USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1940-1942 > Part 20
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Respectfully submitted, CHARLES M. WAGNER, Highway Surveyor.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Board of Selectmen, Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The following is my report for the year ending December 31, 1941.
Six hundred and eight devices were sealed for use in trade. Four devices were condemned, being unfit for use in trade. Sixty-seven adjustments were made on various devices.
Many peddlers licenses were inspected.
All transient vendors were licensed and the fees received by the town.
Packaged goods and food products were inspected.
Reweighings were made of many packages put up for sale by weight.
Sealing fees collected for the year of 1941 were $98.60. Adjusting charges were $1.75. Sealing fees collected for 1940 were $0.59. Outstanding fees December 31. 1911, $0.59. The total amount paid the Town Treasurer in 1941 was $100.94.
Respectfully submitted, HOLLIS H. YOUNG,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
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BOARD OF REGISTRARS REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS
Meetings held for registration of voters in 1941:
February 17th
at North Scituate Fire Station
February 18th at Scituate Harbor Fire Station
February 19th at Town Hall
A meeting was held on Thursday afternoon, February 6, 1941 for certification of names on nomination papers.
There were 74 names added to the voting list in 1941 by registrations, while 88 names were dropped because of deaths and change of residence, resulting in a loss in registration of 14.
Registered Voters in the Town of Scituate on December 31, 1941:
Males 1522
Females 1479
The Board made a house to house canvass throughout the entire Town of Scituate as required by Chapter 440 of the Acts of 1938, an Act transferring certain duties of local Assessors to the Registrars of Voters relative to the listing of inhabitants.
The attention of interested parties is called to Chapter 51, Section 2 of the General Laws, viz: If the name of a female who is duly registered as a voter is changed by marriage or by decree of court, her right to vote in her former name shall continue until January first next following. Adherence to this law thus requires every female now on the voting list whose name is changed by marriage or by decree of court to appear at an advertised meeting of the Board of Registrars and re-register as a voter if desirous of continuing to vote in Scituate, as her previous name will automatically be stricken from the list.
Respectfully submitted,
BERTHA L. TURNER, J. EDWARD HARNEY, DANIEL J. QUEENEY, WILLIAM M. WADE,
Board of Registrars of Voters.
SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE REPORT OF THE TREASURER
To the Citizens of Scituate:
Herein is a review of the accomplishments of the Scituate Public Health Nursing Service during the past year.
N
44
SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE
In July we sent three children for three weeks to the Tuberculosis Camp at a cost of $180. A Tonsil Clinic, sponsored by the Service, took care of eighteen children at a cost of $360. We purchased and outfitted two new bags for the use of the two Town Nurses costing approximately $70. Necessary medical supplies during the year were contributed by the Service, as well as a donation of $75 for additional Pre-School Dental work.
The Nursing Service has maintained a Thrift Shop at headquarters on Front Street, which has netted us $328 during the last eleven months. It has been of great benefit to many people. Telephone 827 or send us any elothing, shoes, baby things or dishes that you don't need, to replenish our stoek.
We are very grateful to the people who so generously gave to our member- ship drive. It is this support that enables us to carry on the Publie Health work. We hope to continue this good work in the future as in the past, and to have your support. Owing to the war conditions, we are obliged to make our report as brief as possible. So the names of the Sustaining Members will have to be omitted from the Town Report. They will be published in the Scituate Herald the first week in Mareh.
Following is the financial statement for 1941.
ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE
Receipts
Cash on hand, January 1, 1941
$556.63
TB Seal Sales, last year's return
221.94
Rebate TB Sales expense (Mrs. Tilden)
1.72
Town Payment (car expense)
83.34
Receipts from Thrift Shop
307.00
Nurses' Donations
180.75
Membership Drive
384.50
Donations:
Betterment Club
50.00
Mrs. G. J. Robertson
25.00
Scituate Dramateurs
25.00
Telephone Tolls
1.25
Savings Bank Interest
11.39
Activities
3.50
Car Rental
59.49
Rebate Car Insurance
25.67
Sale of Car
650.00
Receipts from Tonsil Clinie
80.00
$2,677.18
Expenditures
Rent
$300.00
Timpany Oil Co.
34.70
Edison Electric Light Co.
14.41
N. F. Tel. and Tel. Co.
57.65
M. O'Donnell, Nurse
53.33
45
BOARD OF HEALTH
Whittaker Brothers
30.76
Young's Service Station
49.74
Satuit Garage
5.07
Seavern's Pharmacy
9.92 .
Helen Chicko (salary)
275.00
Insurance
62.91
Geraldine Dowd (salary)
180.00
Dr. J. E. Smith, Tonsil Clinic
271.70
Dr. W. F. Murphy
90.00
Plymouth Co. Health Assoc. (3 children at camp)
180.00
Call's Drug Store
12.06
Pre-Dental Clinic
75.00
2 Bags and Equipment for 2 Nurses.
68.80
Misc. expense and membership drive.
120.84
TB Sales Drive
9.58
$1,901.47
Cash on hand January 1, 1941
775.71
$2,677.18
Audited :
C. L. HARTS,
M. B. GILLESPIE.
Treasurer.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Scituate:
The work of your Health Department has continued as in former years, conforming to all State Law regulations and rules relating to Public Health. It has been our main object through the year to prevent, as far as possible, the spread of all types of disease, and success has been obtained by employing those agencies which have a tendency to check, in its infancy, epidemics of communi- cable diseases.
Health and health conditions are one of our first lines of defense, therefore every citizen should interest himself in health and health measures which are so vital to everyone. Scituate is rated as one of the healthiest communities of the Commonwealth and it is the desire of your Board to keep it such; "it can be done", it will be done, and we know that the cooperation of every citizen in this Town will be given as it has in the past, to promote health measures. We are listing below some of the various agencies that are concerned with Health and Sanitation.
Collection of Garbage
The demand on your Board for more collections of garbage was met during the past year by increasing the collections during the winter months. The in- crease in new houses on the water front, especially at Humarock, necessitated: an increase of collections during the summer. To meet the requirements, a new contract was let in June of 1941, and our expenditure will be larger than in former years and we are asking a slight increase in our annual budget to care for this service.
46
BOARD OF HEALTH
Town Dumps
Dumps are maintained, one in the West part of Scituate and one on Stock- bridge Road near the Greenbush line. These dumps have been kept in good condition at all times. The burning of, and covering accumulations of waste materials at the dumps is necessary. this has been done, thus helping to keep down any possibility of disease starting from those areas.
Clinics
Dental Clinic . A Pre-School and School Dental Clinic has been maintained as in former years and under the reports of the Dentists you will find their recommendations and services rendered. Dental Clinics are essential and we will continue during the coming year both the School and Pre-School Dental Clinics.
Well Baby Clinic During the past year this Clinic was held monthly in cooperation with the Scituate Public Health Nursing Service and results obtained are highly commendable. During the year 1942 the Scituate Public Health Nursing Service will maintain this Clinic, relieving the Board of Health of the financial part of maintenance, also enlarging on the work for better health for our children.
Antitoxin Clinic We were requested by the State Department of Health to hold this Clinic because Scituate was not fully up to its quota in immunizations against diphtheria. During the early Fall this Clinic was held and an additional fifty or more children were immunized bringing our quota nearly up to the standard requirements.
Inspectors
The following Inspectors are under the jurisdiction of the Health Department; Milk Inspector, Inspector of Meat and Slaughter, Animal Inspector, Plumbing In- spectors. These Inspectors have carried on their work in a manner which, in every way, conforms to the laws of the State and rules of the Board. Each of them has rendered a separate report of the work done and their recommendations for the coming year.
Vital Statistics
As in former years these statistics have been kept by the Town Clerk and under his report you will fined the records of marriages, deaths, and births 'and other items, termed Vital Statistics.
Roadside Cleaning
We have continued as in former years to clean the roadsides of waste materials deposited by people who seem to disregard signs and the health of the community in general. The worst offences seem to be committed during the opening up and closing of some of our sunner communities. Why people con- tinue to deposit waste materials on the side of the road is something we cannot understand and we make an earnest appeal to our townspeople to report any violations immediately, so that we may apprehend the parties responsible.
Care of Beaches
During the summer months we have, from time to time, removed from our beaches all waste materials that might be a health menade if left on the beach. Kelp, dead fish, and other waste brought in by storm or tide should be removed; therefore we feel that the small amount expended has obtained favorable results and will continue this practice.
17
BOARD OF HEALTH
Town Free Parking Spaces
The Town maintains free parking spaces in various parts of our town and Comfort stations are maintained in each. These spaces are under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. Health regulations have been conformed with and the parking spaces are in first class condition.
Rivers, Ponds and Brooks
These have been cared for during the year by your Board of Health and the fly nuisance that gave us so much trouble in past years has been kept down to a minimum.
Investigations have been made of all complaints properly entered with the Board and satisfaction obtained in nearly all cases.
During the year no serious epidemics have occurred and we know that by the cooperation of all those interested we. can keep this town free from any serious epidemic. Many types of disease can be prevented by immunization and we strongly urge immunization against diphtheria, typhoid, smallpox, or any other type of disease, that if not carefully guarded against, will become a community hazard. Consult your family doctor frequently, avoid contacts with those in quarantine, report any violations. We have two Public Health Nurses and we know they will glady give you advice and assistance when called upon.
We wish to thank the Town Officials, the heads of various departments, the Scituate Public Health Nursing Service Organization, The American Red Cross Chapter, and all others who have cooperated with us during the past year, which has greatly assisted us in carrying out our work for better health in our community.
WALTER L. ENOS, Chairman, GEORGE H. OTIS, WILLIAM P. GROVESTEIN.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
Board of Health Town of Scituate Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
During the year 1941 the number of permits issued and inspections made of installations of plumbing were 199.
On October 24th, 1941 by enactment of the legislature "An act relative to the marking, construction and installation of hot water tanks" amending G. L. (Ter. Ed.) Chap. 142, became effective. In conjunction with Section 20 of Chapter 142, the new act forms a comprehensive unit of legislation dealing solely with "hot water tanks," a hot water tank being defined in the statute as any "range boiler, tank, vessel, or container, ferrous or non-ferrous, in which water is to be heated or stored under pressure for domestic, culinary, or sanitary purposes.", This law provides for the installation of temperature and pressure protective devices.
48
BOARD OF HEALTH
A new section was added to Chapter 142, Section 22-"whoever violates any provisions of Seetion seventeen, eighteen or nineteen shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars. Inspectors of plumbing and other proper authori- ties shall cause the provision of said sections to be enforced."
While sewage can be adequately taken care of by cesspools in certain areas, there is a crying need of a sewerage system in Seituate Harbor. Until such time as it is possible for the Town to Construct a sewer in this locality, great care should be exercised in making provision for sewage disposal by means of septic tanks to keep at a minimum the polution of the coastal waters.
Yours respectfully,
PHILIP S. BAILEY, WILLIAM L. HARNEY.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTIST
To the Board of Health and Superintendent of Schools, Seituate, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The following figures show what has been accomplished in the dental clinic in 1941 at the Jenkins and Hatherly Schools.
11
Fillings in Permanent Teeth 461
Fillings in Deciduous Teeth
159
Extractions of Deciduous Teeth 56
Extractions of Permanent Teeth
Teeth treated 6
69
Prophylaxis treatments
137
Completions
129
Respectfully submitted,
DR. W. B. PARSONS, School Dentist.
REPORT OF THE PRE-SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC
Scituate Board of Health, Scituate, Massachusetts,
Dear Sirs:
That dental caries rank with cancer and tuberculosis as one of the great scourges of humanity is an accepted fact today. To combat it is the united task of the profession with the help of public health services.
49
PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT
Caries and nutrition have become so closely interwoven that the dental pro- fession is of necessity being forced to study the physiology of nutrition; and the prevailing high incidence of caries could be markedly reduced in a comparatively few years if, once equipped with the fundamentals of nutrition, they would intelligently apply this knowledge.
Vigorous MASTICATION, effective GINGIVAL STIMULATION, DENTAL CARE with skillful PROPHYLATIC treatment from two and one half years of age on, plus a PROTECTIVE DIET, would prevent this next generations con- tributing over twenty percent of military rejections to dental deficiencies. That the ROENTGENOGRAM is essential to the practice of children's dentistry is un- disputed.
In this year's clinic
48 were examined (35 more than last year)
43 were given Dental Care
273 Defects were found within the oral cavity
29 Radiodontic examinations were made
8 Extractions were made
169 Deciduous Teeth were filled
26 Permanent Teeth were filled
5 Treatments were given
34 Prophylaxis were given
30 children were COMPLETED
The Scituate Board of Health can look upon its accomplishments in the above direction as a contribution to the defense of future years through sounder health for tomorrow's citizens.
Yours respectfully, JOHN F. CRIMMINS, D'M.D.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of Scituate:
As in the past, this department has continued to be conducted in accordance with Federal and State regulations. During the past year expenditures have been considerably reduced, due to increased employment. In the coming year, however, we expect conditions to be quite different. In spite of increased defense work, many businesses may be forced to close down entirely. W.P.A. will prob- ably be curtailed, forcing many of the workers to ask for relief. There will certainly be an increase in Old Age Assistance costs, due to legislative action in the last session. It is impossible to predict at this time what these changes in the law may mean in actual expenditure. We have reason to believe that the Aid to Dependent Children case load will be considerably heavier than it has been for the past year.
For the vear 1941, however, this department was able to turn back to the town a balance of $2,477.70 for General Relief, $3,829.55 for Old Age Assistance, $849.79 for Aid to Dependent Children, $550.67, Old Age Assistance Adminis- trative, and $32.97 Aid to Dependent Children Administrative. $17,234.76 was received from the Federal Government in U. S. Grants, to be used directly by
50
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REPORT
this department for Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children. In addition to this amount $21.233.08 was received from the Commonwealth and other cities and towns to go directly into the town treasury and which can not be used by this department.
We are glad to be able to report this reduced expenditure in this department for 1941 due to decreased case loads and better economie conditions. We feel. however, that the outlook for 1942 is increasingly uncertain, and have already begun to feel the change in economie pressure. While certain groups are in better circumstances than ever before, others will be forced from life long occupations. We hope that the necessary adjustments may be met and that these people may be absorbed in defense work, but we must prepare to aid in bridging the gap.
Respectfully submitted,
WILMOT M. BROWN, ANNIE M. SOMERS, HARRY T. HANDY,
Board of Publie Welfare.
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
We submit the following report as a description of the various services rendered by this Department and as an explanation of the manner in which the Engineering Appropriation was expended during the year ending December 31, 1941.
The services rendered by the Engineering Department are listed as follows:
1. Attending hearings preparatory to making layouts of streets offered for acceptance as town ways.
2. Making surveys and plans for layouts of new streets and relocation of lines of existing streets.
3. Setting bounds in the ground to define the lines of layouts accepted during 1941.
4. Staking street lines for various town departments, public utilities and individuals.
5. Reproducing points and replacing monuments where same were des- troyed.
6. Establishing definite street lines where none existed for land court sur- veys and other surveys.
7. Locating property lines of town property other than streets, i. e., gravel pits, parking spaces and playgrounds.
51
TOWN WPA AGENT REPORT
8. Appearing at the Massachusetts Land Court in the interest of the town.
9. Making miscellaneous plans for various town departments.
10. Engineering design and supervision of construction projects, both town and W. P. A. throughout the town.
11. Estimating costs of various proposed improvements throughout the town.
12. Locating details not shown on the Town Plan.
These services were rendered as the occasion for their need arose during the entire year and the Town Engineer and his assistants were paid for their work on an hourly basis from the Engineering Appropriation. Also, all expenses such as drafting material and engineering supplies necessary to the execution of that work were paid for from the same appropriation.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL F. APPLEON,
Town Engineer.
HENRY A. LITCHFIELD, Assistant Town Engineer.
REPORT OF THE TOWN WPA AGENT
To the Board of Selectmen,
Town of Scituate,
Gentlemen:
An appropriation of $20,000 was voted at the Annual Town Meeting, March 3, 1941, to cover the Town's contribution for materials, trucking and other neces- sary expenses in connection with Federal Unemployment relief projects during the year.
Increased employment provided by National Defense projects and seasonal out of door employment, have been important factors in reducing welfare aid, resulting in decreased withdrawals from this fund, to the end that at the close of the year 1941, a substantial balance remained unexpended, while unemploy- ment and welfare relief among employables in Scituate was lowest since the Federal Government inaugurated its Emergency Relief measures.
At the beginning of the year there were 84 persons residing in Scituate on WPA pay rolls. This number decreased to 30 in June, and continued until October, when it reached 36. At the close of the year the number was 44, divided as follows: 6 in Scituate, 32 in Hull, and 6 in Hingham. The general decrease on Scituate projects for the year was caused by the necessity of giving preference to National Defense work.
During this period, there was paid from Federal funds to the residents of Scituate the sum of $27,306.49 for labor, $1,118.63 for non-labor items and $7,391.66 for Surplus Commodities, a total of $35,816.78 granted for the year.
52
TOWN WPA AGENT REPORT
The following W. P. A. work projects were fully or partially completed during the year 1941:
WP 17,264 Highway Department General Road Construction and Repairs, Drainage, etc. Started February 27, 1939. Operating from January 2 to May 14. Completed.
WP 20,978 Improve Water Supply System. Cedar St., Front St., Tilden Rd., Hawley Rd. and Broekton Ave. Started January 9, 1940. Operating from January 2 to March 5. Completed.
WP 21,490 Indexing School Committee Records. Started July 22, 1940. Operating from January 2 to March 5. Completed.
WP 21,689 Distribution of Surplus Commodities. Operating from January 2 to April 25. Distribution of Surplus Food Commodities at Greenbush dis- continued April 25 by adoption of the Food Stamp Plan on April 22. Wearing apparel now distributed from Town Hall, under W. P. 23,045.
WP 21,771 Indexing and Classifying Old Town Records. Supplementary. Started September 30, 1940. Operating from January 2 to June 20. Completed.
WP 22,361 Construet Water Mains on Jericho Road. Operating from January 21 to October 17. Completed.
WP 22.743 Indexing Sehool Committee Records. Supplementary. Operat- ing from March 24 to May 12. Completed.
WP 22,784 Install a New System of Records for Water Department. Operat- ing from April 14 throughout the year. Continued operation Jannary 1942.
WP 23,045 Distribution of Surplus Commodities (wearing apparel) in Seituate. Starting April 25 and continuous remainder of year, superseding WP 21,689. Continued operation January, 1942.
WP 23,164 Improve First Parish Road from right of way of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad to Cudworth Road. Operating from October 20 to December 16. Closed down.
This projeet embraces four units of work: laying 4000 linear feet 10" con- crete drain pipe, furnished without cost by the Federal Government; installing 1000 linear feet 8x18" curbing; building 4200 linear feet of 5' bituminous eon- crete and gravel sidewalk; and grade. loam and seed down the slopes and sides wherever necessary. When work is resumed on this project, it will mean an outlay of nearly $15,000 in Federal funds for WPA labor to complete it. Men transferred to a National Defense projeet at Fort Revere, Hull.
A WPA project to install 1800 linear feet 6" water main on First Parish Road westerly from Grove Street, and 450 linear feet of 6" Water Main on Otis Road northwesterly from Jericho Road, with necessary hydrants, valves and fittings, entailing an expenditure of $5.075 in Federal funds for WPA labor, was approved by the Government November 28, but it is impossible to state when operation will be started.
A non-manual project, increasing the scope of the Assessors' records, re- quiring the services of a number of white collar workers of both sexes, has been prepared and submitted for official approval. It is believed that action upon it will be favorable, although date of actual operation may be delayed by reason of preference being given to Defense work.
Construction work projects at the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot and at Fort Revere. Hull, have given employment to a number of Seituate citizens during the year. Continued operation on both these projects January 1912.
53
ASSESSORS' REPORT
There were increases of 4¢ per hour in the WPA wage scale for UA, I, and S classifications and 3¢ per hour in the P. & T. classification beginning November 10, based on a 120-hour month.
The present Relief Act specifies that persons terminated for 18 months em- ployment are eligible for re-assignment after 20 days of unemployment, providing they have been certified in the meantime, unless at the time dismissal is being considered there is available other qualified persons who have been awaiting assignment over 90 days.
The rules regulating the referral for certification by the Board of Public Welfare of persons seeking WPA employment remain unchanged.
The National Youth Administration has been able to provide employment continuously during the year to four young ladies on projects at the Allen and Pierce Memorial Libraries, where they assisted the Librarians, thereby securing valuable experience in library methods.
Another NYA project to provide clerical assistants in Town Departments when required, gave employment to four young ladies from January to September. At that time all of them had been absorbed either in private employment or transferred to other projects, as a result of the experience gained during their assignment.
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