USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1910 > Part 3
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The use of oil on the streets we found by last year's expe- rience to be a great help in preserving our streets both as a binder and preventing the top covering of our streets being blown away in dust, and viewed from a sanitary point, the use of oil is recommended by the physicians of our town.
We therefore bought 17,149 gallons of Dustoline, &c. The results of its use have been very satisfactory. 1.126 gallons of the oil was used on the track at the High School Stadium, for which payment was received, as shown in the financial account.
The following is a brief statement of the work done by the Street Department during the year :
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MACADAMIZING.
North street, 600 feet
Washington street,
425
Farmfield street,
750
Howland road, extension,
140
Washington and Rotch streets,
150
Main and South streets,
45
66
Laurel street,
40
2,150 feet
RESURFACED OLD MACADAMIZED STREETS.
Main street, 200 feet
Laurel street,
100 6.6
And resurfaced around manholes to sewers.
GUTTERS PAVED.
Various places,
150 feet
Main street repaved,
200
6
CURBING AND EDGE STONE SET FOR CURBING PURPOSES.
In various locations, 900 feet
SIDEWALKS BUILT, REPAIRED AND SCREENED.
William street,
500 feet
Farmfield street,
1,000
North street,
600
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Adams street,
1,000
Center street,
300
Spring street,
600
Other sidewalks, estimated,
800
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4,800 feet
The following roads and streets were attended to:
Weeden road repaired with gravel. Gutters and culverts opened and highway widened, from Washington street to the Ephraim Delano Farm at a cost of : Gravel, $26.70
Teams and labor,
232.79
$259.49
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East Spring street, new culvert, sidewalks and street repaired at a cost of 85.00
Washington street, new sidewalks, gutters and street repaired at a cost of 123.00
Mulberry street, sidewalks and street at a cost of 56.00
Jefferson street, sidewalsk and street at a cost of 60.00
Christian street, sidewalks and street at a cost of Sycamore street, new sidewalk and gravel for street at a cost of 110.00
36.00
Farmfield lane or Harbor View street, teams, labor and cinders at a cost of, 243.44
$120.00 was received by the Town Treasurer, as part pay- ment from the abutters and others, for the repairs of this street. Credit for same is shown in financial account.
New road or Bridge street east end was repaired at
a cost of $257.59
Boston Hill road repaired at a cost of 76.25
Mill road was repaired at a cost of 19.80
New Boston road was repaired at a cost of 13.80
CATCH BASINS BUILT.
Three corner of Washington and Rotch streets; 1 on Adams street connected with gravity sewer.
CRUSHER STONE.
There is on crusher lot 800 tons of stone, 600 tons of same crushed already for use.
The cost of removing snow from the streets in which there are car tracks was $63.63, during the year just ended, and a bill for one-half the amount has been sent to the Union Street Railway Co., payment of which will be made to the Town Treasurer.
The attention of the citizens is called to the law which prohibits placing any rubbish or other material in the high-
67
ways of the town. As many of our citizens, janitors of our public buildings and churches, have been in the habit of cleaning their yards and lawns of grass, leaves, &c., then raking or sweeping the same into the streets, this law applies. Trusting this notice will be sufficient, and that we all use barrels in which to place our refuse in the future, by so doing it will be received by the ash cart.
REPORT
OF
PARK COMMISSIONERS
71
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :-
Gentlemen :- The Board of Park Commissioners present their second annual report covering the period between March 1, 1910, and Feb. 1, 1911. During this period we have expended $1,551.85 as follows :
Maintenance of Cushman Park, $980.00
Maintenance of Delano Park and bridge approaches, 175.00
Re-piping bridge approaches, 131.50
Changing shrub beds and new shrubs on bridge approaches, 67.35
Trees and grading Walnut street extension,
60.00
New trees and shrubs and transplanting shrubs, Cushman Park,
64.30
Spraying trees,
15.00
Policing park,
20.00
Rent of tool house, 36.00
Incidentals,
12.70
$1,551.85
Balance, March 1, 1910,
$242.33
Appropriation, March 1, 1910,
1,500.00
$1,742.33
Balance, Feb. 1, 1911,
190.48
$1,742.33
$1,742.33
We respectfully suggest that the town appropriate $1,350.00 for the care of the Park system for 1911.
Yours truly,
FAIRHAVEN PARK COMMISSION, J. F. HALL, Secretary.
REPORT
OF THE
SEWER COMMISSIONERS
75
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
The Board met March 12, and organized as follows :
C. F. Delano, Chairman. Z. W. Dodge, Inspector. J. S. Gifford, Clerk.
At the annual town meeting $4,000 was appropriated for sewer maintenance; in addition to this $41.04 was received from other sources.
At the annual town meeting it was voted that the Board of Selectmen serve as a joint committee with the Sewer Commissioners to report at a future special town meeting on the condition and requirements needed at our sewer power station.
The Joint Committee met and voted to employ Mr. C. W. Whiting, who is an expert on oil engines.
By his advice the Sewer Commissioners made a contract with the De La Vergne Machine Co. for a Hornsby Akrod engine of 20 horse power capacity He also recommended a George F. Blake Compressor, also two 4,500 gallon tanks for the storage of oil, as oil can be purchased in tank cars for one-half the price, and ne also recommended a water- tight concrete pit for the tank. to be placed in.
Proposal for "De La Vergne" Oil Engine for Direct Con- nection to Air Compressor.
This is a proposal by the De La Vergne Machine Company of New York, hereinafter called the Contractor to the Hon- orable Board of Sewer Commissioners of Fairhaven, Massa- chusetts, hereinafter called the Purchaser, to furnish, super- vise the erection of and start one twenty (20) H. P. De La Vergne type H. A. oil engine, in accordance with the speci- fications attached, which form a part of this proposal.
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DE LA VERGNE MACHINE COMPANY.
Specifications Covering one 131/2 inches by 16 inches De La Vergne Oil Engine.
General: The engine shall be a single cylinder horizontal engine of the four stroke cycle type, and shall be capable of developing twenty (20) actual or brake horse-power at a speed of 200 R. P. M.
Cylinder: The cylinder shall be of hard, close-grained iron, and shall be water jacketed.
Vaporizer : The vaporizer shall be of a special mixture of cast iron, and shall be bolted to the head of the cylinder.
Valves. The valve box, attached to the cylinder, shall be fitted with two valves. one for admitting the air and the other for letting out the exhaust, both being controlled by suitable levers actuated by hardened cams on the cam shaft.
Piston: The piston shall be of close grained grey cast iron, fitted with metallic rings of a special mixture of iron, and coupled direct to the connecting rod.
Connecting Rod: The connecting rod shall be of steel, and fitted with adjustable box at the crank end.
Crankshaft: The crankshaft shall be of steel. It shall be fitted on the left hand end, looking from the cylinder, with a flanged coupling, one-half of which shall be sent to the compressor manufacturer, to be fitted by them to the com- pressor shaft.
Price: Sixteen hundred fifty dollars ($1650.) net.
Flywheels: The engine shall be equipped with two fly- wheels of such weight that they will give a practically uniform speed of rotation to the combined unit, it being understood that no flywheels are to be supplied with the compressor.
Lubrication : Provisions shall be made for the continuous lubrication of all working parts. The crankpit shall be fitted with a shield to prevent oil from being thrown by the crank and connecting rod and shall be piped for drawing off the oil. An oil groove shall be cast around the outside of the engine bed.
Pump: The cylinder shall be equipped with a pump for supplying oil to the vaporizer. The pump shall be of bronze, fitted with steel ball valves for the suction and for the delivery.
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Governor: The governor shall be of the Porter fly ball type without springs and capable of sensitive adjustment and regulation, especially designed and arranged to control the supply of fuel. It shall be so designed that the nominal speed, 200 R. P. M., may be readily reduced 10%.
Oil Supply: The Contractor shall furnish a stand pipe and a rotary pump for lifting the oil from the Purchasers storage tank to the engine pump. The Contractor shall also furnish a removable filter for filtering the oil before it enters the engine pump.
Silencer: One silencer of cast iron shall be supplied with the engine so as to reduce the noise of the exhaust. This silencer shall be complete with one four inch and one five inch companion flanges and the necessary nuts and bolts, all as per the Contractor's drawing 86-R.
Lamp: A portable lamp shall be provided with the engine for heating the vaporizer.
Finish: All bright surfaces shall be machined and pol- ished and protected from the weather during transportation. All other surfaces that will show when the apparatus is set up shall be well filled, rubbed down smooth and given two coats of paint of a dark slate color.
Piping: The Contractor shall supply all piping that is a part of the regular equipment but shall not furnish or erect any piping leading to or from the engine.
Accessories: The Contractor shall supply a complete set of wrenches, spanners and other tools required in dis- mantling and assembling the machine. He shall also furnish a foundation print but shall not furnish template or founda- tion bolts or plates.
Erection: The Contractor shall furnish a competent man to supervise the placing on the Purchaser's foundations not only the oil engine herein specified but also such a com- pressor as may be separately purchased, to level, line up, connect and grout the two machines and to operate the com- bined unit for a period of two weeks. The Purchaser shall furnish all necessary labor, tackle and carting facilities for taking the engine and compressor from the cars and placing them upon the foundations. The Purchaser shall furnish also, all fuel, lubricating oil and other necessaries for the starting and operating of the plant during the two weeks period above mentioned.
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Guarantees: The Contractor guarantees that workman- ship and material shall be strictly first class throughout and subject to the approval of the Purchaser's engineer. The Contractor further guarantees to furnish free of charge any part or parts proving defective during a period of one year from the date of shipment, through poor workmanship or material. It shall however be understood that if there is a question as to the responsibility of the Contractor or Pur- chaser in case of any breakage the alleged defective part shall be returned to the Contractor with transportation prepaid.
The Contractor guarantees that this engine will develop its rated capacity at the nominal speed of 200 R. P. M. with a consumption of not over one pound of fuel oil per B. H. P. per hour, it being understood that the fuel oil shall not be heavier than 24 degrees Beaume and that it shall have a flash point between 100 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit and shall contain not less than 18000 B. T U. per pound.
Price: Sixteen hundred fifty dollars ($1650.) net.) If the silencer herein specified is omitted the price shall be $1625.
Terms: 50% when the machine arrives at Fairhaven. 25% when the equipment is ready to run. 25% thirty days after it is ready to run.
It is to be understood that payments shall not be delayed in case any delay in starting is due to the fault of any other party or parties than the De La Vergne Machine Company.
Shipment: Shipment shall be made within twenty (20) days after the acceptance of this proposal by the Board of Sewer Commissioners of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and its approval by an authorized officer of the De La Vergne Machine Company of New York, it being understood that such an acceptance is made within two weeks from the date thereof.
This proposal shall become a contract upon its formal acceptance by the Board of Sewer Commissioners of Fair- haven, Massachusetts, or their authorized agent and its approval by an authorized officer of the De La Vergne Machine Company of New York City, providing the proposal is accepted within two weeks of the date thereof.
Respectfully submitted,
De La Vergne Machine Company, by A. W. DOE. June 28th, 1910.
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Accepted: July 11, 1910. CLARENCE F. DELANO, ZENAS W. DODGE, JESSE S. GIFFORD.
Approved :
L. PRELLING, V. P. July 13th, 1910.
By observing strict economy we have been able to keep within our appropriation for maintenance.
As regards to the working of the new oil engine, we are unable to report at present. Expenses of installing and work that had to be done has caused us to call for an ap- propriation of $5,000 to enable us to pay outstanding bills and pay our regular expenses for the year. 1911.
C. F. DELANO, Z. W. DODGE, JESSE S. GIFFORD, Clerk.
REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH
83
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
TO THE CITIZENS OF FAIRHAVEN :-
The Board of Health respectfully submits its annual report for the year 1910.
The Board organized March 9th, 1910, with a choice of Dr. A. N. Bruckshaw as Chairman, and A. W. Kelley as Secretary.
There have been reported to the Board by physicians during the last twelve months, 48 cases of contagious and infectious diseases as follows : 18 of Diphtheria, 9 of Measles. 8 of Typhoid Fever, 6 of Varicella, 6 of Tuberculosis, 2 of Scarlet Fever, 1 of Tetanus.
The Board has received numerous complaints of nuisances and unsanitary conditions. Upon notice to the owners of such property, the nuisances in nearly every case, have been promptly attended to and abated.
Soon after organizing, it became very evident to the mem- bers that, to properly attend to their duties, that meetings must be held oftener than once a month, and upon due con- sideration, it was voted to meet the first and third Mondays of each month, and later, this was changed to the first and third Thursdays of each month, and besides these regular meetings, the Board has had many special ones.
Bids were advertised for the collection of swill and gar- bage, and at a special meeting held April 18th, the contract for same was given to E. G. Dwelley, who agreed to collect same within a prescribed limit, making at least two collec- tions a week, and to provide a water tight iron tank to convey same through the town.
As was to be expected, inaugurating a system of this kind for the first time, there have been many complaints regarding the non-removal of swill. In every instance of such neglect, it has been called to Mr. Dwelley's attention and remedied.
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We would suggest that the system be continued, and also that the citizens would provide water tight cans or tubs with covers, and of large enough capacity to keep them from overflowing between collections.
William II. Staples was appointed inspector of slaughtered animals by the Board, as the law directs, and 250 slaugh- tered animals have been inspected as follows :
Swine. 176
Beeves, 39
Calves. 35
Two slaughter house licenses were issued by the Board of Selectmen, and have been twice inspected by the Board of Ilealth, one of which on each inspection was found to be in a sanitary condition. The other can and should be improved upon before granting another license. No contagious dis- eases among the cattle in town, have been reported to this Board.
There were 19 permits or licenses granted this year, for persons who desired to take clams or quahogs from the polluted waters of the town and to use the same for bait only.
After a joint meeting with the New Bedford Board of Health, it was voted at a regular meeting of the Board, May 16th, that all permits for the taking of shellfish in the contaminated waters of Fairhaven, be revoked June 15th.
On petition to the Board of Selectmen, an article was inserted in the warrant of the special town meeting held in May. recommending that the town appropriate a sum of money to construct and maintain a drain in Washington street, easterly and down Roteh street, thus doing away with the drain across the land of Antone Garcia. The town voted to construct the drain, and at a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and this Board, it was decided that Superintendent of Streets Maxfield take charge of the work and construct same-the bills to be approved by the Board of Health. The work was carried out at a cost of less than
85
$300, not only abating a very bad nuisance, but greatly im- proving a dangerous corner.
The Board would also strongly recommend that the open ditch at the southeast corner of Centre and Rotch streets be given early attention and a covered drain be laid on that part of the property on the town highway, and that some other means be taken for a better drainage across the pri- vate property to the culvert in the railroad track.
During the latter part of the year, there was quite a serious outbreak of typhoid fever at the south end of Hitch street, caused by water used from wells sunk in the low and swampy land. The matter was taken up with the State Board of Health, and after examination by their representa- tive, was ordered condemned, by this Board. The Fairhaven Water Company, on having the matter called to their atten- tion, very generously and promptly extended the water pipe, thus enabling the property owners, to connect with town water. The State Board also states that this land should not be used for dwelling for human habitation, so long as it remains in the wet and soggy condition that it now is. If there is any way of preventing further building there, until the grade is raised, such means should be taken, to stop it as soon as possible.
We would also suggest, that before the summer season opens at Pope Beach and Harbor View, that these two places be visited by the Board of Health, and that rules and regu- lations be made governing the disposal of swill and garbage, sewerage and privy vaults. Also that the pig district be defined, and that no one be allowed to keep swine within said district, without a written permit from the Board.
From the fact that it now requires in every case of diph- theria two negative cultures before the patient can be dis- charged and quarantine raised, the physician on the New Bedford Board of Health has been making examinations for this Board at a cost of $3.00 each. We would recommend that the town buy a microscope and let the physician of the Board make the examination.
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Another necessity that this town requires, is a separate building connected with the almshouse, that could be used for a hospital or pest house-as the law now covering con- tagious and infectious diseases, in many cases requires that the patient shall be isolated and if the premises are quaran- tined, thus causing a resident wage earner to remain within such house or place, or otherwise to interefre with his fol- lowing his employment, he shall receive from such town compensation to the extent of three-quarters of his regular wages. A hospital of this kind could be used for this pur- pose, and also it would be badly needed in the case of an epidemic, and in cases of tuberculosis the town would not have to pay some state sanitorium $4.00 a week for each patient thus boarded. During the past year one such patient has cost the town $207.00. From the fact that the town now has a population of over 5,000 inhabitants, there are a number of changes that will have to be made according to law.
At the north end of the town, there are a number of three- story tenements that have not been provided with suitable fire escapes, and there should be appointed, an inspector of buildings, also an inspector of plumbing. This duty could be performed by one of the Selectmen or one of the Board of Health, and a fee charged for each inspection.
It is imperative that the town give attention as promptly as possible, to the matter of sewerage at that end of the town, and it should be treated and given due consideration at the town meeting, and not be left to the consideration of the Board of Health to investigate complaints and abate nuisances in a district that the town refuses to give any consideration whatever, in this matter.
We have also found that in a large number of cases, that the surroundings of the production of milk is far from what it should be. We believe that every party selling milk in the Town of Fairhaven, should be licensed-that there should be rules and regulations established, and that before a party is granted a license, that his place should be exam-
87
ined, and until he complies with such, no license shall be granted him. This should apply not only to citizens of the town, but to any other person bringing milk into town. In this manner, the citizens can be assured of a pure supply of milk. and which we now know in many instances, they are not getting. Also every peddler of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and provisions should be licensed, and the fees for such licenses will go a long ways towards paying the ex- penses of having these officials. The inspector of slaugh- tered animals, live animals and milk, could be one and the same person.
A. N. BRUCKSHAW, M. D., Chairman,
C. E. WESTGATE,
A. W. KELLY, Secretary.
88
REPORT OF CATTLE INSPECTOR.
TO THE HONORABLE SELECTMEN AND BOARD OF HEALTH :
Gentlemen :- I herewith respectfully submit my annual report as Inspector of Animals as follows :
During the month of October I inspected 101 stables, and in most cases found an improvement over last year's conditions. Of the 101 stables inspected, 72 were well lighted, 42 well ventilated, and 76 kept clean. In all. I examined 1,086 animals : 1 goat, 2 sheep, 395 swine, 540 cows, 134 young cattle, 10 bulls, and 4 oxen.
Up to Feb. 1, I condemned two cows affected with tubercu- losis, for which the owner received pay from the state. Three cattle which I had under observation were condemned at the slaughter house, and at present I have one cow under observa- tion.
Respectfully submitted, W. H. SCHROEDER, Inspector of Animals.
89
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT.
To the Citizens of Fairhaven:
The Tree Warden herewith respectfully submits his annual report to the citizens of Fairhaven.
After general inspection of the trees I am able to report their condition as satisfactory in the main. Of course there are individual trees which show signs of deterioration, both from natural causes and from unnatural but unavoidable condi- tions. These have received the best treatment at our hands.
Eighty new trees have been planted to replace losses and in newly developed streets. There have been no trees removed.
The spraying of the public shade trees for the elm leaf beetle was thorough and successful. Following the precedent of last year, we sprayed, at the expense of the owners, a good proportion of the privately owned trees both in Fairhaven and Mattapoisett.
As much trimming was performed as was necessary to insure freedom of traffic.
The trees of Fairhaven are a valuable asset, and in order to realize their full value they must be confined to their proper functions -- those of affording pleasure and shade without the inconvenience of overgrowth. They will require a more extensive trimming this year. At the same time the insect pests of this year cannot be fought ten years hence.
The Tree Warden respectfully recommends that the sum of $1,200.00 be appropriated to accomplish the work of main- tenance and preservation.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER MURRAY, Tree Warden.
90
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :-
Gentlemen :- The Board of Fire Engineers herewith present their report from Feb. 1, 1910, to Feb. 1, 1911.
We have had four bell alarms and 19 still alarms. The total value of property wherein fire has occurred is estimated to be about $27,000, and the loss $3,450.00. Of this loss $1,135.00 was outside of the hydrant district. In accordance with the vote of the town, 1,000 feet of 21 inch double jacket fire hose was purchased. Hose wagon No. 1, which has received a thorough overhauling and been equipped with new springs, is in first class condition. The Protecting Society wagon has been equipped with new extinguishers.
In accordance with the vote of the town, a house was built near the north end of the town in which to keep Hose No. 3.
We recommend the following amounts to be used for repairing, painting, and new equipments upon the apparatus : Hose No. 2, $60.00; Hook and Ladder No. 1, $20.00; Pro- tecting Society, $60.00.
We also recommend that a fire alarm signal bell or whistle be installed near the north end of the town.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT C. AIKEN, Chief, HENRY L. WILSON, 1st. Asst., CLARENCE W. HAMMOND, 2d Asst. Board of Engineers.
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HOSE Co. No. 1.
John Palmer, Capt.
John Jones,
Joseph Jenney, 1st Lieut.
Lester Lewis,
William Schroeder, 2d Lieut.
William Shaw,
William Whitfield,
Charles Hawkins,
J. O. Whitfield,
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