USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1955 > Part 6
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11. Kiddie Korner-The usual diversified, and of necessity, flexi- ble program was conducted. The activities included clay and finger- painting, picture coloring, cutting out, bubble blowing, story telling, learning to tell time, checkers, and croquet.
12. An evening baseball league for junior and senior high school boys. I felt that we should include something in our program for boys in this age group in the early evening hours.
13. The Seventh Annual Playground Olympics were held the final week of the season.
14. The staff members organized and supervised the events for the Fourth of July Celebration and the mamoth task of clean-up afterwards.
15. Organized and supervised the Industrial Softball League.
16. Assistance offered to the Middleborough Twilight League.
17. Assistance offered the Pony League.
18. Installed a system enabling youngsters to sign out and in athletic equipment.
A program of Kiddie Korner and field actvities was commenced at the West Side Playground this year. It might be of general interest to know that the West Side Kiddie Korner attendance figure was 1291, and field activities was 766.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Accomplishments in the grounds and maintenance department included the following:
1. Constructed a softball diamond.
2. Purchased an Aerifier with Peirce funds and worked on the improvement of all the fields in the playground areas.
3. Repaired the swimming pool drain.
4. Painted the interior of the field house during rainy weather.
5. Constructed a combination ticket booth and chlorine store- house.
6. A night light was installed at the swimming pool.
7. Constructed a bangboard for tennis players.
8. Painted fence posts and goal posts on Battis Field; conditioned, mowed, and trimmed the field.
9. Installed a new bubbler in the Kiddie Korner.
10. Installed a backstop at the West Side Playground under the auspices of the Peirce Fund.
11. Trimmed and leveled the Baseball diamond at the West Side.
Financial Summary
Funds Received and Expended:
Town of Middleborough
$4,678.93
Peirce Estate
3,540.45
Richards Fund
1,646.09
Playground Store
1,022.56
Total
$10,888.03
Funds paid to the Town Swimming Pool Admissions
$751.30
I wish at this time to express my sincere appreciation to the Park Board, Trustees under the will of Thomas S. Peirce, my staff, and to all who assisted me in any way. A special note of thanks to Mr. Joseph C. Kunces, whose good job of organization and planning in the past, and whose ever available generous advice, made it possible for me to take over the Park Department with ease.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. MASI,
Superintendent Park Department, Middleborough, Massachusetts
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ANNUAL REPORT
Health and Sanitation
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Sanitation
The revised Chapter VIII of Board of Health Regulations relating to Cesspools, Septic Tanks, Privy Vaults, and Public Sewers has been in effect during the past year. These regulations provide that no dwelling place or other building shall be constructed until the Board of Health has approved the proposed lot as suitable from a sanitary point of view for human habitation. If approved, a sewerage permit must be obtained from the Board of Health and the sewage disposal works must be of approved material and design. Copies of the new rules and regulations may be obtained from the Health Department.
Also of special note is a new regulation which requires that no sewage disposal works shall be constructed within 100 feet of any well or other source of water supply without written permission from the Board of Health.
In an attempt to improve conditions at the Town Dump, the area was fenced, and, through the cooperation of the Highway Department, the small bulldozer was made available periodically to the Health Department for dump maintenance work.
All complaints of nuisances and other conditions dangerous to the public health have been investigated and necessary steps taken to abate the nuisance.
Both the garbage and rubbish collection routes have been extend- ed and service has been provided with a minimum of complaints. The rubbish truck cooperated in the annual Spring Clean-up Program, making additional collections wherever necessary. Illegal dumping continues to be a problem in spite of the posting of roadside dumps.
The garbage collection service provides food for the Town pig- gery operated by the Welfare Department. This joint operation last year brought in to the Town treasury the sum of approximately $3,000 from the sale of hogs.
A year-end spot check of Middleborough restaurants by the State Health Department showed continued improvement in sanitary con- ditions in Middleborough food-handling establishments with the ma- jority in good compliance with Board of Health Regulations. One violation still noted in some instances is improperly displayed food. All food offered to the public should be covered to prevent contamina- tion by flies or by sneezing. Most restaurants are now using a sani- tizing rinse which effectively kills any germs which may be left on
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ANNUAL REPORT
the eating or drinking surfaces of china, glasware, or silver. Periodic swab-testing of eating utensils provides an effective check on dish- washing techniques. All bakeries are registered and are now included in the regular sanitary inspection program.
In connection with the licensing programs of the Board of Health, sanitary inspections were made of kindergartens, ice cream manufac- turing plants, piggeries, nursing and boarding homes, poultry slaughter houses, recreational camps, and overnight tourist accommodations, including motels.
A sanitary survey of sewerage systems of cottages and camps on the shores of Woods Pond was made in cooperation with the State Department of Public Health, and recommendations were made for the protection of drinking water supplies as well as bathing areas.
Communicable Disease Control
The communicable disease control program included three im- munization clinics for the protection of pre-school children from diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus; children of school age receive inoculations for diphtheria and tetanus. At these clinics a total of 640 inoculations included 353 single booster shots and 287 shots to children requiring the complete series of three inoculations. For the first year, the number of preschool children exceeded the number of school children being immunized for the first time. The popularity of the clinics with parents of preschool children means that an in- creasing number of children are fully protected from these diseases by the time they reach school age.
On May 23, the first anti-polio vaccination clinic was held at which the Salk vaccine was offered to all children in the first and second grades whose parents requested it. The Vaccine was furnished free by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Local physi- cians who volunteered their services gave the vaccine assisted by school and health department personnel and volunteers from the Dis- trict Nursing Association and the School Street-Union Street P.T.A. In spite of the early confusion regarding the program, a total of 257 children, or over half the first and second graders were vaccinated. None of these children nor any members of their immediate families contracted poliomyelitis during this year's outbreak.
The most serious outbreak of communicable diseas was the polio- myelitis outbreak of last summer. Twenty cases of poliomyelitis with one death were reported to the Board of Health. Eleven of these cases were of school age, although several were non-residents attending recreational camps in Middleboro. The Health Department supplied gamma globulin for inoculation of all contacts of known cases, and in one instance assisted with arrangements for mass inoculation of campers and personnel at one of the recreational camps in the area. This clinic was made possible through the volunteer efforts of doctors and nurses from the Lakeville State Sanatorium. The gamma globulin was furnished without charge by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.
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ANNUAL REPORT
An epidemic of measles early in the year among children in the lower grades in school was followed by minor outbreaks of mumps and chicken pox. Sporadic cases of other communicable diseases were re- ported throughout the year, but were of no epidemiological signifi- cance.
Hospitalization for four patients with tuberculosis was provided at Plymouth County Hospital. One non-pulmonary tuberculosis case was hospitalized at Lakeville State Sanitorium. All contacts of tuber- culosis cases are visited by the Public Health Nurse, who arranges for necessary X-rays at the Chest Clinic. Two hundred and sixteen patients were seen at the Chest Clinic which is held the second Wednesday of each month at St. Luke's Hospital. Mrs. Mary Edgerly, Public Health Nurse, assisted at this Clinic and did follow-up visits on 111 clinic patients.
Dental Health Program
An important preventive and educational program is carried on in the dental clinic by Dr. Louis D. H. Fuller, assisted by Mrs. Mary Edgerly, Public Health Nurse. Last year of the 1597 children examined, 831 had defects requiring attention. Notices were sent home calling attention to these defects and urging parents to see their family den- tist. In addition, one hundred children were treated in the Dental Clinic. Corrective work included 99 extractions, 297 fillings and 9 cleanings.
Premature Infant Program
Effective as of December, 1955, a change in the law covering Board of Health responsibility in cases of premature births requires that local boards of health assist with hospital bills of infants weigning 5 lbs. or less at birth, where the parents are unable to pay. The pur- pose of this program is to ensure adequate hospitalization for pre- mature babies, thereby reducing the premature infant death rate. Last year a total of 11 premature births were reported to the Board of Health. The Board of Health assisted with hospital bills for three of these infants. All premature baby cases are referred to the Public Health Nurse for home visits.
Burial Permits
During 1955, a total of 184 burial permits were issued. An analysis of the causes of death shows heart disease and cancer still in the lead as people live longer and as the so-called communicable diseases which used to claim many lives are brought under control through advances in medicine and public health.
Public Health Nursing
The importance of the nurse's role in the public health program cannot be over-emphasized. She provides technical assistance at the various Health Department Clinics. Whenever she makes a home visit she serves both as nurse and teacher of health. She is responsible for
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all communicable disease follow-up in the home. She visits patients with arrested tuberculosis, tuberculosis contacts and post-poliomyelitis cases. In her maternal and child health work she gives special help to mothers of premature infants. She visits crippled children and teaches the family how to care for patients with other special types of disabilities. In Middleborough, the Public Health Nursing program is supported jointly by the District Nursing Association and the Board of Health. During 1955, a total of 2,566 home visits were made to patients in all categories.
As the Town grows, new problems arise, and the need for health services increases. Special thanks is due to all members of the Health Department for their share in extending health services to meet the growing demands. Detailed reports of the work of the Animal and Milk Inspector and of the Plumbing Inspector follow.
Respectfully submitted,
MIRIAM M. CAMPBELL,
Health Officer
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
For the year 1955 I received 176 applications for new and re- modelling work on plumbing. Thirty-one applications for cesspools and septic tanks.
Three hundred and fifty-eight inspections were made of plumbing and thirty-five inspections of cesspools and septic tanks.
There was a change in the plumbing work done this year in com- parison with other years. The remodelling done was much less, but major construction on schools, St. Luke's Hospital, Co-operative Bank, and factories increased considerably. The work is progressing very well on the larger constructions and they are expected to be completed during 1956.
All written complaints during the year have been investigated and except one properly disposed of. The remaining one now under investigation.
I wish to thank Mrs. Campbell, Health Officer, the Board of Health, and the office of the Town Manager for their cooperation.
HARRY ROWE,
Plumbing Inspector
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK, ANIMALS AND SLAUGHTERING - 1955
MILK
All producers of milk have a certificate of registration by the division of dairying.
All milk dealers have a license issued by the Milk Control Board and one issued by the Town of Middleboro to sell milk and cream.
Forty-six samples of dealers milk were taken to laboratory for test.
Twelve samples of school milk were taken to laboratory for test. Three samples of producers milk was taken, all to Steele's Lab- oratory in East Bridgewater. No mastitis was found in any of the samples.
One hundred and seven inspections were made on restaurants, roadside stands and stores to see that milk was properly refrigerated.
Thirty-eight milk trucks stopped on street and inspected.
Fifty-three inspections were made on dairies and barns to see about the handling of the milk.
Fifteen inspections were made on milk dispensers.
Six days of inspections were made of premises with the State Milk Inspector.
80 Store licenses were issued to sell milk and cream $40.00
22 Dealers' licenses were issued to sell milk and cream 11.00
21 Oleomargarines licenses were issued 10.50
TOTAL
$61.50
ANIMALS
A survey of two hundred and fifty-two premises with one hundred and thirty-eight herds was made for the State Department with a coverage of six hundred and fifty-two miles.
The following were the results obtained from the survey:
Cattle
1,376
Sheep 460
Calves
165
Bulls 40
Horses
126
Steers 28
Goats
59 Swine 324
Total number of animals
2,578
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ANNUAL REPORT
Forty-seven dogs were put under quarantine.
Sixty-three permits received from the state to ship cattle into Middleboro.
Two hundred and forty-seven head were checked under these permits and 12 permits cancelled.
One call received from State Police on dog bite.
One dog had to be killed and head removed and sent to Wasserman Laboratory by order of Division of Livestock, Disease Control.
Two notices received from State Division of Livestock Disease Control on garbage to be posted in Town Clerk's Office.
Six premises were surveyed by Animal Inspector and Health Officer on sanitary conditions.
All cattle in Middleboro were tested for tuberculosis by Dr. Briggs.
SLAUGHTERING
Monthly requests are received from the State Department of Public Health for reports of any slaughtering done in Middleboro and are filled out by me and returned as required by state.
I wish to thank the Board of Health and all others that I have been in contact with in doing my work during the past year for their assistance and cooperation.
JOHN REBELL
Inspector of Milk, Animals and Slaughtering
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ANNUAL REPORT
Board of Public Welfare
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The annual report of the Department of Public Welfare for the year ending December 31, 1955, is herewith submitted.
Expenditures under the GENERAL RELIEF program were slightly higher this year because of assistance given to larger families during illness or temporary unemployment of the wage earner.
However, the Town was not fully liable for all support given as reimbursement was received from other cities and towns for their cases while the State paid the full amount of aid granted to those cases with no settlement within the Commonwealth.
The cost to administer the DISABILITY ASSISTANCE program remained practically the same. An increase in costs for this type of assistance can be anticipated next year as there are several cases pending that will require a great deal of medical care and hospital services.
Our caseload under this public assistance program at the end of the year 1955 was 24 cases.
The greatest increase in expenditures occurred in the category of AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN due to the fact that more and larger families were aided in 1955 than in the previous year.
Medical costs were considerably increased because as of July 1, 1955, the Department was able to pay for physicians' and surgeons' services to recipients while being hospitalized in our local hospital. The per diem rates for hospitalization were increased in most hospitals throughout the State.
As of December 31, 1955, our Aid to Dependent Children caseload was 47 cases representing 198 eligible recipients.
At the end of the year 1955, there were 274 OLD AGE ASSIS- TANCE cases that were active on our rolls. The total expenditure
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ANNUAL REPORT
for this type of assistance was slightly higher than in 1954. This increase was due largely to the increase in per diem rates for hospi- talization; also for payment of physicians' and surgeons' services to recipients hospitalized in our local hospital.
A total of $5,610.64 was recovered from the property of four former recipients of Old Age Assistance under the Lien Law (Section 4, Chapter 118A GL amended).
Effective January 1, 1956, each recipient of Old Age Assistance who is not an inmate of a nursing home or institution will be paid a monthly Transportation Allowance of $2.50. This, of course, will tend to increase our expenditures for this type of assistance in 1956.
Total expenditures at the TOWN INFIRMARY for the year 1955 amounted to $19,966.32. Income from the sale of hogs and produce amounted to $7,143.18 while income from the boarders amounted to $4,182.49.
Major repairs completed at the Infirmary consisted of renovating the kitchen, one bathroom, two upstairs bedrooms and the office. The cow barn floor was replanked and the garbage cooker repaired.
If the various bills which have been filed with the Legislature to liberalize all the public assistance laws in 1956 are enacted, we can expect a decided increase in the administration of these programs.
I feel that due recognition should be given to the late Town Manager Roger W. Macdonald for his sympathetic understanding of the work in the Department and for his many beneficial suggestions.
I also wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation which I have received from the Personnel of the Welfare Department, the various department heads and the superintendent and matron at the Town Infirmary.
BARBARA A. NORVICH
Welfare Agent
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE GAS AND ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Town of Middleborough.
Gentlemen:
The following is the annual report of the Gas and Electric De- partment for the year ending December 31, 1955.
GAS
a: An abnormal and large number of service calls were made this year. This was due to 1955 being the first full year that Middle- boro was entirely on Natural Gas. The number of calls towards the end of the year has subsided to a more normal amount.
b: New and improved Gas Rates were placed into effect on August 1, 1955. The rates were simplified to eliminate the previously used multiplying factor of 1.9. The rate reductions were consid- erable in many cases and the last step rate for Residential Customers was reduced by about 35%. This has made house heating by gas (for which there was practically no demand in the past) more prac- ticable and has created some demand for this type of load.
c: Our new Hortonsphere gas holder was purged (air removed, filled with inert gas, and bled several times) with equipment and assistance from the Boston Consolidated Gas Company. It was then filled with Natural Gas and is now a stand-by source of gas in event of failure of our supply from Taunton. The Hortonsphere was used on several occasions while repairs were being made on the main station meter.
d: The program of digging up and clamping leaky joints on our gas mains has been continued. This is necessary as Natural Gas is much dryer than the old manufactured gas and caulked joints tend to dry out and leak.
e: A 595 foot extension of gas mains has been made on North St. to supply several new customers and to approach a tie with the gas mains on Oak St.
f: A 1640 foot extension of gas mains was made along Bedford St. from the traffic circle to Leona Farms. Our small crew was able to make the entire installation with the aid of the new digging machine which has proven to be a valuable piece of equipment.
g: The gas main on So. Main St. was tapped and an extension started along Mayflower Ave. to supply gas to the two new schools which are now being built.
h: Maps of our gas system have been improved and more details added. This is of value for record purposes and tends to eliminate waste of effort and expense by digging and patching roads in the wrong places.
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ANNUAL REPORT
i: Other data are:
New low pressure services installed 4
New high pressure services installed 9
Old gas services replaced through cellar walls 7
Manifolds redesigned and changed 22
Gas main joints dug up and clamped 20
Gas meters reconditioned
169
Gas meters tested and sealed by Mass. Dept. of Public Utilities 262
Jobbing orders executed
203
Customers' service calls made
1,000
Gas 1955
Gas Purchased and Made:
For High Pressure Services For Low Pressure Services
28,579,938 cu. ft.
Total Purchased and Made
32,074,538 cu. ft.
Increase over 1954
6,375,538 cu. ft.
Gas Sold Other than to G. & E. Dept.
25,705,600 cu. ft.
Increase over 1954
3,681,526 cu. ft.
Gas Used by G. & E. Dept.
284,200 cu. ft.
Gas for Lakeville State Sanatorium
(passed through Middleboro Mains)
592,800 cu. ft.
Gas on hand (Hortonsphere)
200,000 cu. ft.
Gas Unaccounted for
5,884,738 cu. ft.
Paid Brockton Taunton Gas Co.
$42,083.80
Average per 1,000 cu. ft.
$1.31
Average Cost per 1,000 Cu. Ft. Purchased and Distributed
$3.79
Average Received per 1,000 Cu. Ft. Sold
$3.71
Average Consumption per Customer
15,838 cu. ft.
Miles of Main
29.70
Average Consumers per Mile of Main
54.06
Gas Sold per Mile of Main
865,000 cu. ft.
Average B.T.U. Per Cu. Ft. Gas
1,044
Manufacturing Profit to Profit and Loss (Loss)
$1,918.21
ELECTRIC
a: The repair room at the electric light station was insulated and a gas heater installed so as to provide a suitable place to work in. Most of the work was done by our own personnel.
b: Steel racks were fabricated and a new bank of wet-cell storage batteries was installed at the electric light station. The new batteries will provide 120 volts for more efficient oil circuit breaker operation and will also permit automatic emergency lighting for the station.
c: A short electric extension was made and a mercury type light was installed at the public parking area between Pearl and Oak Streets near St. Luke's Hospital.
3,494,600 cu. ft.
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ANNUAL REPORT
d: A three phase power bank of transformers with structure 'was installed on Rice Street for the Hero Mfg. Co.
e: A three phase power bank of transformers and extension of electric lines was installed at the Draghetti mink farm. This is the first three phase installation in Lakeville for continuous power use.
f: Poles have been set for a new power line and street lights along Mayflower Ave. The new line will provide three phase power to both new schools which are being built and to any future cus- tomers in that area.
g: An extension of power lines was made and a three phase bank of transformers installed at the new addition to the High School on Main St.
h: An appreciable extension of electric lines was made in the Lakeville Pond Areas (known as Huckleberry Shores and Buena Vista Shores) to supply new cottages being built there.
i: Poles and electric lines were relocated in Lakeville where roads were relocated on Main St. (near the old Town Hall) and on Howland Road.
j: A considerable amount of extra wire and larger wires were installed in various localized areas where the addition of electric stoves and appliances was beginning to create undesirable low voltage conditions. Street lighting was also improved.
k: Maps of our system were made and improved. This will be helpful for record purposes, future planning, and analysis which is continuously necessary in keeping up with our increasing electric load.
1: A new ladder truck was purchased this year. This addition has proved to be very valuable and much needed in expediting repairs, street light work, etc.
m: An appreciable amount of Neutral wire was installed along our main lines in No. Lakeville and No. Middleboro. This is neces- sary in preparation for changing these areas from a 2300 volt delta system to the new 4160 volt wire system.
n: An abnormal and large increase in the price of copper wire (between 35 and 40 per cent) was somewhat disturbing. To par- tially offset the extra expense to the Department, we are using more Aluminum wire as are many other electric utilities.
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