USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1937-1939 > Part 22
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The Librarian was assisted by two N. Y. A. girls making possible the accomplishment of some needed work.
This report would not be complete without an ex- pression of appreciation for the years of work done by Mrs. Amy Allen Frye, who on account of ill health has been obliged to retire.
There have been over two hundred books added this year, and it will be the object of the Directors to see that the high standard of the Library is maintained, and that books covering a wide range of subjects added from time to time.
Respectfully submitted,
T. B. ALEXANDER, President.
144
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
December 31, 1938
Board of Selectmen, Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
My report for the year 1938 is as follows: Adjust- ments on devices used by Tradesmen 117. Seals affixed on devices 613. Not-sealed devices 68 (Equipment located in Scituate, Mass., but not used). Devices unfit for use, and condemned, 22.
This year there were 558 inspections made as follows: Clinical thermometers 50; Oil jars 200; Bread and other foods 175; Peddler's scales 20; Ice Scales 6; Peddler's licenses 100; Transient Vendors 7.
I wish to again commend our Town Clerk, William M. Wade, for the splendid co-operation shown by him, to this department, during the year 1938. Through this de- partment and the Town Clerks' office, the town realized about $300 from Transient Vendors. Junk licenses issued, returned $10. and Peddler's licenses returned $110.00.
My account book shows a total of $102.54 charged for sealing devices, and $9.47 for adjustments made, grand total of $112.01; Paid to Town Treasurer $108.57, out- standing $3.44 as of December 31, 1938.
I wish the towns-people to note the above figures. There is an amount collected for adjustments made on devices, and this is turned over to your Town Treasurer with Fees collected.
Respectfully submitted,
EUGENE H. LANE, Sealer of Weights and Measures. Scituate, Mass.
145
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Meetings for registration of voters in 1938:
February 15th at North Scituate
February 18th at Scituate Harbor
February 23rd at Town Hall
August 31st at Town Hall
October 19th at Town Hall
Five additional meetings were held for certification of names on Town and State nomination papers.
Registered voters in the Town of Scituate on December 31, 1938:
Males
1,402
Females 1,375
2,777
There were 298 names added to the voting list in 1938 by means of registrations, while 142 names were dropped because of deaths and change of residence, resulting in a gain in registration of 156.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. WARD, J. EDWARD HARNEY, BERTHA L. TURNER, WILLIAM M. WADE, Board of Registrars of Voters.
146
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF CLEAN-UP COMMITTEE
We wish, at this time, to express our appreciation to all those with whom we have come in contact this year.
We divided the labor in all sections of the town to the best of our ability.
We also hope that the town will see fit to carry this work on this next year.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD L. BATES, Chairman, LOUISE J. ROTHERY,
ALLEN D. CREELMAN, Clean-up Committee.
147
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF SECRETARY OF NURSING SERVICE
The Scituate Public Health Nursing Service has held ten regular, and one special meeting with average attend- ance of fourteen.
During the past year, four of the Board Members have either resigned or moved away. The meeting day has been changed to the fourth Thursday of the month. The Ways and Means Committee has absorbed the Em- ergency Committee, and the Organization has become a corporate member of the Massachusetts Organization of Public Health Nursing.
The Association with the P. T. A. sponsored three free lectures by Mrs. Grafton T. Abbott on "Child Hy- giene."
Mrs. W. F. Bates, President of the Hanover Nursing Association, was a speaker at one of the meetings des- cribing the work of her Organization, and explaining Group Hospital Insurance for which they are agents.
Miss O'Donnell has been given a clerical assistant to be chosen at her descretion, and paid from twelve to fif- teen dollars a week, in addition to the part-time nurse voted previously.
A State Conference held at the Quincy Hospital was attended by the Nurse. Subject-"State Recommenda- tions for Care of Premature Infants." These recommen- dations will be included in our health program.
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
The clinics have been much the same as last year; pre-school, diphtheria prevention, dental, and Baby Clin- ics. Owing to the small group cared for in the tonsil and adenoid clinic at the Weymouth Hospital, it was not necessary for the Nursing Service to receive, as in prev- ious years, financial aid from the Red Cross Chapter for this work.
Membership Drive was successfully carried out un- der the direction of Mrs. J. F. McJennett, netting two hundred and Fifty Dollars. ($250)
The Christmas Seal Drive, with Mrs. Nels Sandberg in charge, was most successful.
Material to value of five dollars ($5.00) was voted to Miss MacFarlane for use of a needy child in the House- hold Art Department.
It was voted to provide material for delivery sets.
Agnes O'Donnell, R. N., was made honorary mem- ber of the Association.
Several conferences and meetings have been atten- ded by the president and nurse, and the members of the Board have helped in the work wherever possible.
It was voted that Mrs. Gillespie, President, meet with the Selectmen, Chairman of School Committee, Board of Health, and Public Welfare to see if the Town needs two nurses, and if so, to provide for same in Town Warrant at the 1939 March Meeting.
This meeting was held and the result was that the Board of Health would stand the expense of a nurse's assistant for January and February; and the Nursing Service would fall in line with plan to continue as now with the Town in charge.
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
376 notices and twelve letters have been sent out during the year.
A change in the By-Laws was made whereby the names of the Nominating Committee would be on the ballot each year.
Another year ends, and a new one begins with the Service well aware of the fact that there is more than ever to be accomplished, and active interest and earnest effort on the part of each member will carry us to our goal.
Respectfully submitted, VERA L. WILDER, Sec. Secretary of Nursing Service.
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE
Receipts
Cash on hand January 1, 1938 $720.54
Nursing Fees 240.02
Toll Calls 20.50
Town Payment toward Expense
500.00
Membership receipts
259.00
Interest on Bank Account
17.43
Christmas T. B. Seals,
last year's returns
203.82
Tonsil Clinic Receipts
60.00
$2,021.31
1938 Expenditures
Margaret O'Donnell, Salary $99.96
Agnes O'Donnell as extra nurse 157.00
Phyllis Fairfield as extra nurse 5.00
Helen Chicko, clerical assistance 80.00
Typewriter 60.00
Health books for use by nurse 17.25
Membership to Mass. Nursing Assoc. 3.00
Delegates to State Meetings 3.35
Margaret O'Donnell paid for work
on car 5.35
Garage Rent 55.00
Satuit Garage $38.58 and
Front Street Garage $102.66 141.24
Whittaker Bros. $139.45 and
Egypt Garage $13.93 153.38
151
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
Insurance and Number Plates 59.00
Postage and Printing 11.17
Membership Drive expense 11.38
Postage on this year's T. B. Seals
15.00
Tonsil Expense at Weymouth Hospital. 126.00
New England Tel. and Tel. Co. 64.45
Seaverns Pharmacy, Medical Supplies . 11.44
$1,078.97
January 1, 1939, Cash on hand
$942.31
$2,021.31
ANNIE M. S. LITCHFIELD, Treasurer.
152
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Scituate:
The Board of Health has met all problems confront- ing it during the past year in the manner prescribed by law and in accordance with instructions of the State De- partments with which it has had dealings. We realize that there are many more problems that might be dealt with, but inasmuch as they are not of a serious nature at present we feel that they may be deferred until such time as our town is in a financial position to meet these prob- lems. Listed below are the various items under our juris- diction.
COLLECTION OF GARBAGE
During the past year a new contract was let and you are now receiving more collections during the early summer and late fall than ever before and our appropri- ation for this service will not increase this year.
TOWN DUMP
The renovation of the Town Dump, the easy access to it, and the new regulations have been highly satifac- tory improvements and have resulted in a greater use of the dump. No more do we find great accumulations of rubbish lying around the individual back yard; people now make regular trips to dispose of their rubbish, which is, in itself a great help to reduce the possible spread of disease.
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
CLINICS
We have during the past year sponsored three clin- ics; namely, School and Pre-School Dental Clinic, Well Baby Clinic, and the Anti-toxin Clinic.
School Clinics have been held under the direction of Dr. Parsons and Miss O'Donnell, the Health Nurse, and each have submitted reports covering their work and the satisfactory results attained warrants the continu- ance of this very necessary clinic.
Well Baby Clinic has been held under the direction of Health Nursing Service, the results have been highly favorable and the benefits received warrants the con- tinuance and enlargement of the clinic.
Antitoxin Clinic was held this year and over eighty children were immunized against diphtheria. The State Department of Health recommends that this clinic be held again during 1939.
ANIMAL INSPECTIONS
Mr. Charles O. Chase was appointed by the Select- men for the year 1938 and his report will be found un- der ANIMAL INSPECTOR'S REPORT.
MILK INSPECTOR
A separate report has been made by the Milk Inspec- tor, which will be found under that item.
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
The work of the Plumbing Inspector was somewhat increased during the past year and his report shows in detail the work that he has done.
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
VITAL STATISTICS
These records were kept by the Town Clerk and your Board of Health, and under the Town Clerk's Re- port will be shown Marriages, Births and Deaths, also other Statistics covered under this item,
ROADSIDE CLEANING
We have been able to lessen this work to a great extent, but there are still people who seem to have no re- gard for the side streets and will dispose of all kinds of rubbish on our town streets. We again appeal to our townspeople and our visitors to report any violations that we may be able to bring to justice those who are responsible for these nuisances.
CARE OF BEACHES :
During the summer months of 1938 we were called upon to remove from our beaches, dead fish, kelp and other waste material brought in by the tides, so that no health menace would occur. The past summer was no worse than any other and the expenditure was kept down to a minimum.
HUMAROCK BEACH FREE PARKING SPACE
The Board of Health again requests that some action be taken to install a Comfort Station at this point. The use of this parking space has greatly increased and we trust that the Board of Selectmen will take some action regarding this Parking Space and all others in our Town.
MUSQUASHICUT POND
We are greatly pleased to report that during the past summer very few complaints were entered regarding the fly nuisance that was, so bad a few years past. In accord- ance with the State Departments of Health and Public
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
Works regulations we have carried on the recommenda- tions set down by them and are meeting with favorable results.
We will again this year, as in the past, restock the pond, care for the proper drainage, regulate the depth of water and do such other work as it is necessary to abate the nuisance as far as possible. Our special article in the Town Warrant is much smaller than in former years and unless an emergency arises will be sufficient to care for this work during 1939.
During the past year your Board has investigated all complaints properly brought before them and in all cases satisfactory settlements were made.
During the past year we have had no serious epi- demics and we are proud to report that our Town ranks high as a health resort.
All Inspectors have carried on their work in a very satisfactory manner and we wish to thank them for the success they have attained in their work.
The practice of notifying the School Doctor and Health Nurse of all cases reported to us was continued during the past year and we highly commend them for their careful checkup and follow-up work that has pre- vented the spread of diseases in this Town.
The cooperation of all Town Officers and heads of departments was freely given us and at this time we extend our most cordial thanks for the assistance they have rendered us when called upon.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER L. ENOS, Chairman, GEORGE H. OTIS, WILLIAM P. GROVESTEIN, Board of Health.
156
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Board of Health, Town of Scituate, Mass.,
Gentlemen:
During the year 1938 there have been 67 plumbing permits issued and inspections made by your inspectors. Eighteen of these installations have been made in new buildings and forty-nine in others.
In my last annual report I called attention to the fact that our plumbing code was outmoded on account of the many new materials and methods of installation now in general use and considered good practice. This year the Legislature will consider a bill calling for the adoption of a State wide code setting up minimum requirements for plumbing within the Commonwealth. If this bill be- comes a law it will do much to aid in bringing our pres- ent code up to date.
My feeling is that the Town should adopt some form of building laws which would cause a more careful scru- tiny of all building operations and better promote the safety and health of our citizens.
The need for a more adequate means of sewage dis- posal is very urgent in some localities and the Town must prepare to meet this situation within a few years.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP S. BAILEY, Inspector. WILLIAM H. HARNEY, Asso.
157
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
January 16, 1939
To the Board of Health,
Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I wish to report inspection of 154 head of cattle, 69 goats, 38 swine, all in good condition. Have quarantined all dogs that have bitten people; no signs of rabies.
CHARLES O. CHASE, Inspector of Animals.
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
Board of Health, Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
During the past year I have issued forty-nine licen- ses for the sale of milk and five licenses for the sale of oleomargarine.
The local producers are cooperating in every way to produce a milk that passes a high laboratory test so that we have been spared an epidemic of milk borne disease.
This Town is very fortunate in having a State In- spector who thoroughly understands farms and the milk- ing industry so that his recommendations are fair and just to everyone concerned.
The producers in this Town realize that there must be cooperation with the Inspectors and the public to pro- duce a milk of standard quality.
Respectfully yours, GEORGE H. OTIS, Milk Inspector.
159
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Scituate Board of Health:
I have examined all slaughtered animals during the year 1938 and found the same in perfect condition.
Respectfully submitted, E. L. MERRITT.
160
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF SCHOOL DENTIST
Board of Health and Superintendent of Schools: Scituate, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit the following figures as a summary of the work accomplished in the Dental and Pre-school Dental Clinics from January 1938 to January 1939:
Fillings in Permanent Teeth 332
Fillings in Temporary Teeth 335
Permanent Teeth Extractions 3
Temporary Teeth Extractions
Teeth Treated 82
101
Cleansings 239
Completed Cases 224
That we are saving permanent teeth is shown by the fact that we only extracted three (3) permanent teeth in a year. We are also able to do more work in the 5th and 6th grades, where previously it was impossible to do more than the first three (3) grades.
Twenty-seven (27) children, entering the first grade, were completed in the Pre-school Clinic.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIS B. PARSONS, D. M. D.
WBP:hc
School Dentist.
161
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
ANNUAL REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of Scituate:
This department showed a considerable increase in expenditures for Public Welfare during 1938 compared to 1937, exceeding 1937 expenditures in every month except July, August, October and November. A decided curtailment of W. P. A. work in the winter months was one of the primary causes. With slightly better business conditions and a large increase in W. P. A. workers as compared to a year ago we expect a decided improve- ment in 1939, with a distinctly downward trend in Pub- lic Welfare. We expect Aid to Dependent Children to re- main practically at its present level at the close of 1938. Old Age Assistance has been further liberalized by new laws during the past year which will cause a general up- ward tendency. Our Board has worked vigorously against the attempt of the Federal Government to drop from W. P. A. rolls people who have reached the age of 65. We are encouraged to find several cases practically totally supported by Public Welfare in the winter of 1938 now obtaining a living in private industry.
The Board has employed the services of an investi- gator for all three departments and has thoroughly in -- vestigated all cases before aid has been granted. We have kept in conformity with the federal and state laws at all times and the accounts of the Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children have been audited by the federal auditors during the past year.
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
The Board, being cognizant of the mounting costs of medical aid, hospitalization, and nursing care during the past year, has recommended in an article in the town warrant that the citizens at the Annual Town Meeting appoint a committee comprising one member from each of the following Boards; the Board of Public Welfare, School Committee, Board of Selectmen, Board of Health and the Chairman of the Advisory Board to make a com- prehensive study of the costs of medical aid, hospitaliza- tion and nursing in all the town departments with the hope that the findings and recommendations of the com- mittee may result in substantial savings and better co- ordination of departments.
The same policy of detailed checking of settlements has continued with resultant reimbursements. Our strict adherence to the federal laws and regulations has en- abled us to receive large federal grants under Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children.
At this time the Board wishes to thank all other town departments, societies, and individuals, who have cooperated with us in the past year.
NATHANIEL TILDEN, Chairman, HARRY T. HANDY, M. D., RALPH S. BROWN.
163
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
There is reason to believe that many of our Towns- people do not fully understand why we have an Engineer- ing Department or how we spend the Engineering appro- priation. For this reason, may we explain the function of the Engineering Department in the administration of Town affairs.
The Town Engineer receives no salary.
He is appointed annually by the Board of Selectmen to do, for all Town Departments, that work within the province of the civil engineer; in short, he is the land sur- veyor for the Town.
The Town Engineer and the assistants that he re- quires for both field and office work are paid-on an hourly basis-for their services, as rendered, from the Engineering appropriation; likewise, all supplies and ex- penses appurtenant to engineering work are so paid for.
The engineering services rendered by this Depart- ment during the year ended December 31, 1938 are listed below:
1. Attendance at hearings and viewing of conditions on the ground preparatory to making layouts of unaccep- ted streets offered for acceptance as Town ways.
2. Making of surveys and plans for layouts of said streets.
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
3. Setting of monuments in the ground to define the lines of streets accepted during 1938.
4. Making of surveys and plans for easements for drainage lines crossing private property.
5. Staking of street lines for various Town Depart- ments, public utilities and individuals.
6. Reproducing of street lines and replacing of monuments where monuments were destroyed.
7. Establishing of definite street lines where none existed for Land Court surveys and other surveys, both public and private.
8. Locating of property lines of Town property other than streets i. e., cemeteries, gravel pits, parking spaces and playgrounds.
9. Attendance at hearings at the Massachusetts De- partment of Public Works relative to issues which in- volve the Town.
10. Appearance at the Massachusetts Land Court for protection of Town interests.
11. Making of miscellaneous plans for various Town Departments; making of plans of proposed W. P. A. Projects for W. P. A. Officials.
12. Engineering design and supervision of construc- tion projects, both town and W. P. A., throughout the Town.
13. Estimating of costs of various proposed im- provements throughout the Town.
14. Locating of details not shown on the Town Plan.
165
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
During the latter part of 1938, there remained work undone, for which, there was and is an imperative need but because the Engineering appropriation was exhaus- ted, that work had to be postponed. The ultimate cost of delayed engineering work increases directly as the time continues and we believe the best policy to follow is that of "pay as we go."
Scituate is a town that is enjoying a natural growth which compels constant improvements to accommodate natural expansion. Experience proves that the best and most economical improvements are made by system- atic, intelligent planning so it is natural to expect the Engineering Department to have appropriations in keep- ing with the increased demands made upon it by the Town that is so fortunate as to have a real need for a program of planned improvement.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL F. APPLETON,. Town Engineer.
166
ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
REPORT OF TOWN WPA AGENT
January 17, 1939
To the Board of Selectmen,
Town of Scituate.
Gentlemen:
Through the cooperation of the Federal Relief Agen- cies, the Town of Scituate has been able to undertake and complete a number of WPA Projects during the year 1938, which have done much toward reducing unemploy- ment and welfare aid, as well as accomplishing results of permanent value to the Town.
At the beginning of the year there were 40 men on WPA pay rolls, this number decreasing to 10 in March, and then gradually increasing to 120, at which figure it stood at the close of the year. This number included 12 men working at the Hingham Ammunition Depot, and 15 men on a project at the First Cliff Coast Guard Station.
Under the National Youth Administration, a project at the Marshfield Game Farm employed 3 Scituate youths, and a Clerical project in Scituate employed 3 young ladies.
Even with this substantial number on WPA pay rolls, there has been at all times an excess of applicants, eligible for certification and assignment to WPA pro- jects. Many men, unable to secure sufficient private em-
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ANNUAL REPORT, TOWN OF SCITUATE, 1938
ployment for their family requirements, seek WPA em- ployment because of the protection it affords them, par- ticularly during the Fall and Winter months, when em- ployment is most needed.
An appropriation of $10,000 was voted at the Annual Town Meeting, March 7, 1938, to cover the Town's con- tributions for materials, etc., in connection with Federal Projects, etc., which sum was further increased by an appropriation of $800, voted at a Special Town Meeting held November 29, 1938, making the Town's total appro- priations for the year, $10,800.00.
During this period, there was paid from Federal Funds to the residents of Scituate for labor performed on WPA Projects, the sum of $40,111.18 Other cost 1,824.00
$41,935.18
Further, the value of Surplus Commodities distribu- ted in Scituate during this period amounted to $4,690.40
Following is a list of WPA Projects in Scituate fully or partially completed in 1938:
Highway Construction:
Clapp Rd. (cut off curve) Completed
Crescent Ave. (1000 l. f.)
Completed
Grove Street
Completed
Ridge Hill Road
Completed
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