USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1943 > Part 7
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The usual dog clinic was held June 17, 18 and 19. Dr. Cornelius Thibeault, D.V.M. was in charge.
The number of dogs immunized was four hundred and eighty-four (484). Inasmuch as this represents less than half the number of dogs licensed in our town, I respectfully request that all dog owners take ad- vantage of this free clinic, not only for the protection of their pets, but also for the health of the community.
I have made four hundred and eighty-six visits, all of which had to do with health matters.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID MARTIN, Health Officer
98
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Milk and Food Inspector
-
To the Wakefield Board of Health:
Gentlemen :
Herewith is submitted my report as Inspector of Milk and Food for the year ending December 31, 1943.
The office work of this department has consisted largely of routine matters such as issuing production permits, marketing licenses and the carrying out of such other duties as pertain to administrating of inspec- tion work.
There are now thirty dairy farms selling milk direct or through Wakeefield dealers, to the local consumer. Of these, four are located in Wakefield, eighteen in other Massachusetts communities and seven out of the State.
Because of shortage of feed and labor, two of the Wakefield producers have disposed of their herds for the duration.
There are at present five pasteurizing establishments and two ice cream manufacturing plants within the limits of the Town.
During the year there have been 168 samples of milk and cream tested for butter fat contents, total solids, bacteria and correct pasteuri- zation. Of much significance is the fact that in every instance the sam- ple has more than conformed to the Massachusetts state standard, an especially praiseworthy showing for these times.
Food complaints, of which there were very few have been adjusted satisfactorily through the efforts of this office.
Following are the details:
Retail Milk Licenses issued
43
$ .50
$ 21.50
Dealer Milk Licenses issued
31 @
.50
15.50
Pasteurizing Licenses issued
5 @
10.00
50.00
Ice Cream Mfgs. Licenses issued
2 @
5.00
10.00
Oleomargerine Licenses issued
17 @
.50
8.50
Total receipts
$105.50
Dairies under direct supervision
30
Dairy inspections made in Mass.
36
Dairy Inspections made out of State
14
Dairy Permits approved
30
Food Inspections made
25
Laboratory Examinations made
168
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE E. DOUCETT, Inspector of Milk and Food
99
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Report of Plumbing Inspector
To the Wakefield Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1943.
Number of Permits granted 104
Number of fixtures installed, divided as follows:
Water Closets
52
Bath Tubs
29
Lavatories 48
Sinks
40
Boilers
42
Tankless Heaters
19
Stall Showers
10
Bath Showers .
21
Stall Urinals
7
Wall Urinals
4
Sewer Connections
12
284
The sum of ninety-seven dollars $(97.00) has been collected for these permits, and same has been deposited in the Wakefield Trust Company to the credit of the Town of Wakefield.
I have made three hundred and twenty inspections in connection with the above.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID MARTIN, Plumbing Inspector
100
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Tuberculosis Dispensary Report
To the Wakefield Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
The annual report of the Tuberculosis Dispensary is herewith re- spectfully submitted.
The Tuberculosis Dispensary is open the first and last Friday eve- nings in the month from 8 to 9, and the second and fourth Tuesday after- noons from 3.30 to 4.
In the past two or three years the number of patients attending the Dispensary has decreased, due to patients being educated to the value of X-ray in the diagnosing and treatment of tuberculosis. However, we feel the Dispensary is a valuable aid in advising and helping patients, especially the contacts, to the value of being X-rayed.
The Dispensary supervises cases of tuberulosis reported to the Board of Health. The majority of such cases are in the income group who can't afford the cost of the X-ray, and through their own physician or the Dispensary, arrangements are made for a chest examination and an X-ray, either at North Reading State Sanatorium, or the Middlesex County Sanatorium. The Dispensary also supervises the contacts, and arranges to have them X-rayed, and they are followed up for many years by the Health nurse, and are X-rayed at least once a year.
The Dispensary has a dual objective in tuberculosis-preventing the spread of the disease, and promoting the comfort and general welfare of the patient. Through the Dispensary we have had fifty contacts X-rayed, and a number of suspicious tubercular cases. We provide trans- portation for our contact cases, and for our active cases of tuberculosis when they are admitted to the sanatorium, if they are unable to provide transportation.
We have at the present time only three patients, hospitalized at the Middlesex County Sanatorium. Through the year 1943, twelve patients have been hospitalized-eight at the Middlesex County Sanatorium, one at Essex County Sanatorium, and three at North Reading State Sana- torium.
Thirteen cases of tuberculosis have been reported during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
IRA W. RICHARDSON, M.D. Dispensary Physician
NELLIE B. RUSSELL, R.N. Dispensary Nurse
101
REPORT OF MID. COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
Report of Middlesex County Extension Service
The following is an outline of the major activities of the Middlesex County Extension Service in the Town of Wakefield during the year 1943 .:
Because of war conditions, the staff of the Extension Service had to devote a great deal of time this year to overhead organization work per- taining to machinery rationing, food distribution orders, farm labor and other regulations, as issued by our Government, and establishing the number of war units on certain farms for Selective Service Boards. These regulations were explained and applied to local conditions.
Wakefield poultrymen were furnished with important information on price ceilings, the feed situation and other emergency policies. They were also sent circular material on up-to-date production practices. They have been advised concerning disease control, reducing waste, and the keeping of records. Several farms were visited concerning specific prob- lems.
In cooperation with Civilian Defense Mrs. John Bill, Nutrition Town Chairman, and her committee arranged for a four-meeting home makers* Short Nutrition Class, which was extremely well attended. Sixty-four received certificates for completing the course. Mr. Gaston Loubris, Gar- dening Town Chairman, and his committee planned three community Victory Gardens. These gardens were appreciated and enthusiastically tilled by those who otherwise might have no opportunity to add to the production of vital food. Miss Ruth Woodbury, Preservation Town Chair- man, and her committee arranged several canning demonstrations in various parts of the town. Much interest was shown at all these meet- ings and there was a very large attendance. The value of these canning demonstrations cannot be over emphasized in view of the importance of food conservation.
In cooperation with the Greenwood Woman's Club Mrs. George Col- lins and her Community Service Committee arranged the following food demonstrations: 1, Yeast Breads; 2, Salad Making; 3, Getting the Most for Your Red Points.
The Wakefield Garden Club was given a talk on, "Small Fruits for the Home Garden." A talk of interest to Victory Gardeners was given to the Middlesex Pomona Grange.
4-H club work was carried on with one hundred forty-seven girls and twenty-four boys enrolled in projects of clothing, food, home-furnishing, handicraft, canning and garden, poultry and pig.
Mrs. John Hunneman served as 4-H Town Chairman with the fol- lowing members of her committee: Secretary, Mrs. George Stoddard; Press Correspondent, Miss Bertha Climo; Executive Committee, Mrs. Edmund
.
102
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Becker and Mrs. William Dill. Local leaders, also members of the com- mittee, were as follows: clothing, Mrs. Eugene Clark (2 clubs), Mrs. George Stoddard, Mrs. Robert Mathias, Mrs. Samuel King, Miss Jeanne Evan- gelista; food, Mrs. Edmund Becker, Miss Alice Climo, Miss Bertha Climo, Mrs. Lyle Courage, assisted by Mrs. John Catalano, Mrs. John Hunne- man, Mrs. William Gile, Mrs. Loriston Stockwell, and Mrs. A. F. Chirone; home-furnishing, Miss Ethelyn Ramsdell; handicraft, Mr. George Stod- dard; canning, Mrs. Edmund Becker, Mrs. Lyle Courage and Mrs. John Hunneman. The following individuals supervised 4-H gardens in their immediate neighborhood: Mrs. Ray E. Shedd, Mrs. Frank Tredinnick, Mrs. Lyle Courage, Mr. George Stoddard and Mr. John Griffiths.
The mid-winter sectional rally was attended by 300 club members and leaders. Twelve neighboring towns were represented. State Club Leader, H. M. Jones, was guest speaker. Twenty-three clubs participated . in Identification, Demonstration, Song and Skit Contests.
Sixteen local clubs held their spring exhibit at the Wakefield High School. A dress revue was given. Alma Becker and Nancy Stoddard were county delegates in the State Clothing Contest.
Thirty club members, representatives of the three canning clubs, exhibited in the windows of Curley's Store. June Hawkes, Frances Taun- ton and Jane Yeull were prize winners at' the State Canning Exhibit in Horticultural Hall, Boston. Alma Becker and Louise Ryan placed second and fourth in the State-wide Canning Judging Contest with fifty con- testants.
Respectfully submitted,
ERIC V. LARSON, Town Director Middlesex County Extension Service
103
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Report of Library Trustees
TRUSTEES OF THE LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Hervey J. Skinner, Chairman Mrs. Florence L. Bean, Secretary
Richard Dutton, M.D. Arthur L. Evans Walter C. Hickey
Albert W. Rockwood John J. Round Mrs. Alice W. Wheeler
Frank T. Woodbury, M.D.
STAFF LIBRARIAN Helen Frances Carleton
ASSISTANT. LIBRARIAN AND CHIEF CATALOGUER H. Gladys Mackenzie
ADULT DEPARTMENT
*Violet E. Bostwick Jean M. Davis G. Louise Gibbons
Constance F. Howe Dorothy M. Linder Frances L. Merrey
PICTURE COLLECTION Clara G. Wilson
BOYS' AND GIRLS' DEPARTMENT Ruth A. Ohler
GREENWOOD BRANCH LIBRARY Clara G. Wilson
MONTROSE BRANCH LIBRARY G. Louise Gibbons
REPAIR DEPARTMENT Etta F. Smith
*Leave of Absence
104
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The Trustees of The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library herewith submit the eighty-eighth annual report, for the year 1943:
In common with every other organization, the activities of The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library have felt the exigencies of war. Hardly a week has gone by without its disappointment in carrying out some cherished plan or project. Changes in the staff made necessary by resignations to accept positions at higher salaries, broke the continuity of service so much to be desired. But for the helpful and generous cooperation of all mem- bers of the staff, the efficiency of the Library would have suffered appre- ciably.
From the first of the year, plans were formulated for the opening of a Branch Library at Montrose. This rapidly growing section of the town has long desired a branch; and when the Community Association and Parent-Teacher Association brought the desire to a focus, the Trustees made every effort to grant the request. The. Finance Committee of the Town was willing to recommend a small additional appropriation for out- fitting the branch, but it was the hearty cooperation of the School Com- mittee that made the final plan possible. They granted the use of a room in the Montrose School until such time as it is again needed for school purposes.
The room was cleared of desks, proper fire protection was installed, and then the room was fitted with shelves and other necessary library furnishings. Reference books, books for circulation, and magazines were purchased.
On the afternoon of June 12, the branch was opened for inspection, and on June 14, it was opened for the circulation of books. Since that time it has been open regularly on Monday and Friday afternoons and on Monday evenings. Montrose has shown its appreciation in many ways, but best of all by a steady increase in the use of the branch.
The Jacob Burley gift mentioned in the report of last year has been received and during the week of December 27 was on display in the lobby of the Main Library. This collection is now available for reference and circulation.
During the year Miss Ruth A. Ohler, Miss G. Louise Gibbons, and Miss Constance F. Howe have become members of the staff as the result of resignations and have proved valuable in their respective positions. In October, Mrs. Violet E. Bostwick asked for and was granted a leave of absence for the duration of the war in order that she might become a member of the Women's Army Corps.
Old friends and new have been generous with gifts of books, maga- zines, and flowers throughout the year. Mr. Cyrus M. Dolbeare and Mr. Gardner E. Campbell have given valuable space to library news in the Wakefield Daily Item. Mrs. Albert W. Rockwood and Mr. Lucius M. Beebe continued their custom of giving the Christmas decorations which add so much beauty and pleasure to the season. To all those friends who have shown their interest in the library, the Trustees extend their sin- cere thanks.
105
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Owing to the difficulty of getting material and competent workmen under present conditions, the Trustees have not been able to keep up the high standard of maintenance which has been the policy in the past. A certain amount of painting, reupholstering, and especially refinishing of tables in the Reference Room has necessarily been deferred to a more favorable time.
Respectfully submitted,
HERVEY J. SKINNER, Chairman FLORENCE L. BEAN, Secretary RICHARD DUTTON, M.D. ARTHUR L. EVANS WALTER C. HICKEY
ALBERT W. ROCKWOOD
JOHN J. ROUND
ALICE W. WHEELER
FRANK T. WOODBURY, M.D.
Gifts of books, magazines, and flowers to the library during the year 1943 have been received from:
American Legion
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph C. Bean
Lucius M. Beebe
Mrs. Henry A. Behnke
Edwin T. Lenners
Captain Carroll T. Bonney
N. J. Busby
George L. Carpenter
Mrs. Walter MacDonald
Christian Science Church of Reading Mrs. George E. Connor
Nir. and Mrs. Ralph McDowell Harold Merritt Beatrice Moody Mrs. L. M. Nauss
Mrs. John L. Coon
Mrs. John Crotty
Mrs. Emily F. Paul
Mrs. Albert W. Rockwood
Daughters of the American Revolution
Mrs. May Ruth
Newton Dillaway
Mrs. Ray E. Shedd
Cyrus M. Dolbeare
Mrs. L. Stockwell
Mrs. Richard Dutton Theodore Eaton William E. Eaton
Carl W. Sunman
Mrs. Frank A. Tredinnick Wakefield Daily Item Wakefield Garden Club
Mrs. F. L. Edson
Mrs. J. D. Fraser
Wakefield Rotary Club
Mrs. Howard L. Geer Charles Gibbons
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Warner Donald White
Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank White
Hoover Library
Mrs. Archibald Hume
Frank B. Jordan
Joan Levy Mrs. Hubbard B. Mansfield
106
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
FINANCIAL STATISTICS 1943
INCOME
$21,168.00
Town Appropriation Dog Tax
1,766.64
Income from Library Funds:
Junius Beebe Fund
$853.71
Marcus Beebe Fund
505.25
Decius Beebe Fund
470.07
Katherine Beebe Fund
160.75
Eleanor H. Beebe Fund
144.08
Frederick Beebe Fund
122.61
Charles S. Beebe Fund
35.24
John H. Beebe Fund
76.56
J. Oliver Beebe Fund
171.76
Alice B. Carpenter Fund
311.70
George O. Carpenter Fund.
35.14
Sylenda B. Stearns Fund
58.70
J. G. Aborn Library Fund
33.95
Cyrus Gilbert Beebe Fund
50.31
Frederic Beebe Library Fund
25.15
Robert Parker Dolbeare Fund
10.05
Willard Donnell Fund
10.05
Milledge Elliott Fund
20.10
Rev. Thomas A. Emerson Fund
10.05
Flint Memorial Fund
25.15
M. W. Gove Library Fund
7.52
Melvin Hill Fund
10.05
Dr. F. P. Hurd Library Fund
62.89
Franklin Poole Library Fund
12.58
Mary H. Pratt Library Fund
4.02
Ashton H. Thayer Library Fund
10.05
Cyrus Wakefield Library Fund
12.58
$ 3,250.07
$26,184.71
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
107
EXPENDITURES FOR YEAR 1943
Books
$ 4,802.03
Periodicals
511.66
Binding
1,041.63
Salaries, Library service
13,094.09
Heat, light, telephone
1,253.01
Printing and supplies, furniture and maintenance
2,124.70
Salaries, janitor service and pension
2,708.00
Miscellaneous
279.99
$25,815.11
Unexpended balance
369.60
$26,184.71
Returns to Town: Dues, payments for lost books, etc.
1,078.79
1
CLASSIFIED TABLE OF BOOKS BORROWED IN 1943
Main Library Greenwood Branch Montrose Branch Schools Deposits Adult Juvenile Adult Juvenile
Adult Juvenile Juvenile Adult
General Works
60
96
18
6
Sociology
746
8
252
7
12
1
Religion
465
140
162
75
2
12
24
Philosophy
1,480
1,246
365
570
19
114
153
Philology (Language)
146
34
7
2
13
Natural Science
682
550
181
611
3
75
181
Useful Arts
3,568
1,000
815
640
38
113
117
Fine Arts
2,064
438
467
551
9
19
28
Literature
2,481
601
665
334
37
35
96
History
2,392
395
737
265
54
17
99
Travel
1,777
752
432
823
41
115
197
Biography
2,273
677
906
515
66
94
62
Fiction
57,641
8,193
21,709
11,629
1,355
733
2,413
*824
Easy Readers
7,620
5,887
1,246
995
Current Periodicals
3,788
334
2,924
720
73
81
Pamphlets
292
7
491
1
Pictures
6,230
Music
207
Foreign books
5
Totals
80,068
22,091
30,131
22,635
1,710
2,668
4,365
824
Total loans for the year 1943-164,640.
Pictures borrowed from the library during 1943-6,230.
* Deposits at Elizabeth E. Boit Home, Cameron Hospital, Report Cen- ter, Forrest Convalescent Home.
108
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1
109
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
LIBRARY BORROWERS REGISTERED
Main Library
6,313
Greenwood Branch Library
1,560
Montrose Branch Library
182
Total number of registered borrowers 8,055
LIBRARY RESOURCES
Volumes belonging to Library, January 1, 1943
65,689
Volumes purchased
3,450
Gifts
137
Bound volumes of magazines
55
3,642
Volumes withdrawn, 1942
1,810
Net increase in volumes
1,832
67,521
173
Volumes belonging to Library, December 31, 1943 Magazines currently received at Library in 1943 Pictures belonging to Library, December 31, 1943 Mounted pictures
64,364
17,496
Pamphlets belonging to Library, December 31, 1943
3,483
110
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Park and Cemetery Commissioners
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield, Massachusetts:
The Park and Cemetery Commissioners submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1943.
Shortly after the March election a system of bookkeeping was insti- tuted as recommended and furnished by the Department of Corporations and Taxation, Division of Accounts. At the request of the majority of the commissioners both the Superintendent of the Park, Mr. A. G. Abbott and the Superintendent of the Forest Glade Cemetery, Mr. Charles M. Lynch have been in attendance at each meeting of the Board, thereby being in close touch with the Board, thus many matters pertaining to both departments could be discussed and decided upon, which plan re- sulted in much more efficient administration of both departments as both superintendents were given undisturbed control of the work to be done in each department in the field, and the results have justified the plan. The Superintendent of the Cemetery was placed under bond upon the advice of the State Auditor as the Superintendent is the primary recipi- ent of all the money resulting from the sale of lots and interments, the sum of which is several thousands dollars in the year. Much time was saved due to the Park Department having a truck to transport its em- ployees and machines to and from the many sections of the Town's park system. On several of the plots the accumulation of several years growth of shrubbery was trimmed off and carted away and despite the over abundance of rain during the spring and early summer the mowing of the grass was better taken care of as a result of having the truck.
Much work has been done on the Playgrounds and much more can be done as a post war project, the parking space at Moulton Field has been asphalt surfaced through the cooperation of Mr. Hale, chairman of the Selectmen and the Superintendent of Street, Mr. Mackenna, for which assistance the Board is very grateful.
The cement bases at Veterans' Field, that were put in as electrical outlets for standard lights but never used, that had become menaces to safety, were removed.
The tennis courts at Veterans' Field, Greenwood and the Moulton Playgrounds were well patronized and have as usual proven a great source of pleasure and profit physically to many, the ball fields were also patronized to a limited extent this season due mainly to the absence of - the younger men being in the armed service of the country. The motor of the emergency boat, maintained by this department on Lake
111
REPORT OF PARK & CEMETERY COMSRS.
Quannapowitt, which has been in an unsatisfactory condition for several years was replaced by a newer one through the cooperation of Selectman L. Wallace Sweetser, and the boat which is in a decayed condition will be replaced by a new one next spring through the cooperation of the School Department and Mr. Marche. This boat is being built by the students at the High School in the manual training department under the supervision of Mr. Marche, the instructor of that department.
.
The civil war monument on the Common was found to be in need of repointing as many joints between the stones in the base were open thereby permitting water to enter, where it would freeze and force the stones apart, the Board was able to get this work done and the base cleaned thus insuring the preservation of the monument for a long time to come. It was also found that the Park Superintendent had no work- shop wherein to repair and repaint such property of the Park Depart- ment as required it, to provide a workshop for this work the porch of the Bath House was enclosed thereby providing a workshop thirty by ten feet with a chance for heat which for the present will do as a work- shop when the bath house is not in use.
The Department is in need of a garage for its trucks and for the storing of the emergency boat in the winter and such sundry tools as lawn mowers, also of a much larger workshop. For the better operation of the emergency boat a siren horn has been installed at the Bath House that can be sounded from the boat house and it is proposed the next season to have the bath house attendants respond in an emergency and man the boat that is moored at the boat house.
Before the bath house season opened a detachment of infantry sta- tioned at Camp Guild asked for and secured the use of the bath house that they might teach the men of the outfit to swim; this outfit called themselves SNAFU and they to show their gratitude manned the De- partment's trucks and hauled dozens of truck loads of sand from the Town's sand pit to the bath house beach and other men of the outfit spread it over the beach which was a great help as the Park employees were very busy at the time trying to keep ahead of the growing grass. and could not have spared the time to have trucked so much sand.
The bath house season was a great success and afforded refresh- ment and enjoyment to a much larger number than usual due undoubt- edly to the rationing of gas that prevented many from going to the salt water beaches. A larger number of out of town people also enjoyed the privilege as evidenced by the increase in the receipts from non residents which amounted to $133.45, a substantial increase over last season. The report of the bath house supervisor will be found under another heading. There is no more attractive park system than ours nor is there a better maintained cemetery than Forest Glade Cemetery despite the handicaps caused by the war and the fact of the impossibility to get efficient help when such help is employed on a temporary basis, for to get suitable help steady employment is absolutely necessary in most lines.
112
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
But in spite of the many handicaps we were able to get an expert arborist, who by transplanting and trimming the arborvitaes along the driveways were made uniform in height and size thus adding much to the appearance of the drives and thus the cemetery. The roof around the chimney and the chimney on the receiving tomb at Forest Glade Cemetery which has leaked ever since the tomb was built have been repaired and the chimney rebuilt; the whole tomb building must be waterproofed very soon for if it is not portions of it will crumble; for water gets into the crevices of and around the stones and freezes and it, in freezing exerts a great pressure which pressure is throwing the stone work and cement work out of place.
With the assistance of the Superintendent of Streets, Mr. Mackenna, the driveways in the south portion of the cemetery were this year com- pletely and thoroughly resurfaced with asphalt and sand, and the drive- ways in the north portion must be done in 1944.
Also with the assistance of Mr. Mackenna the Board was able to fill and bring up to grade a section of the cemetery forty by three hun- dred and fifty feet thus providing space for single graves that is much needed, a like portion should be filled to grade each season so as to keep ahead of the demand and much loam has this year been made available by bulldozing it up in a remote section of the cemetery to top soil the fill.
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