases contagious to the public by its use.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all persons and State Depart- ments that have aided and assisted me, in order that the town and public could have a good supply of milk.
Respectfully submitted, B. N. CAMERON, D. V. M., Inspector of Milk.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
Middleboro, Mass., January 12, 1940.
Board of Health, Middleboro, Mass.,
Gentlemen :
Number of Applications Filed 118
Applications were for the installation of the following plumb- ing fixtures :
Bath Tubs 88
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