USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1940 > Part 11
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"To see if the town will vote to dispose of its ashes, paper, rubbish and other waste materials by dumping, incin- erator or otherwise and appropriate a sum of money neces- sary for the same."
The situation relating to our sewage disposal system is one that is causing this Board and the Water and Sewer Board consider- able concern because its abatement is going to require a large expenditure of money. The Water and Sewer Board has done every- thing that the limited funds at their command would permit to remedy the alleged conditions but there is much more to be done before thev can comply with the demands of the Department of Public Health. In view of the complications and expense involved we believe that our citizens should be in possession of the facts, therefore. we are incorporating copies of all correspondence concern- ing the matter as a part of our report:
132
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
July 18, 1939
Board of Health Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Enclosed for your information is a copy of a communication dated July 14, 1939, sent by this Department to Eugene C. Hultman, Commissioner, Metropolitan District Commission, 20 Somerset Street, Boston, relative to the examination of King's Beach, Lynn and Swampscott, and Lynn Beach, Lynn and Nahant.
Very truly yours, ARTHUR D. WESTON,
Chief Engineer.
July 14, 1939
To Eugene C. Hultman, Commissioner Metropolitan District Commission 20 Somerset Street Boston, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
In response to the request of Captain John J. Murphy of the Metropolitan District Police, this Department has caused an examina- tion to be made by its Engineering Division of the conditions affecting bathing at certain beaches operated by the Metropolitan District Commission in Lynn and Swampscott and has caused bacterial exami- nations to be made of samples of water collected from these beaches. The beaches examined were King's Beach, Lynn and Swampscott, and Lynn Beach, Lynn and Nahant.
At the time of the examinations the water of these beaches con- tained some floating matter, and some garbage was on the shores, There also was some kelp in the water, a condition natural to certain coastal waters. The presence of marine growths in the water is not detrimental to public health but may cause a nuisance if allowed to remain upon a beach.
The results of the bacterial examinations showed that the water of these beaches at the time these samples were collected was reasonably free from bacteria characteristic of pollution and com- pared favorably with the water of other public beaches. In the opinion of the Department the water at King's and Lynn Beaches is safe for bathing.
Respectfully,
PAUL J. JAKMAUH, M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
July 18, 1939
Board of Health Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Enclosed for your information is a copy of a communication sent by this Department under date of July 14, 1939, to the Water and Sewer Board, Swampscott, relative to the recent examination of bathing beaches in the Town of Swampscott.
Very truly yours, ARTHUR D. WESTON,
Bo - Encl.
Chief Engineer.
133
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
1940]
Water and Sewer Board Swampscott, Massachusetts
July 14, 1939
Gentlemen:
A recent examination in connection with certain bathing beaches in the town of Swampscott and in the city of Lynn disclosed the fact that the works for the disposal of sewage from the town of Swamp- scott are not being operated in accordance with the communication of this Department sent to the Sewer Commissioners of that town under date of May 1, 1902, and that the works are now operated contrary to the plans approved by this Department.
The recent examination showed that not only were no works provided for the retention of floating matters, but the screens have been removed. Accordingly, it might be possible for floating and solid matters to reach areas developed for public bathing.
The Department recommends that immediate provisions be made by the town of Swampscott for screening the sewage before its discharge through the disposal works, plans for which were approved in the communication above referred to, and the Department desires to be advised as to what action is being taken by your Board in this matter in order that this Department may be guided as to appropriate action to be taken under the provisions of Section 7, Chapter 83, of the General Laws.
Respectfully, PAUL J. JAKMAUH, M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
July 31, 1939
Arthur D. Weston, Chief Engineer Division of Sanitary Engineering Department of Public Health State House Boston, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Weston:
I have been informed that your department is going to make certain float tests off the Swampscott beaches as soon as conditions are favorable for those particular tests. The said tests being made in connection with investigations being made relative to our outfall sewer.
If the information is correct will you kindly advise this office when the tests are to be made in order that our engineer may be present.
I have reason to believe that sewage is being deposited upon King's Beach through the Stacey Brook Culvert each time there is a heavy rain, therefore, I not only recommend but request that exami- nations be made of the discharge from this culvert during a dry and wet period.
Yours very truly, CLARENCE W. HORTON, Health Officer.
134
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
August 2, 1939
Mr. Clarence W. Horton Health Officer Board of Health Swampscott, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Horton:
This is to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of July 31, 1939, relative to examinations of the sewer outlet of the town of Swampscott.
One of our engineers has been in touch with the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners in regard to this matter, and arrange- ments are being made for observations and the collection of samples on the flood tide when there is an east wind. If practicable we will notify you previous to this investigation. At the time of these examinations samples will be collected from the Stacey Brook Cul- vert, and if practicable these samples will be collected following a rain ..
As soon as the investigation is completed it is to be assumed that a communication will be sent to the Water and Sewer Commissioners. and a copy will be sent to you.
Very truly yours, EDWARD WRIGHT, Sanitary Engineer.
As nothing further was heard from the State no action was taken in the matter during the year 1939. However, the situation was not forgotten as the following communications will show:
August 20, 1940
Board of Health Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Enclosed for your information is a copy of a communication sent by this Department under date of August 15, 1940, to the Water and Sewer Board, Swampscott, relative to alleged objectionable floating matters at Lynn Beach.
Very truly yours, ARTHUR D. WESTON, Chief Engineer.
August 15, 1940
To the Water and Sewer Board Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
A complaint has again been made relative to objectionable float- ing matters at Lynn Beach. The complaint was made following an easterly wind which would blow offensive substances from the sewer outlet of the town of Swampscott toward Lynn Beach.
In connection with this complaint observations have been made and a number of samples collected of the sea water over the outfall when the pumps were in operation and at various points along the path taken by the sewage on the flood tide. At the time of these observations, however, the course of the floats was to the northeast and not toward Lynn Beach.
135
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
1940]
The results of the bacterial examinations do not show particu- larly offensive conditions from the bacteriological standpoint either immediately over the outlet or at various points along the course taken by the floats released over the outlet but at the time of this examination considerable quantities of floating matters including an extensive sleek area were observed, not only over the outlet but for distances up to 1.7 miles along the course taken by the floats from the outlet. These floating matters were obviously of sewage origin and were not observed on the day of the test before the sewage pumps were put in operation. They are similar to some of the materials complained of at Lynn Beach.
It is understood that the screens at the Swampscott sewage pumping station were removed a few years ago when certain new pumps were installed at this station. This matter was referred to in a communication from this Department to your Board dated July 14, 1939, in which the Department recommended that immediate pro- visions be made by the Town of Swampscott for screening the sew- age before it is discharged through the disposal works. A copy of the Department's communication of July 14, 1939, is enclosed herewith.
In the approval of the original works for the disposal of sewage of the town of Swampscott dated May 1, 1902, the Department stated that:
Provision should be made for screening the sewage at the pumping station, and it is desirable, in designing the reservoir, to make provision for the retention of floating matters if it should be found necessary or desirable to remove them from the sewage more thoroughly than can be done by screening. .. . "
The removal of the screens violates the approval of this De- partment of the plans for sewage disposal for the town of Swamp- scott and the Department recommends that the necessary screens or other works be immediately provided in order to prevent the escape of offensive floating matters.
General Laws, Chapter 83, Section 7, provides that, if the De- partment of Public Health determines upon examination that works for the disposal of sewage are likely to become a source of nuisance or create objectionable results, it may issue notice in writing requir- ing such improvement in works or change in method of operation thereof as may be necessary. This section is enforcible in the courts by Section 13.
It is probably impracticable for your Board to install necessary screens or other devices to prevent escape of floating materials before the end of the present bathing season but the Department appears to be faced with no other alternative than to proceed under the statutes quoted above unless suitable action is taken by the town of Swampscott before the spring of 1941. The Department requests that it be advised as to your proposed action in this matter.
Respectfully,
PAUL J. JAKMAUH. M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
September 5, 1940
To Mr. Clarence W. Horton Health Officer Board of Health
Swampscott, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Since my telephone conversation with you on September 3, 1940, the Director of the Division of Sanitary Engineering of this De-
136
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
partment has had an opportunity to talk with Mr. Harold G. Enholm of the Swampscott Sewer Commissioners.
I have not had a change to talk with Mr. Taylor of the Division of Sanitary Engineering but it would appear from what Mr. Enholm has stated that Mr. Taylor has perhaps been indiscreet in his re- marks regarding the sewerage system of the town of Swampscott. Accordingly, I have instructed the Director of the Division of Sani- tary Engineering of this Department to advise Mr. Taylor of the necessity of refraining from expressing his feeling at times of examination. It has been the policy of the Division of Sanitary En- ginering for a number of years to insist that the engineer making the examination obtain the facts only and refrain from any expres- sion of opinion or from making recommendations, this to be left to the Department in an official communication.
The objectionable condition in connection with the sewage system of the town of Swampscott found by this Department is that result- ing from unscreened sewage discharge through the outfall sewer at times during the vacation season which undoubtedly at times has resulted in floating matter reaching nearby shores. The Department has officially notified the Sewer Commissioners of Swampscott of the need of screening the sewage and it has informally suggested to the Sewer Commissioners at a conference on September 4, 1940, that the proper solution would appear to be in comminuting the sewage before it is pumped. It is the understanding of the Division of Sani- tary Engineering that the Sewer Commissioners are to investigate the installation of apparatus for this purpose.
Respectfully,
PAUL J. JAKMAUH, M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
To Mr. Clarence W. Horton Health Officer Health Department Swampscott, Massachusetts
September 6, 1940
Dear Sir:
A recent investigation by representatives of this Department made in connection with the disposal of sewage of the town of Swampscott has disclosed a drain entering the Stacey Brook conduit from a manhole located on New Ocean Street near Rock Avenue.
The discharge from this drain had many characteristics of sew- age and the results of the bacterial examinations of samples of water from this drain both in the manhole in question and at the outlet of the drain into Stacey Brook conduit showed coliform organ- isms present in this discharge comparable to those which would be found in raw sewage. The examination also showed certain piping conditions used in connection with the flushing of sewers which appear to be in violation of the rules and regulations adopted by this Department under date of February 9, 1937, a copy of which is appended for your information.
In view of these conditions this Department would appreciate conferring with you in this matter at this office on Monday, Sep- tember 16, 1940, at 10:30 A.M., if practicable.
Inasmuch as the drain in question may be a part of the sewerage or drainage system of the town. it is assumed that you probably will desire to have Mr. Wallace W. Pratt, Town Engineer, and one or more of the Sewer Commissioners of the Town of Swampscott present at this conference. Inasmuch as the Water Department is
137
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
1940]
responsible for the cross connections between its system and possible sources of pollution it is recommended further that a representative of the Water Department be present at this conference.
Respectfully, PAUL J. JAKMAUH, M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
Enclosure
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Department of Public Health
Rules and Regulations Relative to Cross Connections Between Public Water Supplies and Fire and Industrial Water Supplies Adopted on February 9, 1937
Rule 1. After December 31, 1937, no physical connection between the distribution system of a public water supply, the water of which is used for drinking and/or domestic and/or culinary purposes, and that of any other water supply shall be permitted, unless such other water supply is approved by the Department of Public Health as being of safe sanitary quality and the connection of both supplies is approved by the Department of Public Health.
No officer, board, corporation or other person or group of per- sons, owning or having the management or control of any water supply, water of which is furnished to any municipality or district for drinking and/or domestic and/or culinary purposes, shall supply water to any person, firm or corporation maintaining such a con- nection.
Provided: Where such physical connection exists on December 1, 1937, the date of discontinuance may be temporarily extended with the permission of the Department of Public Health provided it in- cludes two gate valves with suitable indicators and two check valves with drip cocks, gauges for testing, all located in a pit or room having facilities for draining and readily accessible for periodic inspection and overhauling of the equipment, the entire installation and design of which are approved by the Department of Public Health.
In accordance with the request of the Commissioner of Public Health a conference was held and Mr. Harold G. Enholm, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Board, and Mr. Wallace W. Pratt, Town Engineer, and our Health Officer, explained what had been done to comply with his recommendations. It was also requested that the Commissioner send one of his engineers here to go over the flush manhole situation for the purpose of advising us how we could over- come the difficulties but we were given to understand that there was no way that they could be overcome unless the water pipes were removed from the manholes, however, the Commissioner did send an engineer to go over the system with the following result.
October 9, 1940
Board of Health Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Enclosed for your information is a copy of a communication sent by this Department under date of October 5, 1940, to the Water and Sewer Board, Swampscott, relative to flushing sewer manholes on dead ends.
Very truly yours,
Enclosure
ARTHUR D. WESTON, Chief Engineer.
138
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
To the Water and Sewer Board
October 5, 1940 Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
A recent investigation of the sewerage system of the town of Swampscott by an engineer of this Department disclosed the fact that connections exist whereby the water from the municipal water supply is piped into manholes on dead ends of the sewerage system for flushing purposes. The outlets of these connections terminate in certain instances approximately eight inches to one foot above the table of the manhole invert. These connections are provided with shut-off cocks which are operated with wrenches inserted through the top of the manhole.
This matter was called to the attention of Mr. Clarence W. Hor- ton, Health Officer, in a communication from the Department dated September 6, 1940, which reads in part as follows:
" The examination also showed certain piping condi- tions used in connection with the flushing of sewers which appear to be in violation of the rules and regulations adopted by this Department under date of February 9, 1937, a copy of which is appended for your information. .
From information submitted to this Department by Mr. Wallace. W. Pratt, Town Engineer, there are apparently some 142 manholes on the Swampscott sewerage system which are equipped with this type of flushing device. Under certain conditions where the shut-off. cocks may leak and a negative pressure occurs in the drinking water system there is a possibility that the drinking water supply of the town may become contaminated through such connections and the Department must, therefore, recommend that these connections be. eliminated when practicable.
The method more commonly used for flushing sewer manholes on dead ends is the inserting of a fire hose in the manhole to be flushed. If sufficient pressure is available for this method of flushing and due care is taken there should be no danger of polluting the water supply.
Please notify this office as to what action is to be taken in this matter.
Respectfully, PAUL J. JAKMAUH, M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
December 11, 1940
Board of Health
Swampscott, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Enclosed for your information is a copy of a communication sent by this Department under date of December 4, 1940, to Mr. Wallace W. Pratt, Town Engineer, Swampscott, relative to the installation of comminuting equipment at the sewage pumping sta- tion of the town of Swampscott.
Very truly yours,
ARTHUR D. WESTON,
Chief Engineer.
Enclosure
139
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
1940]-
December 4, 1940
To Mr. Wallace W. Pratt Town Engineer Swampscott, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The Department of Public Health, in response to your request for advice relative to the installation of comminuting equipment at the sewage pumping station of the town of Swampscott, has caused an examination to be made by one of its engineers and has con- sidered the information submitted. Your request was accompanied by two plans prepared by the manufacturer of this equipment.
Under dates of July 14, 1939, and August 15, 1940, this Depart- ment recommended that immediate provisions be made by the town of Swampscott for screening the sewage before its discharge through the outfall works. The plans submitted provide for the installation of two 15-inch comminutors. The sewage will be discharged from a new 18-inch and an existing 36-inch sewer into a common channel, whence it will flow to the dual comminutors which will be operated against submergence gates. The two proposed 15-inch comminutors will care for a sewage flow of 2.3 million gallons per day each without submergence. The Department understands that when the. flow exceeds 4,000,000 gallons per day, the sewage will automatically flow through a bar rack.
It is understood that sewage from the vicinity of the New Ocean House is discharged to the pumping station through a sewer which is in poor condition and which the town proposes to .. relay. The De- partment is advised that it may be impracticable to relay this sewer so as to discharge the sewage through the proposed comminutors and that it will be necessary to install a separate comminutor for the new sewer. The Department recommends that surveys be made by the town to determine whether the sewage from this district can be discharged into an existing trunk sewer so that an additional com- minutor will not be required.
The proposed installation as shown on the general plan will, in the opinion of the Department, comply with its earlier recommen- dations.
The Department requests that the results of a survey such as that indicated above and detailed plans of the proposed comminutor installation together with detailed plans of the proposed rack be submitted to the Department for final approval.
Respectfully,
PAUL J. JAKMAUH, M.D., Commissioner of Public Health.
At the present time both Mr. Pratt, Town Engineer, and Mr. Harold G. Enholm, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Board, are preparing the necessary data, plans and specifications and the arti- cles to be inserted in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting asking for the appropriation of funds that will enable them to com- ply with the demands of the Department of Public Health.
A detailed report of the work of the department will be found in the reports of our various officers.
Respectfully submitted,
LORING GRIMES, M.D., CHESTER P. BROWN, M.D., G. JEFFREY NICHOLS.
140
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Health Officer
-
To the Board of Health:
I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1940:
The following is a summary of the work of the department dur- ing the year:
PRE-SCHOOL CLINIC
Number of days of clinic
5
Number of children examined at the clinic
42
Number of children examined by the family physician
0
Number of children without defects
30
Number of children with defects
12
Number of defects found
23
Number of children with defects corrected
8
Number of defects corrected
13
Number of children immunized against diphtheria
21
Number of children vaccinated
42
SUMMARY OF DEFECTS
Clarke
Hadley
Machon
Stanley St. John
Mucous membrane
0
0
0
0
0
Nutrition
0
0
0
0
0
Posture
0
0
0
0
2
Scalp
0
0
0
0
0
Skin
0
0
0
0
0
Eyes
0
0
0
0
0
Ears
0
0
0
0
0
Glands
0
0
0
0
0
Tonsils (diseased)
0
0
0
0
7
Adenoids
0
0
0
0
7
Mentality
0
0
0
0
0
Nose
1
0
0
0
0
Heart
0
1
0
0
0
Lungs
0
0
0
0
0
Feet and spine
0
0
0.
0
3
Nerves
0
0
0
0
0
Teeth
1
0
0
0
0
Overweight
0
0
0
1
0
Underweight
0
0
0
0
0
-
-
-
-
2
1
0
1
19
SUMMARY OF SCHOOL TUBERCULOSIS CLINIC
Public Schools Parochial
Grade 9 Grade 11
Grade 9
Population of Grades Tested
141
147
37
325
Children Tuberlin Tested
102
87
30
219
Per cent Tested
72.3
59.2
81.0
67.3
Number Reacting to the Test
11
14
4
29
Per cent Reacting to the Test
10.7
16.1
13.3
13.2
Number Children X-rayed
13
15
5
33
Observation Group (for an An-
nual Check-up by this Clinic)
1
1
2
Number Discharged from Clinic 1
1
2
Total
1940]
The following is a summary of the result of the study and re- classification of the tuberculosis cases by the Division of Tuberculosis of the State Department of Public Health of the 84 persons being carried on the records of that Department.
Number of Reported Cases Listed
84
Removed from List After Checkup
39
1. Deaths
4
2. Moved
22
3. Unlocated
13
4. On Inactive List
0
Number of Reported Cases to be Reclassified
45
Number Not Visited
32
At Sanatoria and Other Hospitals
11
Local X-rays Available for Review
21
Number Visited
13
Number Examined at Clinic
8
Number Refused Clinic
5
Per cent of Number Examined at Clinic
62%
RECLASSIFICATION
Total
Active
List
Contact School Obser- Clinic vation
At Sanatoria and
Other Hospitals
11
11
.52
3
5
2
X-rays Reviewed
Histories Reviewed
5
1
.20
4
-
-
Number Examined
8
2
.25
5
-
1
Totals
45
25
.56
12
5
3
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNIZATION 1940
Age in years
Toxoid Injections No. children receiving
Schick Test Schick Test before Toxoid after Toxoid No. Pos. No. Neg. No. Pos. No. Neg.
Toxoid without test
Toxoid after test
Test only
Under 1
8
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
1
15
3
0
0
0
0
18
0
0
2
6
2
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
3
7
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
4
2
0
0
0)
0
0
2
0
0
5
16
1
1
7
1
0
14
3
0
6
23
8
2
20
4
17
22
9
0
7
15
5
2
24
20
26
1
18
0
8
16
1
6
32
12
20
1
17
0
9
1
0
1
17
0
12
0
1
1
10-14
4
1
0
4
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