USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1934-1936 > Part 8
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be asked for at the time the police budget is submitted.
Ambulance-The need of a community ambulance, owned and maintained by the town, has been recognized by those in a position to observe the need for some time. During the past year, this department has had occasion to call for an ambulance in fifteen cases. There are, doubtless, many other occasions when an ambulance was necessary or desirable in the conveying of the sick and injured to a hospital, which are not a part of the records at the Police Station. Frequently, it has been our obser- vation that the recovery of a patient may be retarded, and at times, more serious results are likely to ensue, due to the crowding of a patient, particularly, the un- fortunate victim of an accident, into the rear seat of an automobile. With the knowledge that an ambulance is available, the likelihood of such crowding would be mini- mized. The use of such ambulance might be regulated by a set of rules, made and adopted by the Board of Se- lectmen. We believe that any such rules should provide free service, where the use of the ambulance is required by any citizen of the town.
It is respectfully suggested that your Honorable Board cause to be inserted in the warrant and sponsor an article for the purchase of a community ambulance.
Inspection of Cottages-Untenanted cottages and sum- mer homes have been checked and an inspection tag with date and officer's name left on the premises at each in- spection, as frequently as time permitted.
We have made a sincere effort to render service, per- forming our work as best we could, impartially. If we have in some degree failed, it was not due to any lack of desire or effort on our part. In whatever small measure of success, we may have attained, we feel indebted to other departments and to the citizens of the town for their cooperation, and to your honorable board for your help and encouragement tendered us at all time through- out the year.
Respectfully submitted, M. E. STEWART, Chief of Police
192
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
North Scituate, Mass., January, 1935.
To the citizens of Scituate:
During the past year we have planted one hundred and thirty-five trees, namely, Maples, Elms and Willows. The gypsy moth condition in Scituate is only fair, some very bad infections in the woodland areas. All brush on the corners and intersections all over town has been re- moved to make travel more safe.
The Dutch Elm disease has destroyed thousands of Elms in Europe and is now established in New England. With more than 7500 Elms already killed, its rapid march across New England is inevitable unless heroic measures to check its spread are adopted at once. The Fungus that causes the disease is spread from tree to tree by insects, chief of which is a European elm bark beetle, which is now found from Massachusetts to Central Pennsylvania. The fungus was brought to this country in elm logs, used for veneers. Isolated cases found in Ohio, Indiana, Maryland and Virginia. The disease has already reached Old Syne, Connecticut, within 60 miles of the Massachu- setts line.
Detection of the disease is difficult because its presence is made known by wilting leaves. Other fungi also cause wilting and a laboratory culture is the only sure means of identification.
All that can be done as yet is to cut all dead limbs and spray.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM F. FORD,
Tree Warden
193
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
To the Citizens of Scituate. :
A brief report of the work of the Highway Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1934, is here sub- mitted.
Appropriations made at the annual town meeting for (1) Care of Roads; (2) Snow Removal; (3) Guard Rails and Bridges, and expended by this department, are analyzed in the report of the Town Accountant.
While these appropriations were liberal for the present day they have been insufficient to do but little permanent work and to partly care for the necessary maintenance. As a consequence the permanence of our town roads is becoming serious. Under these conditions we have been able to do only the jobs which in our judgment were most urgent.
Particular attention has been paid to correcting and improving poor road drainage and to provide drainage where it was lacking. This, in my opinion, is a good in- vestment and furnishes a great deal of hand labor now demanded.
The greater part of the department's equipment was in use the entire season in the permanent work. built by special appropriation under the Board of Selectmen, with ERA labor under my supervision.
A new and larger jaw crusher was purchased in the spring, giving increased capacity to the screening plant in the pit, and has shown good results.
The first and latter parts of the year drainage work at Hatherly Road, Jericho Road, Elm Street and Beaver Dam Road, as ERA projects, were carried on under my direction.
Helpful suggestions from those interested and in-
194
formed, have been welcomed and used somewhat, for which I am grateful.
I have co-operated with the Selectmen and the Board of Public Welfare in both the conduct of our work and in aiding those in need of employment.
This I aim to continue to do.
Very respectfully, CHARLES M. WAGNER,
Highway Surveyor
REPORT OF THE
WATER DEPARTMENT OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1934
197
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
The Commissioners of the Scituate Water Department herewith submit the report for the year 1934.
The project of laying additional mains, with the aid of CWA labor, which was reported as having been started the latter part of 1933, was carried on throughout the early part of the present year, with the result that there has been added to the distribution system of this depart- ment, at various points where connecting links were most needed, about five miles of six, eight and ten inch mains, respectively, which have aided materially in a better de- livery of water to the most popular sections of our town.
As a result of ground water exploration, a supply of excellent water was located in the properties of the Coun- try Club and on the easterly side of Kent Street, which in a test of several months' duration supplied about 185,000 gallons a day, and in an appropriate article to be incorporated in the annual warrant, you will be asked to ratify by purchase, or otherwise, the acquisition of about two acres of land, containing the test wells and pump unit, already established at this location.
From the results of our water prospecting, it appears probable that at no one location will we be able to secure a large yield of water, and that our present supply will have to be augmented from time to time by additional units of moderate capacity similar to those established at Bound Brook, Beaver Dam, and Webster meadows, and that in order to meet the increased demands expected each year, water exploration will have to be continued.
The water derived from the underground sources is especially good and we are anxious not to have to resume the use of the surface supply at Old Oaken Bucket Pond. Conservative use of water for domestic purposes by the customers of the Department will help to forestall such a possibility.
198
Through the courtesy of Chief Torrey and his associate engineers, the Commission were tendered the use of the south wing of the Greenbush Fire Station, and with the voluntary efforts of members of the Fire Department, the available space was converted into a most acceptable suite of offices, enabling us to release the rented office previously occupied at North Scituate, and to affect a saving to the Department of about $480.00 a year.
The Commissioners were pleased to be able to reduce the rates for domestic services by $1.00 for each user for the coming year, and a reduction of the inch foot charge to the Town for fire protection from $.011/2 per inch foot to $.011/4; a saving to the taxpayer of over $7,000.00 annually.
We have met all interest obligations and have retired bonded indebtedness amounting to $27,500.00 during the year 1934, and are, therefore, that much nearer to the ownership of our Water System.
The report of Superintendent Lumbert follows.
Respectfully submitted, STEPHEN C. WEBSTER,
Chairman,
JAMES W. TURNER, JOHN F MCJENNETT, Water Commissioners
DEPARTMENTAL ESTIMATED BUDGET FOR 1935
Bond Maturities :
1st Issue
$25,000.00
2nd Issue
2,500.00
3rd Issue
1,500.00
$29,000.00
Interest :
1st Issue
$25,312.50
2nd Issue
1,300.00
3rd Issue
933.75
$27,546.25
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Source of Supply
$ 5,200.00
Pumping
11,700.00
Distribution System General Humarock Water Purchase
9,300.00
12,550.00
1,712.38
$40,462.38
$97,008.63
Revenue :
Metered Service
$ 4,272.00
Fixture Service
64,001.70
Hydrant Service
2,710.00
Fire (in. ft.) Service
23,020.98
Humarock Service Meter
168.00
Humarock Service Fixture
3,079.00
$97,251.68
To the Water Commissioners:
Gentlemen :
Herewith I respectfully submit for your consideration, the Third Annual Report of the Water Department, in- cluding a chronicle of the principal work performed and certain recommendations for the coming year.
Activity in the Water Department was far greater during the first months of the calendar year 1934 than at any previous period since it became a public utility.
There were two particular reasons for this, one being the continuation of CWA projects, and the other was the exceptionally cold and severe winter weather.
The frost penetrated to the mains and services in many instances causing serious damage and creating consider- able extra work for the Department. Many small pipes burst, causing abnormal leakage and a great amount of water was run to waste in attempts to avert freezing. These two factors created a heavy demand on the pumps, way in excess of normal winter consumption.
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Work being done under the CWA called for more than 5000 man hours each week and was carried on in addition to the general maintenance of freezing lines. Water mains laid under the CWA project were from six to twelve inches in diameter and the total length was 21,670 feet. The entire system was strengthened to a very great extent by the addition of these mains. The line on Green- field Lane together with the connection across Peggotty Beach insures water service to all the Cliffs even though a break occurs along Kent Street, or near the Memorial Bridge, or in the marsh along Gilson Road.
The circuit to Third Cliff should be completed, how- ever, with a main along Kent Street, to Driftway, and along Driftway to the Third Cliff. This main would com- plete the circuits to the Cliffs and insure a continuous water supply as well as a much improved fire service.
The installation on First Parish Road from Country Way to Maple Street completed a circuit through Booth Hill Road to North Scituate and also furnished a more direct feed line from the standpipe to the West End, thus relieving a very serious low pressure area and improv- ing the service to North Scituate Beach, due to the fact that it is not necessary, now, to draw from the main on Country Way to serve the consumers in the northwester- ly part of the Town.
Considerable work was done on Hatherly Road, making three separate connections between Jericho Road and First Avenue, and including the water main laid by the U. S. Government at the proving ground. These connec- tions complete the water main along Hatherly Road from Jericho Road to North Scituate Beach, and together with the main laid on Oceanside Drive complete a circuit through First Avenue, thus serving the Sand Hills and Shore Acres sections to a much better advantage.
Hydrants set on these mains improved the fire service and extended it cover all of the summer homes and buildings.
201
The Light House Point circuit improved the domestic service and furnished fire protection for the entire area.
Several weeks in the early part of the year were spent in driving test wells in Lawson Meadow, near Ann Vinal Road, and near the corner of Kent Street and Driftway. About the middle of March a source of potable water was penetrated, and water was pumped 240 consecutive hours as a test, during which time the Mass. State Health Department made regular tests on samples of water taken each day, and then officially approved the water for domestic use. After further investigation, 4 inch wells were driven on the easterly side of Kent Street and a temporary pumping station set up. The water from this source was pumped into the mains for the first time on July 7, 1934. This water has proved to be the best in the Town, and immediate steps should be taken to se- cure the land and install a well and a pump designed to fit the particular conditions at this location.
Early in April arrangements were made to use the ell of the Greenbush Fire Station as an office, and remodel- ing was started at once, and the headquarters of the Water Department were established in Greenbush, the Commissioners holding their first meeting in the new office May 9, 1934.
The latter part of April, the water main on Cornet Stetson Road was extended to the Norwell line, affording an opportunity to install pumping units in the westerly portion of Webster Meadow as well as providing domestic service and fire protection.
During June a main was laid on Kent Street from the temporary pumping unit in the Country Club property to connect with the system at Greenfield Lane and Gilson Road. This main went into service July 7, 1934.
In July and August the water consumption was so close to the possible amount that could be pumped, with- out using water from the Old Oaken Bucket Pond, which must be filtered, that the situation became very acute on some of the hottest days. Hose and sprinklers were used
202
more freely than the regulations permit and it was neces- sary to carry on more than ordinary inspection and warn violators. In spite of these conditions the use of hose and sprinklers was not prohibited as was the case in many towns. Fortunately it did not become obligatory to use water from the Pond, but water was let into the filter beds in readiness to pump, as an emergency precaution.
Had a serious fire occured at this time there would have been a very grave shortage of water, the water in the Pond being low because of the previous very dry weather.
While the great demand for water during the summer was entirely satisfied, it was so near the limit of our present resources that new sources of supply should be found and developed immediately. A one million gallon standpipe in the system would greatly reduce the danger of shortage in an emergency and relieve the peak demand on the pumps.
A daily record of the pumping operation at Kent Street indicates that there is a possibility of pumping about 300,000 Gallons per day from that area. and I would recommend the purchase of land in that section and the installation of a well and turbine pump designed to fit the conditions.
The following tables give general statistics and show specific data derived from records of operation during the year 1934.
Signed, WILLIAM J. LUMBERT, Superintendent
RAINFALL
The normal rainfall of Massachusetts as deduced by the Public Health Department for 1934 was 44.62 inches.
Rainfall records as set up in the following table show the comparison between the State of Massachusetts, Bos- ton and Scituate. These records show a deficiency of 8.35 inches of rain in this section of Massachusetts, seven months showing considerably less than normal rainfall.
203
COMPARATIVE RAINFALL TABLE IN INCHES
Inches Months Rainfall Scituate
Normal Normal From Boston Av. Rainfall Av. Rainfall Excess or Mass.
Boston
Deficiency
Jan.
3.93
3.79
3.74
+.14
Feb.
3.36
3.63
3.58
--. 27
Mar.
4.37
4.09
3.95
+.28
Apr.
2.64
3.93
3.70
-1.29
May
2.10
3.58
3.66
-1.48
June
3.89
3.22
3.33
+.67
July
.80
3.60
3.73
-2.80
Aug.
2.03
4.09
4.16
-2.06
Sept.
3.67
3.54
3.57
+.13
Oct.
4.01
3.63
3.70
+.38
Nov.
3.01
3.95
3.84
-. 94
Dec.
2.46
3.73
3.66
-1.27
Totals
36.27
44.78
44.62
-8.51
GENERAL STATISTICS
Population by census of 1930, 3,118.
Construction of system started, 1893.
Now owned by town of Scituate.
Valuation, December 31, 1934 - $856,916.17.
Stock on hand, $11,957.77.
Sources of supply - Artesian wells, Old Oaken Bucket Pond.
Water is supplied to the system through pumps, as fol- lows :
Pumping Units.
PUMPING STATISTICS
1. Smith Vail Triplex pump electrically driven by 10 H. P. Century Motor.
204
2. Byron Jackson centrifugal pump electrically driven by 40 H. P. G. E. Motor.
3. £ Smith Vail Triplex pump driven by 15 H. P. Howell Motor.
4. Deane Hill centrifugal pump driven by DeLaVergne 130 H. P. diesel engine.
5. Smith Vail Triplex pump driven by DeLa Vergne 35 H. P. diesel engine.
7. Byron Jackson centrifugal pump electrically driven by 75 H. P. G. E. Motor.
8. Byron Jackson centrifugal pump electrically driven by 75 H. P. G. E. Motor.
9. Sterling deep well pump electrically driven by 10 H. P. U. S. Motor with Morris centrifugal pump driven by 10 H. P. G. E. Motor.
10. Sterling deep well pump electrically driven by 10 G. E. Motor with Morris centrifugal pump driven by 71/2 H. P. G. E. Motor.
11. Peerless deep well pump electrically driven by 15 G. E. Motor with Morris centrifugal pump driven by 712 H. P. G. E. Motor.
12. Fairbanks Morse deep well pump driven by 15 H. P. Fairbanks Morse Motor.
All pumping is done by Diesel engines or electric motors. Fuel oil purchased from the Gulf Refining Co., Average price, $0.476.
Trade name, Gulf Solar Oil 33 degree Baume-19306 B. T. U. per lb.
Electric power purchased from the Electric Light and Power Co. of Abington, Mass.
Average Price per K. W. H., $0.0204. Total fuel oil used, 60 gals. Total K. W. H. used, 330,961.
205
Total Water pumped into distribution mains, 204,221,800 Gallons.
Total pumpage of water, 204,221,800 Gallons.
Av. Static Head, 71.7.
Av. Dynamic Head, 76.5.
Av. number gallons pumped per gallon fuel oil, 6,584.
Av. number gallons pumped per K. W. H., 617.
Av. Cost of supplying water, per million gallons, figured on total maintenance of pumping station and fil- ters, $52.66.
The maximum pumpage in one day was on July 16, 1934, 1,254,500 Gallons.
The maximum pumpage in one week was 8,024,300 Gallons.
Water pumped by Diesel power, 0 gallons into distribu- tion system.
Water pumped by Electric power, 204,221,800 Gallons into distribution system.
Webster Meadow Output
Station No. 9 7,328,400 Gallons
Station No. 10
66,352,000 "
Station No. 11 34,459,000
Total Output 108,139,400 Gallons
Bound Brook
Station No. 12 30,006,400 Gallons
Beaver Dam
Spring
Wells
744,000 Gallons 42,695,000 "
Well
Kent Street 22,637,000 Gallons
Pond Water-None
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Pumping and Maintenance Costs
Water put
Year
Total Cost
Cost per Mil.
into system
1930
$19,550.00
$102.46
190,893,300
1931
18,311.28
92.81
197,228,900
1932*
14,124.04
81.08
174,220,000
1933
11,602.46
62.65
185,197,900
1934
10,743.75
52.66
204,221,800
* Town Ownership
MONTHLY PUMPING COST
January
$ 690.81
February
702.06
March
783.83
April
877.04
: - May
739.68
June
948.61
July
1,412.44
August
1,381.32
September
1,124.45
October
841.93
November
733.41
December
607.97
$10,843.55
Kind of pipe, cast iron, sizes 2 in. to 12 in .; extended 1934. 6 in, 8244 ft .; 8 in., 12, 195 ft; 10 in., 3575 ft .; 12 in., 252 ft.
Total 6 in. Diameter or over now in use. 12 in., 8,256 ft .; 10 in., 36,697 ft .; 8 in., 73,819 ft .; 6 in., 130,844 ft.
Equals 249,616 linear feet or 47 Miles, 1456 feet.
Number of hydrants in use, 271.
Range of pressure, 18 lbs. to 75 lbs.
207
1934 MAIN EXTENSIONS
First Parish Road
252 ft.
12 in. Pipe
First Parish Road
2471 ft. 10 in. "
First Parish Road
1693 ft.
8 in.
First Parish Road
22 ft. 6 in. "
Peggoty Beach
2090 ft. 6 in.
Common Street
1042 ft. 6 in. "
Oceanside Drive
2522 ft.
6 in.
Ann Vinal Road
3909 ft.
8 in. "
Ann Vinal Road
14 ft. 6 in. "
Greenfield Lane
1744 ft.
8 in. „
Greenfield Lane
14 ft.
6 in. "
Hatherly Road
3282 ft.
8 in. "
Hatherly Road
34 ft.
6 in. "
Cornet Stetson Road
1104 ft. 10 in.
Kent Street
1567 ft.
8 in. "
Kent Street
26 ft.
6 in. „
Services
Kind of pipe, cast iron, cement lined, and copper tubing, sizes 3/4 in. and 1 in. Extended 1934. 756 ft. No. of services, added 1934, 32.
Average length, 23.6 feet.
Average cost to Department, $20,81.
208
ANNUAL REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Number of Nursing visits
698
"
Free Nursing visits
193
School visits
156
Home visits for School Children
56
"
Children taken home ill
18
Home visits for Pre-School children
26
Follow up visits Mumps
10
" Follow up visits
Measles
53
Follow up visits
Tonsil clinic
79
" Pre-Natal visits
9
"
„ Infant Welfare visits
95
"
"
Welfare
17
Clinic and Hospital visits 65
"
' Public Health Meetings 19
"
Operations in homes 4
.
Miscellaneous visits 188
Total
1792
The number of nursing visits as listed has fallen' somewhat below the figures of last year. These figures however, only give part of the picture of the work ac- complished. One reason for the decrease in the number of visits was that several maternity cases were confined in the hospital rather than home. Home conditions not being suitable. Some of the distribution of clothing and other necessities was taken care of by the Red Cross. Previously this had been one of the assumed duties of the nurse. The decrease in the welfare visits simply means that the cases were handled by the investigator of the Board of Public Welfare and the Federal Emergency Re- lief Administration.
The outstanding achievement for the year 1934 was the organizing of Scituate's Own Well Baby Clinic. In
"
" Follow up visits
Other cases
106
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the past the Nursing Service had provided a clinic with the Visiting Nurse Service of Norwell. It has long been the cherished hope of the Nursing Service Board Members, that some day we would be able to have a Baby Conference here. Mrs. Peter Somers, former president of the Nursing Service, secured the interest of the mem- bers of the Board of Health and held a meeting regard- ing the matter in June. The results were most pleasing. The Board of Health recognized the need of such a ser- vice to young mothers and agreed to share with the Nursing Service the expense of operating the Clinic in Scituate.
The attendance at the conference for the last six months doubled that of the attendance for the first six months of the year. The Nursing Service provides transportation and also the necessary supplies used at the Baby Conference. The School Department gives the use of the High School Annex for this purpose on the third Wednesday of each month from 10 a. m. until noon. Through the co-operation of the various departments we have taken quite a step forward in Public Health.
As part time school nurse, I might mention that aside from an outbreak of measles and a very slight outbreak of mumps, the children in the school age group wea- thered the trials of the past year very well. Every con- · tact which the nurse makes with the children of school age group is an opportunity for her to put over a lesson in health education. This part of the work of course is equally as necessary as the bedside care. The prevention of illness and suffering is the main objective of the nurse and the Scituate Nursing Service.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGARET O'DONNELL, School Nurse
210
REPORT OF COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE
(Plymouth County Extension Service) Scituate - 1934
In every branch of agriculture the Extension Service endeavors to keep the farmers of the county acquainted with developments in production and marketing, to give specific advice on individual problems and lend aid in cooperative enterprise. In addition to the usual lines of work it has been important this year to keep the farmers of the county informed of their position under the ag- ricultural programs of the federal government.
Marketing programs and new farm credit facilities have been most helpful here. Farmers of the county took advantage of the latter to an amount of nearly $400,000 during 1934. During the year over 3200 farm- ers in the county were supplied with information in some form on problems directly affecting their production problems.
It is a responsibility of the Extension Service to make available to women in the home a knowledge of the best current practices relative to keeping the family satisfac- torily fed, clothed, and housed, and to aid in adjusting these practices to the family standards and pocket book.
Our home program has reached at least 3000 people either indirectly in solving problems, or through groups organized to study specific points of homemaking. In our major projects alone-Children's Coats, Home Fur- nishings, Chair Seating, and Parent Education-fifty- three study groups were formed with over five hundred women enrolled.
In 4-H Club Work, the Extension Service provides for the boys and girls of the county an opportunity for edu- cational development through study and practice in home economics and agriculture, as well as an opportun- ity for self improvement. It emphasizes the home and
211
brings club members and parents together in a common interest. It develops cooperation, leadership, self-con- fidence, ambition, sportsmanship, ability to think, re- sponsibility, and community spirit.
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