USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1919 > Part 11
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The land adjacent to the station has been used the last two years for a war garden, the necessity of which is undoubtedly over. The station is adjacent to a fairly thickly settled community, on one of the largely traveled streets of the town, and adjoining the New Ocean House property, the trustees of which, we understand, are to spend considerable money in beautifying their grounds. Under these con- ditions we feel that the town should remedy the unsightly conditions at present existing there, therefore,
We recommend that $1.000 be appropriated for grading, seeding lawn, shrubbery, and rebuilding the driveway.
We recommend an appropriation of $8,200 for sewer maintenance, and $500 for particular sewers.
Financial Statement for Year ending December 31, 1919
Receipts
Maintenance, Appropriation $8,000 00
Appropriation
500 00
Sale of old material
240 00
Sale of coal
56 00
$8,796 00
Particular Sewers ............ 500 00
124
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Unexpended balances (1918)
Roy Street
$8 10
Humphrey Street
166 15
Eastern Trunk Sewer
1,187 55
Stacey Brook Culvert
5,276 05
6,637 85
Hemenway Road (Appropriation) ...
$900 00
Bertha Street (Appropriation)
1,100 00
Thomas Road Drain (Appropriation)
1,200 00
Lincoln House Ave. (Bond Issue) ....
4,000 00
Stacey Brook Culvert (Bond Issue)
4,000 00
11,200 00
$27,133 85
Expenditures
Maintenance
$8,793 51
Particular Sewers
421 39
Construction Work (see tables)
Roy Street
$8 10
Stacey Brook Culvert
9,215 94
Hemenway Road
725 30
Bertha Street
701 68
Thomas Road Drain
1,060 64
11,711 66
Unexpended balances
6,207 29
Unexpended balances
$6,207 29
Reverting to town
Maintenance
$2 49
Particular Sewers
78 61
Hemenway Road
174 70
Bertha Street
398 32
Unfinished
Thomas Road Drain
139 36
Humphrey Street
166 15
Eastern Trunk Sewer
1,187 55
Stacey Brook Culvert
60 11
Lincoln House Avenue
4,000 00
$6,207 29
Construction Tables
Roy Street
Abram French & Co., (bal. due) ........... $8 10
$8 10
Stacey Brook Culvert (uncompleted)
James T. Lyons (on acct. contract)
$9,188 38
Water Department
10 31
Advertising Bids
17 25
9,215 94
$27,133 85
1919]
WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARDS REPORT.
125
Hemenway Road
330 lin. ft. 6-in. vit. pipe @ $1.25
$412 50
62 lin. ft. 5-in. vit. pipe @ $1.10
68 20
1 Manhole
76 00
1 Flush Manhole 83 00
Extra work
57 50
Sewer pans
9 00
Water Department
8 60
Advertising Bid
10 50
725 30
Bertha Street
170 lin. ft. 6-in. vit. pipe @ $ .90
$153 00
108 lin ft. 5-in. vit. pipe @ .90
97 20
35 cu. yds. rock excavation @ 9.75
341 25
1 Flush Manhole
83 00
Sewer pans
4 50
Water Department
12 23
Advertising Bid
10 50
701 68
Thomas Road Drain (uncompleted)
M. McDonough Co. (on acct. contract) .... $1,000 00
44 54
Advertising Bid
16 10
1,060 64
$11,711 66
Sewer Debt
Total Sewer Debt, January 1, 1919
$220,650 00
Bonds Issued during year 1919 8,000 00
Bonds paid during year 1919
13,950 00
Total Sewer Debt, December 31, 1919 $214,700 00
Decrease during the year
$5,950 00
Brooks and Drains
We recommend an appropriation of $300. .
Cleaning Brooks
Appropriation
$300 00
Expended
$279 90
Balance (reverting to town)
20 10
$300 00
GEORGE D. R. DURKEE, HAROLD G. ENHOLM, CHARLES E. HODGDON, Water and Sewerage Board.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
$300 00
Water Department
126
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Board of Health
Organization
Loring Grimes, M. D., Chairman.
John B. Cahoon.
Harold H. Bartol.
Clarence W. Horton, Health Officer and Milk Inspector.
Edward C. Phillips, Acting Inspector of Plumbing.
Frank B. Stratton, M. D. V., Inspector of Slaughtering.
George T. Till, Special Clerk.
Charles Melvin, Special Agent.
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
The Board of Health herewith submits the following report together with that of its various officers for the year ending December 31, 1919.
As shown by the reports of our various officers a great deal of work, along health and educational lines, has been accomplished during the year. Special effort has also been made to correct many of the nuisances which have long existed. Work of this nature is neces- sarily slow, as there is a considerable amount of preliminary work to be done before the final work of abolishment is accomplished. We feel, however, that considerable headway has been made, and it is our hope that during the coming year we will have caused the elimination of many more such nuisances.
The course in home nursing which has been opened in the High School, under the direction of our school nurse, Mrs. Hammond, has in our opinion been a step in the right direction and without doubt will prove a valuable asset, both at home and in after life, to those who have availed themselves of this form of education. Much interest has been shown and its success seems assured,
The need of a dental clinic in our schools has been recognized for some time, and if the town is to continue to give its children an education, of such a standard that when they go forth into the busi- ness world they will be prepared and able to meet the demands that will be made upon them, we must also give them the medical and physical attention and education which is of equal importance.
We would recommend the establishment of a dental clinic for our school children.
Plumbing Inspector
During the year our plumbing inspector, who had served us faith- fully and ably for many years, requested that he be given a leave of
127
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1919]
absence, which was granted. At this time E. C. Phillips, Assistant Inspector, was appointed Acting Inspector. He has ably filled the position and we feel that his work has been done in a manner satis- factory to the board and all concerned.
Our plumbing regulations need to be revised and we recommend that the board be authorized to draw up a new set of regulations.
School Nurse
Much valuable work, both in preventative and educational work has been accomplished through the efforts of our capable school nurse and we feel sure that if we had been without her services we would have without doubt, on numerous occasions, been compelled to close some of our school rooms. Through her strict supervision, however, and the promptness with which suspicious cases of communicable diseases among the school children have been recognized and excluded for observation, we are much pleased to say that it has not been necessary to close any of our schools this year because of disease.
Swill and Ashes
As you will note in the report of our health officer the collection of swill and ashes has not been altogether satisfactory. This applies chiefly to the collection of swill. Our contract for the collecting of the same was made for five years and has three years more to go. Since the contract was made conditions and circumstances have so changed that the contractor is carrying on the work at a decided loss. This we think accounts for the comparatively poor service. As we see it there are three ways in which we may improve the service.
1. Continue the contract and take legal proceedings to make the contractor fulfill his contract. This we feel sure would not meet with success.
2. To cancel the present contract and call for new bids.
3. To continue with the present contract, and by means of an extra appropriation hire such extra men and teams as any emergency may require to give the citizens satisfactory service at all times.
After careful thought and investigation we feel sure that the third method would be most satisfactory and therefore recommend an appropriation of $4000, for this purpose.
Contagious Diseases
The report of our health officer regarding contagious diseases is very gratifying, there being less diseases than any year since 1915, in spite of the fact that the influenza epidemic of last year extended into the early months of the year, and also the fact that in all of the surrounding cities and town contagious diseases have been very prevalent.
Inspector of Slaughtering
At the beginning of the year our inspector requested an increase
128
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
in salary. After investigating the matter we found that the work had greatly increased and therefore decided to allow him his regular salary of $100 for 50 inspections and for each inspection in addition thereto $1 per inspection.
Cleaning of Beaches
You will undoubtedly notice that we spent more money on the beaches than usual. While the increase in price of labor was par- tially responsible it was also brought about by the extra demands of the people who during the summer demanded at times a daily clean- ing. This matter we took up with the Selectmen and they advised us to exceed our appropriation.
Recommendations
We recommend the following appropriations for the year 1920: Health and Sanitation. $ 5,238.
Refuse and Garbage 11,399. School Nurse
1,100.
Respectfully submitted,
LORING GRIMES, M. D., Chairman, JOHN B. CAHOON, HAROLD H. BARTOL.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
129
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1919]
Report of Health Officer
1
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1919:
While a great deal has been accomplished during the past year in the abatement of nuisances of long standing, there are still some needing our attention, and it is the hope of this office that during the coming year many of these will have been eliminated. Health con- ditions in general have been exceptionally good this year. There have been no epidemics and the expected return of influenza did not materialize. Too much cannot be said, however, upon the necessity of a prompt reporting of contagious diseases. Householders should immediately report every suspicious case of sore throat or rash coming to their attention, among the members of their household or that of their neighbors, whether a physician is called or not. There are some, however, who do not realize the importance of making such reports, and it is through them that the health of every citizen is in danger. A great deal depends upon the early reporting and diagnosis of such cases, and if this is done any form of con- tagious disease can be kept at a low point. Public health cannot be protected if cases are concealed, or if the laws for the control of communicable diseases are disregarded, and any physician or citi- zen guilty of such an offence is an enemy to the community in which he lives. Therefore, every citizen awake to his best interests should take a keen interest in the health conditions in his town. Efforts put forth at the beginning of a disease are far more effective than when it has gained a headway.
130
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The following is a list of the diseases reported during the past five years :
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
Measles
128
110
87
171
64
Chicken pox
40
17
21
10
17
Diphtheria
26
14
2
4
7
Scarlet fever
12
29
17
7
25
Ring-worm
12
0
0
0
0
Inflamed eyes
5
10
8
4
0
Typhoid fever
4
3
5
2
3
Ophthalmia neonatorum
3
0
0
0
1
Tuberculosis
2
1
11
2
3
Whooping cough
2
15
102
6
19
Erysipelas
1
0
0
0
0
Malaria
1
0
0
0
0
Varicella
0
1
1
0
0
Infantile paralysis
0
5
0
2
2
Mumps
.
0
3
38
3
1
Lobar pneumonia
0
0
7
8
4
Septic sore throat
0
0
3
0
0
Influenza
0
0
0
287
51
Totals
236
208
302
506
197
In explanation of the seemingly large number of influenza cases reported this year, it might be well to say that forty-eight of the ʻ same were reported between January 1st and April 1st.
Three cases of tuberculosis have been reported. In two cases the patients died. One was removed to the North Reading State Sana- torium. This patient responded to treatment, but owing to the case being complicated by a psychosis of a mild nature it became neces- sary to transfer the patient to another institution for treatment.
The following is a list of the complaints which have been received during the year:
Defective plumbing
3
Dust
3
Crowded and dirty tenements
4
Dirty and wet cellars
5
Manure not properly covered
5
Unsanitary toilets
6
Brooks and drains
7
Fires on dumps
7
Privies and vaults
8
Loose paper on dumps
8
Stagnant water
9
Dumping without permits
9
Offensive catch-basins
10
Food-stuffs not properly covered
12
Leaky and overflowing cesspools
14
131
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1919]
Unsanitary buildings
15
Rubbish in yards
16
Keeping swine without permits 17
Fish and seaweed on beaches
18
Crowing roosters and filthy hen yards
19
Sick and stray animals
21
Collecting garbage without permits
Filthy pig pens
28
Dead animals
49
Ashes and paper
118
Garbage
949
Miscellaneous
310
Licenses and Permits
To undertakers 2
To collect grease and tallow
2
To hawkers and pedlers
3
To collect garbage
3
To keep horses 12
To keep cows
14
To construct cesspools and drains 22
To keep swine 38
Fifteen dollars ($15.) has been collected in license fees and said amount has been paid to the Town Treasurer and his receipt obtained.
Swine
During the past two years, owing to the vital need of an increased production in food-stuffs, the department has encouraged the keeping of swine. Therefore many permits to keep pigs were issued where formerly they would have been refused. While this policy may have had the desired results it has also proven a source of great annoy- ance to many of our citizens and complaints to this office. Owing to the high price of grain many of those to whom permits were issued attempted to solve this problem through unauthorized collec- tions of garbage pails in their neighborhood. This resulted in creating unbearable conditions and the receipt of many just com- plaints. Now that the war is over the necessity for such keeping no longer exists, and it would seem that the keeping of pigs should be restricted. I would, therefore, recommend the adoption of a regu- lation governing the keeping of pigs and the establishment of a fee for licenses where same are granted.
Hens and Roosters
While the department has not, in past years, restricted the keeping of hens and roosters, the increasing number of complaints received each year seems to indicate that some regulation is necessary. Sev- eral complaints have been received relative to location and manner in which hens and hen houses are being kept. In many instances the houses have been built and located without thought or regard for the
28
132
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
health or comfort of those on adjoining property, and as the houses are, in the majority of cases, of a make-shift nature, they soon become an eye-sore and source of complaint. Garbage is used for feeding and the unused portions are allowed to accumulate and decay. This creates offensive odors and has a tendency to attract rats and other vermin to that neighborhood. These not only become a nuisance but are a menace to public health. Crowing roosters have also been the cause of complaint in the more congested sections of the town. As roosters are not a necessity, except for breeding purposes, and the majority of our citizens are not dependent upon the keeping of hens and roosters for their living, it would seem that a regulation restrict- ing the keeping of hens, and especially roosters, would in a great measure eliminate many of these complaints.
Ash and Garbage Collections
It is needless to say that this service has been unsatisfactory during the past year, as I feel that both the citizens and department will agree with me on this matter. I will say, however, that I feel that the present contractor has earnestly endeavored to do the work to the best of his ability and has done as well as any contractor could under the circumstances and the many problems which have con- fronted him. High wages, scarcity of labor, cost of feed and the fact that the men, who were formerly available for this kind of work, are now able to obtain employment, without difficulty, which is more desirable and with shorter hours than are possible in work of this nature, have made the situation most difficult. From figures which have been presented to the Board it has been found that the work has been carried on at a financial loss to the contractor. It is obvious that this cannot be continued and it is hardly fair to assume that the average citizen would expect it. They do demand service, however, but this is impossible under present conditions, therefore the present contract must be cancelled and a new one made or the contractor given a substantial increase in order that the work can be done in a proper manner and in a way satisfactory to all concerned. As it is impossible for the Board to take this action without authorization of the town, it would seem that an article covering this matter would be a proper one. In my report of 1917 it was recommended that this work be done by the Highway Depart- ment, and I still believe that this is possible and that the work would be carried on in a more satisfactory manner. Work of this nature is not the most desirable, yet it must be done. Each year there is general dissatisfaction expressed over the manner in which the work has been carried on during the year, and I believe the time has come when this question, of whether the citizens desire to have this work continue under present conditions or whether it is their desire that the work be done by a town department, should be decided. Contract work, of course, is somewhat cheaper, but experience of previous years should convince us that we cannot get the service which the citizens of this town desire through contract work. The question of whether the work shall be continued as in previous years,
133
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1919]
with complaint and inconvenience, or shall it be done by the town, who it is safe to assume could and would give better satisfaction, therefore confronts us. My experience with this work has convinced me that we cannot expect any better service under the present system of awarding contracts for this work.
Public Dump
The need of a public dump in the lower section of the town is be- coming more and more apparent each year. At the present time the contractor collecting ashes and other rubbish in this section is compelled to haul the same to Marblehead for disposal. This neces- sitates long hauls and consumes much valuable time, which could be used to better advantage.
In previous years this material has been deposited on Phillips Park, but owing to the many complaints received from the residents of that neighborhood, relative to the nuisance caused by paper, etc., blowing about their property and street, and the lack of necessary funds with which to care for this material it became necessary for the Park Commissioners to close the property. In view of the fact that the greater portion of this property is nothing but a swamp, covered with stagnant water in the summer time and a breeding place for mosquitoes and other disease-bearing insects which are a menace to the health of those living in that vicinity, it would seem that the small sum of money which would be necessary for the Commission- ers to care for material deposited there would not only result in a great saving in cost of material, if this park is to be developed for future use, but would also result in the elimination of said nuisance at the same time. Nuisances of this nature are not tolerated on the property of the private individual and certainly should not be per- mitted to exist on public property.
Alcohol
Under Chapter 360, Acts of 1919, no person, firm or corporation other than a registered druggist shall engage in this Commonwealth in the business of manufacturing, buying, selling or dealing in methyl alcohol, or wood alcohol, so-called, or denatured alcohol, or any preparation used for manufacturing or commercial purposes which contains more than three per cent. of the said alcohol and is intended for use other than as a beverage, without being licensed so to do by the Board of Health of the city or town where the business is conducted. Violation of any provision of this act shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for each offense, or by imprisonment in the house of correction for a term not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Upon investiga- tion it was found that the public garages were selling the form of alcohol specified in this act. All were notified that they must obtain a license before further sales were made. Four dollars was received from this source and the said amount has been paid to the Town Treasurer and his receipt obtained.
134
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
School Inspection
Supervision of the health of school children and the correction of their defects is rapidly becoming a recognized duty of every health department. In the examination of recruits for the U. S. Army, during the World War, at least one quarter of them were found to have physical defects which disqualified them for service. Over one-half of these defects could have been reinedied completely, and at least one-half of the remainder lessened, if they had been examined and treated during their school days. Therefore the medical exam- ination of school children and the correction of their physical defects is of the utmost importance. During the past year examinations of the school children have been made, and where defects were found they were reported to the school nurse. In each case visits, by the school nurse, have been made to the homes of defective children and the nature of their trouble explained to the parent or guardian and their assistance sought in having corrections made. While many of the parents have shown a great deal of interest and readily co-operated in having the defects of their children corrected there are still many cases where lack of interest or circumstances have made it necessary for the children to go without treatment. For this type of cases it would seem that the establishment of school, dental and eye and ear clinics, either free or at a minimum cost, would not only serve to interest the parents in having their children treated but would also afford those children, who through circum- stances which make it impossible for their parents to have these corrections made, an opportunity to get the necessary treatment. Treatment through this source would not only prove a great benefit to the children but would also eliminate the necessity of their remain- ing at home and the loss of much valuable time from school and study.
I would respectfully recommend that the following articles be inserted in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting:
1. to see if the town will authorize the Board of Health to cancel the present contract for the collection of ashes and garbage and award a new contract, and appropriate money for the same.
2. To see what action the town will take, if any, relative to having the Highway Department collect the ashes and garbage and appro- priate money for the same.
3. To see if the town will authorize the Park Commissioners to open Phillips Park for dumping purposes and appropriate money for the care of material.
I would also recommend the adoption of the following:
1. A regulation restricting the keeping of pigs or swine and the establishing of a fee for licenses granted.
2. A regulation gove ning the keeping of hens and roosters.
3. The establishment of a school, dental or such other clinics
135
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1919]
as are found necessary for the health and welfare of our school children.
In concluding this report I wish to extend to you my appreciation for the assistance and hearty co-operation which you have given me in the discharge of my duties as health officer of the department. Respectfully submitted,
C. W. HORTON, Health Officer.
Swampscott, Dec. 31, 1919.
136
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Milk Inspector
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1919:
While no diseases have occurred during the past year which were traceable to milk and the work has been conducted along the lines of that of former years, the importance of extending the supervision of our milk supply into the territory where the same is being pro- duced and handled is becoming more apparent each year. If we are to protect the health and welfare of our citizens and their children and maintain a supply of milk equal to that of many of our surround- ing cities and towns, we must extend our activities. The need of extending milk inspection to the dairy farm has been recognized for a number of years, but it was not until the year 1914, when our legislature enacted a law making it impossible for any producer of milk or dealer in milk to sell or deliver for sale in any city or town in this commonwealth any milk produced or dealt in by him without first obtaining from the board of health of such city or town a permit authorizing such sale or delivery, that any decided action or steps were taken to make inspection possible or legal.
Under this act boards of health were authorized to issue such permits after an inspection, satisfactory to them, of the place in which and of the circumstances under which such milk is produced and handled, has been made by them or their authorized agents. It also became the duty of inspectors of milk appointed by the boards of health of cities and towns to enforce the provisions of this act, so far as it related to the milk supply of their respective cities and towns. In accordance with the provisions of this act many cities and towns began sending their inspectors into the territory from which their supplies were being obtained. The result of this has been that wherever unsanitary conditions were found the farmer was notified that he must make certain improvements or he would be denied a permit to dispose of his product in that city or town. While this action had a tendency to make many of the farmers change their methods, there were also many who did not do so, owing to the fact that there were still opportunities for them to dispose of their product to dealers selling milk in those cities and towns who, owing to lack of funds, were not maintaining any super- vision at the dairy farm. This has had a serious effect on the supply of those cities and towns without such supervision, and unless some action is taken to stop this practice they must continue to be the market for rejected milk.
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