USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1936 > Part 8
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30
Number of Cows assessed
206
Number of Swine assessed
63
Number of Fowl assessed
7,943
Number of Acres of Land in Town
4,000
Number of Acres, Lake Quannapowitt
247.94
Number of Acres, Crystal Lake
82.86
111
REPORT OF ASSESSORS
Number of Acres, Town Common
2.50
Number of Acres, Hart's Hill 23.06
Number of Acres, Park at Lakeside 6.75
Number of Acres, Cemetery on Church Street
4.14
Number of Acres, Cemetery on Lowell Street
35.00
Area of Town Rockery
4,300 Sq. Ft.
Respectfully submitted by Wakefield Assessors,
HUGH CONNELL, Chairman, DAVID SLINEY, ARTHUR C. VERGE, Secretary.
112
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Board of Health
To the Citizens of Wakefield:
There seems no better way to give a picture of the health condition of Wakefield than by continuing our four year comparison of infectious and reportable diseases.
1933
1934
1935
1936
Tuberculosis
12
9
16
7
Diphtheria
5
5
0
0
Pneumonia
9
9
8
11
Poliomyelitis
2
1
4
0
Measles
64
89
5
32
Mumps
16
8
2
34
Chicken-pox
10
14
34
5
Whooping Cough
20
6
22
4
Septic Sore Throat
4
0
1
0
Scarlet Fever
11
10
3
21
Typhoid Fever
0
0
1
0
Influenza
0
0
0
0
German Measles
0
0
30
0
Cerebral Spinal Meningitis
0
0
0
0
Dog Bites
0
26
71
55
Opthalmia Neonatorium
0
1
0
0
Trichinasis
0
0
0
1
153
178
197
170
During the year Miss Russell made the following visits in connection with the above named infectious and reportable diseases:
Tuberculosis (including contacts)
632
Scarlet Fever
46
Measles
40
Whooping Cough
2
Mumps
8
Dog Bites
10
Veneral
10
During the year also Miss Russell made visits as follows to various sana- toriums and hospitals in connection with the needs of Wakefield's various patients, suffering or suspected of suffering from Tuberculosis:
10 trips to Middlesex Sanatorium at Waltham.
22 trips to North Reading Sanatorium at North Reading.
3 trips to Dr. Griffin's Sanatorium at Sharon.
1 trip to Rutland Sanatorium at Rutland.
4 trips to Peter Bent Brigham Hospital at Boston.
113
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health calls attention to the continued comparison of the cost of the town of these diseases which add most to our expenses.
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
Tuberculosis
$2,327.71 $3,223.42 $2,250.99 $2,198.67 $3,336.65
Diphtheria
89.28
77.58
13.03
23.97
Scarlet Fever
758.13
89.00
104.62
189.00 413.00
Other Contagion
78.27
351.60
189.30
479.29
551.67
Under the specifications "Other Contagion" are carried the expenses arising from Dog bites, Anti-rabic Clinic and Anti-rabic treatment of those suffering from dog bites when such treatment seemed necessary. Also treat- ment of the several social diseases, the expenses for treating which is be- coming heavier each year. In the cases of Anti-rabic treatment for dog bites the expense is in the last analyses borne by the County, which reim- burses the town for such treatment.
In the cases of Tuberculosis the State allows a subsidy of $5.00 per week in all cases where hospitalization at Middlesex County Hospital is paid for by the Board of Health of the town. For 1936 this subsidy will be about $942.15.
The Board of Health is convinced that only by the immunization of dogs can Rabies be wiped out and we shall in 1937 hold such a clinic, and we hope for a larger number presented for vaccination than in the years previous.
The value of the Diphtheria immunization among the children by the school physician, Dr. Charles E. Montague can best be appreciated when we realize we have passed the second successive year without a single case of Diphtheria.
It will be interesting to some of our towns people to know that at the present time there are two patients at the Middlesex County Sanatorium with four Wakefield names on the waiting list and all anxious for hospitaliza- tion at the earliest possible time. There is one patient at North Reading State Sanatorium, and one patient at Lakeville State Sanatorium.
The Board of Health feels that by and large the Citizens of the town are interested that the town may be kept clean and sightly and to this end money is appropriated for the care of the recognized dumping grounds on Salem Street, Aborn Avenue, and Green Street.
The co-operation of all citizens is asked that all refuse may be dumped on one of the three above named sites, and not at some corner or street side where, while it may not disturb the person dumping, does disturb those who live near by or are called upon to pass such places.
May we not expect this co-operation from all to the end that Wake- field may be clean, pleasing to its own citizens and attractive to those look- ing for a home.
Respectfully submitted,
WESLEY S. GOODWIN, Chairman, CARL E. ALLISON, M. D., NED C. LOUD, Secretary.
114
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Tuberculosis Dispensary Report
The annual report of the Tuberculosis Dispensary is herewith re- spectfully submitted.
The Dispensary is open the first and third evenings in the month from 8 to 9, and the second and fourth Tuesday afternoon from 3.30 to 4.30.
We have examined at the dispensary during the year, patients dis- charged from sanatoriums, contact cases, suspicious cases of tuberculosis and a number of underweight children. Ninety-two examinations were made.
A certain amount of follow up work has been done for these patients. Twenty adults were taken to North Reading and Middlesex Sanatorium for further examination of the chest and to be X-rayed, and thirty-cight children were taken to North Reading Sanatorium for chest examinations X-Ray and Von Pirquet.
The first step in the treatment of Tuberculosis is the education of the patient. He should be given some idea of what he has-what he may expect with or without treatment.
The consumptive who is to win must possess a certain degree of in- telligence-must co-operate with his physician and have a fair degree of will power and determination. It is for this reason that in most cases the Health Department feel that the sanatorium is the best place for the patient, where he learns about the disease and the reason for the treatment.
The question may be asked, what can the sanatorium do that can- not be done at home? From experience gained from contact with many patients from various walks of life, there is no doubt that it is practically an impossibility to carry out in the average home the routine which be- comes commonplace and an every day affair in the life of the sanatorium patient.
The patient's education begins the day of his admission, when he re- ceives instruction regarding the disposal of his sputum, his hours in bed, and other details. Later he has the opportunity to attend lectures, in which the history of tuberculosis-its pathology, symptoms and treatment are discussed.
With the sanatorium teaching and practical experience the patient is more or less qualified to go on with home treatment.
The Health Department has provided transporation for several per- sons taking Pneumo-thorax treatment, and also for patients who have to be X-rayed.
IRA W. RICHARDSON, M. D., Dispensary Physician.
NELLIE B. RUSSELL, R. N.,
Dispensary Nurse.
115
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
Report of Health Officer -
To the Board of Health:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1936.
In my twenty years service as your agent, I have observed many changes. Our town has grown from one of modest size to one of city pro- portions.
With numerous health legislation enactments passed in recent years, as well as revision of our own regulations to meet present day demands the work of this office has naturally increased.
General complaints have been about the same in number as in the past few years. Cess-pools in the outlying districts present a special prob- lem that eventually must be met with by extending sewer lines.
The two public dumps are at present taking care of the larger num- ber of homes, stores, and industry refuse in a satisfactory manner.
Our best efforts have been extended in this direction, with results more pleasing. Again we are asking the citizens co-operation in making general use of these public dumps, thereby keeping the streets and back lots free from unsightly rubbish, as well as possible sources of contagion.
The number of complaints of all nature investigated throughout the year were 901, considerable of an increase over other years.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID TAGGART,
Health Officer.
Report of Plumbing Inspector
To the Board of Health:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1936.
Number of Permits granted 82
Number of Fixtures installed 382
116
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Divided as follows:
Bath tubs
48
Lavatories
75
Closets 95
Sinks
70
Wash trays
54
Boilers
40
Total 382
Number of inspections made 268.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID TAGGART,
Plumbing Inspector.
Report of the Inspector of Milk and Food
Herewith is submitted the report of the Inspector of Milk and Food for the year ending December 31, 1936.
The milk supply for the town of Wakefield during the year just passed has been of more than crdinary good quality.
There have been 140 samples tested for fats, total solids, and bacteria. In very few instances were any found to test below state standards.
The usual dairy inspections were made where it was found necessary, added equipment was installed in these plants to meet present day re- quirements.
Owing to shortness of funds very little time was spent in store and food inspection. All complaints from this source have however been carefully investigated.
During the year 1936 there were issued from this office the following licenses-retail milk licenses 82; dealers' licenses 45; oleomargerine per- mits 17; pasteurization licenses 2; ice cream manufacturers' licenses 3.
Total cash received for the above amounted to $107.00.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE E. DOUCETTE,
Inspector of Milk and Food.
117
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Report of Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Wakefield:
During the past year we have read of reports of substantial improve- ment in the welfare situation in various cities and towns throughout the State, but such has not been the case in Wakefield; heavy demands for re- lief have only been averted by the substantial quota of W. P. A. workers.
MINIMUM NUMBER OF FAMILIES AIDED MONTHLY DURING 1936
Families
Mothers' Aid
Temporary Aid
Old Age Assistance
Total
January
93
6
18
67
184
February
80
7
16
70
173
March
87
7
21
73
188
April
52
7
21
78
158
May
71
8
20
82
181
June
76
8
22
81
187
July
74
8
23
88
193
August
88
8
23
104
223
September
73
9
17
136
232
October
65
10
14
174
263
November
62
10
14
178
264
December
69
11
13
200
293
50 W.P.A. workers were also aided during the month of February.
39 W.P.A. workers were also aided during the month of March.
26. W.P.A. workers were also aided during the month of April.
46 W.P.A. workers were also aided during the month of June.
39 W.P.A. workers were also aided during the month of July.
13 W.P.A. workers were also aided during the month of August.
The above number of W.P.A. men were aided because of a lay off on W.P.A.
ASSIGNMENT OF AID RECIPIENTS TO WORK
The Department has continued the practice of former years in assign- ing all able-bodied recipients to work out their orders in the various Town Departments.
EXPENDITURES IN DETAIL FOR THE YEAR 1936
Salaries of the Board
Appropriation
Expenditures
$468.75 450.00
Balance to Revenue
$18.75
118
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Outside Relief Expenses
Appropriation
$75,000.00
T ansfer from Reserve Fund
12,000.00
Refunds
168.05
$87,168.05
Expenditures
87,126.63
Balance to Revenue
$41.42
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES IN OUTSIDE RELIEF OF THE POOR
Clerk Hire
$2,009.34
*Old Age Assistance
28,478.34
Mothers' Aid
5,834.46
Rent
3,894.75
Board
8,442.89
Groceries
23,464.51
Shoes and Clothing
3,933.90
Coal and Wood
1,965.84
Automobile Expense
1,690.26
Medical Attendance
1,440.31
Hospital Care
3,268.15
Burial Expense
310.00
Relief by other Cities
717.71
Office expense
611.04
All other
1,065.13
$87,126.63
Plus Unpaid Bills (Est.)
12,000.00
Gross Outside Relief Expenses
$99,126.63
Less Reimbursements
Cities and towns
$299.92
Mothers' Aid
1,051.56
Temporary Aid
124.20
Old Age Assistance
8,910.12
Net Outside Relief Expenses
$10,385.80
$88,740.83
DISTRIBUTION OF WOOD
During the year 1936, the Welfare Department distributed 280 cords of wood in the same manner as it was distributed during the year 1935.
*Does not include $3,842.22 expended from U. S. Grant.
119
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
DISTRIBUTION OF SHOES, RUBBERS AND CLOTHING
During the year 1936, the Welfare Department distributed approxi- mately 3,000 pairs of shoes and rubbers to recipients of aid.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
In September of this year the new Old Age Assistance Law went into effect. This law increased the clerical work of the Department greatly. Under the rulings made by the State Department of Public Welfare we were obliged to have separate quarters for our Bureau of Old Age Assistance and em- ploy additional clerical force.
We have received Federal Government Grants for Old Age Assistance as follows :
Federal Grants for Old Age $9,434.75
Expenditures from Grants 3,842.22
Balance December 31, 1936
$5,592.53
Federal Grants for Old Age Assistance Administration $314.43
Expenditures
000.00
Balance December 31, 1936 $314.43
These balances remain available for the use of the Welfare Department for Old Age Assistance and the Administration Expenses for Old Age As- sistance.
WILLARD DONNELL TRUST
The late Willard Donnell established a Trust the income of which is paid to the Town to be expended by the Board of Public Welfare for such hospital and medical treatment as they may deem advisable.
Receipts during 1936
$277.28
Expenditures
67.20
Balance December 31, 1936
$210.08
REPORT OF TOWN INFIRMARY
Appropriation
$7,500.00
Expenditures
7,499.92
Balance to Revenue $ .08
The chief improvement at the Infirmary this year has been the enlarge- ment of the kitchen. This was started as a W.P.A. project, but the money giving out, the Welfare Department was obliged to complete the same with the labor of its recipients. At the present time there is a project in process for insulating under the sun porches and laying new floors in hall and some of the rooms. The Infirmary has cared for approximately the same num- ber during the past year as in 1935.
120
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
NUMBER OF INMATES MONTHLY
January
17
May
19
September
24
February
22
June
22
October
25
March
21
July
23
November
24
April
19 August
23
December
23
Total for Year
262
Average per Month
21 5-6
EXPENDITURES AT TOWN INFIRMARY
Salary-Superintendent and Matron
$1,566.00
Salary-Other Employees
887.50
Groceries and Provisions
2,500.46
Dry Goods and Clothing
126.87
Fuel
537.95
Care of Buildings
53.94
Gas and Light
211.59
Gasoline
128.85
Truck Expenses
80.28
Household Supplies
225.20
Medical
45.85
Tobacco
172.43
Telephone
60.15
Barbering
65.22
Miscellaneous Repairs
182.95
Water
444.98
Seeds and Fertilizer
194.80
Supt. Bond
5.00
Boiler Inspection
5.00
Sundry Expenses
4.90
$7,499.92
Plus Unpaid Bills
461.24
Gross Expenses
$7,961.16
Receipts
Board Received for 1936
$336.00
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1936
984.00
Total Board for 1936
$1,320.00
Vegetables
159.69
All other
3.25
Total Receipts
$1,482.94
Net Cost of Infirmary for 1936
$6,478.22
121
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The amount of vegetables consumed at the Infirmary and raised on the Infirmary property amounted to $219.35.
We wish to express our appreciation to all private individuals and or- ganizations who made donations of any kind during the past year.
FRANK P. WAKEFIELD, Chairman, ELSIE M. GLADWIN, Secretary, ETTA O. STODDARD, Agent, WILLIAM C. STRONG, DENNIS P. HOGAN.
122
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
School Committee for 1936
Harry B. Allman, Chairman 43 Greenwood Street
Term Expires 1939
Mrs. Eva Gowing Ripley, Secretary 40 Emerson Street
Term Expires 1937
Thomas F. Kenney, Treasurer 12 Charles Street
Term Expires 1938
Gardner E. Campbell 11 Wave Avenue
Term Expires 1938
Mrs. Mary Louise Tredinnick 129 Pleasant Street
Term Expires 1939
Patrick H. Tenney 14 Emerson Street
Term Expires 1937
SUB-COMMITTEES
The Committee as a whole acts as sub-committees with the following chairmen :
Mrs. Tredinnick-Text Books and Supplies
Mrs. Ripley-Teachers and Salaries
Mr. Tenney-Finance and Accounts
Mr. Campbell-Courses of Study
Mr. Kenney-Public Property
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Willard B. Atwell, 94 West Chestnut Street
SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT Pauline E. Meads, 240 Lowell Street
CLERK
Anna M. Anderson, 17 Franklin Street
1
DR. J. WILLIAM O'CONNELL Member of the School Committee, 1925-1936 Chairman, 1932-1936
123
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Resolutions Hassen by the School Committee February 28, 1936
"Whereas it has pleased God in His Infinite wisdom and mercy to call unto Himself, and into the Larger Life of Heaven our honored associate,
DR. J. WILLIAM O'CONNELL
Be it resolved, that we, the members of the School Committee of Wake- field, with the Superintendent of Schools pay tribute to him as man, citizen and School Committee member;
That as a man, he was upright, honorable and actuated by the highest motives;
That as a citizen, he was deeply concerned for the welfare of his native town;
That as a School Committee member, he was profoundly interested in the children of the public schools, desirous that they should have the best opportunities possible, and watchful that every expenditure should be such as would improve the schools for pupils and teachers alike;
That during his entire service he gave generously of his time, his talents and his sympathy to the cause of public education in Wakefield, studying its problems and seeking the best solutions for them;
That as Chairman he desired that discussion be free and the will of the majority prevail;
That our association with him has broadened our own experience, and enriched our lives;
That the impress of his life, his character, and his work upon public education to Wakefield has been deep and will long endure;
And finally, Be it resolved,
That these resolutions be spread upon the record of this Committee and a copy of them be sent to his family."
124
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
The annual report of the School Committee for the year ending De- cember 31, 1936, is herewith submitted.
On February 12, the School Committee, as well as the whole community, was shocked to learn that the Chairman, Dr. J. William O'Connell, had quietly passed away. The resolutions printed on another page give the Committee's estimate of the Doctor to the department and to the town. His presence and opinions are still missed.
The major action of the Committee during the past year was the re- turning of the eighth grade pupils to the schools of the district in which they lived. This was done to relieve the crowded condition of the High School, but it did not make it possible to operate the High School on a single session. The commercial students of the sophomore class were as- signed to the afternoon session with the freshmen to relieve the congestion in the morning.
Following this action the Committee created two new districts for the elementary schools, making them as nearly equal as possible as far as the teaching staff and the number of pupils were concerned. One principal re- tired in June, but the new grouping of the schools made it possible to op- erate with three men principals instead of four. Previous to this change there was only one district composed of the Franklin and Woodville schools. The present arrangement includes the Franklin, Woodville and Hurd schools as one district under the supervision of George E. Hayes who formerly had charge of the afternoon session at the High School and of the Warren school; the other district is composed of the Greenwood and Warren schools under the supervision of Eliot B. Leonard who had been in charge of the Woodville and Franklin schools. This is a move in the direction of economy, but not at the expense of efficiency.
Other important actions of the Committee were:
Recalled the supervisor of drawing from a leave of absence.
Requested the Board of Health to take entire charge of the school clinics for the early detection of tuberculosis in school children.
Authorized violin classes in the elementary schools.
Established classes in serving and cooking for girls in the High School Preparatory Course in the second year.
Established courses in Music Appreciation and Harmony.
Gave the Recreation Commission the use of Walton Field for four nights each week during the summer for Twilight League games.
Granted the use of the High School auditorium for a performance of "Twelfth Night" by the Federal Theatre Project No. 1.
Gave the Holy Name Society the use of Walton Field one night and Saturday afternoons each week during the summer.
-
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
125
Installed snow guards on the south side of roof of the Warren school.
Installed snow guards on south side of roof over boiler room at the Lincoln school.
Weather stripped windows of classrooms and special rooms at the Warren School.
Restored the increments to teachers' salaries as of September 1.
Added three new teachers to the High School staff.
Replaced physical director of girls with two teachers.
Added extra toilet facilities at the Hurd School.
Soundproofed the ceiling in the typewriting room at the High School.
Granted the use of the auditorium of the Greenwood School as a poll- ing place for Precinct 2, Greenwood.
Established the tuition rates for 1936-1937: $86.41 for the High School and $60.74 for the Elementary Schools.
Voted not to oppose the transfer of control of the Lafayette School building from the School Department.
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION WORK
The town has profited again this year by having some of the main- tenance work on the buildings done by the W.P.A. Included were the fol- lowing :
Warren School
Outside-painted two coats Inside-painted and varnished New ceilings in all classrooms
Electric wiring replaced in all classrooms
Basement walls whitewashed and woodwork varnished
Greenwood School
Outside-painted two coats
Lincoln School
Outside-painted two coats
All woodwork in corridors varnished two coats
Tar walks replaced with cement
The W.P.A. funds were not enough to finish the jobs, so rather than have them hold over and inconvenience the pupils, the School Depart- ment paid $153.70 for materials.
MISCELLANEOUS FACTS
Other facts of public interest are condensed from reports submitted to the office, as follows:
126
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
The enrollment at the beginning of the school year was as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
10
23
33
Senior 3
110
128
238
Juniors
142
136
278
Sophomores A. M.
111
89
200
373
376
749
Sophomores P. M.
53
75
128
Freshmen
162
194
356
215
269
484
Total
588
645
1233
This gives an enrollment for the High School of 1233 pupils, an in- crease of twenty-five over last year. We were fortunate in having three new teachers, Mrs. Alice Ladieu, who teaches Advanced Business Practice, Miss Elizabeth Upham, who teaches Commercial English and Mr. Walter Antunes, who teaches Elementary Science and Community Civics. Miss Katherine Nichols and Miss Dorothy Shepard are in charge of girls' phy- sical training in place of Miss Marjorie Bent who resigned.
This year it was possible to give every pupil every subject he elected, something that has not been possible for several years. It may be interest- ing to note the changes in electives this year. We have three classes in Phy- sics; two college divisions and one general division. This is the first time we ยท have had enough pupils to make up a class in General Physics. In Chemis- try there were three college divisions and four general divisions. In Horti- culture and Physiographic Science we had two division each, and in Biology we had six divisions. The commercial classes were the same as usual, the college divisions were fewer and the general divisions were in- creased.
By having the commercial sophomores and freshmen in the afternoon sessions, the very crowded conditions were somewhat relieved, but we still have difficulty in giving the slow pupils the necessary help they need, as each teacher is able to return but one afternoon a week. Teachers have no spare periods in which to assist pupils as we had under the old one-ses- sion school. In the afternoon school the pupils lose nearly 30% of the time they had under a one-session school and it is impossible to do the grade of work we did prior to the double-session school.
It may be of interest to know that of a class of 242 which graduated last June, thirty-three are now at college, sixteen at junior college or pre- paratory schools, five at State Teachers' colleges, four at art schools and ten at business colleges.
This year instead of having two seniors or juniors share coat lockers,
127
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
we assigned a senior or junior and a freshman to the same locker. That means that only one pupil is using the locker either morning or afternoon and relieves congestion in the locker room at the beginning and end of each school session. Pupils cannot go to coat lockers from the beginning of school until recess, and after recess until they go home. This ruling elimi- nates a great deal of noise and confusion at the end of each class period, and also speeds up the passing between classes.
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