USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1943-1945 > Part 5
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The 4-H Department set as its goal for 1943 "More Food Produc- tion and Preservation Club Members." The goal was reached, for the enrollment was 1,100 in 1942 and 1,800 in 1943. It is estimated that
62
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
20,825 jars were canned by 4-H canning club members, much of the food being produced at home by the members and their families.
It is desired that the garden project be a year-round project, and in one instance, meetings are being held throughout the winter. This gives the members an opportunity to plan their gardens and discuss their problems before the busy planting season arrives.
Emphasis has been placed on conservation, and the results have been most satisfactory. In spite of shortages, the members have con- tinued with their various winter projects-Home Furnishings, Handi- craft, Clothing-making something new from something old whenever possible.
J. T. BROWN, County Agent. CHARLES E. MITCHELL, Town Director.
STATEMENT OF BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
The report of our superintendent gives a complete account of the department's activities in 1943. They require no comment. The most pleasing news developed in December, 1943. We believe we have discovered a generous supply of good water in the Stearn's meadow. . We are developing this well and if the quality and quantity of water is satisfactory, we will acquire the property. The addition of such a well would go a long way toward supplying our greatest present need. J. F. McJENNETT, Chairman, S. C. WEBSTER, RUSSELL J. WILDER, Board of Water Commissioners.
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
December 31, 1943.
Board of Water Commissioners.
Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted the twelfth annual report of the Scituate Water Department reviewing the work performed in 1943, and offer- ing recommendations for future consideration.
63
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Continuous and increasing deficiencies in rainfall, for the past years, amounting to 37 inches since 1939, have developed a serious shortage of water, creating an emergency that should be obviated as soon as possible.
In an attempt to overcome this emergency, action was started in January 1943, to obtain permission and authority to prospect for water in the Town of Norwell. Owing to objections raised by the Town of Norwell, this request was refused, but an Act of Legislature was passed to enable the Town of Scituate to lay a water main through Norwell to connect with the mains in Hanover, and to buy water from Hanover.
The act also permits Scituate to sell water to the Town of Norwell, and the revenue collected in Norwell should be enough to retire bonds and interest on the cost of the project.
The cost of a main to Hanover is so great that the Commissioners decided to continue the exploration of Stearns' Meadow.
After considerable work by the Water Department employees, a contractor was hired to carry on the work, and shortly thereafter it became apparent that there was a possibility of constructing a gravel packed well of sufficient capacity to make the investment worth-while to the Town. The information obtained indicates a possible draft of 400,000 gallons per day which, together with what we now have, will supply the town for a while, and laying the main to Hanover can be delayed for a post-war project.
If the yield in Stearns' Meadow does not prove satisfactory and the main to Hanover is not laid, the filter and pumping station at Old Oaken Bucket Pond should be recommissioned and set up for electric pumping to take care of emergency shortage of water.
The pump has been pulled out of the well at North Scituate and cleaned and repaired. There is an excess of carbon dioxide gas in the water at the North Scituate well that can be practically eliminated by pumping the water through an aerator. It would seem feasible to pump this water through an aerator, collect it in a pool and then pump it into the mains and thus remove the troublesome red or rusty water.
If a good supply of potable water be developed in Stearns' Meadow, the pump at North Scituate should be set in the Kent Street well and the pump in the Kent Street well should be set in Stearns' Meadow. The pumps in No. 9 well in Webster Meadow could be set at the North Scituate well and arranged for pumping through the aerator.
The drouth through which we are now passing promises to create an extreme emergency insofar as the water supply for Scituate is con-
64
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT
cerned. Lacking nearly one year of rainfall in the last five, the water tables throughout the town are dangerously low.
Work that may possibly be delayed and activated as a post-war project is the re-laying of mains in the several salt water crossings in the water system. These crossings are now made with unprotected cast-iron pipe, exposed during every low tide, producing an excellent opportunity for action by the weather, salt water, and ice.
There are several installations of mains throughout the town, re- placing shallow lines, and completing circuits that may well be set up for post-war work. Reconditioning the filter and pumping plant at the Old Oaken Bucket Pond station may be delayed for the same reason.
During November a six-inch main was laid in First Parish Road, westerly from Grove Street to the Norwell line. This installation elimi- nated a long shallow line that required a continuous flow of water all through the winter months, wasting thousands of gallons of water every season. It provided fire protection as well as domestic service for all the property west of Grove Street.
WILLIAM J. LUMBERT, Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
This year 30 maple and 19 elm shade trees were planted on our ·roadsides. They are alive and growing well.
The brush on our street intersections was cut at least once, and in some places twice. Many of these have slowly started to seed them- selves into grass as the wild brush is killed out.
The roadside brush cutting appropriation was used on some of the worst streets. There are many more that should be cared for this year especially in the Shore Acres and Egypt sections.
Very few Gypsy Moths were found this year. Most of them have been carried to us by cars coming from the Cape in previous years. The Brown Tail Moth is still found in small colonies at Humarock. They were cut off and sprayed this summer.
65
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE REPORT
The elms were sprayed twice for the Elm Beetle. The Dutch Elm disease has not been found nearer than Berkshire County this year. But our next pest, the Japanese Beetle is slowly coming east, this year it was in Springfield, Mass. Spraying is the best way to kill both of these pests and stop Dutch Elm disease.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. FORD, Tree Warden.
REPORT OF THE TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Scituate:
This year the trees in both forests have been trimmed and the stone wall repaired.
A new fire trail has been cut in both forests, which will prove - very valuable in case of fire.
This year the State has offered the Town Forest two thousand Red Pine to be set out.
These trees are five years old which means a good start to grow.
Some of the churches have used the Pinson Hill forest for picnics.
And more people should avail themselves the opportunity of visiting both forests.
Foot Races could be run there. An open fire place is there where lunch could be cooked.
JOHN W. FORD, Chairman, MARY E. CRESSY, Secretary, EMMA P. LITCHFIELD, Town Forest Committee.
66
SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE
SCITUATE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
To the Citizens of Scituate:
During the past year the Scituate Public Health Nursing Service has carried on its usual activities in the town with the cooperation of the Board of Health and the Public Health Nurse.
The clinics for whooping cough and diphtheria immunization as well as the monthly Well Baby Clinic for the younger citizens of the community has proved most successful.
Again may I emphasize the desire of the Public Health Nursing Service to assist its citizens in helping to keep Scituate the healthy, happy town that it is.
Respectfully submitted, MARGARET M. REYNOLDS, President.
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
December 30, 1943.
Scituate Board of Health.
Dear Sirs:
As Public Health Nurse for the Town of Scituate, I hereby submit to you my annual report of activities for the year 1943.
The total of 3493 visits made include the following:
1629
Bedside Nursing Visits
Old Age Visits for Welfare Department 130
Soldier's Relief Visits 25
Hospital Visits with Patients 15
Ambulance Cases 10
105
Doctor's Office Visits with Patients
67
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE REPORT
Infant Care Visits
404
Baby Clinics (180 Babies)
12
Anti-toxin Clinics (150 Children)
7
Prenatal Visits
150
Postnatal Visits
140
Maternity Cases
3
T.B. Follow-up Cases
150
Contagious Diseases
70
Pre-school Dental Clinic (35 Children)
27
Public Health Meetings
8
Conferences with State Health Workers
8
Unclassified Visits
600
Total Number of Visits 3493
Commendable is the Scituate Nursing Service, under whose spon- sorship two vital clinics were conducted.
One was the long established Well Baby Clinic, with Dr. Edmund B. Fitzgerald in attendance. A monthly project, it offered 180 babies pediatric care.
He also conducted the Whooping Cough Clinic at which a large number of children were cared for.
The Scituate Board of Health, working always for the interest of the child, conducted a Diphtheria Antitoxin and Vaccination Clinic, with Dr. Clifford L. Ward in charge. It was very well attended and extremely successful.
The board also sponsored their yearly Pre-School Dental Clinic, which was conducted by Dr. John F. Crimmins and completed in July with outstanding results.
With the cooperation of both parent and child, the maximum in clinical endeavor has been accomplished.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE M. DOWD, R.N.
ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE REPORT OF THE TREASURER
Receipts
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1943
$795.52
Tonsil Clinic, 1941
5.00
Nurses' Contributions
78.50
Baby Clinic 95.00
68
PUBLIC NURSING SERVICE FINANCIAL REPORT
Thrift Shop
12.10
Bowling League contribution
20.00
Membership Drive
268.00
Sale of Office Equipment
$150.00
Adjustment 3 months' rent.
75.00
75.00
1 month rent of office
25.00
Jacobs Trust Fund Dividend
16.53
T.B. Seal sale, one-half proceeds
228.21
Rebate, office insurance
2.60
Savings Bank interest
19.33
$1,641.39
Expenditures
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
$37.82
Office rent
100.00
P. O. box rent
1.80
Timpany Oil Co.
4.00
S. Connolly Oil Co.
5.00
Call Drug Co., nurses' supplies
61.83
Dr. E. B. Fitzgerald, Baby Clinic
240.00
Edison Electric Illuminating Co.
7.23
United War Fund contribution
20.00
Wm. M. Wade, office insurance
4.01
Rutland Training Center contribution
5.00
Franklin Printing Service
7.00
Dr. E. B. Fitzgerald, Whooping Cough Clinic
60.00
Parke, Davis, supplies Whooping Cough Clinic
54.40
Board of Public Welfare, contribution
15.48
Miscellaneous expenses
38.56
$662.13
Balance on hand January 1, 1944
979.26
$1,641.39
C. L. HARTS, Treasurer.
69
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Scituate:
Due to war conditions and the necessity of conserving paper and printing, our report must be somewhat curtailed; therefore we will be brief, yet try to impress upon the minds of our citizens the necessity of health and health measures which are today of vital importance because of abnormal conditions.
Our health program has been carried on in conformity with such laws as affect our community and has merited commendation from State and County officials who are in charge of this district.
Our Clinics, and those sponsored by the Scituate Health Nursing Association, have been well attended and a very high degree of satis- faction and success has been attained in all cases.
There have been no epidemics in the town and great praise is due our doctors and our Public Health Nurse, who have cooperated with the Board in checking all contagious diseases.
The practice of working in cooperation with the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee on any and all cases that would affect their department has been carried on as in former years.
Inspectors, and all employed by our Board, have carried on their work in a very satisfactory manner and success has been achieved in health education and the carrying out of health regulations.
We regret the passing of Dr. Henry M. DeWolfe, our State District Health Officer, who was available at our call and who gave us valuable assistance in our health program at all times. He is greatly missed by all in this district.
This opportunity is taken to thank all town officials for their cooperation at all times.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER L. ENOS, Chairman, GEORGE H. OTIS, DR. WILLIAM P. GROVESTEIN, Board of Health.
70
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTIST
Board of Health and Superintendent of Schools,
Scituate, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I am pleased to present the following summary of the work accomplished in the grade schools for the calendar year 1943. .
Fillings in permanent teeth 397
Fillings in temporary teeth 160
Extractions of permanent teeth 6
Extractions of temporary teeth 52
Teeth treated (Howes solution) 128
Prophylactic treatments 129
Completed cases 127
The lower grades are becoming larger every year; hence it is not possible to do work above the first three grades. Parents with children in the fifth and sixth grades are therefore advised to consult their family dentists.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. W. B. PARSONS, School Dentist.
REPORT OF THE PRE-SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC
Board of Health, Scituate, Mass.
Dear Sirs:
Another session of Pre-School Dental Clinic is completed, with added accomplishment to last year's record; and thirty-five children are assured a better chance of retaining their deciduous teeth until they are permanently replaced.
The importance of this Pre-School Period care cannot be over- emphasized to parents. Until replacement occurs, every deciduous tooth should be kept in place, free from decay, for its responsibilities are many.
71
BOARD OF HEALTH
This "baby tooth," so thoughtlessly disregarded by so many mothers, once abscessed, produces a poison that may enter the blood stream and seriously injure some other part of the child's body, such as heart, kidneys, or joints. Its early loss may cause malocclusion, thus making orthodontic treatment necessary later on.
It is an awakening statement indeed, when one realizes that during twenty percent of the average life span, the individual depends upon the deciduous teeth for mastication. .
Luckily for Scituate, you as a Board are educated to this knowl- edge. Your sponsorship of "Keep Well" and Preventive Clinics proves itself and pays dividends yearly in increased immunity to childhood ills.
This year, of thirty-nine children examined in Pre-School Dental Clinic, thirty-five were given dental care. This included forty-nine Roentgenograms taken; fifty-seven Treatments given; two hundred fifty- nine Restorations made; nineteen Extractions made; and thirty-one Prophylactics given. Twenty cases were completed.
All parents should bear in mind that Vitamin Deficiencies mani- fest themselves first in dental trouble, and use this as a measuring stick for the watching of the daily diet. If they will be "less than moderate" in the use of sweets in meal planning, and see that every meal ends with a piece of fresh fruit, it will help insure a sounder and more wholesome condition within the oral cavity.
Preventive Dentistry is a cooperative kind of project. Sponsored by a Board of Health and conducted by a dentist, its ultimate success depends upon the help of both parent and child. We have that help. A more interested group of mothers than those of the 1943 Clinic, I have yet to find. They WILL continue to keep a "sound oral condition" within the mouths of their children because they believe in its value.
Yours sincerely, JOHN F. CRIMMINS, D.M.D.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health, Scituate, Mass.
I have inspected all animals slaughtered in the Town of Scituate and with no exception found them perfect.
Respectfully, EDWIN L. MERRITT;
Inspector of Slaughtering.
72
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE MILK INSPECTOR
To the Board of Health:
Due to lack of labor and poor feed conditions the dairies of Scituate have, for the most part, gone out of the retail milk business and are producing only for other dealers; so that practically all milk retailed in Scituate is imported from other sections.
Plymouth County lost a very fine inspector in the death of Dr. Henry M. DeWolfe, who passed away last summer. He was always cooperative and instructive and was instrumental in improving condi- tions surrounding our milk supply.
Frequent tests of milk were made during the year and where cor- rections were necessary they were gladly done. The owners of dairies in Scituate want to produce the best possible milk and they cooperate with the State and local inspectors.
Thirty-eight Milk Licenses were issued and eight Licenses for the sale of Oleomargarine.
Respectfully yours, GEORGE H. OTIS, Milk Inspector.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
Board of Health, Scituate, Mass. Gentlemen:
Owing to the restrictions placed on the use of critical materials for civilian needs, new construction of plumbing is limited to a very few installations, approved by the War Production Board.
Because of this, and the fact that permits are not required by our code "In case of repairs" few permits have been granted this year.
The work has consisted largely in advising as to the proper method in disposing of sewage, which as the all-year population increases be- comes more and more of a problem.
It would seem that in the post-war period when men and materials will be available, one of the most worthwhile projects would be the installation of a system of sewerage in our most congested areas.
Respectfully submitted, PHILIP L. BAILEY, Inspector of Plumbing.
73
TREASURER'S RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES REPORT
TREASURER'S REPORT OF THE RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES For the Year Ending December 31, 1943
RECEIPTS
Receipts for the year 1943
$764,407.29
Cash on hand January 1, 1943
88,706.47
$853,113.76
EXPENDITURES
Payments as per Warrants of Selectmen
$705,509.01
Balance on hand December 31, 1943 147,604.75
$853,113.76
Respectfully submitted, ROSE A. SMITH, Town Treasurer.
REPORT OF THE TOWN COLLECTOR For the Year Ending December 31, 1943
Total Payments to Treasurer
$505,239.85
Total Taxes Collected
$422,132.89
Total Interest Collected
3,826.67
Total Costs Collected
830.51
Total Water Rates Collected
57,479.87
Total Bills Receivable Collected
20,969.91
505,239.85
1940 Poll, and Personal Taxes Uncollected, January 1, 1943
220.75
Collected
$212.75
Abated
8.00
220.75
74
TOWN COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Interest Collected
Costs Collected
$23.79 10.15
1941 Poll, Personal, Real, Moth and Water Liens Uncollected January 1, 1943
36,461.80
Collected
$34,277.51
Abated
323.30
Takings
1,758.62
Uncollected
102.37
36,461.80
Interest Collected
$2,077.41
Costs Collected
255.81
1941 Motor Excise Uncollected January 1, 1943
72.11
Collected
$68.11
Abated
4.00
72.11
Interest Collected
5.21
Costs Collected
4.90
1942 Poll, Personal, Real, Moth and Water Liens Uncollected Janu-
ary 1, 1943
79,574.91
Refunded
326.37
$79,901.28
Collected
$52,388.10
Abated
1,465.48
Added to Tax Titles
1,755.18
Uncollected
24,292.52
79,901.28
Interest Collected
$1,479.31
Costs Collected
255.85
1942 Motor Excise Uncollected January 1, 1943
387.82
Committed in 1943
26.00
$413.82
Collected
$301.33
Abated
53.27
Uncollected
59.22
413.82
Interest Collected
$6.88
Costs Collected
23.10
Polls, Personal, Real, Moth and Water Liens Committed in 1943
397,621.72
Refunded
2,464.22
$400,085.94
75
TOWN COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Collected
$323,961.26
Abated
5,860.59
Added to Tax Titles
4,525.76
Uncollected
65,738.33
400,085.94
Interest Collected
$218.07
Costs Collected
137.20
1943 Motor Excise Committed
11,333.17
Refunded
246.09
$11,579.26
Collected
$10,923.83
Abated
300.40
Uncollected
355.03
11,579.26
Interest Collected
$16.00
Costs Collected
143.50
Water Rates Uncollected January 1, 1943
7,496.30
Committed in 1943
63.770.12
Refunded
312.06
$71,578.48
Collected
$57,479.87
Abated
4,742.51
Water rates placed in lien accounts and added to Spe- cial Assessments
$3,338.90
Uncollected
6,017.20
71,578.48
Accounts Receivable Uncollected January 1, 1943
2,746.44
Committed in 1943
21,845.64
Overpayment by Commonwealth
83.72
$24,675.80
Collected
$20,969.91
Deposited by Treasurer
33.00
Abated
312.06
Added to Special Assessments
317.50
Uncollected
3,043.33
24,675.80
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH R. DILLON,
Town Collector.
76
STATE AUDIT REPORT
STATE AUDIT
May 3, 1943.
To the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Dennis H. Shea, Chairman, Scituate, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Scituate for the period from May 12, 1942, to March 20, 1943, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours, THEODORE N. WADDELL, Director of Accounts.
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell,
Director of Accounts,
Department of Corporations and Taxation,
State House, Boston.
Sir :
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Scituate for the period from May 12, 1942, the date of the previous examination, to March 20, 1943, the following report being submitted thereon:
The records of the financial transactions of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined, checked, and verified by comparison with the reports and the records of the town accountant.
TOWN ACCOUNTANT .- The books and accounts in the office of the town accountant were examined, checked, and compared with
77
STATE AUDIT REPORT
the records of the several departments of the town and with the town treasurer's books. The receipts, as recorded, were compared with the town treasurer's record of receipts and were checked with the depart- mental records of payments to the treasurer, while the recorded pay- ments were checked with the treasurer's record of disbursements and with the treasury warrants.
The ledger accounts were analyzed, the appropriations and trans- fers being checked with the town clerk's records of town meetings and with the records of the advisory committee. A balance sheet, showing the financial condition of the town on March 20, 1943, was prepared and is appended to this report.
TREASURER .- The books and records of the treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were checked with the town accountant's books, with the departmental records of payments to the treasurer, and with the other sources from' which money was paid into the town treasury, while the disbursements were checked with the treasury warrants.
The cash balance on March 20, 1943, was proved by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks in which town funds are deposited and by verification of a deposit in transit.
The payments on account of debt and interest were verified by comparison with the cancelled bonds and coupons on file and with the amounts falling due.
The savings bank books representing the investment of the trust funds in the custody of the selectmen were listed, the income being proved and the transfers to the town being verified.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined. The taxes, assessments, and water liens added to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records, the recorded redemptions and foreclosures were verified, and the tax titles on hand were listed and reconciled with the accountant's ledger.
TOWN COLLECTOR .- The books and accounts of the town col- lector were examined and checked in detail. The taxes, assessments, departmental, and water accounts outstanding at the time of the pre- vious examination, as well as all subsequent commitments, were audited and proved to the warrants issued for their collection. The recorded receipts were checked with the payments to the treasurer and with the town accountant's books, the abatements as recorded were compared with the records in the departments authorized to grant abatements, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the town accountant's ledger.
LICENSES AND PERMITS .- The records of licenses and per- mits issued by the selectmen, town clerk, and the police and health
78
STATE AUDIT REPORT
departments were examined and checked, and the payments to the State and the town were verified.
OUTSTANDING AND OVERDUE ACCOUNTS .- Verification of the correctness of the outstanding tax, assessment, departmental, and water accounts was obtained by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
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