USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1949 > Part 5
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CHARLES H. ROGERS
Acting Chief of Police.
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Apparatus
2-500 gallon pumpers
1-750 gallon pump
1-1000 gallon pump
1-dodge patrol truck
1-Quadruple 750 gallon double bank ladder truck
1-Forest Fire tank truck
Organization
1-Chief
42-Call members
1-Deputy Chief
10-Substitute members
11-Permanent men
65-Total members
South Middleboro unit-13 members
Operation
Total number of calls for the year 252
PROPERTY LOSS Buildings
Assessed valuation
$ 47,155.00
Total insurance
109,850.00
Estimated damage
4,350.00
Insurance paid
3,518.40
Loss not covered by insurance
831.60
Contents
Estimated valuation
$ 11,900.00
Total insurance
36,200.00
Damage to contents
1,730.00
Insurance paid
355.53
Loss not covered by insurance
1,375.00
Inspections
The usual inspections of oil burners, bottled gas, gasoline, and property have been made.
BERTRAM TRIPP,
Chief of Fire Department.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
Warden Calls Still alarms for brush and grass Totals Calls
44
48
92
Estimated damage
$ 560.00
Cost of Extinguishing
Wages
$2,181.45
Maintenance and operation
804.72
Total Cost
$2,986.17
BERTRAM TRIPP,
Forest Warden.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
Number of miles traveled
1571
Number of Inspections
435
Number of reinspections
29
Number of changeovers
84
Number of temporary meters
25
Number of new consumers
90
EMILIO N. NIRO, Wire Inspector.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Scales
Not
Adjusted
Sealed
Con- Sealed demned
Platform over 10,000
4
Over 500 to 10,000
37
70
8
Under 100 pounds
12
34
Weights
87
284
Yard Sticks
5
Capacity Measure
Tanks
Liquid-1 gallon under Meters
1
66
1 inch or less
14
69
2
7
24
More than 1 inch
1 42
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ANNUAL REPORT
Bulk Storage Oil and Grease Quantity
2
6
42
14
1
Reweighing
Total Tested
Number Correct
Under
Over
Beans
11
Bread
33
11
22
Butter
94
92
2
Cheese
11
11
Confectionery
44
22
22
Fruit and Vegetables
22
22
Flour
33
23
2
8
Lard
22
22
Oleomargerine
22
22
Potatoes
66
15
5
46
Feed
22
22
LLOYD E. BANKS
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
During the year, the following trees were removed:
4 Maple trees 7 Elm trees
1 Ash tree
Also many dead limbs that had become a hazard to persons and property have been removed.
The following trees were planted during the year:
12 Norway Maples
8 Dogwood
8 Linden
8 Mountain Ash
LOUIS FORNEY,
Tree Warden.
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
Dogs picked up
121 Dogs destroyed 41
Dogs sold
0
Dogs destroyed for individuals 137
Dogs redeemed by owners 80
Cats destroyed for individuals 248
Dogs dead on highway 32
ARTHUR F. BENSON,
Dog Officer.
11
57
ANNUAL REPORT
Health and Sanitation
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Contagious Diseases
During the year the prevelance of contagious diseases was very mild. Measles, mumps, chicken pox were the diseases most reported.
During the late summer and fall an epidemic of poliomylitis pre- vailed throughout the country. There were only two cases reported in the town, one of the cases was a paralytic and the other was a non- paralytic.
Deaths
The number of deaths in town during the year for which burial and removal permits were issued was one hundred and twenty two. There were nine less deaths in the town than last year.
The cause of death in most deaths is still due to heart and circulatory conditions. Stillborn births have increased over last year.
Dental Clinic
The dental clinic has been under the direction of Dr. L. H. Fuller, D.M.D. and Mrs. Tribou and Mrs. Edgerley.
All school children, except those of the High School, were given dental examinations. Dental defects still show an increase over last year, especially in the students of the Bates School.
This year the sodium floride treatment was given to twenty four students. Twelve of the students had no dental defects and the other twelve showed some dental defects. It will be a worth while experi- ment to follow these children and check from year to year the value of this treatment on those of non-dental and those with dental defects.
Diphtheria Clinic
Another successful diphtheria clinic was held this spring under the direction of Dr. A. V. Smith, M.D. and assisted by Mrs. Tribou and the Middleboro Nursing Association.
Although the clinic was not as large as previous years, the value of the clinic still shows that through the inoculation and the booster doses that have been given, there has been no diphtheria cases in the town.
Garbage Collection
The collection of garbage has been on the increase this year due to the increase in new building of homes. All complaints have been taken care of with little delay.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The garbage truck has been kept in repair at all times as to prevent delay in collection of the garbage. It would be advisable to keep this thought in mind, that in the near future a new body and truck will be needed due to the continual leaks occuring in the body from the acid action on the metal parts.
Inspections
All restaurants, cafes, and roadside stands have been inspected.
New rules and regulations were adopted by the Board and will become effective on January 1, 1950 for eating and drinking establish- ments. These rules will assist the health officer in the inspections although such places have been very cooperative in necessary changes that might be needed.
Overnight cabins and recreational camps have been inspected and a bi-monthly inspection of overnight cabins for sanitary and proper registration was made.
Complaints of nuisances, unsanitary places were investigated and properly abated or declared unfit for human habitation.
Under a new State law that was put into effect this year a sanitary inspection was made of all homes for aged, convalescent homes, and hospital. All places were in sanitary condition and the Board was quite impressed by the places for the aged and the efficient way in which they were operated.
Licenses Issued
Pasteurization Licenses 3 Poultry Slaughtering 2
Ice Cream Manufacturer
2 Alcohol Licenses 5
Bottling Plant
1 Home for Aged 2
Overnight Cabins
4 Convalescent Homes 2
Recreational Camps 3 Hospital 1
Funeral Directors
6
Rubbish Collection
With the extreme lack of rain that prevailed during the year and during the very dry season that this area has had, the amount of rubbish has been much heavier than usual. However with this in- crease and new places wanting rubbish collected, all were taken care of with very few complaints.
Town Dump
Because of the dry season, not being able to burn off the accumu- lated debris, and the increase in rubbish brought to the dump it was necessary to use a bulldozer to level off the dump and make it look a little more sanitary.
Tuberculosis
The number of patients in the Plymouth County Hospital for the year increased to five.
59
ANNUAL REPORT
Through the cooperation of the Plymouth County Hospital, each month a field unit is sent to St. Luke's Hospital where patients need- ing chest x-rays are given. Any doctor may send any of his patients for such chest x-ray.
Conclusion
I recommend that the Board give thought to the new State law that was passed this year in regards to the union of towns to form a health unit. Since this town is so centrally located, it would be an advantage to be one to make such a start. If at the end of ten years, the town has not joined into one of these unions with other towns, it will be necessary that the town join a health unit not to its liking.
I wish to thank the employees of the Department,; Mr. Rowe, Plumbing Inspector; Middleboro Nursing Association; and all others who assisted in making the town a healthier place to live.
B. N. CAMERON, D.V.M.,
Health Officer.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK, ANIMALS & SLAUGHTERING
All producers of milk have a certificate of registration issued by the Division of Dairying. All milk dealers have a license issued by the Milk Control Board and one also issued by the Town of Middleboro to sell milk and cream. Sixty-two samples of milk were taken to Brockton for analysis during the year. No cases of mastitis were found during the year.
Restaurants, Roadside stands and Stores checked 77
Milk trucks checked on street
37
Barns checked for milk conditions
14
Checks made on dairies for conditions
14
Producers checked for milk conditions
28
Licenses Issued
Oleomargerine 22 $11.00 Dealers, milk and cream 23 $11.50
Stores, milk and cream 77 38.50 Total $61.00
A survey of 194 premises and 140 herds was made showing the following:
Cattle
1,123 Sheep 30
Calves
162
Bulls
31
Horses
101
Steers 4
Goats
57
Swine 173
Twenty-one dogs were put under quarantine for the year. Seven permits were received from the State to ship cattle into Middleboro. Thirty-three head were shipped into Middleboro under State Permits.
60
ANNUAL REPORT
One steer slaughtered for inspection. Monthly reports were sent to the Department of Public Health on Slaughtering. All cattle in Middleboro were tested for tuberculosis during the year by Dr. Cameron and Dr. Wood of the State Department.
I wish to thank all persons who have assisted me during the past year and for the fine co-operation I have received from people I have come in contact with when doing my work.
JOHN REBELL,
Inspector.
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
I received 258 applications for new and remodelling work on plumbing; 34 applications for cesspools and septic tanks; 382 inspec- tions were made of plumbing and 46 inspections of cesspools and septic tanks.
The Veterans' Housing Project was completed satisfactorily to both the State Housing inspector and myself.
All written complaints during the year have been investigated and properly disposed of with a few exceptions. Three cases are being investigated, and with the co-operation of the Board of Health and Dr. Cameron, I feel sure will be taken care of.
I wish to thank Dr. Cameron, Health Officer, Mr. Macdonald, Town Manager, and the Honorable Board of Health for their co- operation.
HARRY ROWE,
Plumbing Inspector.
Board of Public Welfare
REPORT OF THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT
The activities of the Department of Public Welfare have included the following:
Administration of General Relief Administration of Old Age Assistance Administration of Aid to Dependent Children Boarding of children in foster homes Operation of the Town Infirmary
61
ANNUAL REPORT
The total expenditures by the Welfare Department for these various categories of public assistance were $407,191.66. The sources from which all monies were received to meet the expenses, including administration, were as follows:
Appropriation from the Town $278,163.80
Money from the Federal Government alloted to us by the Common- wealth
141,694.32
Refunds from all Departments
4,782.06
Total
$424,640.18
The total amount of money spent for all types of relief, including administration, was Unexpended balance at end of year 17,448.52
$407,191.66
Total
$424,640.18
Receipts from all sources were as follows:
Estimated Receipts from the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts
$132,747.19
Receipts from Other Cities and Towns
15,466.59
Receipts from Individuals for aid received by them
3,948.93
Produce, sale of hogs and cattle
4,480.96
Receipts from Federal Government alloted by the Commonwealth
137,810.32
Receipts from Recovery Account
136.69
Refunds
4,782.06
Total
$299,372.74
It is interesting, as well as appalling, to note the growth of Public Assistance and also the staggering amount it is costing the taxpayer to maintain such programs. If we referred to the town report of the year 1933, we would find that the General Relief cost to the town of Middleboro was $34,783.71. For the year 1949, our total cost was 45,615.01, an increase of approximately $10,000.00. We must bear in mind that the year 1933 was one of the peak of depression years and $5.00 would feed a family of three or four; today, the cost is as much as $20.00 a week. It is safe to assume that General Relief is in no way responsible for the excessive costs.
We have, at the present time, seventy-four families on General Relief which is made up of 185 persons. This, of course, includes the Town Infirmary in which there are fourteen paying inmates keeping the costs of operation to a minimum. A new tractor has been added to our farm equipment and the horses that were there for years were disposed of. The home and the other buildings have all been painted and are in excellent condition. Our thanks to those who have par- ticipated in any way to make life enjoyable for those who are inmates at the home. There are several persons at the infirmary who are eligible for Old Age Assistance but prefer to remain where they are.
62
ANNUAL REPORT
The Old Age Assistance program is probably the cause of all the increased costs of public relief but this in no way reflects upon the administration of the program; it is entirely due to the existing state and federal laws. However, we must admit that administrative costs in all branches of Government are in a large part responsible for some of the burden and the end is not in sight.
The average payment to each Old Age Assistance recipient in the state in the month of September 1949 was $61.03. This also includes the cases that are receiving Old Age and Survivors Insurance which is deducted from their budget. On December 1, 1949 the average increase $4.00 on each case because of the new law which gave all recipients of Old Age Assistance that amount for Leisure Time Activities.
No increase has been made on the other Federal and State con- trolled program, Aid to Dependent Children. The costs of this category of public relief remained high due to budgetary needs plus medical allowances that are set up by the State Department of Public Welfare. Our case load increased three cases over the previous year which was due to the death of the head of the family.
The Maria L. H. Pierce Luxury Fund does very little except to pay for newspapers at the Infirmary.
Following is a list of expenditures and reimbursements on all categories of the Department:
General Relief
Salaries
$ 2,764.51
Transportation
118.98
Postage
15.00
Office Supplies
131.14
Telephone
22.55
Social Service Index
23.00
Burials and Supplies
487.92
Clothing
958.75
Rent
949.25
Groveries and Meats
14,138.08
Medical Care and Supplies
2,013.19
Fuel-Light-Water
1,460.88
Board and Care
4,035.48
Cash grants
11,687.70
State Institutions
1,112.64
Other Cities and Towns
2,601.71
Hospital Care
3,094.23
Total
$45,615.01
The total expenditures at the Infirmary for the year ending December 31, 1949 was $22, 571.64. Receipts were $19,029.05 making a net cost of $3,542.59. Expenses were as follows:
Salary-Superintendent and Matron
$ 2,070.00
Wages-Employees 3,544.60
Transportation Superintendent 150.00
Tractor
1,800.00
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ANNUAL REPORT
Telephone and Supplies
77.11
Dry Good and Clothing
468.45
Fuel-Light-Water
1,392.70
Grain
2,535.23
Truck and Tractor Repairs
127.98
Gasoline
358.12
Groceries and Meats
6,039.71
Farm Machinery
273.20
Medical Care and Supplies
340.61
Building Repairs
2,123.15
House Supplies
365.99
Barn Supplies
10.48
Livestock
155.00
Miscellaneous
739.31
Total
$22,571.64
Following is a list of expenditures and reimbursements on Old Age Assistance:
Salaries
$ 6,598.81
Transportation
343.15
Telephone
42.62
Office Supplies
1,798.45
Postage
607.30
After Death Payments
2,633.34
Cities and Towns
1,831.02
Cash Grants
257,894.20
Alterations-Office
1,186.85
Total
$272,935.74
Receipts
Federal Reimbursement
$115,314.25
State Estimated Receipts
108,976.24
Other Cities and Towns
3,923.74
Refunds
2,191.92
Total
$230,467.84
Net Cost to Town
$ 42,467.90
Following is a list of expenditures and reimbursements on Aid to Dependent Children for the year ending December 31, 1949:
Salaries
$ 2,734.54
Transportation
129.04
Office Supplies
101.95
Postage
27.64
Telephone
48.82
Cash Grants
63,027.28
Total
$66,069.27
Receipts
Federal Reimbursement $22,496.07
State Estimated Receipts 13,282.10
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ANNUAL REPORT
Recovery Account
Refunds
75.00 2,074.45
Total
$37,927.62
Net Cost to Town
$28,141.65
The net cost of all types of public relief to the Town of Middleboro after all receipts have been deducted, was $107,880.61 which is an increase of $18,687.15 over the net cost for the year 1948.
I have endeavored, this year, to give the citizens of Middleboro a more comprehensive report of their Welfare Department so that the sources of money expended and received is more clearly explained but I cannot fully describe the duties as it would take volumes in order to cover all its phases.
In closing my report for the year 1949, I want to express my appreciation to the members of the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee and the Town Manager for their cooperation; also to the members of the office staff, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest A. Crowell and all other employees.
GEORGE C. McKAY,
Welfare Agent.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF
MIDDLEBORO, MASS.
LEE
ORO
COUNTYM
PLYMOUT
1 *
PINCORPORATED
AD.1669
For the Year Ending December 31 1949
5
66
ANNUAL REPORT
School Committee Membership, 1949
Term Expires 1951
Lorenzo Wood, Plymouth, Chairman
Horace K. Atkins, 4 Williams Place 1951
Joseph F. Riley, 88 School Street
1950
Ronald G. Thatcher, 25 Webster Street
1950
Virginia C. Smith, 43 Oak Street 1952
George A. Shurtleff, Jr., 33 Peirce Street
1952
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held in Room 7, Town Hall, on the first Thursday of each month, excepting July and August, at 7:30 P. M.
Superintendent of Schools J. Stearns Cushing, 65 Bourne Street
Office, Room 7, Town Hall Telephone 81
The Superintendent of School also serves as Secretary to the School Committee.
School Physician Dr. A. Vincent Smith, 35 Pearl Street
School Nurse
Ila P. Jackson, 106 South Main Street
Supervisor of Attendance
Clifford S. Lovell, 182 North Main Street
Census Enumerator
Albert C. Libby, 7A West Street
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1950
First Term-January 3-February 17
Second Term-February 27-April 14
Third Term-April 24-June 16, Elementary Schools June 21, High School Fourth Term-September 6-December 22
No-School Days
Good Friday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day and day following.
67
ANNUAL REPORT
School Census, October 1, 1949
Chap. 72, Sec. 2, General Laws, requires that the school committee of each town shall ascertain and record the names, ages and such further information as may be required by the Department of Educa- tion of all minors residing within the town.
Males
5 and 6 years 177 7 to 16 years 729
Females 5 and 6 years 199
7 to 16 years 682
906
881
Total
1,787
16 years or over in school 188
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To Members of the Middleboro School Committee:
Herewith is presented the annual report of the public schools of the Town of Middleboro and my twenty-third as superintendent of those schools. Departmental reports have been prepared and submitted, the complete reports bound, and three copies are on file in the office of the Committee.
In opening this report, I wish to quote three paragraphs from the Report of the School Committee in the year 1875. It does seem that that same committee, were they serving in 1950, could submit this same report.
"We come now to what we think the most important matter to be considered in the present report. Your Committees have called your attention two or three times, in the last few years, to the need of increased school accommodations; but no action has been taken by the town in regard to it. We think the time has arrived when such action is imperatively demanded. All the schools are full to over- flowing. When the schools were organized last spring it was found, after all the classes qualified for promotion had been removed to higher schools, that the Primary school still contained a larger number than could be accommodated there. It was therefore necessary to remove a large number more from this school to the first Intermediate, which was thus crowded to excess. All who could not be accommodated here were sent up to the second Intermediate school, which necessitated the removal of a whole class from this to the Grammar school. None of these classes were qualified for promotion, and consequently the grade of all the schools has been lowered. There has been one more class in the Grammar school than belonged there, absorbing one fourth of the teacher's time and attention, which justly belonged to the other classes. They have consequently suffered a loss, as have also all the other schools. In the first Intermediate school there have been five classes, whereas there were only three a year or two since. This excess
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ANNUAL REPORT
subtracts largely from the benefit which each class and each scholar derives from the school. Writing ought to be introduced into this school. But with these additional classes, all the teacher's time is consumed in hearing recitations, leaving no time for writing. None of the children can, therefore, receive any instruction in writing until they have passed through the Primary and first Intermediate schools, and got into the second Intermediate. But no other school is so crowded as the Primary. In this there are over 100 scholars, which is twice as many as ought to be in one school with only one teacher. The teacher of this school is one of superior excellence for the position, but what teacher can do full justice to a hundred scholars? There is not time enough for it. Each session is three hours in length. A quarter of an hour of this is taken for recess. At least another quarter is con- sumed by the classes in taking their places for recitation and returning to their seats. There are various other hindrances; so that probably not more than two hours and a quarter are actually occupied in the recitations. But we will call it two and a half. This is 150 minutes for 100 scholars; one minute and a half for each one, or three minutes per day. Thus these little ones must sit in the school room wriggling about on hard seats and breathing bad air five hours and a half per day to get a chance to read and spell three minutes. True, they stand in the class more than this; and doubtless learn something by listening to the recitations of others; but each one's own exercises can average only three minutes per day when about a hundred are present. This statement of the case needs no argument. It carries its own argument. It is the simple logic of facts. Let no one say, "It is only a primary school." The primary school is one of the most important. It lies at the foundation of our whole educational system. In any undertaking it is of immense importance to get a good start. To start a little mind in the race for an education requires time."
"Now, to remedy the state of things of which we have spoken, to relieve the schools of this excess of scholars, another school is necessary, and, as a consequence, more school room. How shall it be secured? Your committee are powerless to do anything, for the want of means. We can only suggest what we think ought to be done. We see no feasible way to accomplish the desired end but to build a new schoolhouse large enough to accommodate two schools. If the primary school is divided, as we think it should be, there would then be five schools. The present house will accommodate three, without using the attic. It has long been apparent to all who have given any attention to the subject that the attic is not a suitable place for school. Many parents are very unwilling to send their children there, and some will not do so. The room is low, very dark in cloudy weather, ill-ventilated, and in case of fire upon the stairs there would be no means of exit for the 50 scholars confined there. The only objection to building a new house is, of course, the expense. But the money view of the matter is not the only, nor the chief one. Too much economy in educational matters is the worst of economy. The good of the schools should be the paramount consideration."
"Our Pilgrim Fathers planted the schoolhouse by the side of the church, and through all the history of our glorious old Commonwealth these have stood side by side in the hearts of the people, who have given, and continue to give, their money freely for the education of their children. We trust that Middleboro is not willing to be behind in
69
ANNUAL REPORT
the race. While we, as a town, should be economical, we cannot afford to be niggardly in the matter of education. Parents toil early and late to secure a competence for their children, but an education will benefit them more than thousands of gold and silver. Their future happiness, usefulness, position in society, and general welfare depend, in a large measure, upon their being educated. They cannot get along as well without an education as their fathers and mothers do, for the next generation will be more generally educated than the present. Parents, you cannot bestow upon your children a more valuable legacy than a good education. But it will cost something, as everything valuable does. It will cost something to build a schoolhouse-several thousand dollars. But we think it will pay. We suppose the strongest objection to it will come from the voters of other districts, who may, perhaps, think that the people of District 18 are more highly favored already than themselves. But we would call their attention to the fact that this District uses far less than its pro rata amount of the school money. It costs about three times as much to educate a child in the other Districts as in this. The teachers receive almost as much in schools that average only 12 to 20 scholars, as in these which average 60; and incidental expenses are nearly as much in the former as in the latter. But we will not weary your patience with any further remarks upon this subject. We have set the matter before you at it looks to us. We intend to bring it before the voters of the town at the approaching town meeting, and hope that something will be done besides talking. We feel that something must be done. The interests at stake are too great to be neglected."
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