USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1922 > Part 12
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As our present contract for the collection of ashes and garbage expires on May 1, 1923, the question of how this work is to be done is a problem which must be decided the coming year. Each year the collection of ashes and garbage is becoming a more serious problem. The number of new streets and buildings are steadily increasing. This is naturally increasing the amount of material to be collected as well as the number of men and the equipment necessary to do the work; expense likewise. At the time the present contract was awarded, five years ago, approximately 1600 barrels or 20 loads of material were being handled daily. This has steadily increased, until today, when approximately 2500 barrels, or 31 loads, are being handled. We feel that the contractor should be given a great deal of credit for the manner in which he has handled the collection of ashes, especially during the winter months when the severe storms have not only made traveling severe but entrance upon the dumps difficult.
Our greatest problem has been the collection of garbage. The nature of this work has made it difficult to obtain men, and the class of men who have been available have been unreliable and constantly leaving, some- times without a moment's notice. Each new employee must learn the streets of the town and the location of the receptacles. It is absurd to expect a man to learn the location of the receptacles without many visits to the premises. This slows up the work, although a great deal of assistance
144
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
could be given the contractor if the citizens would co-operate by placing their garbage where it can be plainly and readily seen by the collector, instead of behind buildings or shrubs or in the basement of the house.
The disposal of the garbage after it has been collected is another feature which must be considered in connection with this work. Owing to the fact that there are no piggeries in town it is necessary to haul the garbage to other cities and towns. This takes time and greatly handi- caps the contractor.
There is also one other obstacle to the satisfactory performance of this work, and that has been the amount of money appropriated. At the present time this department has at its disposal the sum of $103.94 and $67.30 for the collection of garbage and ashes respectively per week, and we have endeavored to meet the emergencies as they have arisen and give the citizens the best service possible with the money which we are given. We feel, however, that in order to give the citizens the service they demand, there must either be an increase in the appropriation or the work should be taken over by the town.
Stacey Brook.
The abatement of the Stacey brook nuisance has for years been a bone of contention between this town and the city of Lynn. Many conferences have been held with the Lynn officials in an effort to get them to bear some of the expense of abating the nuisance in this brook, due to their emptying sewage from that city into the same. But little progress was accomplished however, until 1918, when the city of Lynn, recognizing the justice of the requests made by this town, agreed to assume its share of the expense of abating this nuisance.
During the year 1918 a concrete culvert, extending from Humphrey street for a distance of 450 feet, was constructed and the open channel was widened and deepened to the Lynn culvert near Eastern avenue. In 1919 the town decided it advisable, for various reasons, to add a small section to that constructed during 1918, this work being done at the ex- pense of the town. This year the city of Lynn again co-operated, with the result that the culvert has now been extended across New Ocean street, a distance of 569 feet.
While the work thus far accomplished has improved the health conditions in the vicinity of the culvert, there is still an open section between New Ocean street and the Lynn line remaining.
From a public health standpoint the abatement of the nuisance along this section is of even greater importance. The deposits of sewage which are left upon the banks of this brook and the surrounding premises, after a heavy storm, are a constant menace to the health of those living in that vicinity, because of the fact that mosquitoes are breeding in these de- posits. The dangers of an epidemic of typhoid and various other diseases from this source are always present. To be sure, we have been fortunate in this respect, but we should not wait until an outbreak of this nature before completing the work. A nuisance of similar nature would not for a moment be tolerated upon the premises of a private individual, and we feel that those responsible for the abatement of this nuisance should see that this is done at once.
145
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
1922]
Mosquitoes.
We belive, as do many of our citizens, that the swamps and pools of stagnant water in the different sections of the town should be given a treatment of oil in order to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes. If this work is undertaken early in the spring before they begin to hatch, very satisfactory results could be obtained and the annoyance caused by these pests greatly lessened. This work should be continued as in former years.
Recommendations.
We recommend that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to enter into a contract with the city of Lynn for the purpose of constructing a con- crete culvert connecting the culverts in New Ocean street and Eastern avenue near Erie street, and that money be appropriated for the same.
We recommend that the sewer be extended in Mountain avenue a dis- tance of 270 feet from Beach avenue, and that money be appropriated for the same.
We recommend that a dental clinic be established, and that money be appropriated for the same.
Appropriations.
The board recommends the following appropriations for the year 1923:
Health and Sanitation
$7,025 00
Refuse and Garbage ·
.
·
.
10,321 38
Health Nurse .
. 1,250 00
Respectfully submitted,
LORING GRIMES, M. D., HAROLD H. BARTOL, JOHN B. CAHOON.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1922.
146
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, 1922.
Complaints.
The following is a list of the complaints received at this office during the past year :
Ashes and paper uncollected
93
Brooks and drains . 15 .
Building stable without license
1
Crowing roosters and filthy hen yards
11
Crowded and dirty tenements
11
Collecting garbage without permits
25
Dust
6
Dumping without permits
10
Dirty and wet cellars
8
Dead animals
81
Food not properly covered
13
Fish and seaweed on beaches
12
Fires on dumps
18
Filthy pig pens
9
Garbage uncollected
595
Garbage receptacles not properly covered
17
Keeping fowl without license
6
Leaky and overflowing cesspools
30
Manure not properly covered
2
Offensive catch-basins
7
Rubbish in yards
16
Ragweed
2
Sick and stray animals
54
Stagnant water
11
Unsanitary restaurants
7
Unsanitary toilets
9
Unsanitary buildings
14
Miscellaneous
981
21
Loose paper on dumps
19
Offensive privies and vaults
147
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
1922]
Licenses and Permits.
Various licenses and permits have been issued during the year as follows :
To practice manicuring
1
To manufacture non-alcoholic beverages
1
To bakeries
2
To erect and occupy stables
2
To collect grease and tallow
2
To undertakers
2
To collect garbage
2
To hawkers and pedlers
4
To sell alcohol
6
To keep swine
6
To construct cesspools and drains
8
To keep fowl
249
The sum of $79 has been collected from licenses and the said amount has been paid to the Town Treasurer and his receipt obtained.
Communicable Diseases.
The following is a list of the various diseases, reported to this office during the past year :
Diseases reported
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total
Anterior Poliomyelitis
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
2
Chicken pox
13
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
18
Diphtheria
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
3
Dog-bite
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0 0
1
Lobar Pneumonia
·
7
3
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
12 7
Tubercular meningitis
Typhoid fever
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
3
Syphilis
0
0
0 9
0 3
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
2
Spinal meningitis
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Total
27 32 |13 13|59|11
4|
4
9
4| 1 11
188
1
0
0
0
0 0
1
0
0
0
1
1
9
69
Mumps
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
0
3
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.1
Scarlet fever
1
0
1
1
6
0
0
3
2
0
14
Whooping cough
0|20
10
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
45
Influenza
0
2
1
0
0
0
43 0
6
0
1
0
0 0
0
0
0
4
Measles
0
0
0
8
Although the number of diseases reported during the year is somewhat in excess of that of the previous year, the increase was not of an alarming nature. Available reports show that the increase has been a general one throughout the country, the more noticeable of which has been tuberculosis. Four deaths have occurred from tuberculosis, and at the present time there are five patients receiving institutional treatment and four others receiving home treatment under medical supervision.
During the past year there has been a very gratifying interest shown in the physical welfare of our town. Parents are now showing great
6
0
0
·
0 0 0
0 0
148
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
interest in the physical and mental development of their children. That this is true is evidenced by the manner in which the citizens, both young and old, have availed themselves of the various activities, physical as well as recreational, which the Swampscott Community Service has conducted during the past year.
Health officials and public health workers have for some time recognized the importance of this work in the health program, and the citizens of this town should not hesitate to take advantage of the opportunities which are offered them through the efforts of this organization. The work which they have so far accomplished has been a great asset to the town and should receive the co-operation of each and every individual.
I also desire to commend the teachers of the various schools for the work which they are accomplishing through the various health programs which they elected to conduct during the present school year. Their efforts along this line have shown excellent results, especially the nutrition clinic, which is being conducted at the Hadley school. The benefits which have thus far been derived have thoroughly demonstrated the value of this work, not only to those in charge but to the parents themselves, and has resulted in the receipt of requests for similar clinics in other sections of the town.
Interest has also been manifested in the formation of a class in posture and through the courtesy of Community Service arrangements are now being made whereby the children desiring to take advantage of this corrective work may do so.
The need of a dental clinic is more than ever apparent. In the series of study courses which the State Department of Public Health is to conduct for public health nurses in connection with maternal and infant activities, emphasis is being placed upon the necessity of dental work. In fact great stress is being placed upon the necessity of this work in all lines of preventative health work. Good teeth are essential to good health, and the condition of the teeth of the children in our public schools plainly shows the need of such a clinic, where the children of parents with limited incomes may receive the dental treatment which they so badly need. The activities of the health department today are centered in the correction of those bodily and mental defects which, if taken at their early stages, may be either corrected or cured while the child is young, thereby enabling them to take up the problems of later life with a strong body and mind. I must again recommend the establishment of a dental clinic.
Mosquitoes.
Early in the spring many requests were received, from citizens living in various sections of the town, asking that this department take some steps to eliminate the breeding places of the mosquito. Owing to the lack of an appropriation for this work it was impossible to take the desired action, although late in June the Superintendent of Highways placed a small quantity of oil, unfit for his work, at our disposal. This oil was sprayed as far as possible upon the swamps and pools of stagnant water where the mosquitoes were breeding but because of the lateness of the work little result or relief was obtained.
For several years this work was undertaken and the results were very
149
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
1922]
satisfactory, but during the past three or four years, although money was recommended for this work, the finance committee did not consider or feel this work necessary. Mosquitoes are not only a menace to the comfort of our citizens, but a menace to public health because of their being disease carriers, and the work of eliminating this pest should be carried on as in former years.
In concluding this report I desire to thank the members of the board, the members and officers of other departments, the various organizations of the town and citizens for the assistance they have given me during the past year.
Recommendations.
I recommend the following for the year 1923:
The establishment of a dental clinic and the appropriation of $1,500 for the same.
That the sum of $250 be appropriated for mosquito extermination.
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. HORTON, Health Officer.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1922.
150
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Health Nurse
To the Members of the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1922:
In the past year a great deal of constructive health work has been done in the schools. As early as possible in the year all children were given tests in sight and hearing, and where defects were found notices were sent to the parents. These vision tests have proved very satisfactory and many cases of defects have been corrected by finding the trouble in a corrective stage.
All children in the first and second grades have been given a thorough physical examination, and where defects were found the parents were notified and advised to consult their family physician.
Children up to and including the sixth grade have been weighed and measured at regular intervals and the parents notified if the child was underweight. This work is supplemented by health talks and projects to stimulate the child's interest. A splendid example of the results of this work was shown during the health week held at the Machon school during the month of January, where many original and most interesting posters were exhibited by the children, some of which were chosen by the National Food and Dairy Council for their exhibit at Washington, D. C.
During the past year considerable follow up work has been done in the homes from which cases of tuberculosis have been reported. Through this work the department has been in close touch with not only the patient but the other members of the household who have been exposed to the disease. Examination of the other members of the family has been recommended and advised and instruction given as to the disposal of sputum and the exercise of caution in the handling of all articles coming in contact with the patient.
The following is a summary of the work done during the year:
Visits to schools
332
Old cases cured
85
Visits to homes (old)
145
Visits to homes (new)
327
Taken to dispensary (old)
44
Taken to dispensary (new)
22
School consultations (parents)
6
School consultations (pupils)
94
Examinations for uncleanliness
84
1922]
REPORT OF HEALTH NURSE
151
Examinations for defective vision
1200
Examinations for defective hearing
1200
Examinations for diseases nose, throat and ears Pediculosis
Eczema
.
1
Impetigo .
12
Wounds
.
60
Nervous
3
Hip-joint disease
2
Physical examinations
256
Other diseases of skin
9
Weight
700
Miscellaneous
340
Respectfully submitted,
MARY K. HAMMOND, Health Nurse.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1922.
366
10
152
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Repor : of Milk Inspector
1
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1922:
Number of samples taken and analyzed 198
Number of samples taken for bacteria test 180
Number of samples that passed bacteria test 158
Number of samples below legal standard
19
Number of ice cream samples taken and analyzed
20
Number of samples that passed bacteria test
15
Number of samples of cream taken and analyzed 6
Number of samples of condensed milk analyzed . 1
Number of samples of vinegar taken and analyzed 12
Number of samples of vinegar below standard . 1
Licenses.
Number of stores licensed to sell milk 41
Number of dealers licensed to sell milk
19
Number of stores licensed to sell oleomargarine ·
5
Number of stores licensed to sell ice cream
19
Number of permits issued to manufacture ice cream . 6
There has been no disease reported during the year in which the milk supply has been suspected as the cause of infection. Careful investigation of each case of typhoid fever reported has shown that the disease had been contracted outside of the town, as each patient had been away at the time when the illness began.
The average consumption of milk in this town during a year is 1,971,000 quarts or approximately 5400 quarts per day. Of this amount but 1400 quarts is produced locally, the remainder of our supply being obtained from farms ranging from fifty to two hundred miles distant. Because of the distance at which this milk is being obtained strict supervision is necessary in order that the consumer may be assured that the milk which he is receiving is of standard quality, free from contamination and low in bacterial count. During the past year and especially during the summer months, when the demand is greater than the supply, constant inspection was maintained, with the result that the quality of milk was not only im- proved because of the dealers being made to realize the necessity of properly icing the milk, but a marked improvement was shown in the milk itself. During the month of March the average butter fat in the milk was 3.45%. This steadily increased during the following months and
153
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
1922]
during the month of October the average butter fat content was 3.71% with a decrease in bacteria content from the high average of 464,655 during the month of March to 18,600 in this month. This improvement has been somewhat better than is shown by the statistics prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture for the similar period.
Samples of vinegar have also been taken from the various stores in town selling this commodity. With one exception analysis showed that the quality of vinegar being sold in this town was cf a good standard. That found below standard was returned to the dealer from whom purchased and a new supply obtained.
The sum of $32.50 has been received from licenses during the year and said amount has been paid to the Tax Collector and Town Treasurer and their receipts obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. HORTON, Milk Inspector.
SWAMPSCOTT, Mass, December 31, 1922.
154
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Inspector of Plumbing
-
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1922:
Plumbing permits issued 139
Installations approved
142
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD C. PHILLIPS, Inspector of Plumbing.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1922.
155
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
1922]
Report of Park Commissioners
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Park Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1922.
The organization of the board has been the same as the previous year, James T. Lyons, chairman, and Stuart P. Ellis, secretary.
Monument Avenue Parkway.
The usual care has been given this reservation during the past season. Owing to the extremely wet summer an unusual amount of labor was re- quired to maintain the grass plots and flower beds, but the results obtained were very satisfactory considering the difficulties involved. Some addi- tions to the shrubbery beds are contemplated here early in the spring.
Jackson Park.
This park is gaining in popularity yearly. Due to its natural advantages and the possibilities for inexpensive improvement, it is likely that in a few years it will be one of the finest parks in the county and greatly appreciated by the townspeople.
Last winter an innovation was introduced in this vicinity by the con- struction of a toboggan chute, which has proved to be productive of more pleasure to the patrons and spectators than any other park apparatus which could be devised. While during the coasting season reports of children being injured in the streets are almost of daily occurrence, here there has been no serious accident to any of the hundreds using the slide.
Your commissioners have planted several thousand pines and hemlocks, also a considerable number of mountain laurel in this reservation. These are all making a good growth and in a few years will add much to the value and beauty of the park.
The grounds were in use continually from April to September for base- ball games, the Twilight League attracting hundreds of people each eve- ning.
Considerable grading on the strip of land recently added to the grounds has been done, and the hilly section of this addition should be graded during the coming year.
We feel it our duty to call the attention of the citizens to recent develop- ments adjoining the park. We believe the matter is something which con- cerns the taxpayers of the town and we recommend that a committee consisting of the Board of Selectmen, the Water and Sewerage Board, the
156
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Park Commissioners and the Town Counsel be empowered to investigate the matter and report their findings and recommendations to the adjourned town meeting.
Abbott Park.
The rapid growth of the town and the added interest given to play- ground work by Swampscott Community Service has resulted in a tremen- dously increased attendance on the playgrounds. The growing appreciation of the open spaces requires the continuation of the policy of gradual im- provement of the grounds, so that our town may compare favorably with other towns in this regard. It is planned to make this park more attractive the coming year by the addition of some concrete park seats, also to improve the facilities for skating, which at present are far from satisfactory.
Blaney Beach Reservation.
This beautiful bathing beach was patronized by larger numbers than ever during the past summer. Organized games and swimming classes brought large numbers of children here, and the beach was enjoyed as never before.
Repairs were made to the bathing raft and spring board though the results obtained were not all which were anticipated. These will un- doubtedly be corrected before the raft is again put in use. A police officer and a life guard were employed here during the bathing season, giving a feeling of security to all those enjoying the beach.
With the approval of the Finance Committee your commissioners remodeled the large unoccupied room in the northerly end of the Adminis- tration building into quarters for the local post of The American Legion.
The floor space was increased by the removal of old closets, a toilet was added, a new system of lighting and heating installed, and the rooms painted and decorated. The board recommends, as in 1920, that steps be taken by the town to improve the present unsightly condition of the grounds at the easterly end of the reservation opposite Orient Court.
Phillips Park.
A large amount of loam was secured for the ball field early in the year and graded over a considerable area.
We contemplate the clearing of an additional portion of the low land bordering the ball field next season.
The large attendance at the twilight ball games and the use of the field by so many citizens and taxpayers makes it clear that this field should be further improved, increased in size and provided with some seats for the accommodation of the men and women spectators.
As the town has transferred to the Park department the former Palmer school portable building, it is to be erected on the filled portion of the grounds near the New Ocean House garage. This building will prove very convenient for the use of the visiting teams, and will be valuable for park locker service.
A regulation ice hockey rink has been constructed here, and while it has not yet been successfully used because of the character of the land on
1922]
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
157
which it was placed, it is planned to locate the rink next fall at a spot in the park where it will meet all the requirements of this popular pastime.
For the purpose of carrying out the recommendations contained in this report and to provide for the maintenance and care of the parks, the appropriation of the following amounts is recommended:
Blaney beach
$1,875 00
Phillips park
2,300 00
Abbott park
500 00
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