USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1912 > Part 7
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Fumigation.
The Inspector of the Board of Health reports the following cases of fumigation Diphtheria, 21. Scarlet Fever, 19. Tuberculosis, 4.
Tuberculosis.
The expense in connection with the care of this disease is increasing, the Board being constantly called upon for aid, and in several instances paying the entire cost of treatment at some State Sanatorium. During the year the Board expended over $900.00 in this department of its work alone.
Summary of Contagious Diseases.
During the past year there has been a total of 166 cases of contagious disease in comparison with 52 of the preceding year, namely :
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100 of Measles
21 of Diphtheria
19 of Scarlet Fever
11 of Tuberculosis
10 of Typhoid
3 of Opthalmia in infants
1 of Varicella
1 of Pertusses
Thirty-two of these cases were indigent, and it was neces- sary for the Board to maintain them until such time as they became no longer a menace to the public health and could be released from quarantine. In all cases of outside settlement, the expense incurred by the Board has been recovered from its proper source. Three cases of Opthalmia in infants have been under personal supervision of the State, and in no case did blind- ness occur.
Quarantine regulations in the more dangerous of the con- tagious diseases have been rigidly enforced, necessitating at times an extra expenditure of money for patrol duty. This seems justified, for at no time did Diphtheria or Scarlet Fever become epidemic, as in many of the neighboring towns during the year.
Disinfection in cases of Diphtheria, Scarlet Fever and Tu- berculosis has been continued as in the past, the work being done under the personal supervision of a member of the Board prior to the raising of the quarantine.
Anti-toxine for Diphtheria, and Vaccine have been furnished the local physicians whenever requested throughout the year free of charge. Morbid specimens submitted to the Board have been forwarded to the State laboratories for examination, and an authentic report furnished at the earliest possible moment.
Plumbing Inspection.
The inspectors report that 166 permits were granted, 22 ex- aminations, and 192 inspections made.
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Of the number of permits granted, 118 were for work in old houses and 48 for new dwellings.
Owners of property not connected with public sewers, situ- ated in streets where public sewers run, have been requested to connect therewith, and a vigorous campaign has resulted in much improvement along sanitary lines in this particular.
Meats and Provisions.
Below is printed the report of Dr. Frederick H. Bradley, Inspector of Meats and Provisions :-
During the year the following number of animals have been slaughtered and examined for food :
1912
Pigs
Cattle
Calves
Sheep
January
49
3
February
10
9
2
March
14
8
1
April
ry
1
17
May
5
2
25
June
3
1
23
July
1
13
4
August
11
5
6
September
9
6
1
October
39
6
4
November
45
9
5
December
65
13
4
Totals
258
67
104
4
During the past year, 2 pigs, 1 cow and 2 calves were con- demned as being unfit for food.
Signed, F. H. BRADLEY.
Disposal of Rubbish. Contagious Hospital Legislation.
The same public dumps have been used this year as last. The Obery dump has been under the personal inspection of the
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Board and no regular caretaker has been employed as formerly. The general result shows much improvement. The Board has $200 available for the purpose of a new site for a dump, but as yet has been unable to find the desired location for same.
The Board has spent considerable time investigating the ad- visability of an incineration plant for the disposal of all gar- bage and rubbish, but has been unable to find any refuse-burn- ing system, the cost of which for both establishing and main- taining was not prohibitory. The present system costs the Town less than $300 per year and while far from a perfect method, is still the one in vogue in most Towns and all but the larger Cities.
The attention of the Town is directed to recent legislations as follows: "Each city and town shall establish and constant- ly maintain within its limits one or more isolation hospitals for the reception of persons having diseases dangerous to the public health, including a tuberculosis ward." Plans are subject to the State Board of Health's approval. The law provides a subsidy to be paid by the State of $5.00 per week for each tuber- culosis patient receiving hospital treatment therein.
The Board is in hope that some arrangement to carry out the above law can be made, which will not involve a large ex- penditure of money and will be satisfactory to the State Board; possibly some ward arrangement with the Jordan Hospital might. be feasible.
Expenses.
The expenses of the Board are shown in the report of the Town Accountant. They show an increase over previous years despite most strict economy on the part of the Board. State laws are constantly requiring more and more work to be done' for the health of the community and its suffering, while the general upward movement of prices has affected our purchas- ing department and maintenance expense. Attention is espe- cially directed to the fact that 32 indigent cases were cared for,
Plymouth Nine
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nearly double that of the previous year, and about 40 per cent. more than the average for the past five years.
As the present law under which the Town adopted the State Accounting system is in force, the Board is, of course, prohib- ited from overdrawing its appropriations and can make no use of reimbursements or previous surplus, if any. As it is abso- lutely necessary, therefore, that the Board should have a suffi- cient appropriation to carry on any work it might be called upon to perform, the Board recommends an appropriation of $4,800, which appropriation will also care for the expense of vital sta- tistics, heretofore borne by another department, but now ac- counted under the health expenses of the Town.
Rspectfully submitted, BOARD OF HEALTH,
By Harry R. Talbot, Secretary.
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SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen-
Gentlemen :- I have the honor to submit the following re- port of the Sealer of Weights and Measures Department for the year 1912.
Property of the Town in the department-
One brass beam scale and cabinet; one each 50 lbs., 25 lbs., 20 lbs., 10 lbs., 5-lb. weights, nickel plated; one each 4 lbs., 2 lbs., 1 1b., 8 oz., 4 oz., 2 oz., 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/8 oz., 1-16 oz., brass.
Dry measures-1/2 bushel, 1 peck, 1/2 peck, 2 quarts, 1 quart, iron.
Liquid measures-1 gallon, 1/2 gallon, 1 quart, 1 pint, 1 gill, iron.
Linear measures-1 steel tape, 1 yard measure, brass.
Working Set.
Nineteen 50-lb. weights, iron ; 4 lbs., 2 lbs., 1 1b., 8 oz., 4 oz., 2 oz., 1 oz., 1/2 oz., 1/4 oz., 1/8 oz., 1-16 oz., brass.
Dry measures-1/2 bushel, 1 peck, 1/2 peck, 2 quarts, 1 quart. Liquid measures-1/2 gallon, 1 quart, 1 pint, 1 gill, brass ;
1 gallon, 2 quarts, tin.
One portable balance, with case.
One hanger weight, nickeled.
One sealer's case, with tools.
One hand press seal.
One sealing clamp.
Wired and paper seals, rubber stamps, marking acid, record book, steel alphabet dies and numbers, safe.
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Scales, Etc., Tested.
Sealed.
Adj.
Cond.
Scales over 5,000,
13
3
Scales under 5,000,
123
20
Computing scales,
34
2
Slot weighing scales,
8
3
All other scales,
142
23
Weights,
1173
45
Dry measures,
190
Liquid measures,
176
23
Milk jars,
30
Linear measures,
37
2
Oil and molasses pumps,
18
8
5
Cranberry crates inspected,
290
Cranberry barrels,
32,670
Totals,
34,714
99
225
B
1
Coal weighed in transit-
Weigher's weight.
Sealer's weight.
2750
2750
2000
2000
3295
3315
2325
2350
2360
2360
Fees collected,
$89 08
B. F. SNOW, Sealer Weights and Measures.
T
T
T
T
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS.
The Directors of the Library respectfully make the following report of the work of the Library during the past year, and of its present condition :-
Bound volumes added for circulation in 1912, 316
Bound volumes added for reference, 56
Total number of volumes added, 372
Number of volumes for circulation, Jan. 1, 1912,
14,333
Number of volumes added in 1912, 316
14,649
Withdrawn from circulation in 1912,
121
Total number for circulation, Jan. 1, 1913,
14,528
Number of volumes in reference de- partment, January 1, 1912,
3,227
Volumes added in 1912, 56
3,283
Volumes withdrawn in 1912,
36
Total number of volumes for reference,
3,247
Total number of volumes in the Library, Jan. 1, 1913, 17,775
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PERIODICALS, 1912.
Monthly- American Journal of Archaeology, gift of Dr. Helen Morton Atlantic Monthly Bookman
Century Cosmopolitan Country Life in America Craftsman
Etude
Good Housekeeping
Harper's Monthly
Indian's Friend, gift of Dr. Helen Morton
Library Journal
McClure's Magazine
Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, gift of the Museum Musician
New England Magazine
North American Review
Our Dumb Animals, gift of S. P. C. A.
Popular Science Monthly
Public Libraries
Review of Reviews St. Nicholas
School Arts Book
Scribner's Magazine
Textile World Record World's Work
Weekly- Harper's Weekly Literary Digest Old Colony Memorial, gift of the Publishers. Outlook Scientific American
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Scientific American Supplement
Survey, gift of Miss Lucia Bartlett Union Signal, gift of the local W. C. T. U. Youth's Companion.
Daily- Boston Transcript
New York Tribune
Religious Weeklies. Provided by individuals-
America
Christian Register
Congregationalist
Watchman
Zion's Herald
Books circulated in 1912-
General works,
179
Philosophy,
71
Theology,
61
Sociology,
400
Language,
49
Natural Science,
395
Useful Arts,
360
Fine Arts,
433
Literature,
798
Travels,
1105
Biography,
765
History,
576
Fiction,
22,267
Total circulation for 1912, 27,459
The Directors desire to publicly and gratefully acknowledge the gift of 64 volumes of the best books of the year from the Ladies' Book Club, and also the gift of fifty dollars from Miss Mary Pratt for the purchase of books.
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The Directors have adopted a new rule under which every patron of the Library can take out two books at a time, one of which, however, must be non-fiction.
They also, last Fall, adopted the "open shelf" system, which has apparently given much satisfaction to many who desired it.
The Reading Room has been used more than ever, and is now a quiet restful room, inviting its use both by our own citizens, and by our many visitors from abroad.
WILLIAM HEDGE, Secretary,
For the Directors.
Plymouth, Feb. 8, 1913.
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
The work at the several parks and Training Green has been carried on in the usual way. Several hundred trees have been set out during the past year, including elms, beeches, maples, chestnut, catalpas, white pine, etc.,-many of which were pre- sented by the Old Colony Nurseries,-and the coming year will bring the necessity for the planting of a great many more, as the old growth is gradually dying out, especially in Morton Park, and there must be new ones coming up to take their places. The roads and paths in Morton Park have been kept in order as usual, and the fire belt, which was very narrow in some places, has been widened and put in perfect condition as a safeguard against fires coming from the outlying districts to the westward. The brown-tail moths were found quite nu- merous in Morton Park, also one small colony of the gypsy moth, but they were destroyed before doing any damage.
South Street Park has been partly covered with soil and graded, and the rest will be finished in the spring. We think that when this park is completed it will be greatly appreciated by the citizens residing in that part of the town, as well as by the public at large who pass by in great numbers during the summer season.
Beach Park Bath House has been erected and fitted up con- veniently at an expense of $821.02. Owing to the increasing demand of the public for bathing facilities at this place, we find our accommodations are too limited, and your Park Com- missioners recommend an appropriation of $700 (seven hun- dred dollars) to be used during the ensuing year for an addi- tional shelter, fixtures and grading.
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Last but not least by any means comes Training Green. The board walks that are used at this place are becoming poor, and will have to be replaced by new very soon, which means quite an expense to the town, and at best are not at all satisfactory.
We think that granolithic walks are what is necessary. These walks would certainly add to the appearance of this beautiful spot besides being of great benefit to the public. We ask for an appropriation of $1500 for parks; $185 for the care of Training Green, also an additional appropriation of $800 to be used for granolithic walks and renewing gold leaf in inscrip- tions on the Soldiers' Monument at Training Green, and $700 for an additional shelter at Beach Park.
RECEIPTS
Park Department.
Rent of land for pasture,
$25 00
Sale of wood,
21 00
Rent of bathing suits,
39 75
Total receipts,
$85 75
Income from Morton Fund,
91 00
PAYMENTS
Park Department.
Administration-
Printing,
$5 00
General-
Salaries and wages,
$1,219 95
Teams, 137 84
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Loam,
67 00
Shrubs,
20 80
All other,
150 15
$1,595 74
Total payments,
$1,600 74
PAYMENTS
Training Green.
Salaries and wages.
$166 40
6 98
Teams, All other,
11 58
$184 96
Shelter and Bath House at Beach Park.
Building and furniture,
$736 89
Miscellaneous piping and fittings,
53 38
Bathing suits,
30 75
Total payments,
$821 02
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN F. RAYMOND, JOHN RUSSELL, THOMAS R. WATSON,
Park Commissioners.
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REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
Dr.
To appropriation,
$1,000 00
To reimbursement from Contingent
fund,
50 00
$1,050 00
Cr.
By horse hire,
$100 20
By labor,
557 40
By insecticide,
201 55
By printing,
1 75
By hose,
135 00
By other supplies,
46 05
By balance unexpended,
8 05
$1,050 00
During the past year several trees have been planted in vari- ous parts of the town, and more or less trimming has been done, including broken and dead limbs which endangered public travel. There is a total of 1840 street trees, mostly elms, which have been sprayed by the use of the power sprayer, as a result of which the elm beetles have been destroyd more effec- tually than in past seasons. It will be necessary to do con- siderable trimming during the coming year, and to remove several dead trees.
The present condition of the Gypsy Moth work is such that I deem it inadvisable for me to continue as tree warden, as I feel that I cannot do justice to both departments. Therefore,
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at the expiration of my term of office, I recommend as my suc- cessor, Calvin S. Mixter, who has been in my employ for the past four years on the tree work.
I respectfully recommend that an appropriation of $1000 be made for the ensuing year.
A. A. RAYMOND,
Tree Warden.
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GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH ACCOUNT
Dr.
To appropriation.
$2,200 00
To reimbursement from Contingent account.
500 00
$2,700 00
Cr.
By labor,
$2,275 04
By horse hire,
258 00
By car fares,
5 76
By rent of cottage.
15 00
By insecticide,
70 00
By supplies,
67 20
By printing,
1 75
By balance unexpended,
7 25
$2,700 00
In the early part of 1912 much work was required in the destruction of the brown-tail moth, about forty bushels of the webs being cut off and burned. This season they have been found scattered as far back as Half-way Pond, and also in sec- tions of Manomet and Fresh Pond.
The gypsy moth, while not any more numerous, has been found widely scattered. Where spraying was done, a very no- ticeable decrease has been the result, specially in the woodland sections, a number of them showing a complete extermination. More spraying would have been done, but for the fact that it was necessary to spray for the elm beetle at the same time that
1
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the moth infestations should have been attended to. The hand sprayers were used to the best advantage, but were found in- adquate to cover all the infested localities, therefore, I recom- mend that an appropriation of $800 be made for a power sprayer and equipment; also that the sum of $3000 be appro- priated for the work for the ensuing year.
A. A. RAYMOND, Superintendent.
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REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I respectfully submit the following report of the Forest War- den for the year ending December 31, 1912.
I have had reported 48 fires during the year, 17 of these being caused by sparks from engines on the Middleborough Road. The fire starting near Fearing's Pond, October 17, 1912, burnt over an area ten miles long and two miles wide, burning over land, that was burnt in 1900.
The State Forester assumed the care of the Tower, paying the salary of the watchman and the telephone bill, making a sav- ing of over $500 to the Town.
By vote of the Town a Chase auto truck was purchased and equipped for fire purposes, and has given good satisfaction.
For the financial statement of this Department I refer to the report of the Town Accountant.
I respectfully ask for an appropriation of $2,0000.00 for this Department.
HERBERT MORISSEY,
Forest Warden.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS FOR YEAR 1912.
During the month of January 1912 there were six cows killed and condemned, suffering from tuberculosis. We also had a small out-break of swine-fever this month which was confined to one herd of pigs in town.
The first of February the regular inspection of animals took place, and as a result of inspection we killed three cows suffering from tuberculosis and one cow suffering from actinomycosis of the udder.
During the past year the Commission of Animal Industry has sent an agent here several times to inspect the stables or barns where cows are kept, he has advised some changes in these buildings, some of which were made, and there has been more effort to keep the stables in a clean and sanitary manner.
FREDERICK H. BRADLEY,
Inspector of Animals.
Plymouth Ten
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REPORT ON SHELLFISH
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit the following report.
As near as can be ascertained, the number of clams taken from the shores and flats during the year 1912, is given below. January, 337 buckets.
February, 415 buckets.
March, 462 buckets.
April, 466 buckets.
May, 692 buckets.
June, 1,055 buckets.
July, 1,349 buckets.
August. 1.792 buckets.
September, 2,007 buckets.
October. 1.466 buckets.
November, 707 buckets.
December, 505 buckets.
Total, 11,253 buckets.
The flats are improving in some parts of the harbor and there are quite a number of spots that will be in condition for digging next season. The individual grants have not been worked to any extent but probably will be when persons holding them learn the condition of the company's grant in the coming spring. I have in my possession specimens that have by cultivation in- creased 700 per cent. in weight in 5 months.
There has been some poaching on the public flats by people from other towns. but to no great extent. The small clams on
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our shores are very abundant but will never grow large enough for any use except for seeding.
The Andrew Kerr Co. has planted about thirteen and one- half acres.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED HOLMES.
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REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1912
We respectfully submit our report and recommendations as follows :
OAK GROVE AND VINE HILL CEMETERIES
Appropriation,
$5,000 00
Expenditures.
Superintendent's salary,
$728 75
Labor and material for general
repairs, burials, care and building of lots,
3,129 15
Telephone,
18 00
Tools and repairs,
113 45
Repair of tomb,
81 85
Miscellaneous,
96 20
*$4,167 40
Transferred to contingent account,
500 00
Unexpended,
332 60
$832 60
$5,000 00
*For statistical purposes, the Town Accountant has included an item not under our management or control, thus making his figures differ from the above.
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Receipts.
Sale of lots,
$1,315 25
Burials, 426 00
Care and making of lots,
1,828 37
Interest of Wm. Nelson fund for general care,
90 62
Miscellaneous,
14 76
$3,675 00
We recommend the sum of $5,000 be appropriated for the year 1913.
During the past year we laid 1320 feet of 2-inch pipe, addi- tional branches, standpipes and faucets. We have also relaid 350 feet of 1-inch lead pipe. There is urgent need of more pipes being laid, and for this we recommend a special appropriation of $300.
Since our last report there has been an increase of twenty- two funds. The Town Accountant in his report gives the en- tire list of funds.
BURIAL HILL
Appropriation,
$800 00
Transferred from contingent account, 11 55
$811 55
Expenditures.
Superintendent's salary,
$56 25
General repairs, burials, care and building of lots,
684 02
Tools,
14 85
Police,
36 00.
Miscellaneous,
20 43
$811 55
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Receipts.
Care and building lots,
$66 64
Burials,
19 00
Warren Fund,
14 15
$99 79
We recommend the sum of $800 be appropriated for the year 1913.
CHILTONVILLE, MANOMET, CEDARVILLE, AND
SOUTH POND CEMETERIES
Appropriation,
$150 00
$150 00
Expenditures.
Chiltonville,
$118 15
Manomet,
11 42
Cedarville,
6 80
South Pond,
9 60
Unexpended,
4 03
$150 00
Receipts.
Sale of lots, Manomet Cemetery, $21 00
At the Chiltonville Cemetery we have, during the past year, purchased and set out forty trees at the cost of $78.20.
We have completed the work of clearing, grading, staking out lots, fencing, etc., in the addition to the Manomet Ceme- tery and, from the special appropriation of $150 that applied to this work, we have an unexpended balance of $62.47. We recommend this unexpended balance of $62.47 be transferred
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to the Chiltonville, Manomet. Cedarville and South Pond Cem- eteries' account, and that the sum of $100 be appropriated for the year of 1913.
ADDITION TO MANOMET CEMETERY
Appropriation,
$150 00
Undrawn, 1911, 6 99
Labor clearing, grading, staking lots. $94 52
62 41
$156 99
Special appropriation for laying of water pipe in Oak Grove and Vine Hill Cemeteries :
Appropriation,
$600 00
$600 00
Pipe and labor laying,
$513 02
Unexpended,
86 98
$600 00
Special appropriation for repair of roads in Oak Grove and Vine Hills Cemeteries :
Appropriation,
$300 00
$300 00
Labor and material,
$218 10
Unexpended,
21 30
$300 00
$156 99 Unexpended,
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For the benefit of those who may wish to establish funds for perpetual care, we give below statutes relating thereto :
Section 24, Chapter 78, Revised Laws of Massachusetts.
A town in which cemetery commissioners are chosen may receive gifts or bequests for maintaining cemeteries or ceme- tery lots, which shall be paid into the town treasury of said town and, with the accounts thereof, shall be kept separate from the other money and accounts of said town.
The town treasurer shall invest such funds in accordance with the stipulations, if any, accompanying them; otherwise he shall invest them as ordered by the selectmen and said com- missioners and pay the income therefrom upon their order or with their approval.
CHAPTER 590-ACTS OF 1908
SPECIAL TRUST FUNDS.
Special Trust Fund for Parks, Shade Trees, Etc.
Section 51. Such *corporation may receive on deposit to any amount funds in trust for the purpose of setting out shade trees in streets and parks and improving the same; for pur- chasing land for parks or playgrounds and improving the same; for maintaining cemeteries or cemetery lots or for erecting and maintaining drinking fountains in public places. Such funds shall be placed on interest in such corporation, and the interest and dividends arising therefrom shall be paid semi- annually to such city, town or cemetery authorities as may be designated by the donors of said funds or by the will of the person bequeathing the same, and shall be expended by such authorities within their respective cities, towns or cemeteries for any or all of said purposes, as may be specified by such donors or such will. No part of the principal of such funds shall be withdrawn or expended. and the same shall be ex- empt from attachment or levy on execution.
*Savings Bank.
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Probate Court May Authorize Executors to Deposit Such
Funds.
Section 52. A judge of probate, after notice and a hear- ing, may authorize an executor, administrator or trustee hold- ing money or other personal property for any of the purposes mentioned in the preceding section, to deposit such money, or the avails arising from such personal property, in any such corporation designated by the judge, to be held by it in the manner and for the uses and purposes mentioned in said section and upon the trusts upon which the executor, administrator or trustee held the same; and upon the deposit of such money and its receipt and acceptance by such corporation the executor, ad- ministrator or trustee shall be discharged from further care and responsibility therefor.
Statement of Amount of Such Funds to be Made Every Third Year.
Section 53. The funds held in accordance with the two pre- ceding sections shall be known as the "Shade Tree and Ceme- tery Fund," and the treasurer of the corporation with which they are deposited shall give a receipt therefor to the depositor, and shall send by mail or deliver in January in each third year after the first deposit to the mayor of a city or the chair- man of the selectmen of a town within the limits of which the interest and dividends of such fund are to be expended, a writ- ten statement, signed by such treasurer, of the amount of funds on deposit for the purposes aforesaid, which shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of such city or town.
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