USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1915 > Part 13
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This board has made arrangements through the courtesy of Commis- sioner John Grady, of the Boston Fire Department, whereby he has granted us the privilege of sending the men of this department to the drill school of the Boston Fire Department to receive practical instruc- tion, with the idea in view of raising the efficiency of this department to the highest standard.
We would respectfully call attention to the fact that insurance com- panies are now quoting a lower rate on buildings and contents protected by fire-proof roofing.
We earnestly suggest to owners of buildings that they investigate this matter thoroughly if they contemplate re-shingling or building. It would be well to remember that the greater part of the loss in the Salem fire was caused by flying sparks and embers, falling on combustible roofs.
Respectfully submitted,
A. C. BLANEY, R. W. LOWE, JAMES WARNOCK,
Board of Engineers.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 21, 1916.
130
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Tree Warden.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
I herewith submit my sixth annual report :
With the advent of modern roads and sidewalks, also the prevalence of numerous insects, particularly the leopard moth, shade trees command more attention, thought and study than ever before. For that very reason they become of more importance to a community like ours. The necessity for preserving the few grand old specimens as long as possible and for planting new ones wherever possible is most keenly felt, in order that the Town may at least hold its own from an esthetic standpoint, which has helped to make it for years a leading summer resort.
Unfortunately it has been necessary to remove seventy-two trees the past year, eleven of which were large ones. Most of the smaller ones were broken or damaged by traffic, which does more damage to young trees, by the way, than all other adverse conditions.
In the past six years the number of trees standing on the highways has been increased by one thousand, of which three hundred and eleven were planted the past year, making the total number twenty-eight thousand in round numbers at the present time. Each year some progress has been made in staking and wiring to protect trees from horses, and this year three hundred and forty stakes were used, also twelve hundred square feet of wire and fifty yards of one quarter inch felt three inches wide.
The old trees have received particular attention, wounds have been treated, dead and dying limbs removed, also all low growths have been cut off to prevent interference with travel.
The elm beetle is very successfully kept under control by spraying, but the leopard moth, which has very different habits, is a much more serious pest than is generally appreciated, and the cost of maintenance of trees since its arrival has doubled many times.
My recommendations are as follows :
Overhead Expense.
Salary Tree Warden .
$75 00
Tree maintenance, pruning, bolting, work, etc.
repair
500 00
Removing trees
100 00
Trees to fill vacancies
200 00
Wires and stakes
100 00
$975 00
Special Work.
Heading in Willows, Puritan road
$200 00
Planting 25 trees, Humphrey street
125 00
.
$325 00
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE,
Tree Warden.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1916.
·
131
FOREST WARDEN'S REPORT.
1915]
Report of Forest Warden.
To the Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN,-The number and severity of fires in the woods has been much less than last year, due to a greater amount of rain at intervals from the middle of April until the present time.
Thirty-two fires were extinguished by the department, most of which occurred prior to April Ist. Each was reported to the State Forester on a blank provided for the purpose. The number of acres burned, character of land, loss to property, cost to extinguish, etc., were embodied in each report. To prevent these fires, persons wishing to burn in the open between December Ist and March Ist shall, according to the law, obtain a permit. Eighty-three such permits have been issued and copies sent to the State Forester.
To warn the public regarding forest fires the Town has been thoroughly posted with cloth notices which were provided by the state in the spring.
For the ensuing year, I recommend the appropriation of the unex- pended balance of the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE,
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1916.
Forest Warden.
I32
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
REPORT OF Superintendent of Moth Work.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,- Other than the addition of four men for two months (February and March) which were paid by the state from the " Unem- ployed " appropriation, to cut brush at Jackson Park and Danvers street, the moth work has been almost a repetition of previous years, but the conditions are some better.
The brown-tail moth has been suppressed satisfactorily, and I have not known of a single instance of the itch, which only a few years ago was so much in evidence. However, the gypsy moth is about as abundant as last year. The foliage in the residential part of the town has not shown that they were more than normally abundant.
Parasites, though plentiful in some locations, are not giving satisfac- tory results, and the disease which was hoped to work so well, and which in some years does kill a great many in the woods, in the long run is not to be depended upon.
Experience has proved that the two essential methods of procedure are creosoting and spraying. Both give satisfactory results, but the former is the more expensive.
Spraying is the more practical, but it would not be possible to secure adequate machinery and labor necessary to do the work in the short period that such operations can be carried on (May and June). Hence the necessity of creosoting, which is practiced from September until May. In a few instances spraying has been objected to by owners where the condi. tions are really bad, and progress is doubtful in such locations.
This year the amount of poison (arsenate of lead) used was slightly less than last. The same amount was purchased and there is about a ton on hand. Of creosote, between two and three barrels were used.
The amount of moth taxes was $1,874, which is a small increase over last year.
Appropriation
Moth taxes .
$4,500 00 1,874 00
$2,626 00
Overdraft caused by forest fires .
507 00
Actual moth expense to the town the past year .
$2,119 00
The work is behind at this time, compared with previous years, as the street trees are not all cleaned and the ground work on private property is only half finished. However, considering the increase in pay, the Satur-
1915]
SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK REPORT. I33
day half holiday, the two weeks' vacation with pay, and lastly the fact that the appropriation has been cheerfully kept within, gives a satisfaction and confidence that the work will be properly attended to in due time.
In conclusion, I suggest the following special expense for the ensuing year : Five hundred feet of hose at about thirty-five cents a foot. The hand pump used for shrubbery and small trees is out of date and badly worn, and I recommend a small power outfit on a platform, to take its place, at a cost of $250. A new locker in which to keep supplies and tools is suggested, to cost at least $roo, making a total of $525.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE, Superintendent of Moth Work,
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1916.
10
I34
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
REPORT OF Sealer of Weights and Measures.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my report from April 2, 1915, to January 18, 1916 :
Total number of balances and platform scales tested and
sealed
· 140
Number of weights tested and sealed
221
Number of measures tested and sealed
125
Number of pumps tested and sealed
7
Number of yard sticks tested and sealed
3
Number of measures condemned
Number of balances condemned
4
Number of certificates made out .
. 100
Also reweighed 2 loads of coal.
Reweighed 28 loaves of bread.
Reweighed 37 packages of groceries.
Tested 143 milk jars.
Called the attention of 17 ice teams.
Called the attention of 21 peddlers. .
Total amount received for above $37.54, which I have turned over to the Town Treasurer, and for which I hold a receipt.
The standard embraces the following :- One avoirdupois balance, fifty pounds ; one set of avoirdupois weights, sixteen divisions ; drachms, one, two divisions; ounces, one-quarter, one-half, one, two, four, eight; pounds, one, two, four, five, ten, twenty, twenty-five, fifty; one set of liquid measures of five dimensions, one gill, one-half-pint, one quart, two quarts, one gallon ; two graduating glasses, one 2 ounce, one 32 ounce ; one set of dry measures of four dimensions, one quart, two quarts, one peck, one half-bushel; one yard measure. Working set same as above with ten fifty pound weights, one portable drill, one hand press, one sealing clamp, one pointer wrench, one hammer, screwdriver, dies, etc.
Owing to the larger amount of extra work that the law requires from a sealer, I recommend the sum of $125 be paid to the next sealer, to enable him to devote more time, that the work may be done more satisfactorily. Also $28 for printing ; $12 for team ; $10 for help; $20 for miscellaneous supplies, a total of $70.
BENJAMIN A. MARTIN,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., January 18, 1916.
.
·
7
Number of weights condemned
.
7
135
CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1915]
Report of Superintendent of Cemetery.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my sixth annual report as Superin- tendent of the Cemetery :
Lots Sold During the Year.
One (1) in the new part at $153.50.
Two (2) in the new part at $150.00 each.
Four (4) in the new addition at $60.00 each.
One (1) in the new part at $50.00.
One (1) in the new part at $35.00.
Six (6) single graves at $15.00 each.
Total amount received for lots and single graves, $868.50.
Number of Interments, sixty-four (64).
For the care and maintenance of the Cemetery I would recommend that $1,600 be appropriated.
Cemetery Appropriation for 1916.
The following appropriations are recommended for 1916 :
Superintendent
$450 00
Labor ·
600 00
Planting beds
55 00
Telephone ·
20 00
Manure and dressing
20 00
Loam
75 00
Stone dust
20 00
Roller
23 00
Weed killer
35 00
Canvas
20 00
Grass seed
15 00
Supplies
35 00
Water and repairs
70 00
·
$1,438 00
Balance to be used for improvements in the old and new parts.
EDWARD A. SMITH,
Superintendent.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., January 1, 1916.
I36
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Board of Health.
Organization of Health Department.
Loring Grimes, M. D., Chairman.
John B. Cahoon.
George C. Webster.
Frank E. Littlefield, Clerk. Resigned, May 14, 1915.
Clarence W. Horton, Health Officer. Appointed, May 17, 1915.
Martin E. Nies, Plumbing Inspector.
Edward C. Phillips, Assistant Plumbing Inspector.
Herbert D. Smith, Milk Inspector.
F. B. Stratton, M. D. V., Inspector of Animals and Slaughtering.
George T. Till, Special Clerk.
Charles Melvin, to care of offal at beach.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Board of Health herewith submits its annual report, for the year 1915, together with the reports made to it by the officers of the various departments.
During May our clerk, Mr. Frank E. Littlefied, who had so ably served the Board since 1911, resigned, as he was about to leave town.
For some time the Board had realized that in order to carry on the work as it should be, it would be necessary to have a man who could give much of his time to the work and be in the office at regular hours daily. As at this time it was necessary to appoint a clerk, we decided that this was the proper time to appoint an officer that could give his full time to the work of the department. On May 17, 1915, we appointed Clarence W. Horton as Health Officer, he to act as clerk and have a general over- sight over all the work of the Board.
If you will now kindly refer to the report of the health officer you will be able to judge whether or not our experiment has been a wise one. You will notice a great increase in the number of diseases reported and com- plaints received. This does not show that the conditions are worse than ever before, but that the Board is more closely in touch with these matters. With the present system it is now possible to accomplish many things that heretofore we could not do. In order to continue this work, as we have since May, it will be necessary to increase the salary from $6 per week to something more substantial, so that we can continue to employ a man. This, in all probability, will not require an increase in our appro- priation, as the work which he is now doing was previously done by several men whose services we no longer require, and the money that they received can go toward the salary of the health officer.
The Board wishes here to state that they are very grateful to Mr. Horton, who has so efficiently served the Board since May for the very small salary
I37
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1915]
we were able to pay him, and that we fully realize that in comparison with the money received by others doing work for the Town he has been very much underpaid.
" The Settlement," Forest Avenue.
On February 26, 1915, a petition was received from some of the residents and property holders of the Town, relative to the unsanitary conditions existing in that portion of the Town commonly known as "The Settle- ment," located off Forest avenue, asking that a hearing be granted. On investigating the merits of this petition it was found that said property was being occupied in violation of Rules 1, 2 and 3 of the Rules and Regu- lations of the Board, and a hearing was not necessary, whereupon notices were served on the owners or occupants of the premises that these rules must be complied with and said nuisances abated within fifteen days from date.
At the expiration of the time given we made a further examination of said premises, and found that the owners or occupants had failed to put the premises in proper sanitary condition as ordered. We then caused a further notice to be served, stating that unless the premises were put in a sanitary condition within seven days from date, the same would be declared unfit for occupancy.
As no effort was made to improve the sanitary conditions of said premises to conform with the rules and regulations of the Board, at the expiration of the seven days above mentioned the buildings were ordered vacated within 48 hours, and those not complying with these orders were evicted. Upon their eviction the buildings were immediately torn down by the owners and the land leased to Tillson & Stanbon.
Contracts.
On May 25, 1914, a contract was awarded to George F. Busby & Co. for the collection of garbage for five years at $850 year. On July 27, 1914, a similar contract for the collection of ashes and paper was also awarded him at $1,800 per year for a term of three years.
These contracts were to be accompanied with a bond to guarantee the satisfactory execution of the same. Mr. Busby had some difficulty in obtaining these bonds, and as he was carrying on the work in a satisfac- tory manner we allowed the matter to run until March, 1915. Mr. Busby then filed a bond, which not being satisfactory to the Board, was returned, and Mr. Busby then refused to furnish bonds as required.
Therefore, after a conference with the Selectmen, it was decided to can- cel the contracts and advertise for new bids, and arrangements were made with the M. McDonough Co. and Herbert C. Brown to carry on the work until these bids were received.
These bids were advertised for and received on April 23, 1915, as follows :
Ashes and Paper.
M. McDonough Co. .
$3,000 per year
Herbert C. Brown
.
2,800 per year
Louis Marino
2,700 per year
Felice D'Agnese
2,700 per year ·
Abram French .
2,650 per year ·
138
TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Dec. 31
Abram French being the lowest bidder the Board voted to award the contract to him at $2,650 per year for a term of three years.
Garbage.
Brown & Mudge
$1,200 00 per year
Felice D'Agnese ·
1,050 00 per year
Allen S. Rowe
995 00 per year
Geo. C. Griffiths
850 00 per year
Herbert C. Brown
840 00 per year
Henry N. Cullen
700 00 per year
This contract was awarded to Herbert C. Brown at $840 per year for a period of three years.
Care of Night Soil.
The bid of Allen S. Rowe of $90 being the only one received, he was awarded the contract for one year.
Marshall Brook (Outfall).
At the annual town meeting in February, 1915, $1,000 was appropriated for the construction of a cement culvert at the outfall of the so-called Marshall Brook at the easterly end of Blaney Bleach. On April 2, 1915, the Board voted to advertise for bids for the construction of this outfall, according to the specifications furnished by the Town Engineer.
On April 16, 1915, bids were received as follows :
David J. Sheehan Co.
$1,380 75
Felice D'Agnese
996 50
Abram French
925 75
M. McDonough Co.
803 60
James T. Lyons
689 45
The contract was awarded to James T. Lyons, he being the lowest bidder, and the work was carried on under the supervision of the Town Engineer. Owing to the shifting sands, the culvert was extended 27 feet at an additional cost of $175.
Marshall Brook (Construction.)
The following is an estimate of the amount and value of the work done under the contract of James T. Lyons, dated April 16, 1915, for building the Marshall Brook outfall :
68 cubic yards concrete
$9 00
$612 00
3,215 pounds steel bars
03
96 45
I Wooden tide gate
18 00
Cleaning old pipe .
10 00
Extending outfall 27 feet
175 00
Value of work done
$911 45
Engineering .
86 55
Typewriting .
2 00
Total cost of work .
$1,000 00
139
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1915]
New Regulations.
Your attention is hereby called to the following regulations governing the sale of foodstuffs, and we beg your cooperation in carrying out the same :
SECTION I. It is hereby ordered that, except during the process of sale, no meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, nut meats, provisions, bakers' or confectioners' products of all kinds, or any other article of food intended for human consumption, either cooked or uncooked, shall be conveyed from place to place, kept or exposed for sale in any open window, doorway, stall, booth or vehiele outside of a building or any other place within the Town of Swampscott unless raised at least IS inches above the ground, sidewalk, platform or other place upon which it is displayed, and covered with clean material so as to be fully pro- tected from dust, flies, animals or other sources of contamination.
SECT. 2. The exposure or display of foodstuffs in any window in which other articles of merchandise are displayed is hereby prohibited.
SECT. 3. Every owner or occupant of any building, room, booth, stall, vehicle or other place in which human food is prepared, kept, stored or offered for sale shall maintain such premises, vehicles or other appurtenances in a clean and wholesome condition.
SECT. 4. Every person while engaged in the handling of articles of food to be sold or offered for sale shall wear clean garments and shall be free from infections, contagious or communicable diseases.
SECT. 5. Every room, stall, booth, stand or other place where articles of food are prepared or offered for sale shall be fitted with such hot and cold water facilities or other appliances as may be required by the Board of Health, and no such place shall have a water closet open directly into it or be used for domestic purposes.
SECT. 6. The use of unclean paper or newspapers as an outside or inside wrapping of articles of food is hereby prohibited.
SECT. 7. Every owner or occupant of a building, room, stall, booth, vehicle or other place in which articles of food are prepared, sold or offered for sale, shall provide a covered water-tight receptacle of sufficient size for the wastes of their business and which shall be at all times kept covered and so disposed of as not to cause a nuisance.
Recommendations.
We recommend the following as appropriations for the year, 1916 :
Health and Sanitation
$3,300
Refuse and Garbage .
4,000
Respectfully submitted,
LORING GRIMES, M. D., Chairman. JOHN B. CAHOON, GEORGE C. WEBSTER.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1916.
140
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[ Dec. 31
Report of Milk Inspector.
To the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my report as Milk Inspector for the year 1915 :
Number of samples of milk taken and analyzed .
71
Number of samples of milk found under the legal standard II
Number of samples of milk taken for bacteria test 26 . Number of samples of milk that passed bacteria test
16
Number of licenses issued for the sale of milk . 1
. 44
Amount received from licenses, twenty-two dollars ($22), which amount I have paid to the Town Treasurer and hold his receipt for the same .
Respectfully submitted,
H. D. SMITH,
Milk Inspector.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1915.
Report of Inspector of Plumbing.
To the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my report for the year 1915.
Plumbing permits issued
I33
Permits refused
II
Complaints investigated
16
Cases reported to Board
5
Cases settled by Board .
5
Registered master plumbers .
13
Registered journeymen plumbers
16
All others
.
92
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN E. NIES,
Inspector of Plumbing.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1915.
141
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1915]
REPORT OF Inspector of Animals and Slaughtering.
To the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN, -I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1915 :
Contrary to the usual custom there has been no general inspection of animals in Town during the past year. This was due to the prevalence of the foot and mouth disease throughout the State. The Bureau of Animal Industry deemed it unwise to attempt any inspection during such an outbreak.
During the summer there were several persons bitten by dogs, all within a period of about two weeks. These dogs were quarantined for ten days, but on subsequent examination none of them showed any symptoms of rabies, consequently they were released. There has just been a general inspection ordered, which is to be finished not later than March 15, the result of which will be reported later.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK B. STRATTON,
Inspector of Animals and Slaughtering.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1916.
142
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Health Officer.
To the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit for your consideration my first report as Health Officer from May 18, 1915, to December 31, 1915 :
It is a difficult task on assuming charge of work of this kind, with long established customs and traditions, to make changes that will meet with the approval of everybody. The great duty of the Health Department is to instruct and aid the citizens in the prevention of disease, and when this instruction is not heeded compliance must be enforced. When enforcement is necessary and peremptory orders are given, they are given, not for the purpose of persecution or prosecution, but for the purpose of protecting not one individual but many. I am pleased to say, however, that stern orders are the exception rather than the rule, as the majority of the citizens cheerfully and quickly comply with any request made.
In conclusion, I wish to extend to your honorable Board my sincere thanks for valuable assistance in the discharge of the duties of my office. To the Town Accountant, Superintendent of Schools and other Town Officers, I also wish to express my thanks for their cooperation.
Communicable Diseases.
As a general rule, there is no difficulty in obtaining good reports of the cases of acute communicable diseases, though there is sometimes a ten- dency on the part of the physicians to delay diagnosis for fear of being wrong. Considerable trouble, however, has been found in getting reports from those cases where a physician's services are not required, this being notably so in cases of whooping-cough, chicken-pox and measles. This negligence has been overcome to some extent by personal visits, press notices and circulars distributed in the schools through the Superintend- ent of Schools.
During the months of May and June, there was a slight epidemic of measles prevalent among the school children, but this quickly subsided upon the closing of the schools for the summer vacation. The diphtheria 1 and scarlet fever cases reported have been scattered in the different sec- tions of the Town, and, with the exceptions of a few cases, have been of a very mild type. In one case of diphtheria, the parents, not appreciating the necessity of isolation, made it necessary to place the premises under quarantine to prevent the further spread of the disease.
The following is a tabulated 'list of diseases reported :
Measles
95
Chicken pox
29
Diphtheria
20
Ring worm
.
12
Scarlet fever
9
143
HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT.
1915]
Typhoid fever
3
Ophthalmia neonatorum
3
Inflamed eyes
2
Tuberculosis
2
Whooping cough
2
Erysipelas
I
Malaria
I
Phthisis
I
Fumigation.
Since this work has been under my supervision, there has been one hundred and thirty-two rooms fumigated. Owing to the enormous advance in the price of permanganate of potash, this work is now being done with the formaldehyde gas generators. Although this method is cheaper it produces the same results as a disinfectant.
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