USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1918 > Part 11
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New Fire Alarm Box.
The proper protection of the property of the town as well as that of private citizens would seem to demand the installation of a new fire alarm box in front of or on the Town Hall. At present the nearest boxes to the Town Hall are located as follows : At Monument square, at the junction of Elmwood and Thomas roads, and at the New Ocean street engine house. This leaves Claremont terrace property very poorly protected, as well as the Town Hall. A box so located would cover the Red Men's Hall and in case of fire, when either hall was occupied by many persons, would easily prove the wisdom of the expenditure.
Apparatus.
At the close of 1918 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.
1918]
Fires and Alarms.
During the past year there were 69 bell alarms, 53 telephone calls, and 3 still alarms, making a total of 125 alarms. The no school signal has been sounded 31 times, the Boy Scout call four times and the department has responded to six out of town calls.
Combination A was called into service 71 times; Combination B 85 times ; Combination C 48 times ; service car 59 times.
Pyrenes used, 3 ; ladders in use, 709 feet ; chemical used, 839 gallons ; 2₺ inch hose used, 4,450 feet ; & inch hose used, 2,250 feet; time at fires, Combination A, 34 hours, 2 minutes ; Combination B, 58 hours, 14 minutes ; Combination C, 40 hours, 3 minutes ; service car, 38 hours, 30 minutes ; distances covered, Combination A, 236.6 miles ; Combination B, 216.7 miles ; Combination C, 103.8 miles ; service car, 1,979.9 miles ; total 2,537.0 miles.
Loss by Fires, 1918.
Value of buildings
Value of contents
· $515,600 00 158,000 00 --
Total
$673,600 00
Insurance on buildings
. $426,400 00
-Insurance on contents Total
146,200 00
$572,600 00
Damage to buildings
$6,338 46
Damage to contents
1,804 99
Total
$8,143 45
Insurance paid on buildings
$6,338 46
Insurance paid on contents
1,804 99
Total
$8,143 45
Net loss above insurance
None
Recommendations.
The Board submits the following recommendations for the considera- tion of the citizens of the town in accordance with the suggestions in the preceding part of this report :
That the Board be authorized to appoint two additional permanent members of the department and that the number of call men be reduced from 22 to 17.
That the town purchase 500 feet of additional hose during the year 1919.
That a new fire alarm box be authorized to be placed on or in front of the Town Hall.
That such sums of money as may be necessary be appropriated for a thorough overhauling and painting of the service car.
That the sum of $300 be appropriated for the painting of the New Ocean street engine house, both outside and inside.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE P. CAHOON, HORACE R. PARKER, WIEAR L. ROWELL,
Board of Fire Engineers.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1919.
0
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT.
129
I30
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Construction Committee, Sewerage Pumping Station
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The last report of the Construction Committee on the Sewerage Pump- ing Station contained a complete statement regarding apparatus, contracts and awards made under authority of the vote of the town at the annual meeting in 1917, Article 67 of the Warrant. Since that time pumps, motors and other electrical equipment have been received.
Owing to the urgent requirements of the government for turbines and centrifugal pumps for the navy and merchant marine, there was a long delay in the delivery of the pumps. This matter was taken up by your Committee with the Bureau of War Industries in Washington, and, as a result, they were given the most favorable, possible priority. The pumps have been received within the past few days, and the work of installation is proceeding. It is expected that all the equipment will be installed, tested and in operation before the annual Town Meeting.
In accordance with a vote, your Committee has succeeded in disposing of the two steam engines, counter-shaft and belting for the amount of $324.00. This apparatus has not been in use for some time, and is no longer required.
After the new equipment has been thoroughly tested, it is expected that the two boilers and the horizontal, double-acting pumps can also be disposed of.
This will complete the improvements and electrification of the sewerage plant, as outlined in the original report of your Committee. Any further work as regards floor in the old station, interior fittings and rearrange- ment will be done by the Water and Sewerage Board in the course of their regular duties.
To sum up for convenience of reference, the following improvements have been made :
Item I. A dry pit 12 x 20 X 15 1-2 feet in depth has been constructed of reinforced concrete outside the present pumping station. There is a low brick wall surrounding the top edge of the pit, and a brick passage con- necting with the station. There is a roof constructed of galvanized steel and glass, with suitable openings for installing apparatus, together with a woven wire screen to protect the glass. All necessary Y's and con- nections have been made, both with the main outfall pipe and with the sewerage basin.
There are three electrically driven pumps, one having 4,500 gallon capacity for use in emergency during heavy storms; a pump of 2,000 gallon capacity for normal operation, and a triplex force pump to be used to force out sludge during extremely cold weather.
I3I
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1918]
The electrical apparatus necessary for starting and controlling the speed of the moters, together with float switches for automatic control and switchboards, have been provided.
With these improvements the town now has a modern sewerage pump- ing plant, so constructed that it will no longer be necessary to use the steam driven pumps with boilers. In addition to this, the large pump has been provided to give greater capacity for emergencies ; and this, together with the 2,000-gallon pump and force pump, and all electrical apparatus, are now located in a dry pit where they can be quickly and easily repaired, if necessary.
The centrifugal pumps are specially designed for sewerage purposes, and were supplied by the DeLaval Company of Trenton, N. J., who have equipped a number of stations in this vicinity.
It now appears that this work will be completed within the present appropriation, giving the Town of Swampscott a most efficient and com- plete sewerage pumping plant.
It is recommended that the matter of heating the main building and dry pit, also floor of the main building, sheathing for ceiling, and other neces- sary work be provided for and carried out by the Sewerage Department, and that all future salvage on obsolete apparatus be transferred from the appropriation of the Construction Committee on the Sewerage Pumping Station to the maintenance fund of the Water and Sewerage Department.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE D. R. DURKEE, Chairman. HAROLD G. ENHOLM, CHARLES E. HODGDON, WILLIAM E. CARTER, FREDERICK H. TIMSON,
MALCOLM F. MACLEAN.
HENRY S. BALDWIN, Secretary.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 14, 1919.
I32
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 31, 1918.
The work of the Board during the past year has been somewhat inter- ferred with, by the fact that the Exemption Board has occupied the same room and employed the same clerk. Nevertheless the Board has had much to do and we feel that much has been accomplished.
School Health Nurse.
At the last Annual Town Meeting, money was appropriated with which to hire a School and Health Nurse. We were very fortunate in securing the services of Mrs. Mary K. Hammond, who has had a large experience in similar work in New Hampshire. On May Ist she took up her work. The portion of the year that she has been with us has certainly been one in which there has been wonderful opportunities for her to show her worth, and we feel that she has proven of great value to the town, especially during the two epidemics which we have had. Undoubtedly her early detection of many cases of influenza in the school children and seeing to it that they had early and proper treatment, saved many lives and has had much to do with Swampscott having a death rate much lower than many other towns of its size. A report of her work will be found on another page.
Influenza Epidemic.
The latter part of September the epidemic of influenza that was prevail- ing throughout the state began to demand considerable attention in the town. Fortunately, the physicians of the town were all on duty and there was no lack of medical attention, but to get nurses was impossible, so consequently we secured the Florence Crittenton Home as an Emergency Hospital, and thereby offered facilities for caring for all people in town who for any reason could not be taken care of at home.
In doing this work we received valuable help and support from the Red Cross trustees of the Florence Crittenton Home, other town departments
I33
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1918]
and the District Nurse Association. We are very grateful for their assist- ance. A detailed report of the work done at the hospital follows :-
The Florence Crittenton Home, 145 Essext street, was taken by our Board for use as an Emergency Hospital during the influenza epidemic period. The hospital was opened on Sunday, September 29, 1918, and was closed on Sunday, October 20, 1918. While the building was well adapted, the equipment, with the exception of beds, was very much depleted and inadequate, and therefore made necessary the purchase of considerable bedding and other utensils which are essential in hospital work.
However, an effort was made to keep the expense to the lowest minimum under the circumstances. The results obtained have been very satisfactory, and we believe its establisment was a great factor in the control and elimination of what appeared to be a wide-spread epidemic.
The following is the summary of the cases and the expense incidental to the care of the same :
No. of patients admitted
Date
Disease Pneumonia
Discharged
Died Sept. 30, 1918
I
Sept. 29, 1918
Influenza
Oct. 5, 1918
3
Sept. 29, 1918
Pneumonia
Oct. 10, 1918
2
Sept. 29, 1918
Pneumonia
Oct. 14, 1918
I
Sept. 30, 1918
Pneumonia
Oct. 10, 1918
2
Oct. 2, 1918
Influenza
Oct. 9, 1918
I
Oct.
2, 1918
Pneumonia
Oct. 16, 1918
I
Oct. 4, 1918
Influenza
Oct. 8, 1918
I
Oct. 5,1918
Pneumonia
Oct. 17, 1918
I
Oct. 5, 1918
Influenza
Oct. 8, 1918
I
Oct. 7, 1918
Pneumonia
Oct. 20, 1918
I
Oct. 7, 1918
Influenza
Oct. 9, 1918
I
Oct. 7, 1918
Influenza
Oct. 10, 1918
I
Oct.
8, 1918.
Influenza
Oct. 10, 1918
I
Oct.
8, 1918
Influenza
Oct. 13, 1918
I
Oct.
10, 1918
Pneumonia
I
Oct.
11, 1918
Influenza
Oct. 20, 1918
I
Oct. 15, 1918
Pneumonia
Oct. 20, 1918
3
Oct. 16, 1918
Influenza Oct. 20, 1918
I
Oct. 17, 1918
Influenza
Oct. 20, 1918
I
Oct.
8, 1918
Tonsilitis
Oct. 13, 1918
.
$274 88
Bedding and towels
129 96
Coal and wood
47 35
Janitor
35 25
Miscellaneous
55 35
Medicines and supplies
98 91
Laundry
44 94
Nursing
252 93
Household
134 23
Total expense to date
. $1,071 82
I
Sept. 29, 1918
.
Oct. 13, 1918 Oct. 13, 1918
I
Oct. 15, 1918
Influenza
Detailed Hospital Expense.
Groceries and milk
I34
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The Year's Diseases.
The following is a list of the diseases reported during the past year as follows :
Chicken pox .
IO
German measles
75
Measles . 96
Diphtheria
4
Typhoid fever
2
Inflamed eyes .
4
Tuberculosis .
2
Whooping cough
6
Scarlet fever
7
Mumps
3
Influenza
287
Anterior poliomyelitis
2
Lobar pneumonia
8
Total
506
Ashes and Garbage.
During the past year we have had numerous complaints. On account of the shortage of labor the contractor has been severely handicapped. The Board believes in the future that the service may be greatly improved.
Complaints.
The following is a list of complaints received during the year : Dead animals, 12 ; stagnant water, 2 ; miscellaneous, 450; dead fish, 6; unsani- tary buildings, 9; leaking and overflowing cesspools, 14; brooks and drains, 3.
Licenses.
The following licenses and permits have been issued during the year : To undertakers, 2; for horses, 20; to keep cows, 6; to collect grease and tallow, 2.
Milk Inspector.
The following is a summary of work done by the milk inspector during the past year :
Samples of milk taken and analyzed .
85
Samples of milk found under legal standard 2 N
Samples of milk found dirty I
Stores licensed to sell milk
28
Dealers licensed to sell milk
13
Stores licensed to sell oleomargarine
5
Amount received from licenses, $25.50, which amount has been paid to the Town Treasurer and his receipt obtained.
There have been three registration certificates issued, and four licenses to peddle issued. The money obtained from these have been paid to the Town Treasurer and his receipt obtained.
I35
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1918]
We recommend the following appropriations for the year 1919 :
Health and Sanitation
Refuse and Garbage
· $4,989 00 · 6,243 87
LORING GRIMES, M. D., Chairman. GEORGE C. WEBSTER, JOHN B. CAHOON.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1919.
136
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Inspector of Animals
To the Members of the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith make my annual report for 1918. There was one general inspection of all cattle, swine, etc., kept in town, together with a report on the condition of the premises where these animals were kept. In most cases conditions were satisfactory. In a few instances there were some slight changes necessary to improve ventilation, etc.
There have been a few dogs quarantined during the year, to be kept under observation as cases which might develop rabies, but all were released at the expiration of the quarantine period.
There has been an unusually large number of permits granted for slaughtering this year and a correspondingly large number of inspections.
There have been no cases of contagious disease.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK B. STRATTON,
Inspector of Animals and Slaughtering.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1919.
Report of Inspector of Plumbing
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my report for the year 1918.
Plumbing permits issued · 43
Plumbing permits refused .
4
Complaints investigated 7 .
Registered Master Plumbers
·
7
Registered Journeymen Plumbers · 12
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN E. NIES,
Inspector of Plumbing.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1919.
I37
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1918]
School Nurse Report
To the Board of Health :
I here submit the following report for the year ending December, 1918.
It is generally agreed by everyone that the conservation of life and health is a matter of utmost importance to the commonwealth and to the nation. In spite of the fact, we find the community slow in grasping the idea of the common health as distinguished from the health of the indi- vidual. This is especially true with regard to our growing boys and girls. The reason for this attitude is not entirely clear. To be sure, the knowledge that disease can be prevented is a comparatively new acquisition, still never is the idea of correcting, by medical inspection of school children, defects which later may become incorrigible. Never was there a more favorable time to drive home these truths than in this time of the world crisis. Physical examination of the youth of the land has revealed a great number of defects, and the rejected candidate for military service returns to his home humiliated because he was pronounced unfit to do a man's work.
Since an ideal physique may be undermined between the ages of 12 and 16, it is reasonable to assume that, with cooperation of parents and the health officials, our statistics would show a marked decrease in defective vision, poor teeth, etc., present in our Junior High School, and assure us a better conservation of our future men and women.
Following is a general summary of the work done from May Ist to December 31st, 1918:
Visitations :
Schools visited 130
Old cases cured
29
Visits to homes (old)
31
Visits to homes (new) I46
. Taken to dispensary (old)
2
Taken to dispensary (new)
4
School consultation, pupils
1,018
School consultation, parents .
28
Examinations for cleanliness
96
The Eye :
Defective vision
176
Corneal ulcer .
0
Conjunctives .
2
Other diseases
28
The Skin :
Defective hearing
· 174
Other diseases
. 807
138
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Pediculosis
I22
Scabies .
7
Wounds
17
Other diseases
27
Orthop :
Other diseases
9
Teeth
395
Malnutrition .
19
Nervous .
8
Miscellaneous
182
Respectfully,
MARY K. HAMMOND,
School Nurse.
I39
SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS' REPORT.
1918]
Report of Surveyor and Highways
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
I herewith submit my annual report. The past year there has been about one mile of street resurfaced with gravel. Beach Bluff avenue, from Boston & Maine railroad tracks to Paine estate, received a resur- facing of pit stone ten inches in thickness, rolled and bonded with gravel.
At junction of Beach Bluff avenue and Atlantic avenue, Burton estate, the curb stone was raised, gutters repaired, catch basin rebuilt, road bed filled with No. I broken stone and bonded with heavy asphaltic road oil.
Humphrey street, from Phillips corner to Glen road, the tracks of the Bay State railroad were lowered to grade, the street picked up with the steam roller and surfaced with gravel and rolled.
Shaw estate, Aspen road and Prospect avenue have been resurfaced with gravel, sidewalks graded and 205 feet of new guard rail fence built.
Elmwood road, from Monument avenue to Sheridan road, was picked up by the steam roller, reshaped, resurfaced with six inches of broken stone bonded with Tarvia X, covered with pea stone and rolled. About 5,300 gallons of Tarvia X was used for this work. Tarvia was furnished and delivered on the work for 142c. per gallon.
Monument avenue at Elmwood road, where Park department reduced the area of the grass circle, has been surfaced with gravel, and will have to be macadamized this year.
Stanwood road has been put to grade and sidewalks built. The drive- way on this street was filled with pit stone, surfaced with graveland rolled with steam roller.
Bradlee avenue received a resurfacing of pit stone, rolled and bonded with gravel. One catch basin was built.
Crosman avenue, from Humphrey street to Linden avenue, was first reshaped and put to grade and rolled, sidewalks built and whole streets resurfaced with coarse gravel.
The streets of the town have been patrolled and fixed wherever neces- sary. For this purpose there have been used 134 loads of broken stone, 81 loads of gravel, 1,500 gallons 65 per cent. asphalt oil, III barrels of Lynn gas tar.
Streets where sewers have been laid have been levelled and surfaced with gravel.
Gutters in all streets of the town have been cleaned at least three times, and on Humphrey street, from Lynn line to the Sewer station, weather permitting, every Saturday. Number of catch basins cleared 233.
There have been built this year four catch-basins. With this work there have been laid 104 feet of 4-inch pipe drain, 66 feet of 6-inch pipe drain, 133 feet of 8-inch pipe drain, 12 feet of 10-inch pipe drain, 102 feet of 12- inch pipe drain and 32 feet of 15-inch pipe drain.
I40
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Gutters to the amount of 611 square yards have been paved and three cross-walks laid.
There were 420 feet of new guard rail fence built this year.
For repairing and resurfacing sidewalks the following amounts of material have been used : 190 loads of gravel, 163 loads of stone dust, 72 loads of cinders.
The concrete sidewalks have been repaired whenever necessary. For this work 1,030.4 square yards were laid at a cost of 60 cents per yard.
No appropriation for continuous sidewalks was made this year.
Puritan Road (special appropriation) curbstones to the amount of 300 feet have been laid.
On Orient court 150 feet of curbstone have been laid, Edward Phillips paying for same.
Land at junction of Essex and Cherry streets taken by the town was filled in by James T. Lyons, this department paying $100 for doing same.
Curbstones to the amount of 266 feet have been reset at different sections of the town where needed.
Sand to the amount of 207 loads was used for sanding icy sidewalks.
Bids for furnishing oil for street purposes were asked for, opened in the Selectmen's Room at Town Hall, and were as follows :
Alden Speare & Sons Co., non-asphaltic oil, 18c. per gallon-Tank car.
Barret Co., Tarvia B. 0123-Tank car. 0145-Applied.
The streets have been watered on 1212 days for the past year and 20, 140 gallons of oil have been applied to the streets of the town. Price paid for oil 162c. per gallon. Owing to the high prices and the small appropria- tion for oiling, I would suggest that the amount be increased for this year.
All men and teams employed by the department during the year have been increased 50 cents per day. Plowing snow, $1 per trip.
Good roads are a necessity. I am sure that the town is justified in the construction of permanent roads, and at the same time work into a definite road system that will connect the main arteries coming into town. It is true that roads cost more now, but everything else costs more in proportion. Increased cost of roads is caused by the fact that the old time types in former years will not stand up under the traffic of to-day. The automobile and truck are increasing, and it requires a much better form of road than formerly. It would be much better for the town to appropriate a sum under bond issue to put the streets of Humphrey, Essex, Burrill, Salem and Puritan road under permanent construction.
Recommendation.
I. That a catch-basin be built and a 12-inch pipe laid on Manton road, and appropriate money for same.
2. That the town finish laying curbstones on Puritan road, from Orient court to Marshall street, and appropriate money for same.
3. That Atlantic avenue, from Humphrey street to Ocean avenue, be put to grade, and that the sum of $3,500 be appropriated.
1918]
SURVEYOR OF HIGHWAYS' REPORT.
I4I
4. That the town appropriate the sum of $5,000 to be used in seal coating streets.
5. That the town continue the cement pavement on Essex street to the Lynn line, and appropriate money for same.
6. That Salem street be resurfaced, from Humphrey street to State road, and appropriate money for same.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL J. RYAN, Surveyor of Highways.
SWAMPSCOTT, January 1, 1919.
142
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Park Commissioners' Report
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Park Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1918.
The organization of the Board was completed by the selection of James T. Lyons, as chairman, and Stuart P. Ellis, Secretary.
Perley C. Foss was reappointed Superintendent of the Blaney Beach Reservation.
The Commissioners have met regularly each Friday evening during the year, and have devoted considerable time to personal supervision of work on the reservations.
Paradise Road.
This spot continues to be one of the most popular of park reservations, mainly because of its central location and its adaptability to different uses. We have endeavored to keep these grounds in the best of condition during the summer season, the grass having been kept well cut, and a generally neat appearance maintained. We have established a shrubbery bed at the easterly end of the grounds, using old stock removed from Monument avenue.
Several maples have been planted along the Middlesex avenue border and preparations have been made for the planting of additional trees on the grounds this year.
During the winter season the skating pond has been paid especial atten- tion, the snow removed and a new surface added whenever conditions were favorable. This skating field provides a safe and convenient place for the recreation of a large number of the townspeople, both old and young, and every provision is made for the enjoyment of those who use the pond. This winter we have gone one step further in this direction by prohibiting the use of hockey sticks on the ice.
Blaney Beach.
The Blaney Beach Reservation has been maintained in its usual good condition. The iron rail fence bordering the grass plot has been painted and the grounds kept in a very neat and orderly manner. Considerable work was done on the bathing raft the past season, and this spring it will need to be still further repaired and painted. The fish house is at present in very good condition, and with the exception of a few minor repairs, will not need much in the way of improvement this year. The beach has been cleaned several times of the unwelcome deposits from the sea, and at all times during the summer season care is taken to make it a safe and desirable place for the hundreds of visitors resorting there.
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