USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1933 > Part 5
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I recommend an appropriation of $500.00 for the purchase of new fire hose, an appropriation of $15,000.00 for the maintenance of the Fire Department and $300.00 for the maintenance of the Fire Alarm System for the year 1934.
I wish to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation io all the members of this Department for their continued willing- ness and support; also to the Police Department and all the citi- zens and members of other Town Departments who have lent their valuable assistance.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD G. SPOONER, Chief of Fire Department
REPORT OF ALARMS, LOSSES AND INSURANCE FOR THE YEAR 1933
Month
Box
Still
Buildings
Contents
Buildings
Contents
January
3
7
2400.00
200.00
3900.00
February
4
7
1091.50
430.40
5400.00
300.00
March
7
April
11
825.00
250.00
12000.00
5000.00
May
4
9
1122.00
400.00
6000.00
400.00
June
9
83.50
25.00
7000.00
July
3
9
2500.00
225.00
2500.00
August
4
6
25.00
100.00
September
3
194.00
2000.00
November
3
25.00
5000.00
3000.00
December
1
8
52.00
2500.00
Totals
26
88
8318.00
1630.40
46300.00
8700.00
Total reported loss Total reported insurance Note: Insurance figures only on property damaged and claims filed. Per capita loss .92
1931
1932
1933
Stills
109
Stills
113
Stills
88
Box
27
Box
39
Box
25
136
152
111
Note: On total alarms, 16% decrease over 1931- 25 % decrease over 1932.
$9948.40
$55,000.00
October
2
9
Damage
Insurance
80
CAUSES OF FIRES FOR YEAR 1933
Aiding Street Department
Automobile accident
Automobile backfire
Automobile-faulty ignition
Bonfires-with permit
Bonfires-without permit
Bonfires-incinerator
Burnt food on stove
Careless use of lighting fixtures
Carelessly thrown lighted materials
Careless use of sulphur candles
Cats in trees
Children and matches
Chimneys-defective
Chimneys-dirty
Chimneys-backdraft
Chimneys-overheated
Defective house wiring
Dump fire out of control
1
Emergency-first aid
Emergency-driving away hornets
Emergency-families locked out of homes
Emergency-removing sulphur candles
False
8 1
Faulty stove
Faulty oil burner
1
Gas suicide
1
Grease
Gasoline explosion
Hot air register
Improper radio wiring
Incendiary
Lightning
Oilstove-improperly regulated
3
Oily rags
Out of Town calls for aid
1
Overheated stove
1
Rags in cellar
Recall-extinguishing embers
Recall-incendiary
1
Spontaneous -- inflammable material in closet
1
Suspicious
2
Unknown
20
1
Unreported fires
-14-26- 1
4 1 2
1
1 3 4 1 14 4 2
1
1
2
4 1 2 1
2 1
1
Smokepipe dirty
114
Report of the Superintendent of Fire Alarm
The Fire Department has responded to 26 Bell Alarms during the past year, and the new whistle as an adjunct, has been very satisfactory in its operation.
A large amount of the small appropriation for maintenance last year has been turned back to the Town as unexpended; but the coming year will probably require some replacements in wiring and cross-arms, and $300.00 is rcommended for this purpose.
I wish to mention with gratitude, the hearty co-operation and help that I have had at all times from the members of the Fire Department at headquarters in caring for your alarm system, especially Chief Spooner.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON A. HACKER, Supt. of Fire Alarms
Report of the Park Commissioners
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Fairhaven :
Your Park Commission hereby respectfully submits its annual report. During 1933 economy has been the watchword upper- most in the public mind whether it be in matters of National, Municipal or Town affairs.
With this thought always before us your Park Commission have scrutinized most carefully every item of expense under our control, with the sole object of giving our fellow citizens the utmost value for every dollar which they have authorized us to cxpend.
Due to careful supervision and the faithful work of our park employees the park system has come through another season in good condition.
The ravages of time together with the somewhat unfavor- able condition of the subsoil, have made some minor changes in the shrubbery on Cushman Park seem advisable, and these changes have been made.
The sewer in the park was thoroughly cleaned and four new "man holes" constructed to help take care of excess water.
We felt that consideration of economy justified a reduction of labor costs as also one week shorter season for the play- grounds.
Early in the season we were able to employ some welfare workers to advantage.
Under supervision of Miss Potter we constructed on the east side of Middle Street a section of stone boundary or wall.
This wall replaces a decrepit hedge which had long since ceased to be a thing of beauty and it is our hope to continue such replacements from time to time with field stone construc- tion of a permanent nature.
The reports from the various playgrounds show a continued interest in this healthful form of recreation.
83
Practically the same number registered this season as in 1932, in spite of the shortened season. Naturally the interest at Cush- man Park was greatest and under Mrs. H. B. Dutton's able super- vision there were many features of greatest interest to the young folks, including sports programs, inter-playground track meets, the exhibit of old fashioned and foreign dolls at the seventh an- nual Doll Show (which attracted a crowd of about 800 persons), basketball, and weekly classes in basketry.
Interest in tennis resulted in over 100 bookings for courts and five tournaments were played during the season. The baseball diamonds were in daily use both at Cushman Park and North Fairhaven.
Our parks attracted many out of town visitors, the guest book at Cushman Park alone showing over 500 names from Connecti- cut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky, New Jer- sey, Tennessee, New Hampshire and Canada.
As Mrs. Dutton says in her playground report: "Fairhaven should feel proud that her taxpayers have seen the advantage of these playground activities and have furnished the money instead of closing them down as has been done by many nearby towns and cities."
The removal of the old hulks from the park waterfront at the bridge was greatly appreciated by the Park Commissioners as well as by all our citizens, and we thank the town officials and particularly Mr. Henry Howard for their good work in this matter.
We wish here to express our appreciation of the willing and cheerful way in which the various heads of town departments have cooperated with us whenever asked to do so.
Respectfully submitted,
FAIRHAVEN PARK COMMISSIONERS,
MABEL L. POTTER, Chairman, HAROLD B. DUTTON, LEWIS F. POOR, Secretary.
Report of the Building Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Building Department respectfully submits the following report for the year 1933. There were 169 permits issued for various sorts of building activities, this past year. This is the same number as was issued in 1932, but last year there were 14 applications for permission to raze buildings, against 10 for this year.
We have received for the issuing of certain permits, the sum of $64.00, which has been committed to the Treasurer and the Town Accountant has been notified.
Following is a list of the different permits: 14 dwellings; 76 additions and alterations; 6 sheds; 2 barns; 26 garages, 12 hen houses; 1 pidgeon house; 3 gas stations; 2 bath houses; 1 bird house; 1 chicken house; 2 boat storage sheds; 1 incubator house; 2 green houses; 1 summer house; 9 re-locations; 10 buildings were razed.
The estimated cost of new building as given to this depart- ment, is $26,955.00.
TITLE AND SCOPE
Section No. 1. These by-laws shall be known and cited as the Building Laws. No building, structure or part thereof, shall hereafter be constructed and no building or structure now or here- after erected, shall be razed, altered, moved or built upon except in conformity with the provisions of these Building Laws. Nor shall plumbing, gas-piping, drainage, heating, wiring or ventila- tion be installed or altered in any building except in conformity herewith.
PLUMBING INSPECTIONS
There were 93 plumbing inspections made in the year 1933. PLUMBING PERMITS
All plumbing permits will be issued from the office of the Building Inspector, in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY T. HOWARD, Building Inspector
Report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending Dec. 31, 1933, during which time the following devices were tested and sealed or condemned.
Scales
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Condemned
Platform
23
45
23
6
Counter platform
2
6
1
Counter
17
63
3
9
Beam
1
3
Spring
32
98
2
4
Computing
32
54
4
Personal Weighing
6
Prescription
1
2
Weights
Avoirdupois
127
508
3
Metric
13
Apothecary
13
Troy
1
Measures
Liquid
166
Dry
40
Measuring Devices
Gasoline Pumps
31
40
8
7
Gasoline Meters
21
30
7
Kerosene Pumps
3
14
6
Oil Pumps
17
47
50
2
Molasses Pumps
Stops on Pumps
119
198
Yard Sticks
8
Oil Jars
39
3
Grease Pumps
3
4
Sealing fees collected
$112.04
Adjusting fees
5.18
2
3
86
Number of Reweighings of Goods Ready for Sale
Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Beans
45
43
1
1
Bread
143
123
2
18
Butter
38
36
2
Coal (in paper bags)
149
15
124
10
Dry Commodities
187
177
1
Fruits and Vegetables
279
146
78
55
Liquid Commodities
2
2
Potatoes
66
63
2
1
Flour
62
62
Number of Inspections
Paper or fibre cartons
118
Pedlers, licenses
40
Marking of food packages
108
Labels on bread
172
Kindling wood in paper bags
157
Wholesale milk cans
76
Transient vendors
2
Pedlers scales
10
Ice scales
3
Oil jars
165
Other Inspections
82
Milk jars
18
Number of tests made
Retest on gasoline devices after sealing
25
Manufacturers, sealed milk jars
29
Approved paper cartons
24
During the year a number of bags of coal were inspected and re-weighed and found to be short of the weight prescribed by law. Investigation disclosed the fact that careless weighing on the part of the bagger was responsible for the error found. This condition was rectified by the dealer and the short bags made to conform to the legal weight.
The same condition was found in the recent packing of onions in 10 lbs. net bags. This matter was also taken care of by your Sealer.
Scales in the several schools were tested at the request of Mr. Prior and three found to be in need of repair.
87
A slight decrease in the number of unlicensed pedlers was noted and I wish at this time to thank the Police Department for their co-operation in this phase of the weights and measures laws.
The continued co-operation of the Selectmen is very much appreciated by your Sealer.
Appropriation recommended for 1934 as follows:
Salary
$630.00
Transportation
170.00
Equipment and supplies
65.00
Telephone, Postage, Printing
12.00
Convention and travel
25.00
Extra labor
12.00
$914.00
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES P. THATCHER, Sealer of Weights and Measures
Report of the Inspector of Slaughtering
Twenty-seven inspections were made during the year 1933, as follows:
Swine
Cows
26 1
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS LIVESEY.
Report of the Tree Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Fairhaven:
The Tree Warden hereby respectfully submits his annual report.
The trees of the town are in very good condition, which I feel is due to the constant care and spraying of them from year to year. By this spraying the number of bugs are greatly reduced each year.
In order that we may be able to continue the preservation of the trees and thus beautify the town I would recommend the appropriation of two thousand dollars for the work of the tree department.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER MURRAY, Tree Warden.
Report of the Board of Health
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The Board of Health hereby submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1933.
Occasional meetings have been held, the office has been open daily from 9 to 11, Wednesdays 9 to 11.30 and from 2.30 to 4.30.
The following cases of diseases have been reported during the year: Chicken Pox 6, Diphtheria 6, Dog Bite 15, Mumps 4, Measles 6, Tuberculosis 14, Whooping Cough 24, Scarlet Fever 4.
Atttention is called to Section 109, Chapter 111 of the Gen- eral Laws, regarding reporting of contagious diseases. Failure to report shall be punished by a fine of not over one hundred dollars.
89
The garbage collections have been made in the usual satis- factory manner.
Diphtheria immunization has been given to 273 children.
Dental report by Lena P. Howland, R. N .: 185 fillings, 142 cleanings, 32 treatments, 1 lansing and 1,516 examinations.
Cardings and release 64, Inspections 87, Burial permits is- sued 127.
Respectfully submitted, W. F. DELANO, Secretary and Executive Officer.
Report of the Board of Sewer Commissioners
We have tried this year, as in the past, to live up to our motto, "Greatest possible efficiency with least possible expense."
Our department has passed through one of the worst years we have had since the installation of the electric systems in 1923. Unavoidable accidents and conditions arose, such as the bursting of a discharge main (an ever present danger), the so-called flood, and lightning which crippled one of our power plants for a time. Many other minor troubles and accidents, too numerous to men- tion, the board has had to overcome. Yet, they swelled our oper- ating expenses tremendously.
Few people not connected with the department have any idea of the time and energy that the commissioners put into their work in order to keep the system functioning so that the prop- erty owners suffer no more inconvenience than necessary. There is also the legal side of the problem to safeguard the financial in- terests of the property owner as well as that of the town.
The department has eight pumps and eight motors that have been in constant use for ten years. It was the hope of the board last year and again this year that the town would grant an appro- priation sufficiently large for use to buy one new spare motor, to use in case of emergency.
90
It has also been the hope of the board for several years to be able to install some sort of inexpensive automatic alarm in case the electrical or mechanical apparatus should fail to work. This might prevent many flooded cellars and possible sickness.
Our help has received cuts in wages together with consolida- tion of jobs to such an extent that our foreman of construction and repairs has to be on duty at all stations at least twice a day, seven days a week, and be on call 24 hours a day, should occasion require. Our other two men are on call 24 hours a day, and receive only $12 per week for the part time they work. They all have responded willingly, day or night, fair or stormy weather.
Thanks to the efforts of Chairman Brown of the Selectmen, and to Mr. Morse, Clerk of our Department, who have made many trips to Boston in order to rush through several C.W.A. projects for our department, we have been able to give more work to our own town men. We have started, and hope to com- plete, more jobs in 1934 that will be a lasting benefit to our town.
Our financial expenditures will be in other pages of the town report. There are 1,428 connections in use to date.
Keeping in mind many of the aforesaid facts and conditions, we respectfully ask the voters of Fairhaven to appropriate $8,500.00 for Sewer Maintenance for the year 1934.
At this time we want to extend a hearty welcome to all in- terested parties to come to our office any meeting night, and we will be glad to receive any complaints or suggestions, and to give any information possible to those who are interested in what the department is trying to accomplish.
Thanking the many voters for the patience, support, co-oper- ation and confidence they have shown us, we remain,
Respectfully,
G. W. VALENTINE, JOHN M. REILLY, F. W. MORSE.
Report of Fairhaven Committee on Street and Highway Safety
The report of the Committee on Street and Highway Safety for 1933 shows a decided drop over that for the year 1932 in number of accidents and injuries.
It is to be regretted, however, that Fairhaven's standing among the leaders as the Safest Town of its size had to be re- linquished because of two fatalities.
The first death, an adult, occurred on February 11, 1933. Incidentally, this was the first death in almost four years. The second death, that of a child, happened in broad daylight on the afternoon of October 19, 1933.
In March, Fairhaven received a framed certificate of Hon- orable Mention awarded by The National Safety Council to Fair- haven in recognition of noteworthy achievements in Traffic Acci- dent Prevention and Conservation of Human Life.
This award was for the work done by the Committee in 1932, when Fairhaven came within a few points of receiving second or third place awards.
The past year was the first time that the Committee had to pay from its meagre funds for a man to make out the monthly accident reports. This work had always in the past been that of the Police Department.
In addition to the above which cost about twenty-three dol- lars, the Committee bought three copies of "Safer Cities" at a total cost of three dollars. These were distributed to the Super- intendent of Streets, the Chief of Police and the Chairman of the Committee.
In keeping up with Safety Education in the schools, six school memberships in the National Safety Council were bought, at a cost of thirty dollars. These memberships were distributed under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools, Charles F. Prior. And, if you could have seen the letters received by the Com- mittee from the children and teachers and principals of the vari- ous schools, there never would be any doubt as to the good work being done in the interest of Safety among the children.
92
Comparison of Accidents for 1932-33 follows: 1932
1933
Accidents Deaths
Injuries
Accidents
Deaths
Injuries
Jan.
6
11
4
0
6
Fcb.
1
()
2-
3
1
2
March
1
1
6
0
12
April
0
13
1
C
1
May
5
()
8
3
0
8
June
6
0)
7
6
0
10
July
7
0)
18
6
0
12
August
10
0
25
6
6
September
12
0
15
4
0
11
October
6
0
8
1
1
6
November
9
()
14
9
C
17
December
6
()
5
0
6
Totals
79
C
134
54
2
97
It may be well to state, that, included in the above there were 24 pedestrians injured in 1932, while 25 were injured in 1933. Most injuries during the past year were caused by playing in the streets and by crossing streets at other points than at cross walks.
At this time I wish to express my sincere thanks and grate- ful appreciation of the fine spirit of cooperation, not only to the members of the Committee, but also to Superintendent of Schools Charles F. Prior, Superintendent of Streets Henry T. Howard and Chief of Police George T. Sykes.
For whatever success Fairhaven may have in her efforts to become a Safer Town, we must never become unmindful of the fine work being done in the interests of Safety by the Fairhaven Star.
There is not another newspaper in the country that gives so inuch space and wholehearted cooperation and support than our local paper, and it is hoped that the people of Fairhaven will ex- press their thanks.
In order that this proven worth while work in the interest of Safety may continue, the following budget is submitted for your consideration :
Seven School Memberships at $5.00
$35.00
Work of making out accident reports
25.00
Printing (cards, stickers, etc.)
75.00
Prizes (Essays, etc., in schools)
20.00
Ten stop and slow signs at $15.00
150.00
Incidentals (magazines, etc)
10.00
Total
$315.00
93
Kindly bear in mind that the Committee serves without pay.
Respectfully submitted,
VICTOR O. B. SLATER, Chairman E. PHILIP OSBERG, RAYMOND BABBITT.
Members ex-officio : Superintendent of Schools Charles F. Prior, Superintendent of Streets Henry T. Howard and Chief of Police George T. Sykes.
State Auditor's Report
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell, Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir :
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Fairhaven for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1932, and submit the following report thereon :
The financial transactions of the town, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined and compared with the records of the town treasurer and the accounting officer.
The books and accounts of the accounting officer were exam ?- ined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were compared with the treasurer's books and with the records of the several departments in which charges originated or money was collected. The records of disbursements were checked with the treasury warrants and with the treasurer's records of payments.
The appropriations, loan orders, and transfers as recorded on the accounting officer's ledger were checked with the records of the town clerk and the finance committee.
94
Th ledger accounts were analyzed, the necessary correcting and adjusting entries were made, a trial balance was taken off proving the accounts to be in balance, and a balance sheet, show- ing the financial condition of the town on December 31, 1932, was prepared and is appended to this report.
In checking the original vouchers and pay-rolls with the class- ification book, it was noted that a monthly charge of $666.66 is entered as rental for fire equipment, although it includes services of operators, care of equipment, and care of fire-alarm system. It is recommended that on presentation of vouchers for future payments this item be classified as follows:
Rental Pay-roll (Operators) Care of Equipment Care of Fire-Alarm System
This should be done in order that a true statement of the expen- diture of $8,000 annually, properly classified, may be available for the taxpayers.
It was also noted that a cash advance to a former police . department official of $100 for expenses has not been properly accounted for.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were analyzed and compared with the collections as recorded in the several depart- ments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury. The payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treas- urer to disburse town funds.
The cash balance on July 3, 1933, was verified by a count of the cash in the office and by a reconciliation of the bank balance with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit.
The payments on account of debt and interest were verified by a comparison with the amounts falling due, the cancelled secu- rities and coupons being checked and the outstanding debt being listed and proved.
The securities and savings bank books representing the invest- ments of the various trust funds in the custody of the town treas- urer were examined and listed. The income was proved and the withdrawals and disbursements were verified.
The income from the Henry H. Rogers High School Fund, as entered on the treasurer's books, was verified with a statement furnished by the City Bank Farmers Trust Company of New York, Trustees.
95
The deeds representing the tax titles held by the town were examined and checked with the records of the tax collector.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked. The commitment of taxes and assessments for 1932 were analyzed and verified with the warrants issued by the collec- tor by the board of assessors. The cash books were footed, the recorded collections on all levies outstanding at the previous audit were checked with the commitment books, and the payments to the treasurer were compared with the records in the treasurer's office and with the accounting officer's books. The Abatements were checked with the records of abatements granted by the board of assessors and the sewer commissioners, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
The outstanding accounts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
In reconciling the old age assistance taxes for the levies of 1931 and 1932, it was noted that $244 is due the State. An addi- tional commitment of old age assistance taxes for 1932 amounting to $97 has not been reported, and old age assistance taxes amount- ing to $147, certified to the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation as uncollectable and refunded by the State, have been collected from the persons assessed.
The Tax collector's cash balance was verified on July 3, 1933 by an actual count of the cash in the office, and the bank balance was compared with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit.
Considerable difficulty was experienced in proving the abate- ments as recorded on the tax collector's books to the records of the board of assessors. Many adjustments were required to record abatements granted but not reported to the accounting officer, duplicate abatements, over-abatements, and abatements being incorrectly reported. It is recommended that abatements granted each month be promptly reported to the accounting officer and that more care be taken, so that they will be correctly reported.
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