USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1936 > Part 5
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The Board recommends that a Five Dollar fee be charged each Petitioner who asks for a change of zone, to cover the cost of advertising each petition.
Voted to recommend that a flood control study be made.
It will be of interest to note, that progress has been made regarding the removal of the Ledge in Dover Street west of Main Street. The Planning Board has been advised by Mr. Edward Sanders W.P.A. administrator that the Supt. of Streets has informed Mr. Sanders, "that the Ledge will be removed in the Spring of 1937 by the Highway Dept."
The Board respectfully asks for an appropriation of $150.00 be made for the year 1937.
After many years of hard work by the Board we hope the Townspeople appreciate the removal of the billboards on Hut- :leston Avenue.
The Planning Board members miss the good fellowship and conscientious service of our late member, Samuel A. Dudgeon.
KENNETH S. PEIRCE,
Secretary.
Report of the Board of Appeals
Board of Selectmen, Fairhaven, Mass.
Gentlemen :
During the year 1936, this Board received fifteen petitions, to vary the application of the provisions of the zoning ordinance.
After public hearings, eleven of these petitions were granted and four petitions were refused, for reasons set forth in the individual reports which are on file.
Respectfully submitted, FAIRHAVEN BOARD of APPEALS,
Stanley H. Packard, Chairman,
Raymond T. Babbitt, Howard E. Odiorne, James M. Young, Gilbert W. Tuell, Secretary.
Board of Fire Engineers
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Engineers beg leave to present this, their report for 1936.
The Board organized as of May 11 with P. D. Brown as Chairman and Clerk. Mr. William Cabral replaced the late Thomas Livesey by the appointment by your Board. The Board appointed Mr. E. G. Spooner, Jr. as Chief, Mr. Alexander Price as Deputy Chief and Mr. Charles H. Lawton as First Assistant Chief. The personnel of the permanent force at the Central Station were reappointed as then serving.
It is deemed advisable to acquaint the citizens of Town with what constitutes the mechanical fire-fighting equipment of this Department. There is housed at the Central Station seven pieces of apparatus: Engine No. 1, an American LaFrance 750 Gallon triple combination Hose, Chemical and Pumper purchased in 1922; Engine No. 2, a combination Hose with Booster Tank assembled on a Reo chassis purchased in 1920 equipped with a 350 Gallon Barton Pump; Engine No. 4, an American LaFrance triple combination 500 Gallon Pumper with a 100 Gallon Booster Tank and Foamite attachment purchased in 1932; an American LaFrance Cities Service Ladder Truck with standard equipment and with chemical tank purchased in 1927; a 330 Gallon Tank Wagon on a 1925 Reo chassis equipped with a 50 Gallon Barton Pump as assembled by the men of the Department in 1935; a. Lighting Outfit on a Whippet chassis purchased in 1929 and equipped with two Crouse-Hinds Flood Lights with extension cables, thus making portable lights for use on the inside of dwel- lings when desired and also a smoke suction-fan all operated from the power unit of the chassis; and a Forest Fire Truck fully equipped for the purpose and use indicated.
Engine No. 2 is a very active piece, answering all alarms, ex- cept a very few. Originally it was used as a tractor hauling the old style Hook and Ladder Truck. With the purchase of the present truck this piece of apparatus was converted into a pumper by the installation of a 350 gallon Barton Pump. This piece is not as dependable as it was due to its active use and should be
98
replaced by a more powerful unit at no great increase in weight. To this unit could be attached the present pump. The increase in the power unit would easily raise the capacity of the pumping unit to 500 gallons without straining or overloading the same. This Board therefore recommends the purchase of a new chassis equipped with a greater power unit, also with dual wheels and a new body longer than the one now in use thus enabling the carrying of more auxiliary equipment and adding to the power efficiency of the same as a fire-fighting apparatus.
At North Fairhaven is Hose No. 1, a combination 250 Gallon pumper with a Booster Tank assembled on a Reo chassis purchas- ed in 1927. This piece of apparatus is wholly inadequate to provide the protection to that part of the town that is demanded of it to say nothing of the auxiliary aid it furnishes to the other sections of the town. There is in this section, probably, more three storied houses than in any other section of the town and with many homes far removed from adequate hydrant service. The ladder equipment as is now on this piece of apparatus would hardly reach the roof of many small houses, and the apparatus is heavily overloaded with the equipment it does carry. There is need of a triple combination piece of equipment of not less than 600 gallon pump capacity with standard equipment. This Board recommends the purchase of such a piece of apparatus. It is believed that an appropriation of $10,000.00 will provide for both new pieces so recommended. This Board therefore recommends the appropriation of this amount for the purpose afore mentioned.
At Oxford Street Hose No. 2 is a combination hose and chemical assembled on a Model T Ford chassis purchased in 1926. The chemical tank on this piece of apparatus is rarely used and it is a question as to the advisability of continuing with this or of removing the tank and equipment that goes with it thereby reducing the overload and providing for more hose carrying capacity and other auxiliary equipment without any increase in load.
Two new pieces of major equipment were purchased this year and put into use; a Baker No. 1 Revolving Turret Pipe and a Baker No. 6 Revolving Deck and Roof Pipe. The former is adjustable to elevation and through a siamese connection can handle very easily two streams, and when set in position does not require any attention on the part of firemen but will continue to provide a stream in any determined direction or elevation so long as water is provided. The other is usable in handling fires not easy to reach, such as in cellars or blind attics between roofs
99
and ceilings, or in any place where it would be impossible to enter with hose and men.
During the year all the major pieces of apparatus at the Central Station and particularly the LaFrance built equipment were thoroughly overhauled by an expert mechanic specializing in such work and who was formerly service engineer for the same manufacturers. We are assured that they are now in as good mechanical condition as when first put into service. Minor repairs have been made to other pieces as well.
Two new Crouse-Hinds Flood Light outfits were purchased for the Lighting Outfit as the ones formerly in use were lost to us upon the request of the owners, as they were loaned only and subject to recall at any time.
The addition to Hose No. 1 House, a W.P.A. project has been practically completed thus giving an added depth to this building of seven feet and an added depth to the cement engine bed of over ten feet as well as better facilities and larger floor space. for company use.
300 feet of Hose has been condemned this past year thus reduc- ing our reserve to some 1900 feet. The normal carrying hose- capacity of our equipment 4700 feet and there is on hand a reserve: of only 2800 feet or 1900 feet short of a complete reload. There is in use at the present time hose purchased as far back as 1916 and if it was not for the care which has been exercised in wash- ing, cleaning and drying hose our reserve would be much less. This Board recommends an appropriation of $550.00 for the purchase of new hose.
The Board have seen fit to put into force again the substitute. list of Firemen. This was discontinued some years ago. It is believed that the inauguration of such a list will greatly increase: the efficiency of the Department by having available for replace- ments in company membership men who have had some pre- liminary training or acquaintance with fire-fighting procedure.
A visitor to the Central Station cannot help but being impressed with the neat appearance of both apparatus and station and the Board wishes to express to those responsible for this, their hear- tiest and sincerest appreciation for their cooperation in making this possible.
To members of the Department, each and all, the Board tenders its heartiest appreciation for their cooperation and efforts to make this department of the town's activities a most efficient
-
100
aid to the preservation of property of the tax-payer and citizens of the town.
This Board recommends the establishing of two new fire-alarm . boxes; one at the corner of Lafayette and Cherry Streets, and the other on the Town Wharf property.
This Board recommends an appropriation of $15,500.00 for the general expenses of the Department for the coming year. This Board fully realizes its responsibility to the tax-payers and will continue so long as they hold office to maintain the highest efficiency of the same that is possible and to spend its appropria- tion wisely with an eye to getting the best and most for the money spent.
The report of the Chief of the Department follows:
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Fire Engineers,
P. D. BROWN,
Chairman
CAUSES FOR FIRES AND ALARMS 1936
Automobile-backfire
3
Automobile-defective wiring
1
Automobile-defective generator
1
Burning material in rubbish barrel (in open air)
2
Boiling tar on stove
Bonfire, with permit-sparks from
Bonfire, with permit-neglected
2
Bonfire, without permit
1
Careless use of blow-torch
10
Carelessly thrown lighted or smoking material
9
Cat on pole
6
Cat in tree
2
Children and matches
5
Chimney-burning soot
1
Chimney-sparks from
2
Chimney-backdraft
Combustible material in rubbish barrel in basement
4
Dump fire-dangerous
1 6
Bonfire, with permit-out of control
11
101
Dump fire-no permit
False fire alarm-Box
Faulty fireplace construction
Fire prevention
Fireworks-careless use of
Food on stove burning
Incendiary
Incinnerator, without permit -- sparks from
Lead pot overheated
Needless alarms for fire
No fire found
Rags on stove
Recall to fire ruins
1
Return to fire ruins for equipment
1
Occupants locked out
1
Oil burner-faulty house wiring
Oil burner-improperly regulated
Out of Town-Acushnet-over Town line
Out of Town-Acushnet-call for assistance
1 1
Out of Town-New Bedford-out of Town district
Out of Town-Buzzards Bay-out of Town district
Pumping well for health conditions
Sparks from electric welding outfit
Sparks from fireplace
1 1
Sparks from previous fire
1
Sponstaneous ignition in closet
Still alarms converted to Box alarms
Stove-overheated
Suspicious
1
Unknown
41
Water exhausted in steam heater
1
Wetting ground for pageant
1
Wiring-street
1
Delayed report of fire
1
First-aid treatment to injured child
1
174
2 ------------- 2 2
1 6 9
1 4 4.
1 2 1
Sparks from RR locomotive
6 1 1
Thawing water pipes
172
REPORT OF ALARMS, LOSSES AND INSURANCE FOR THE YEAR 1936
Value
Damage
Insurance
Insurance Loss
Month
Buildings
Contents $ 2,100.00
Buildings $ 1,340.75
Contents $ 750.00
Buildings $ 5,000.00
Contents $ 500.00
Buildings $ 1,290.75
Contents $ 500.00
February
1,500.00
1,000.00
10.00
March
9,800.00
5,500.00
222.00
105.00
9,500.00
6,500.00
222.00
95.00
April
10,000.00
3,000.00
300.00
5,000.00
May
3,300.00
2,600.00
2,300.00
1,025.00
5,500.00
1,500.00
1,893.00
568.00
June
7,370.00
4,000.00
1,574.50
444.19
8,000.00
3,000.00
1,574.50
419.19
July
11,100.00
6,000.00
10.00
10,000.00
5,000.00
10.00
August
200.00
25.00
September
October
100.00
10.00
November
3,000.00
3,000.00
10.00
5,000.00
2,000.00
15.00
December
31,450.00
24,500.00
3,258.88
2,778.43
13,300.00
5,700.00
3,253.88
2,778.43
$81,120.00
$ 51,700.00
$ 9,061.13
$ 5,102.62
$61,300.00
$ 24,200.00
$ 8,259.13
$ 4,360.62
Total
$132,820.00
$14,163.75
$85,500.00
$12,619.75
Insurance loss on Buildings
$8,259.13
Insurance loss on Contents
$4,360.62
Uninsured loss on Buildings
802.00
Uninsured loss on Contents
742.00
Total damage to Buildings
$ 9,061.13
Total damage to Contents
$5,102.62
Total value of property involved where only losses occurred
$132,820.00
Total insurance of property involved where only losses occurred
85,500.00
Total insurance loss
12,619.75
Total uninsured loss
1,544.00
Assessed value of property totally destroyed
Exposure loss during year-$100.00
Per Capita loss for 1936-$1.29
The Department responded to 28 Bell Alarms and 144 Still alarms for the year.
2,300.00
January
$ 3,300.00
Report of Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen :
I hereby submit a report of the Building activity for the year 1936. There were 212 permits issued for new building at an estimated cost of $57,913.00. Considering that we had no one building of any great value and referring to some of the past years, this seems to indicate that general building is much im- proved. We collected and turned over to the Treasurer, the sum of $78.00 for Building Permit fees.
Following is a list of the various permits :- 19 dwellings, 30 garages, 39 hen houses, 86 additions and alterations, 1 bath house, 1 stock room, 2 barns, 2 hot houses, 3 boat sheds, 2 silos, 9 sheds, 1 ice house, 5 re-locations, also 12 permits were given to raze old buildings.
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 hereafter 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 ventilation be installed or altered in any building except in con- formity herewith.
PLUMBING INSPECTIONS
There were 136 plumbing inspections made in the year 1936.
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 Inspector of Animals
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I, Samuel C. Barrett, Inspector of Animals under the super- vision of the Division of Livestock Disease Control, do respect- fully submit for your approval the following report, for the year ending Dec. 31, 1936.
Inspected a total of 887 head of Cattle at 133 places.
Cows 752, Young stock 118, Bulls 17, Swine 317, Goats 42, Inspection of Barns where Cattle were condemned under the tuberculene test 7, Inspection of permits issued under Chapter 129 section 20, General Laws and Order 43, Eleven.
There were 29 Dogs quarantined, 2 put to death, 1 Cats head sent to the Wasserman Laboratory for Rabie test, test negative, 1 case of Mange.
At the Animal Inspectors meeting in November Mr. Riordan, the Director, recommended the inoculation of Dogs in order to prevent teh spread of Rabies, as it holds the Animal immune for at least one year.
Respectfully yours,
SAMUEL C. BARRETT, Inspector of Animals.
Report of 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, 1936 during which time the following devices were tested and sealed or condemned.
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed Condemned
Scales
Platform
20
43
23
7
Counter platform
1
7
2
1
Counter
14
47
3
11
Beam
1
3
. .
.
Spring
32
96
2
14
Computing
18
53
3
18
Personal Weighing
5
Prescription
3
. .
Weights
Avoirdupois
107
341
1
Metric
3
11
Apothecary
12
. .
Troy
1
Measures
Liquid
1 147
Dry
28
. .
Oil jars
1
. .
. .
Measuring Devices
Gasoline Pumps
13
19
9
3
Gasoline Meters
29
37
. .
7
Kerosene Pumps
7
17
5
1
Oil Pumps
2
24
44
. .
Molasses Pumps
1
.
Stops on Pumps
66
101
. .
.
Grease Pumps
3
. .
Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
8
. .
Sealing fees collected
$113.08
.
.
. .
3
Fuel Baskets
106
Number of Reweighings of Goods Ready for Sale
Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Beans
52
51
1
. .
Bread
213
199
7
7
Butter
152
84
48
20
Coal (in paper bags)
157
119
14
24
Confectionery
54
42
.
12
Dry Commodities
334
232
9
85
Flour
65
64
1
ยท
Fruit and Vegetables
187
72
37
78
Grain and Feed
51
51
. .
. .
Lard
99
99
Potatoes
73
50
21
2
Liquid Commodities
11
11
. .
. .
Number of Inspections
Paper or fibre cartons
151
Pedlers licenses
88
Marking of food pkgs.
67
Labels on bread
206
Wholesale milk cans
47
Transient vendors
2
Pedlers scales
18
Clinical thermometers
11
Glass graduates
14
Ice scales
9
Junk scales
2
Milk jars
74
Oil jars
389
Kindling wood in paper bags
141
Other inspections
95
Number of tests made
Retest on gasoline devices after sealing
36
Mfrs. Sealed milk jars
13
Approved paper cartons Oil jars
. .
Number of Pedlers licenses issued
State
9
County
4
Town
5
. .
27
107
I wish to express my appreciation to the various officials for the support extended to me during the past year.
Appropriation recommended for 1937 as follows:
Salary
$630.00
Transportation
180.00
Equipment and supplies
45.00
Tel., Postage, Printing
10.00
Convention and travel
25.00
Extra labor
10.00
$900.00
Respectfully submitted,
CHAS. P. THATCHER,
Sealer of Weights & Measures.
Report of the Tree Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Fairhaven, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as Tree Warden for the year ending December 31,, 1936.
I have trimmed and cared for the trees in the different parts of the Town as far as my appropriation would permit and to the best of my ability.
The spraying of the Trees has been very completely accomplish- ed with the aid of the W.P.A. and the trees are in a very good and healthy condition.
Through the work of the W.P.A., we were able to remove many dead and dying trees. Last year we planted 200 trees, but this year we did not plant any as no money was available and we realize that more or less trees have to be removed and should be replaced with young trees, or else there will be many bare streets in the town.
It think it is no exaggeration to state that this town is in as good condition as any in the State.
I would recommend that an appropriation of $2,000.00 be ap- propriated for the care of the trees for 1937.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER MURRAY,
Tree Warden.
Report of Moth Superintendent
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Gypsy Moth and Brown Tail Infestation in the thickly settled and travelled sections of Fairhaven has been kept under control to such an extent that present conditions are highly satis- factory, all due to the work of the W.P.A.
Would recommend an appropriation of $300.00 that we may be able to continue the work of exterminating these moths.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER MURRAY, Moth Supt.
Report of the Fairhaven Infirmary
There have been numerous changes during the past year among. the inmates. We have cared for a total of eighteen, the largest number at one time being eleven and the smallest number, five. There have been four deaths, one of whom was Eben Tinkham, who was the holder of the "Boston Post" cane, the same being awarded to the oldest man in town.
One mother came to us from the hospital, entirely paralyzed on the left side. When she left us, was able to walk with the assistance of a cane. Your Matron visited her recently and found she was able to walk, also use both arm and hand.
One man found work, also a young mother who was under our care for eight months. Another woman went to live with a niece in Sagamore. Called to see her a short time ago. She is confined to a wheel chair and very feeble, but receiving fine care.
At present there are ten inmates, two women and eight men. One woman does light dusting and helps with the dishes, also cares for her own room. Two men are able to work, one does. repairing around the place and works in the garden. The other works in the barn, also assists in caring for the helpless and feeble men.
One patient, nearly 89 years of age, was confined to his bed for several weeks, but is now convalescent and able to walk to the table for his meals. Another patient came to us from the hospital with a serious ailment. He is improving and hopes to return to his work before long. We also have another patient from St. Luke's Hospital, who is still confined to his bed with septic poisoning but improving slowly.
We also have a woman, who was brought here from St. Luke's Hospital in a helpless condition. She is much better, but requires constant care at present and will remain here until such time as she is able to go home.
These three hospital cases are temporarily under our care, for the lack of someone to care for them in their own homes.
During the past year, we have finished two large rooms on the third floor with plaster board. The walls and floors were
111
painted, also heat installed. The south room is used for em- ployees and the north as a matron's sewing and work room. Most of this work was done by the inmates and those employed here.
The wiring in the barn was found to be in poor condition. This was all rewired with BX cable and new switches installed. The yard light was also replaced so that strong winds could not break it. This light should also be connected with a switch in the house, because it lights the yard and surrounding buildings.
A Hamilton Beach Mixer with Potato Peeler attachment, was added to our kitchen the past year.
The garden produced plenty of fresh vegetables for use all summer, and enough turnips, carrots and onions to carry us until January and potatoes enough until early spring.
A third cow was purchased last spring, as the need of milk was increased. Our requirements average about fifteen quarts a day. The cows are certified and tubercular tested and the barn passed the State examination.
We raised enough pigs to supply us with salt pork for the coming year and also sausage, ham, etc. for the present.
A turkey dinner was enjoyed at both Thanksgiving and Christ- mas, and at Christmas each one received a basket of things for comfort, also fruit and candy.
We would like to thank the Kings Daughters, who sent each person one or two gifts, together with fruit and candy; the Ladies Aid of the Methodist Church, who sent each one a basket of goodies, and for the various individual gifts that were sent in.
We wish to thank our physician for his kind and thoughtful assistance in any emergency, also all who have contributed in any way toward making the "Home" a comfortable and happy place for my people.
Respectfully submitted,
EDITH ELDRIDGE, Matron.
Report of the Board of Health
The Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The Board of Health hereby submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1936.
The office has been open every day from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednes- days from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 2 to 3:30 p.m., except when the executive officer is out of town on Health business.
The following cases of communicable diseases have been re- ported during the year by physicians and families. Under Section 109 of Chapter 111, a householder is required to report when there is no attending physician. Copies of rules and regulations may be obtained at the office.
Chicken Pox
43
Diphtheria
1
Mumps
115
Dog Bite
35
Eye Infection
2
Scarlet Fever
2.2
Whooping Cough
4
Measles
33
German Measles
91
Lobar Pneumonia
5
Tuberculosis
10
Typhoid Fever
1
362 Total
We have 11 cases at various hospitals.
The Garbage has been collected in the usual efficient manner and very few complaints were received.
Owing to the illness of Mr. Lannon, we were obliged to ap- point Mr. Henry Stevens as Slaughter Inspector for the remainder of the year.
113
The executive officer wishes to express his appreciation to the Community Nurse and to the Police Department for the valuable assistance they have given.
Respectfully submitted,
W. FRED DELANO, Secretary and Executive Officer.
Report of Health Nursing Service
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Fairhaven, Mass. Gentlemen :
At the 1936 Town Meeting, the townspeople appropriated a sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), for the purpose of hiring a public health nurse for services where necessary.
Following is a report of the nursing visits made during the year :-
Town Patients
329 Visits
Communicable Diseases
330
Child Welfare
1649
Tuberculosis
458
Total
2766 "
The appropriation paid for only 1276 of the above visits, the remaining 1490 were not paid for.
To town patients needing bedside nursing care, this was given under the supervision of the doctor.
A follow-up of the communicable diseases, referred by the Board of Health, consisted of bedside nursing care, where neces- sary, and instructions as to isolation.
X-rays and examinations were urged for all tuberculous patients and their contacts. Through the co-operation of the Board of Health and Board Members of the Community Nurse Association, 37 contacts were taken to State Sanatoria for the above mention- ed. (3 Suspicious, 2 Hilum, 3 Pulmonary cases were found). Many others have had periodic examinations by their family physicians.
The Child Welfare program has consisted of a check-up and follow-up of the pre-school child, endeavoring to help the parents lay a good foundation for future health-by instructions in hygiene and daily regime, by the recognition of early symptoms in communicable disease control, emphasizing immunization, vac- cination, a physical examination for every child, and to encourage the correction of physical deformities.
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