USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Abington > Town annual report of the officers and committees, 1940 > Part 4
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Deputy Chief Minot Davis, who has been a member of the fire department for forty-five years and Deputy Chief for twenty years resigned from the Fire Depart- ment. At this time we wish to extend our thanks to Mr. Davis for the loyal and efficient service he has ren- dered to the town over a long period of years. Mr. Jesse Davis was appointed to Deputy Chief. One mem- ber removed from town, automatically creating a va- cancy; two new members were appointed to fill the vacancies.
The apparatus consists of :
ONE Seagrave combination hose, booster, and 750 gallon per minute pumping engine. The tires on this piece are seven years old and will have to be replaced this year;
ONE Seagrave double bank ladder truck with 80 gallon booster tank;
ONE Reo hose wagon. This is a 1919 Reo commercial truck and it is impossible to secure replacement parts as the manufacturers have long ago discontinued to make parts for this model. The tires should be replaced as they were put on in 1934. Recently, when we had occasion to replace an inner tube, we found it very dif- ficult to secure one this size. I would recommend that this piece be replaced with a triple combination;
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ONE Seagrave ladder truck with chemical tanks and locomobile tractor attached in reserve.
The department has 5,400 feet of 21/2 inch hose, 450 feet 11/2 inch hose and 400 feet of booster hose in service. With the appropriation for new hose, 200 feet of 21/2 inch and 100 feet of 11/2 inch hose was purchased. In the past year, 100 feet of 21/2 inch hose was condemned as unfit for service. I will recommend that $300. be appropriated for new hose.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
The Fire Alarm System consists of one three circuit Gamewell switch board and storage battery, one three circuit rectifier set, one motor generator set, one trans- mitter, two tower bells, two tape registers, one com- pressed air whistle, eleven tappers in the homes of members of the fire department, three in the Fire Sta- tions, thirty-six street boxes, four phantom locations, and about twenty miles of wire.
In the past year we have had occasion to replace parts in some of the older type boxes when they were found defective. As several of these boxes are almost fifty years old, I would recommend that at least two be replaced each year.
FIRES AND ALARMS
In 1940 the department responded to thirty-two box alarms, (ten of these were false alarms), eighty-seven telephone calls, seven verbal calls, three forest fire sig- nals, and two fires reported, making a total of one hun- dred and thirty-one calls. Forty-six calls were for fires in buildings, ten false alarms, six for automobiles, one for a tree, one for a dog in an ice pond, one for a boy in an ice pond, one for ladder No. 1 to Whitman, and forty-five dump, grass, and brush fires.
The assessed value of buildings $15,350.00
Insurance on buildings
43,200.00
Loss on buildings
5,300.87
Insurance paid on buildings
5,165.87
The value of contents
19,050.00
Insurance on contents
10,750.00
Loss on contents
2,543.31
Insurance paid on contents
1,468.31
In performing this service the department laid 5,550 feet of 21/2 inch hose, 500 feet of 11/2 inch hose, 4350 feet booster hose, and raised 632 feet of ladder, and used 171/2 gallons of chemical.
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FIRE STATIONS
Once again I call your attention to the condition of the Fire Stations that are very much in need of repairs and painting. A W. P. A. project has been approved and the work is to start in the spring of 1941.
CONCLUSION
In the conclusion of this report, I wish to commend Walter Danieloff, a member of the Fire Department, for his heroic action in the rescue of John Salginewicz from the icy waters of Island Grove Pond, Friday, De- cember 13, 1940. The rescue performed by Danieloff was one that should receive more than commendation because it was performed at the risk of his own life.
I also wish to commend Raymond Thompson and George Litchfield of the Fire Department, and Willard Nickerson of the Water Department, for their assist- ance in the rescue.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, the officers and members of the Fire Department, the Chief and members of the Police Department, and all who have assisted me in the performance of my duty as Chief of the Fire Dapartment.
ESTIMATE OF EXPENSE FOR 1941
Payroll and Maintenance
8,650.00
New Hose 300.00
Rent of Church Bell
50.00
New Tires for Engine No. 1
and Combination No. 1
400.00
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN L. CASEY,
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REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit to you the annual report of the Forest Warden for the year 1940 and my recommenda- tions for 1941.
In the past year there were forty-five dump, grass, and brush fires, seven less than the year 1939. As in past years a large number of these fires were caused by persons who failed to even secure a permit, and if a permit was requested on some of the days that fires occurred, the permit would have been refused and the resultant fires prevented.
The Department of Conservation of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts Forest Fire Patrol car that has covered the northern section of Plymouth County has in the past issued only a warning where violations of the law was found. I have been informed by the Dis- trict Forest Warden that more severe measures will be taken in the future.
Permits can be secured at the Fire Station at North Abington and at the town office at Abington.
I will recommend that $500.00 be appropriated for the control and extinguishing of forest fires.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN L. CASEY, Forest Warden.
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REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
- To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Dear Sirs :
I herewith submit the report of the Tree Warden for 1940.
Due to the small appropriation given this depart- ment in 1940, it was not possible to do a great deal of work, however, the trees on Wales Street, which have been in need of trimming for some time, were cleaned up. Also all street lights were cleared and trees along sidewalks were trimmed. The remainder of the money was spent cleaning up W. P. A. Project, which was stop- ped quite suddenly.
For the year 1941, I recommend that the sum of eight hundred ($800.00) dollars be appropriated.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM E. MIELKE, Tree Warden.
January 1941
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REPORT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Dear Sirs :
I here with submit the report of the Moth Superin- tendent for the year 1940.
During 1940, we sprayed all the streets in town once, with the exception of Brockton Avenue, Randolph and Bedford Street. These were sprayed by the State.
Due to the heavy infestation of elm beetle in some parts of the town, I feel that we should appropriate suf- ficient money to spray the trees twice, once early for elm beetle, and later for gypsy moth.
I have been informed by the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Conservation that in view of the fact that the Town of Abington has never seen fit to appropriate the amount for which they are liable further W. P. A. Pro- jects for Moth Control will not be granted.
I recommend that the sum of eighteen hundred dol- lars ($1,800.00) be appropriated for the year 1941.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM E. MIELKE, Moth Superintendent.
January 1941.
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REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Abington, Mass. Jan. 27, 1941.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Abington.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit to you my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year 1940.
I have tested, sealed or condemned all the weighing
and measuring devices used in the town.
The amount of fees collected was $77.77 which I have paid to the Treasurer.
The summary of the work done by the Sealer is as follows:
Large Platform Scales
5
Small Platform Scales
20
Counter Scales
7
Spring Scales, large
6
Counter Scales
6
Spring Scales, small
34
Drug Store Weights and Measures
57
Vehicle Tanks for Fuel Oil
9
Gasoline Meters and Pumps
49
Quantity Stops on Pumps
27
Oil Bottle and Measurer
72
Avoirdupois Weights Tested and Sealed
106
Reweighing package goods put up for sale 275
Inspecting Ice Cream Cans
200
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. GARFIELD, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
We herewith submit our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
We call to your attention the number of reportable cases reported to us during the year. The number, while small, does not give us a true picture of the num- ber of cases active in this town during the year. This situation is brought about by the lack of co-operation of the parents in not notifying this office when members of their family are sick with any of the several types of contagious diseases. This non-cooperative spirit may later be the cause of a serious epidemic.
TOWN DUMP
In the spring of 1940, it was necessary to secure the services of a bulldozzer in order to push into the swamp the accummulation of rubbish of the previous winter. Once this was done we then used the ablebodied wel- fare men, under the supervision of the welfare agent, in keeping the dump cleaned and levelled during the year. The work provided by the welfare men was to the extent of 562 man hours in the year. We recommend that a wire fence, with gates, be erected along Central Street, and that a man be employed from April to No- vember each year in caring for this place, with the as- sistance of welfare men when needed.
COUNTY HOSPITAL
An unusual condition prevailed since September as to patients from this town receiving treatment at the hospital. Due to better physical conditions our last cases there were discharged, as improved, in Septem- ber and so far there have been no local cases entered.
GARBAGE CONTRACT
The present contract expires April 30, 1941. This has been a very satisfactory service, we recommend that this board be authorized to enter into another con- tract and that an appropriation be provided to meet the expense.
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The following is the list of contagious cases reported to this office for the year.
Mumps
7
Whooping Cough
17
Scarlet Fever
5
Measels
6
Diphtheria
1
Lobar Pneumonia
2
Tuberculosis
2
40
HOWARD W. BELCHER, IRA E. WRIGHT,
FRANCIS H. CONROY,
Board of Selectmen Acting as the Board of Health
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REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of milk for 1940.
The number of licenses issued was 53, including both stores and peddlers. I have made inspection of dairies from time to time and I believe that they are kept in conditions satisfactory to the state requirements.
Respectfully submitted, B. V. BLANCHARD, Inspector of Milk.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
. To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals for 1940.
The inspection has been completed and my report filed with the State Department of Livestock Disease Control. The number of places inspected was 35, num- ber of cattle 320, number of swine 885 and number of goats 49. The number of cattle shipped into the town on special permits was 10. The number of dogs quar- antined for biting was 3.
Respectfully submitted, B. V. BLANCHARD, Inspector of Animals.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of slaugh- tering for 1940.
The carcasses of all animals slaughtered for human food that came under my obesrvation were inspected and stamped according to the law regarding that work. The number was 29 hogs.
Respectfully submitted, B. V. BLANCHARD, Inspector of Slaughtering.
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REPORT OF THE ABINGTON VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION, INC., FOR 1940
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
It is a peasure to submit the following Annual Report of the Abington Visiting Nurse Association for 1940. It has been a pleasant and prosperous year, due mainly to the splendid support given the President by the Board members. My sincere thanks to them.
. Our Annual Drive for funds in the Spring showed a slight increase the first time since 1936, which is very gratifying.
In February, our acting Visiting Nurse, Mrs. Gooch, who was substituting while Miss Franzen took a Public Health Course, cooperated with the State in the re- classification of Tuberculosis patients, giving them an opportunity to be X-rayed and possibly removed from the list. The big snow storm brought this work to a close for the time being, after seven had been X-rayed and six removed from the list.
The usual Toxoid Immunization Clinic in coopera- tion with the Board of Health and the School Nurse was carried on to protect pre-school children from Diphtheria.
Our Well Child Conferences have been held as usual, conducted by Dr. Alice E. Butler, Pediatrician from Boston, and assisted by Miss Franzen our Visiting Nurse. We are very grateful to those Board Members who used their cars for transporting babies who otherwise would not have been able to attend.
Our Ways and Means Committee has been very ac- tive this year, raising funds enough to complete the fund for replacement of the nurses car, which is six years old, and a committee has been appointed to pur- chase a new car.
Four children were sent to the Bailey Health Camp for the summer. The sale of Christmas seals paid for three, and an anonymous gift through the Plymouth
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County Health Association paid for the fourth. All four children showed marked improvement after a summer in the open air.
Our Tuberculosis Committee made visits to the Ply- mouth County Hospital and took gifts to Abington patients. Since June, however, there have been no Ab- ington patients in the hospital.
Our Blind friends have received the usual attention through the thought and kindness of our Friendship Committee, in cooperation with the town organiza- tions.
This year we have had the backing of a Medical Ad- visory Board, comprised of Doctors Kelly, Record and Lydon, and we greatly appreciate the help they have given us.
In the interest of Public Health work, the President and Board Members have attended many State and local meetings and conferences.
May we take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the town organizations, and all individuals who have so generously contributed toward the sup- port of our Association during 1940.
Respectfully submitted,
MARIAN E. BEATON, President.
FINANCIAL REPORT
RECEIPTS
Jan. 1, 1940 Cash Balance
$719.98
Nurse Collections
365.50
Insurance
50.00
Membership Drive
481.43
Ways and Means
76.52
Donations
8.26
Receipts Tuberculosis Fund
596.77
$2,298.46
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EXPENDITURES
Nurse's Salary
240.00
Substitute Nurse
203.00
Telephone
52.50
Garage
99.15
Insurance on Car
47.16
Well Child Conferences
155.00
Rent for Clinics
32.00
Dues
10.00
Supplies
22.50
Printing
11.00
Miscellaneous expense
16.26
Tuberculosis Work
559.68
1,448.25
January 1, 1940 Balance
850.21
$2,298.46
Appropriation paid direct to the Nurse.
Respectfully submitted,
EVELYN E. DENNIS, Treasurer.
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VISITING NURSE REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I submit the following report for the year of 1940:
Number of bedside nursing visits
1480
Well baby check up visits
202
Visits made in behalf of toxoid clinic
57
Tuberculosis follow up visits
32
Total
1771
Visits divided as to time spent at each home :
Number of bedside nursing visits increased to
1892
Making a total of
2183
Paid and insurance visits
799
Part pay
191
Free
1193
Total
2183
Number of morbidity patients
173
Adults
113
School age
16
Pre-school
23
Infants
21
Infants and pre-school children under health
supervision
128
Total number of patients
301
The morbidity visits were divided as follows:
Medical
1331
Surgical
415
Pre-Natal
41
New-born
Obstetrical
103
Confinement
1
Operation
1
Total
1892
During the months of February, March, April, and May the nurse was given a leave of absence in order to take a four months course in Public Health Nursing.
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From November 18 to November 29, 1940 the nurse attended an instructors course in first aid given by Dr. W. J. Fenton from the National Red Cross. This en- ables the nurse to instruct Junior, Standard, and Ad- vanced Red Cross First Aid courses. Realizing the im- portance of this first aid training for the general public, courses are to be started in February 1941.
During November four classes in Home Nursing were given to the local Girl Scouts.
Attended an all day conference on First Aid in Bos- ton on December 7, 1940. December 10, 1940 attended a lecture given by Dr. Nels Nelson at Bridgewater on Syphilis and Gonorrhea.
We wish to thank the different individuals and organ- izations who have given clothing, toys, cod liver oil, and other supplies to needy families.
WELL CHILD CONFERENCES
Eight Well Child Conferences were held at the Le- gion Hall during the year, with Dr. Alice Butler in charge.
The December conference was postponed until Jan- uary 3, 1941 due to the prevalence of colds.
There were 96 children who attended these confer- ences during the year. Transportation was provided for those children and their mothers who were unable to have their own transportation due to unfavorable weather or to distance from the Legion Hall.
A fee of fifty cents is asked of those that feel that they can afford to pay. Fees collected amounted to $27.50.
The primary function of these conferences is to safe- guard and to promote the normal growth and well being of the child from birth to school age, through the con- tinuing guidance and education of the parents in meet- ing their responsibilities toward their growing children.
As in previous years the number of children seen by the physician at each Conference has been limited to 12 in order that each mother may discuss her problems with the doctor and so receive some real valuable help. Each child receives a thorough physical examination, recommendations for correction of defects are made, prescriptions for formulac and diets, and instruction regarding general care and habit training are stressed.
-
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DIPHTHERIA TOXOID IMMUNIZATION CLINICS
During the months of April, May, and June there were seven Diphtheria Toxoid Immunization Clinics held un- der the sponsorship of the local Board of Health for grammar school and pre-school children. The clinics were conducted by the local physicians with the help of the school and the visiting nurse. Twenty-eight pre-school children received the diphtheria toxoid im- munization and two were unable to complete the three injections due to communicable disease.
Respectfully, submitted, EVELYN D. FRANZEN, R. N.
76
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
Abington, Jan. 20, 1941.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Superintendent of Streets for the year 1940.
HIGHWAYS APPROPRIATION $12,000.00
Tarvia was applied on the following streets, Birch, West, Pine, East, Spruce, Camp, Battery, Plain, Arch, Wales, Highland, Morton, Cleverly, Pearl, Shaw Ave., Lantern Lane, Hamilton, Clark, Winthrop, Bates, Suf- folk, Temple, Washington, S. (by the Willows), Rail- road, Platts, Brookline, Dunbar, Cherry, Walnut, Thax- ter Ave., Bank, Belmont, Orange, Cliff, Everett, E. Chapel, Cottage, Granite, Quincy, Progress, Pilgrim, Brockton Ave., Washington (Center) and Central St.
The north half of Lake Street, was widened and tarred and the west end of Shaw Avenue was completed.
Ashland, Washington, Summer and Birch Sts. were graveled and tarred after the drainage was completed.
Adams Street was graveled and Tar applied from Birch Street to the bridge and the bridge was rebuilt and Catch Basin installed.
BRIDGES AND RAILINGS
A new drainage system was built on Washington St., near Everett St., all surface drains and catch basins were cleared and new catch basins where needed.
ESTIMATE FOR 1941
Highways Bridge and Railing 1,000.00
$15,000.00
Removing Snow
5,000.00
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD J. ROURKE, Superintendent of Streets. Abington.
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REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The Public Library Trustees present their sixty-third annual Report.
The increase in appropriation for the Libraries has been apparent in service rendered to the public. In the report of last year it was noted that a decided loss in cir- culation had occurred. This year we note the loss sus- tained from last year had been overcome and a large gain accomplished. New books constitute the life blood of a Library and with the increased finances more new books have been purchased which has brought about the increase in circulation which proves most gratifying. A slight loss in the reading of non-fiction has been noted and this is due, without doubt, to the fact that the Nash Fund has not been available for use. From this Fund the greater part of the best non-fiction has been pur- chased. Some new reference books have been added this year but the great need of the Library is sufficient funds to replace books, and buy new ones, used by stud- ents for their required reading. The schools and the libraries are the two institutions directly concerned in the educational development of the community. This being the case it is necessary that we work to supple- ment, in all possible ways, the work of the schools.
Owing to court procedure the Nash Fund is still un- available and this greatly hampers the Library in building up the collection of non-fiction and the classics. Many collections have been borrowed from the State Library, and some from other towns, which have proved their value to the patrons of the Library throughout the year.
Co-operation with the Massachusetts Educational Program has been carried out through the University Extension and the certified reading courses. A Founda- tion Collection has been established. All the existing books of the original purchase for the fundation of the Library have been placed in a special collection which will be known as the Foundation Collection. This is a permanent collection for historic interest and will be maintained as such.
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The reclassification of non-fiction collection has been started. This is a work which will of necessity extend over a period of months but which will be of permanent value when completed. One of the most interesting of the Library's projects this year has been the contact with the "Children's Federation." Through this con- tact discarded books from our stacks have been cleaned and mended in our workroom and sent out to be placed in the hands of children to whom a "new" book is a rare and exciting thing. These books which have out lived their usefulness in our Library have been received with much appreciation where the need was great. Since we believe it is important to maintain the Public Library as a center of information a special effort has been made to fulfill not only the regular reference work but also the many requests which lie outside the regular routine. Illustrative of this was a letter which came to the Library from Illinois asking that samples of the various types of local soil be sent from this district. This task was undertaken and completed. The Book Service for Shut-Ins which was instituted last year has, because of its success, been expanded.
A final purchase of book supports has been made, thus giving each shelf in the library its own support. This adds immeasurably to the preservation of the books and the appearance of the shelves.
The regular work of the upkeep has gone on as usual through the year. In addition to the books which have rebound five hundred and sixty volumes have been mended in the library workroom.
Book Week and special occasions have been noted and observed in much the usual manner.
The beautiful Christmas tree and decorations added much to the Holiday season and were appreciated by the Library patrons.
The Library has again been available for meetings of the Literature Class of the Woman's Club. A gift of Money from this Class is gratefully acknowledged. This gift was used in the purchase of science books for the children's room.
One change in the library personnel has occurred within the year. Mrs. Burton Freeman who has been assistant librarian for several years resigned, because of
79
ill health, in the fall. Mrs. Freeman has given consci- entious faithful service and the Trustees express to her their appreciation. Miss Waitstill Freeman has been appointed as assistant librarian. Miss Freeman has al- ready proved her worth and the Trustees are fortunate in securing her services. With the untiring work and unusual efficiency of Miss Stone, our librarian, the trustees are assured of progressive library work.
The Trustees regret to record the resignation, near the close of the year, of Mr. Frank Sanderson who has served the Board as President since 1927. These years of faithful and devoted service have been of much value and the Board of Trustees wish for him years of pleasant leisure free from public duties.
NORTH ABINGTON LIBRARY
Again the Library records the passing of a quiet year of devoted and efficient labor on the part of the librarian Miss Alice H. Arnold, her assistant, Miss Amy L. Glid- den, and their capable co-workers, Mrs. James H. Morss and Miss Beatrice Bailey. Two accomplishments worthy of note were the replacement of many outworn and out- dated books in the children's alcove, and the bringing of the larger portion of the catalogue into conformity with the shelves. All persons familiar with libraries are aware of the effort involved in the latter task.
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