USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1917 > Part 13
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At the close of 1917 the apparatus consisted of motor chemical combi- nation A, stationed at Phillips Beach, motor pump combination B, motor hook and ladder truck combination C, auto service car and exercise wagon at New Ocean street headquarters, and a horse drawn chemical held in reserve at the Phillips Beach station.
The manual force consists of nine permanent men, including the Chief, Assistant Chief, two captains and five drivers, and twenty-two call men, including one captain and two lieutenants.
There are 3,700 feet of good hose and 700 feet of poor hose. There are no horses in the department, the entire active equipment being motor apparatus.
Fires and Alarms.
During the past year there were 50 bell alarms, 30 telephone calls and 15 still alarms, making a total of 95 alarms. The no school signal has been sounded 13 times and the department has responded to four out of town calls.
Combination A was called into service 51 times ; Combination B 52 times ; Ladder No. I and Combination C 37 times ; service car 32 times.
Pyrenes used, 3; ladders in use, 628 feet ; chemical used, 1, 102 gallons ; 24 inch hose used, 5,500 feet ; & inch hose used, 2,700 feet ; time at fires, Combination A, 30 hours, 31 minutes ; Combination B, 45 hours, 16 minutes ; distance covered, Combination A, 151.8 miles ; combination B, 97.6 miles ; total 249.4 miles.
1917]
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT.
121
Loss by Fires, 1917.
Value of Buildings
· $150,700 00 38,800 00
Value of Contents Total ·
$189,500 00
Iusurance on Buildings
$112,300 00
Insurance on Contents Total
23,100 00
$135,400 00
Damage to Buildings
$8,401 00
Damage to Contents
2,415 21
Total
$10,816 21
Insurance paid on Buildings
$8,001 00
Insurance paid on Contents Total
2,340 21
$10,341 21
Net loss above insurance
$475 00
Recommendations.
No hose has been purchased for the past three years and there is imper- ative need that at least $500 be appropriated for the purchase of a new supply and the board so recommends.
Several other matters would in the ordinary course be recommended, but in view of the need for economy the board makes no special recom- mendations.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE P. CAHOON, HORACE R. PARKER, WIEAR L. ROWELL,
Board of Fire Engineers.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 15, 1918.
122
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
COMMITTEE ON Purchase of Motor Truck.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
At the annual town meeting the sum of $6,200 was appropriated for the purchase of a combination six cylinder motor ladder truck to take the place of the horse drawn apparatus, the Board of Selectmen and Board of Fire Engineers being named as a joint committee to make the purchase.
The committee organized with the choice of Henry S. Baldwin as chairman and Horace R. Parker as clerk. Proposals were invited and the following were received : O. F. Kress & Son, Lawrence, new truck and equipment, $7,000 ; allowance for old truck, $800; net price, $6,200. Using old equipment and turning balance of outfit over to bidder, $5,800 net. The Seagrave Co., Boston, $6,900, no allowance for old truck. American LaFrance Fire Engine Co., Inc., Elmira, N. Y., new truck and equipment, $7,000; allowance for old truck, $800 ; net price, $6,200. The Kisselkar Company submitted a bid but failed to comply with the By-Laws of the town requiring a deposit of a certified check for $500, as called for in the advertisement, so the bid was thrown out. The contract was unanimously awarded to the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company, which had furnished in previous years two other very satisfactory com- bination motor machines which are still in service.
The truck was delivered at Swampscott on December 11, and after being given heavy tests, was accepted and placed in service on December 15. In accordance with the contract the horse drawn apparatus was turned over to the LaFrance representative at that time. The truck has already had several calls upon it and has proven its value and usefulness.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY S. BALDWIN, WILLIAM E. CARTER. CLARENCE B. HUMPHREY, HORACE R. PARKER, WIEAR L. ROWELL.
Committee.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., January 11, 1918.
1917]
SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK REPORT.
123
REPORT OF Superintendent of Moth Work.
To the Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN,-During the eight years I have served as Superintendent of Moth Work, I have not experienced a year in which the results of the work have been as gratifying as this. The brown-tail moths are sup- pressed almost to extermination. The gypsy moths are the least in evidence that they have been since the state law was passed in 1905 to provide for their suppression.
The methods of carrying on the work have been the same as in recent years, but weather conditions have been much more favorable; in fact they have been most ideal. The late, cold, wet spring caused what egg clusters had not been treated with creosote during the winter to hatch unevenly, and made the tiny caterpillars unusually susceptible to disease, particularly the " Wilt."
The spraying season, which was two weeks later than usual because all the trees were not in full foliage until June 14th, was particularly favorable for the use of arsenate of lead. With the exception of one rainy day, sunshine prevailed during the entire period and the poison was unusually · effective. Unfortunately the crank shaft on the pump of the larger sprayer broke on June 20th, and we were unable to get one until August. Through the kindness of Saul Phillips, Superintendent of the North Shore Moth Department at Beverly, who loaned the town a large sprayer to take the place of the broken one, we were able to complete our season's work most satisfactorily. The same amount of arsenate of lead was used as in previous years (4,800 pounds). About 150 gallons creosote was used and 125 pounds of tanglefoot, which is applied in bands around trees where it is unpractical to spray, because they are too far from a water supply and not easily accessible, or the number is too small and stone walls or rocks and rubbish surround them.
Each year some progress is made in cleaning up new territory, and in the winter the brush on twenty acres in the rear of Glen road has been cut over for the first time and the sprout growth on all brush land cut over in 1916 has been mowed. More work than ever before has been charged as moth taxes, which amounts to over $2,000. That is about $400 more than last year. At this time the fall work has been done on all the town trees, and an unusually good start has been made on private property.
I recommend that the climbers receive twent-five cents a day more than the ground men, and that the salary of the Superintendent be increased to $1,300 a year. The climbers always have received more than the other men until the past year, and the present system is not fair to them.
124
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
There are some good men that cannot climb, but I believe the men that can and will should receive compensation accordingly.
On account of the war the prices of insecticides have advanced the same as other things. Arsenate of lead last year was $8.15 per hundred, and to-day it is $11.10. However, I recommend the use of the usual amount, because it is impossible to secure the best results without it.
To protect our trees means more fruit, and the community depends upon this department more at this time to insure the largest crop against the ravages of all insects. By the strictest economy I feel the usual appropriation can be made to suffice.
Respectfully submitted, EVERETT P. MUDGE, Superintendent of Moth Work.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
I25
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT.
1917]
Report of Tree Warden.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
I herewith submit my eighth annual report.
Each year new problems come up to be solved regarding shade trees. The past season three large specimens, two of which were willows on Puritan road and one a silver maple on Beach Bluff avenue, were killed by illuminating gas, which escaped from the main in the street. The Lynn Gas & Electric Company paid for the trees being taken down and removed. The usual attention has been given all trees in regard to prun- ing, cauterizing wounds, bolting, applying guards of wire and remedies for insects. All low limbs interfering with travel have been removed, and also branches partly broken off by the wind.
At the cemetery all the trees have been pruned. There is a severe infes- tation of the leopard moth, and some attention should be given them each year. Eighteen trees were entirely removed.
Small trees are being killed from various causes all over the town, but chiefly from being run over by automobiles and from underground condi- tions over which we have no control. Enough trees are not being planted to replace those being removed. However, in view of the necessity for economy due to conditions brought on by the war, only the most conser- vative recommendations will be asked for this year, with hopes that after the war all newly accepted streets may be adorned with shade trees and also all vacancies may be filled in where it is practical to plant them. Each year donations of trees are made by public spirited citizens of the town, and I wish to thank those who have given trees to this department to be set out on our streets.
This year twenty-five trees were purchased and we set out thirty-six, one of which was paid for by the American Express Company, to replace one destroyed by their horse at number two Palmer avenue. Sixty-one trees have been removed. Five were large ones and one was a live oak, which was a menace to travel, being in the center of Sheridan terrace, at the junction of Sheridan road, and nine were removed on newly accepted streets because they were not rightly placed. At the present time there are six large trees at Beach Bluff to be removed.
I recommend for the ensuing year :
Tree maintenance
$576 00
Removing trees
250 00
Planting trees
200 00
Wire, stake, felt and incidentals
150 00
Leopard moth at cemetery .
50 00
$1,226 00
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE,
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
Tree Warden.
126
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Forest Warden.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-There has been a slight increase over last year in the number of fires in the woods. However, the usual number of December fires has decreased on account of the winter weather starting in unusually early. Sixteen fires were responded to, nine in April, three in May, one in July, and three in November. Each was reported to the State Fire Warden on a blank furnished for that 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 March Ist and December Ist shall, according to law, obtain a written permit from the local Fire Warden. One hundred and forty-eight such permits have been issued.
To warn the public regarding forest fires the town was thoroughly posted in the spring with cloth notices, which were provided by the state. For the ensuing year I recommend an appropriation of $100.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT P. MUDGE,
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
Forest Warden.
1917]
CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
127
REPORT OF Superintendent of Cemetery.
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit my second annual report as Superin- tendent of the Cemetery for year 1917.
Lots sold, eleven, amounting to $565 00.
Number of Interments for year 1917, 69.
For care and maintenance of Cemetery I would recommend two thous- and dollars ($2,000), to be spent as follows :
Superintendent's Salary
$450 00
Labor
1,000 00
Planting of beds
75 00
Telephone
20 00
Loam
30 00
Sod
30 00
Stone dust
50 00
Manure and dressing
20 00
Canvas
20 00
Grass seed
15 00
Supplies .
50 00
Water and repairs
50 00
Painting of three gates
30 00
Safety lowering device
125 00
Teaming
20 00
·
I recommend that the salary of the Superintendent be increased fifty dollars ($50) a year, as there are now under care some thirty more lots than any other Superintendent has had to care for.
THOMAS HANDLEY,
Superintendent.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1918.
I28
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Board of Health.
Organization.
Loring Grimes, M. D., Chairman.
George C. Webster.
John B. Cahoon.
Clarence W. Horton, Health Officer and Milk Inspector.
Frank B. Stratton, M. D. V., Inspector of Animals and Slaughtering.
Martin E. Nies, Inspector of Plumbing.
George T. Till, Special Clerk.
Charles Melvin, Special Agent.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The Board of Health herewith submits the following report for the year ending December 31st, 1917.
Owing to a cut of about $250 in our appropriation, we were unable to continue our work of oiling to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes. This caused many complaints from people living in districts where they were prevalent and we sincerely hope to be able, the coming year, to oil as we have the years previous, as we feel that it is well worth the expense which such work entails.
During the year we have permanently abated several breeding places of mosquitoes by draining or filling where water was always stagnant. On Forest avenue we have caused to be drained a large swampy section which in former years has required considerable atttention and been the cause of continous complaints. Another nuisance of long standing located in the rear of the Lower Swampscott car barns, was also ordered filled during the year, with the result that conditions have greatly improved in that section. The same has been accomplished at the Upper Swampscott car barns, and we hope to accomplish more along these lines the coming year. Property owners are urgently requested where possible to get rid of all places on their property where water may accumulate. When all of these places have been abated there will be no need of oiling.
Owing to war conditions we have issued many permits for the keeping of swine and poultry, where previously we have felt this should not be done. We will continue to do this wherever it can be done without impairing the health of the community as long as necessity demands it.
As you will see by the report of our Health Officer we have had during the year a number of cases of tuberculosis reported where patients required hospital treatment. This has necessitated and incurred an expense in excess of our appropriation. This may not show in our expenditures for the past year, as many of the bills for these cases had not been rendered when the books closed.
129
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1917]
In May of the coming year our present contracts for the collection of garbage, paper and ashes expire. Considering the present high cost of living and scarcity of labor these contracts will undoubtedly cost the town considerable more than previous years.
The question of a school nurse is again before us, and the Board strongly feels that the town should have a nurse who could devote her whole time to the children of school age. Never in history has this work been as necessary as at the present time. In order to have school inspec- tion of any value the nurse is an absolute necessity. Many cases of con- tagious disease may be prevented by a systematic and careful school inspection that cannot be prevented in any other way. Our present school inspection is decidedly inadequate.
Recommendations.
I. We recommend that the sewer be extended in Mountain park.
2. We recommend the employment of a School or Public Health nurse under the supervision of the Health Department.
3. We recommend the following appropriation for the year 1918 :
Health and Sanitation · $4,500 00
Refuse and Garbage
4,200 00 .
Respectfully submitted,
LORING GRIMES, M. D., Chairman, GEORGE C. WEBSTER, JOHN B. CAHOON.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1917.
9
130
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Health Officer.
To the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1917 :
In reviewing the work of the past year it is evident that there is a desire on the part of the citizens to improve the sanitary conditions of the town. Success cannot be attained by the efforts of this department alone, but it depends to a large extent upon the support of our physicians, and I would urge that the citizens acquaint themselves as far as possible with the rules and regulations of both the state and this department, and also to consider their own surroundings in its relations to health and disease.
The work of inspection and the investigation of complaints has been much the same as in previous years. All reasonable complaints have been investigated, and where necessary, action has been taken. Many complaints are received, however, which are properly the work of other departments, and are reported to them for disposition. While several nuisances of long standing have been remedied or abated during the past year, there are still several needing attention, and it is the hope of your health officer that during the coming year many of these will have been eliminated.
The following is a list of complaints received during the year :- Crow- ing roosters and filthy hen yards, 7; defective plumbing, 5; dirty wet cellars, 5 ; fires on dumps, 5 ; food stuffs not properly covered, 4 ; dumping without permits, 3; offensive catch basins, 2; stagnant water, 9; loose paper on dumps, 10; brooks and drains, II ; overcrowded and dirty tene- ments, II; insanitary buildings, 18; sick and stray animals, 18; leaky and overflowing cesspools, 21 ; keeping swine without permits, 23; dead animals, 36 ; ashes and paper, 70; garbage, 261 ; miscellaneous, 454.
The following licenses and permits have been issued during the year : To collect grease and tallow, 2 : to collect garbage, 2 ; to maintain dumps, 2; to undertakers, 2; to keep goats, 5; to keep cows, 6; to construct cesspools and drains, 19; to keep swine, 32 ; to keep horses, 30; to mani- cure, I.
Hawkers and Peddlers.
While the ordinance requiring all hawkers and peddlers of fish, fruits, vegetables and merchandise, to be licensed or registered was accepted by the citizens at the annual town meeting, it did not become effective until later in the year. Little work was done this year, as many of these hawk- ers and peddlers had obtained their licenses from the State Sealer of Weights and Measures. This ordinance has proved of value, however, in eliminating many of the peddlers who in previous years have invaded our town during the summer months. I would at this time call attention to the fact that all persons selling, exposing, or offering for sale, any of the
131
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1917]
articles enumerated above, are now required to be registered, or licensed, if such articles are not produced by their own labor or the labor of their families, and must wear a badge upon their clothing which must be shown upon request. During the period this ordinance has been effective, there have been three licenses and three registration certificates issued. The money obtained from these has been paid to the Town Treasurer, and his receipt obtained.
Communicable Diseases.
During the past year three hundred and two cases of infectious and contagious diseases have been reported. Nearly eighty per cent were among children of school age, and could have been prevented to a large degree had this department had the facilities for supervising these children while in school and at home. While the majority of our citizens realize that the isolation of children ill with an infectious or contagious disease is necessary, not only for the protection of themselves but for the protec- tion of the public, there are still some who do not. The home treatment of these diseases calls for the same care in preventing the spread of infec- tion as is given in hospitals devoted to that work, and whenever second- ary infections occur it is owing to the failure to properly follow the instructions given by the physicians and the Health Department.
During October it was my pleasure to attend the forty-fifth annual convention and war council of the American Public Health Association, held at Washington, D. C. Nearly fifteen hundred public health officials from all over the country being in attendance, an opportunity was afforded me to get the ideas and to hear what some of the great men of our country, engaged in public health work, are doing. Included among them were such men as W. C. Gorgas, Surgeon General, U. S. Army, W. C. Braisted, Surgeon General U. S. Navy, Col. T. H. Goodwin, R. A. M. C., of the English Army, and Franklin H. Martin, M. D., Chief of the Medi- cal Division, Council of National Defense.
Surgeon General Gorgas in his remarks stated that the war has caused the people of this country to appreciate more than ever the value of public health work, and has made necessary the carrying out of more stringent health measures. The more important of these are industrial hygiene, infant mortality, tuberculosis, public health education and venereal dis- eases. Shortage of man power to carry on industrial work required by the war has directed attention to the importance of conserving all of the forces which we now possess and the saving of our babies. For this pur- pose, he stated, the public health nurse is the best agency yet developed, as she goes into the homes and establishes a direct relation between the government and the citizens, and that aside from her service in promot- ing health, the public health nurse is thus an agency for the promotion of democracy for which we are now fighting. It is necessary that we should save our babies, because in the future we shall need them in industry, and in this respect America must follow the lead of other great warring nations in its attention to child hygiene and welfare. Nor must it stop with the babies. The children must be cared for, not only in infancy but also during the pre-school period, and during their school life, till they reach maturity and are able to care for themselves.
Attention was also directed to tuberculosis, as its prevalence has been increased by the war. Sanitarians who discussed the matter at the con-
132
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
ference were strongly of the opinion that much more attention must be given to tuberculosis in children than heretofore, since it is now generally believed that infection takes place during childhood. Their solution of this problem also was the public health nurse.
It was also brought out and attention was directed to certain common diseases not ordinarily regarded as serious, which may have very serious consequences to an army in training or in the field. Some of these diseases, such as measles, mumps and pneumonia, have been given scant attention by the public, but now that health officials must conserve the health and efficiency of the military forces as well as the civil population, the necessities of the hour demand greater attention to these diseases, and thus adds to the responsibility of the health officer. In his presidential address the president of the Association approved the court martialing of a medical officer who permitted an epidemic of measles to develop in his command. It must be remembered, however, that the medical officer has his men under military control and descipline, and his men obey orders, while the civil health officer must rely upon the co-operation of the citizens to secure results.
It was indeed a privilege to attend such a convention, particularly at this critical time, and I am sure that every man who attended will do better health work next year as a result.
The following is a list of the diseases reported during the past year, as compared with 1915 and 1916 :
1915.
1916.
1917.
Measles .
128
IIO
87
Chicken pox
40
17
21
Diphtheria
26
14
2
Scarlet fever
12
29
17
Ring-worm
12
O
O
Inflamed eyes .
5
IO
8
Typhoid fever .
4
3
5
Ophthalmia neonatorum
3
O
O
Tuberculosis .
2
I
Whooping cough
2
15
102
Erysipelas
I
O
O
Malaria
I
O
O
Varicella .
O
I
I
Infantile paralysis
O
5
O
Mumps ·
O
3
38
Lobar pneumonia
O
7
Septic sore throat
O
O
3
Totals
236
208
302
Ashes and Garbage.
Another problem to be considered during the coming year is the disposal of ashes and garbage, as the present contracts will expire on May 1, 1918. To say that this work has been unsatisfactory is unneces- sary, as I feel that the citizens will all agree with me on that subject. Yet there seems to be no other solution of the problem of garbage disposal than to have the same done by contract. As to the disposal of ashes,
I33
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1917]
however, I feel that the work could and would be more satisfactorily handled were it to be placed under the Street Department, and I would urge that the possibility of this work being done by that department be carefully considered by all concerned. In conclusion, I would respect- fully offer the following recommendations for the ensuing year :-
That the collection of ashes be done by the Highway Department.
The employment of a public health nurse, under the supervision of the Health Department, and that the sum of one thousand ($1,000) dollars be appropriated for the same.
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