USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1948 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
1927
2.00
2.00
Snow Loader-Barber Green
1946
181.91
30.17
212.08
Compressor
1.17
1.17
Hone-New England Road
1947
5.40
5.40
Air Pump
1.35
1.35
Grader-Austin Western 99M
1947
78.29
236.96
315.25
Tools
17.82
32.10
49.92
Shop
16.65
218.59
235.24
Labor
Material
Total
#1 Dodge Pick Up
1947
34.58
97.42
132.00
#3 Dodge Dump Truck
1941
114.34
314.82
429.16
#9 Dodge Dump Truck
1936
82.48
661.07
743.55
116 TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Sweeper Elgin
1946
115.30
1,033.02
1,148.32
Supplies
119.05
119.05
Shovel-Osgood
13.50
13.50
Sand Spreader-Buckeye
52.13
91.19
143.32
Stone Crusher
1.35
1.35
Hydraulic Jack
3.51
5.51
9.02
Oxygen-acetylene Equipment
9.27
9.27
$ 1,739.07 $ 6,304.36
$ 8,043.43
Repairs to Guardrails-This item is for the repairing and repainting of Guardrails.
The cost:
Labor
$ 388.45
Material
169.32
$ 557.77
Street Signs-This item includes the erection of new signs for street direction and traffic control, and the repair and painting of existing signs. The cost:
Labor
Material
$ 789.20 253.90 $ 1,043.10
Traffic Lines-This item includes painting all cross walks, center lines, bus stops, taxi stands, stop lines and restricted curb markings. All traffic lines are painted twice a year and the markings are made to conform with State Highway Specifications.
The cost: Labor
$ 841.10
Material
142.94
$ 984.04
Buildings-This item includes the cost of operation and maintenance of the old building and the newly erected Highway building. Installa- tion of fuel tank, drainage, all grading, loaming and seeding outside new building are part of this cost.
The cost:
Light, power, water, fuel oil
$ 514.32
Labor
1,028.87
$ 1,543.19
Supplies
The cost:
Gasoline
$ 3,598.39
Kerosene
43.08
Oil
440.99
Miscellaneous
688.73
$ 4,771.19
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
117
Miscellaneous-The work done under this item is not chargeable di- rectly to any particular Highway function but is lending assistance to other Town Departments and for the benefit of the Town as a whole. The following is a list of the various services:
The cutting of grass plots at the entrances to Town, including Lake- side, Church Street and other locations where there are no dwellings.
The removal of ashes from the Town Hall and Fire Station.
The moving of polling booths, chairs, community Christmas tree, fire extinguishers, etc.
Hauling WPA material from private property and old lumber from repairs to the Town Hall.
Delivering sand to the stores.
Grading and rolling baseball diamond on Walton Field.
Roping off area for the Legion road race.
Repairs to parking areas off Tuttle Street and at the Lafayette Building.
The cost: Labor
Material
$ 1,500.84 23.71
$ 1,524.55
SNOW AND ICE
The following are the expenditures for this work: Repairs to Plows:
Labor Material
$ 559.61 1,416.76
$ 1,976.37
Street Plowing : Labor
Rental
$ 4,151.70 9,808.11
$ 13,959.81
Snow Removal: Labor Rental
$ 3,425.64 6,829.26
$ 10,254.90
Snow Fence: Labor
$ 411.08
Sanding : Labor Material Rental
$ 2,613.01 1,914.91
147.26
$ 4,675.18
118
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Sidewalk Plowing:
Labor
$ 75.09
Drainage:
Labor
$ 251.30
Miscellaneous :
Labor
$ 55.62
Material
362.39
$ 418.01
Total
$ 32,021.74
DRAINAGE
$ 7,500.00
Appropriation
Expended :
Labor
$ 5,799.48 1,699.87
$ 7,499.35
Balance
$ .65
Surface Drains Laid:
Size
Length in Ft.
Manholes
Catch- basins
Location
and Type
Francis Avenue
10" corr.
36
8" corr.
60
Roberts Street
8" corr.
142
2
Main Street (Lakeside)
8" VC
51
1
8" corr.
12
1
Main Street (Rear of
Classen Garage)
24" RC
72
1
Prospect Street
(at Elm Street)
8" VC
44
1
1
Brook Street
(near Pumping Station)
Extend stone culvert new development
Meriam Street at Robert 4" VC
70
Albion Street opp. Cedar
12" conc.
340
1
Lowell Street near Vernon
8" corr. 60
Newell Road
12" corr.
18
Main Street at
Wave Avenue
12" corr. 44
This item also includes the repairs to old existing culverts and clean- ing of brooks, culverts and catchbasin tops.
1
Material
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS =
119
DRAINAGE-NEW CONSTRUCTION
Appropriation 1948 Madison Avenue Expended 13.50
$ 28,000.00
Balance
$ 27,986.50
OTHER EXPENSES
Appropriation January 1948
$ 5,873.79
Expended-Unpaid bills 1947
5,873.79
Balance
$ 0.00
Appropriation June 1948
$ 1,500.94
Expended-Unpaid bills 1947
1,500.94
Balance
$ 0.00
STREET CONSTRUCTION
The original construction of the following public ways-namely, Crosby Road, Sherman Road, Bellevue Avenue, Line Road, Sylvan Avenue, Wood- land Road, Oakland Road, Ames Street, Middle Street, Minot Street, Gerard Street, Perham Street, Walden Road, Cristofaro Street and Morel Circle.
Appropriation 1947
$ 72,000.00
Balance January 1, 1948
$ 24,997.95
Expended 1948 Balance
12,624.75
$ 12,373.20
An additional appropriation was made to complete the following streets, namely: Aborn Avenue, Outlook Road, Davidson Road, Morel Circle, Gerard Street, Crosby Road, Sherman Road, Line Road, Perham Street, Bellevue Avenue, Sylvan Avenue, Woodland Road and Oakland Road.
Appropriation 1948
$ 32,000.00
Expended 1948
4,059.49
Balance
$ 27,940.51
The original construction of the following public ways, namely: Ames Street, Middle Street, Minot Street, Walden Road and Cristofaro Street. Appropriation 1948 Expended
$ 23,600.00 19,736.15
Balance
$ 3,863.85
120
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS
This work is a continuation of work started previous to 1948.
Aborn Avenue
Appropriation 1946
$ 8,600.00
Balance as of January 1, 1948
$ 38.39
Expended 1948
38.39
Balance
$ 0.00
Davidson Road
Appropriation 1946
$ 4,250.00
Balance as of January 1, 1948
$ 141.67
Expended 1948
136.96
Balance
$ 4.71
Cutter Street
Balance as of January 1, 1948
$ 84.77
Expended 1948
24.03
Balance
$ 59.74
Willow Street
Balance January 1, 1948
$ 71.90
Expended
22.93
Balance
$ 48.97
Foster's Lane
Appropriation 1947 Balance January 1, 1948
$ 13,500.00
Expended 1948
$ 13,091.64 6,263.77
Balance
$ 6,827.87
Outlook Road Appropriation 1946 Balance January 1, 1948
$ 10,789.00
Expended 1948
$ 3,285.67 3,285.67
Balance
$
0.00
SIDEWALKS
New Sidewalks Balance January 1, 1948 Expended 1948
$
644.49
644.49
Balance
$ 0.00
121
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
A program of sidewalk construction was laid out based on the oldest written applications from abutters. This work was done in front of the following residences. Contract work:
30 Cedar Street
28 Humphrey Street
10 Green Street
3 Lake Avenue
105 Green Street
21 Madison Avenue
11 Grove Street
23 Madison Avenue
40 Madison Avenue
22 Hanson Street
42 Madison Avenue
17 Humphrey Street
12 Myrtle Avenue
19 Humphrey Street
9 Wakefield Avenue
23 Humphrey Street
15 Wakefield Avenue
27 Humphrey Street
185 Vernon Street
24 Humphrey Street
16 Lafayette Street
26 Humphrey Street
Appropriation 1948 Expended 1948
$ 10,000.00 9,614.51
Balance
$ 385.49
Rebuilding Sidewalks-This work consisted of rebuilding old existing tar walks. With the limited appropriation we tried to do the work where it would benefit the greater number of pedestrians. The following side- walks and driveways were rebuilt.
Centre Street at Main 40' south side
Emerson Street 250'
Foster Street 80'
Gould Street 350'
Pitman Avenue 600'
Pleasant Street (Salem to Cordis Street west side) 2,500'
Richardson Avenue 130'
Vernon Street (Pleasant Street to 185 Vernon Street west side) 2,100' West Water Street 70'
Appropriation 1948 Expended 1948
$ 7,000.00 6,685.34
Balance
$ 314.66
NEW EQUIPMENT
Appropriation 1946 Balance January 1, 1948
$ 30,000.00
Appropriation 1948
$ 5,238.23 5,500.00
Expended
$ 10,738.23 10,700.00
Balance
$ 38.23
18 Hanson Street
122
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1 Osgood Type. 20 Model 200 Standard Shovel
$ 10,700.00
Appropriation 1948
$ 11,000.00
Expended 1948
8,259.00
Balance
$ 2,741.00
1 TD 9 International Tractor
$ 8,259.00
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE
Appropriation by Town
$ 1,000.00
Allotment from State
1,000.00
Allotment from County
1,000.00
Total Allotment
$ 3,000.00
Expended
3,000.00
Balance
$ 0.00
There are over twelve miles of streets in which the State and County assist the Town in maintaining. The following streets come under this category :
Albion Street, Lowell Street, Main Street, New Salem Street, North Avenue, Salem Street, Vernon Street and Water Street.
The work consisted of surface treatment with asphalt and peastone or bituminous concrete, cleaning catchbasins, cutting brush, cleaning gutters, painting guardrail. We also repainted all Town line signs.
CHAPTER 90 CONSTRUCTION
Main Street (Melrose Town line 2,640 feet northerly)
The work consisted of resurfacing the pavement with Class I bitum- inous concrete; raising all utility castings to grade, additional drainage and replacement of concrete curb on corners with granite curb.
Unfortunately delay in letting this job by the State caused the work to be done in cold weather and was a contributing factor in getting a poor job. This work was let out by the State on contract.
Appropriation : State County
Town
$ 10,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00
Total Allotment Expended
$ 20,000.00
16,905.05
Balance
$ 3,094.95
Street lines and grades were given to property owners as requested. Contracts, specifications, lines, grades and inspection were also provided
123
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
in the construction of streets, sidewalks and drainage. Survey and plans of accident cases were made for the Police Department. A survey and plans were also made for the installation of parking meters.
The demand for house numbers has increased with the construction of new homes. The numbers assigned to these new homes are often not consistent with the numbers on the older residences and as a result it was necessary to renumber entire streets.
Respectfully submitted, HARRY H. DENNING, Superintendent of Streets
124
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Supt. of Moth Department and Tree Department
January 11, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit the annual report of the Moth and Tree De- partment for the year ending December 31, 1948.
We found Tent Caterpillars and Satin Moths about the same as last year. There were no Brown Tail Moths this year. Gypsy Moths are the same in the area that we have covered. There was an increase in Elm Beetles this year, and the State advised us to spray, trim and burn all dead wood from our elms, as Dutch Elm Disease is spreading in this State. This disease was found in Saugus, Lynn, and Boston this year.
Fall Web Worms have increased in the last year. Little can be done about these worms other than late spraying, cutting and burning them as they are late in hatching and feeding.
We removed forty-five trees this year, many of them on new streets, others dead or in a dangerous condition. We planted seventy maple trees which were grown in our nursery. About eight cords of wood were put into the Town Hall from the trees which we removed.
Expenditures were as follows:
Tree Work 3,172.14
Moth Work
2,286.96
Spraying
1,522.45
Brush Cutting
500.00
Insecticides
632.61
Truck and Sprayer
568.03
Other Expenses
346.67
Income for the year beginning April 1, 1947, and ending March 31, 1948, was $1,169.50.
At this time I wish to express my appreciation for the support and assistance given me by the Board of Selectmen and Other Town Depart- ments.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST J. McWHINNIE, Superintendent of the Moth and Tree Department
125
REPORT OF WIRE INSPECTOR
Report of Wire Inspector
-
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit the following report of Inspector of Wires for the year end- ing December 31, 1948:
Permits granted
831
Inspections made
614
Wiring jobs condemned
8
Defects in wiring located and corrected
39
Wiring without filing applications 62
Notices sent to owners of unsafe wiring
34
Wiring jobs suspended, Violation of National Code
3
Permits refused
5
Wiring in public buildings inspected
11
Wiring without license, work suspended
3
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH W. MacINNIS,
Wire Inspector
Report of Building Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit the following report of my activities for the year ending December 31, 1948:
Permits granted
297
Building inspection
972
Sidewalk permits
36
Signs
17
Sign inspections
41
Convalescent home inspections
2
Buildings torn down
21
January 25, 1949
January 25, 1949
126
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Buildings condemned
3
Shingle permits
123
Public buildings inspected
16
Fire escapes inspected
12
Rooming houses inspected
5
Elevator inspections
37
Fire inspections
7
Complaints investigated
31
Construction suspended, violation of building laws
5
Permits refused
49
Building without permits
12
Chimneys condemned
14
Cases to Appeal Board
39
Notices sent to owners of unsafe condition of building
7
Notices posted on dangerous and unsafe buildings
12
Approximate valuation of permits issued
$1,491,688.00
Permit fees received
$913.00
Building Valuations for Past Six Years
1943 - $ 89,573.00
1946 - $ 775,440.00
1944 - $ 51,235.00
1947 - $1,595,824.00
1945 - $183,863.00
1948 - $1,491,688.00
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH W. MacINNIS,
Building Inspector
-
127
REPORT OF COMPENSATION AGENT
Report of Compensation Agent
January 25, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
There were thirty-six compensation cases in 1948, requiring an expen- diture of $655.98 out of an appropriation of $1,500.00.
..
COMPENSATION ACCOUNT
Appropriation for 1948
$ 1,500.00
Spent for 1948
655.98
Balance
$ 844.02
Expenditures by Departments for 1948:
Highway
$ 139.74
Water and Sewer
161.50
School
20.00
Welfare
83.00
Library
7.45
Board of Health
4.00
Building
25.00
Lafayette Building
94.00
Town Hall Building
75.90
Compensation
45.39
Total
$ 655.98
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH W. MacINNIS, Compensation Agent
128
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Animal Inspector
Jan. 19, 1948
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
My report as Animal Inspector for year 1948, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 in- clusive, is as follows:
There have been 66 dogs placed in quarantine, none were rabid.
Seventy-nine animals have been picked up on town highways, having been killed or injured by automobiles, and were properly taken care of. Have inspected 22 barns.
There are 10 cows, 31 goats, 4 hogs, 6 sheep and 22 horses.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. BENNETT,
Animal Inspector
Report of Dog Officer
Jan. 19, 1948
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
My report of Dog Officer for year 1948, Jan. 1st to Dec. 31st, inclusive, is as follows:
Have answered 452 calls.
Have canvassed the town twice for unlicensed dogs.
To date there have been 1,148 dogs licensed.
There have been 12 dogs sent to the Animal Rescue League. Have sheltered 103 dogs.
Twenty dogs have been returned to their rightful owners. Seventy-one dogs have been disposed of.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. BENNETT,
Dog Officer
129
REPORT OF SWEETSER LECTURE COMMITTEE
Report of Sweetser Lecture Committee
SEASON OF 1948 RECEIPTS
Income from Invested Funds
$ 201.00
Received from sale of tickets at door-282 at .35
98.70
Cash over
.35
Sales by Stores
Smith's Drug Store 74
Nagle's Drug Store 76
Lane's Drug Store 24
Cataldo's Pharmacy
17
Greenwood Pharmacy
49
Crystal Pharmacy
7
Minehan's Pharmacy
10
Item Office
26
283 at .35 99.05
Total
$ 399.10
EXPENSES
Nov. 17 Donald B. MacMillan Lecture
$ 90.00
Wakefield Item, Adv. and Printing Ticket Boys Machine Operator
53.50
4.00
3.00
Janitors at lecture
12.00
Federal Tax on Admissions
33.90
Rental of High School
15.00
Bank Service Charge
1.86
123.26
Balance to Sweetser Charities
185.84
$ 399.10
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. POTTER WILLIAM J. LEE EB V. YEUELL CHARLOTTE R. FITZ
EDWARD A. RICH
HARRY I. REED
ROLAND H. KINDER
130
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Sweetser Charity Fund
-
JANUARY 24, 1949
RECEIPTS
Balance brought forward Jan. 24, 1948
$ 646.57
Dividends Wakefield Savings Bank: Feb. 1, 1948 5.82
Aug. 1, 1948 5.88
Received from Sweetser Lecture Committee:
Dec. 31, 1948 185.84
Total Receipts $ 844.11
EXPENDITURES
For Charity, Jan. 24, 1948-Jan. 24, 1949 $ 36.23
Leaving Balance on Hand Jan. 24, 1949
$ 807.88
In Wakefield Trust Company
$ 213.23
In Wakefield Savings Bank 594.65
$ 807.88
Respectfully submitted, CHARLOTTE R. FITZ, Treasurer Sweetser Charity Fund
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 131
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
Jan. 2, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit the following report for the year 1948:
Adjusted Sealed Condemned
Platform scales over 5,000 lbs.
1
4
Platform scales under 5,000 lbs.
8
14
Counter scales over 100 lbs.
2
2
Counter scales under 100 lbs.
2
20
Beam scale over 100 lbs.
2
Spring scale over 100 lbs.
3
Spring scale under 100 lbs.
4
28
Computing scale under 100 lbs.
13
54
Personal weighing scales
3
Avoirdupois weights
123
Vehicle tanks
3
Meters on gas pumps
12
67
6
Meters on oil trucks
21
36
Gasoline pumps
12
67
6
Yard sticks
12
Fees collected, $128.40.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES J. DEVLIN,
Sealer
.
132
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of the Board of Assessors
January 13, 1949
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
We herewith submit the annual report of the Assessors' Department for the year ending December 31, 1948.
State Audit of Municipal Accounts $ 3,117.20
State Examination of Retirement System
78.66
Smoke Inspection Service
282.32
Charles River Basin
2,039.35
Reservations
6,275.79
Nantasket Beach Maintenance
539.90
Boulevards
84.50
Metropolitan Sewerage, North System
27,615.41
Underestimated charges for 1948
3,184.03
$ 43,217.16
County Tax for 1948
$ 39,235.16
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
7,144.27
$ 46,379.43
Total State, Metropolitan and County Charges
$ 89,596.59
Charges for Town Purposes
$ 1,550,210.47 25,076.08
Overlay for 1948
$ 1,575,286.55
Gross Levy
$ 1,664,883.14
Estimated Receipts : Total Town Receipts
$ 210,017.60
Total Credits from State
270,082.17
Transfer from Light Dept. to Treasury
35,000.00
Transfer from Available Funds
161,212.17
Transfer from Overlay Surplus to Reserve
5,500.00
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
$ 681,811.94
Net Levy
$ 983,071.20
6264 Polls @ $2.00
12,528.00
Added Assessments (Real Estate and Personal)
200.00
$ 995,799.20
Total Tax Levied on Polls and Property Rate of Taxation, $40.00 per $1,000.00
133
REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS
TOWN VALUATIONS
Buildings Land
4,041,550.00
Personal Property
1,200,080.00
Added Assessments
5,000.00
Total
$24,270,980.00 923,200.00
Gain in Valuation in 1948
Property Owned by the Town, including Land
and Buildings and Tangible Property $ 4,956,189.00
PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION
United States of America
$ 88,450.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
184,100.00
Literary Institutions
263,950.00
Benevolent Institutions
72,850.00
Houses of Religious Worship
586,275.00
Cemeteries, Land and Buildings
75,825.00
Tangible Property
30,000.00
Parsonages
34,750.00
$ 1,336,200.00
Number of Motor Vehicles Assessed
6,015
Excise Tax Committed in 1948
65,474.65
Number of Dwelling Houses Assessed
4,048
Number of Persons, Partnerships and Corporations Assessed
6,045
Value of all Real Estate Assessed
23,070,900.00
Value of Assessed Stock in Trade
297,925.00
Value of Live Stock Assessed
10,915.00
Value of Machinery Assessed
207,375.00
Value of Other Ratables Assessed
683,865.00
Number of Horses Assessed
8
Number of Cows Assessed
17
Number of Goats Assessed
33
Number of Swine Assessed
6
Number of Sheep Assessed
8
Number of Fowl Assessed
8,065
Number of Acres of Land Assessed
3,570
Number of Acres, Lake Quannapowitt
247.94
Number of Acres, Crystal Lake
82.86
Number of Acres, Town Common
2.5
$19,024,350.00
134
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Number of Acres, Cemetery on Church Street
4.14
Number of Acres, Cemetery on Lowell Street
35.00
Number of Acres, Parks and Playgrounds 89.65
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. BLAIR,
LEO F. DOUGLASS,
GEORGE H. STOUT,
Board of Assessors
Report of Town Planning Board
To the Citizens of Wakefield:
The Town Planning Board submits this report of some of its activi- ties for the year ending December 31, 1948.
The Town Zoning Map has been revised and brought up to date, copies of which have been delivered to the heads of the various Town Departments.
A Census Tract Plan of the Town has been prepared in conjunction with the Board of Selectmen and sent to the United States Census Bureau.
The Planning Board has been represented at hearings before the Board of Appeals and the Board of Survey.
Several developers have conferred with the Board on the layout of lots and streets in proposed new developments.
The Board has on several occasions conferred with the Board of Se- lectmen on matters of mutual concern.
Violations of Zoning By-laws have been brought to the attention of proper authorities of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. HARDING, Chairman KENNETH W. THOMSON, Sec'y EDWARD M. BRIDGE FITZROY WILLARD DR. FRANK T. WOODBURY
135
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Report of the Board of Health
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
In reporting the health of the town of Wakefield in the year 1948, the town has had no serious epidemics, however we have to go back to the year 1944 to find the number of Measle cases comparable to 1948. In- stead of having one patient in a Tubercular Hospital as we had in the beginning of 1948, we have now six hospitalized cases. One veteran of World War I at Rutland, Mass., 3 patients at Middlesex County Sana- torium, 2 patients, (children) at North Reading State Sanatorium.
Wakefield has been extremely fortunate in not having had a single case of poliomyelitis reported. The Board of Health has been called upon to provide the serum for anti-rabic treatment of a Wakefield settled case, bitten by an unknown dog in the state of Maine.
The Board of Health continues to urge upon parents the need of im- munization of all pre-school children over six months of age against diphtheria. The Board will continue to hold its immunization clinics dur- ing the year, but would still suggest the parents taking the matter up with their own physicians. The State Board of Health has been calling atten- tion to the prevalence of diphtheria in the eastern part of the state, and the immunization of children is the only sure way of protection against diphtheria. The Board will continue its inoculation of dogs against rabies.
During the past season the Wakefield Board of Health in conjunction with the sanitary division of the State Board of Health made a survey of thirty restaurants and soda fountains. A course of six lectures were held at the Lafayette Building in restaurant sanitation. A certificate was issued to each individual who attended all six lectures. Our survey showed a variety of conditions, all of which were not sanitary. It is gratifying to note that many of the unsanitary conditions existing at the time of this survey have been corrected. A similar survey will be made early in' the year 1949 at which time it is expected that Wakefield's percentage for sanitation will be considerably higher than it was in 1948.
The receipts of this department for the year 1948 are as follows: Milk and Food Inspector $ 112.50
Plumbing Permits
467.00
Reimbursement and Licenses
162.00
Total $ 741.50
These funds were deposited in the Wakefield Trust Co., to the credit of the town of Wakefield. The town received from the state for the year 1948 subsidy of $487.57.
The Board believes it is worthwhile to continue our comparison of expense of tuberculosis and contagion covering a period of four years:
1945
1946
1947
1948
Tuberculosis
$ 2,313.01 $ 1,461.50 $ 681.00 $ 1,215.00
Contagion
970.73
862.95
1,153.02
548.50
136
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
This comparison of figures shows some of the difficulties that face the Board of Health each year in attempting to determine what its budget will be.
The following is a four year comparison of diseases dangerous to the public health :
1945
1946
1947
1948
Chicken-pox
26
57
0
30
Conjunctivitis
0
0
1
0
Diphtheria
0
1
2
0
Dysentery (sonne)
7
0
0
0
Dog bites
33
36
40
53
German Measles
3
2
2
11
Malaria
0
0
0
0
Measles
9
95
25
307
Mumps
23
10
70
41
Meningitis
1
0
1
1
Lobar Pneumonia
2
3
5
3
Poliomyelitis
2
0
4
0
Scarlet Fever
23
17
15
11
Tuberculosis
10
3
1
4
Whooping Cough
14
8
20
9
Typhoid (para)
0
0
0
1
153
232
207
471
Nellie B. Russell, R. N., the health nurse, made during the year the following number of visits to homes with contagious diseases, and to the homes of tubercular contacts:
Chicken-pox
7
German Measles
1
Measles
20
Meningitis
1
Mumps
4
Scarlet Fever
26
Tuberculosis and Contacts
267
Whooping Cough
4
Total
330
Miss Russell also made the following trips to the Sanatoriums:
Twenty-four trips to North Reading State Sanatorium.
Ten trips to Middlesex County Sanatorium.
Taking a total of fifty-five persons to the Sanatoriums for chest X- rays and examinations.
Respectfully submitted,
WESLEY S. GOODWIN, Chairman NED C. LOUD
ROBERT DUTTON, Secretary
137
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Board of Health: Gentlemen :
The annual report of the Plumbing Inspector for the year ending De- cember 31, 1948 is as follows:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.