USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1937 > Part 5
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
The renovation of and repairs to the North Fairhaven Station started in 1936 were completed and the Station made ready for the new piece established therein.
The old Hose No. 1, replaced by New Engine No. 3, is to be transferred to East Fairhaven Station after complete overhauling of motor and pump equipment, and repainting of the body. February 1st, at the latest, should see this piece in commission at this new Station and will be known as Engine No. 5.
The Fire Department has established an alarm siren, with all equipment to operate, at the new Station in a tower erected thereon by this Board.
This Board welcomes any suggestions made to it which will tend to improve the efficiency of the workings of this Department, striving always to make such decisions as will bring about this aim.
We commend the personnel of the Department for its zeal and effort exerted to maintain the efficiency of and also the high standing which it enjoys in the opinion of the Board of Fire Underwriters. No matter how good the equipment may be, its efficiency is dependent upon the use of it as made by an earnest and zealous crew of men operating the same. A study of the appended report as required by and as made to the Board of Fire Underwriters will show as to what extent this is true, as regards the loss by fire and other causes.
This Board would call to the attention of your Board and the Townspeople, some of the other and seldom mentioned or realized benefits derived through the service of the men
101
who make up its Fire Department. A call department must necessarily take its membership from all walks of life, nor can appointments to such a department be restricted to men employed in the Town, or to men always accessible upon call. It is not always possible for such men to leave their occupation or business, upon which they depend for a living, at the instant of call, while others may be pro- hibited by employers to respond to any call during working hours. A study of the percentage records of the various companies, as well as the whole department, will clearly show that, to maintain a percentage attendance of over seventy, the Town is fortunate in both the appointments as recommended by this Board and confirmed by your Board, as to personnel, and that their response is materially aided by the nature of their work and the attitude of the em- ployer in regard to such service. Many of our men have voluntarily embraced the opportunities offered by the Fire- man's School held in New Bedford under the auspices of the State Board of Education. Some of the men have at- tended several terms and have received certificates of effici- ency granted by the same. It is to be hoped that all mem- bers may be able to attend these schools, membership in which must be limited in any one term, and divided pro-rata upon the Towns in the district.
The members of this Department while primarily inter- ested in the extinguishing or controlling of fires, are as much interested in the saving of life, and the removal of hazards which may cause either injury or loss of life by accident, or of property by fire. A cat in a tree, or a dog under a building, not easily reached, may be a potential cause of injury to the would be rescuer, particularly if the rescuer is ignorant of the proper procedure or improperly equipped with the means of rescue. In such cases, a call to the department brings a man or men, trained to handle such equipment, or other means of rescue which are placed at their disposal. In most cases the animal is returned to its owner, but in every such case the danger of accident due to improper procedure or equipment, is removed.
A mother, momentarily out of the home in the pursuit of housewife duties with young children in the home unat- tended, (there may be electrical appliances in service) by the sudden and accidental closing of her only means of entrance, finds herself locked out. Those within the house, either through disability or lack of understanding as to what to do in this emergency, are of no help. A call to the
102
station brings a man properly equipped, who soon opens the home to the locked-out occupant and the menace of damage to life or property removed. In this day of im- provements and the increasing use of electrical and other household appliances, greater care must be exercised in installing and use of the same. It is by far the safer policy to have all installations made by one familiar with the work, rather than by a novice. The same may be said as to re- pairs and adjustments. If, however, any slight cause of alarm exists, or a menace to life or property develops, a call to the station brings that service which may prevent a greater loss. This so called still alarm work is carried on known only to those affected, and this service has many times pre- vented some slight menace which if not checked in time might have developed into something more serious with the resultant loss of property, and perhaps loss of life.
Every property owner owes to those departments which are created for the purpose of protecting life and property, a debt of gratitude, not so much as for the service they have rendered, but more for that service which through their watchfulness and willingness to serve, they may be able to give. This Board doubts if any one; as he leaves his home, either for work or pleasure, or lays himself down to rest; ever gives the safety of his property and the lives of those within it during this absence any thought. He knows that there are men always ready to respond to the call of alarm at any time of day or night, or condition of the weather to protect his property so far as possible from fire and loss of life as well. There are also selected men who absent themselves from their homes and families four days out of five and are on call immediately to respond to any or all emergency alarms. One should think well on this rarely emphasized phase of Fire Department activities, the divi- dends from which are great as compared to the investment the tax payer makes in that small part of his tax bill which goes towards the expenses of the maintenance of such de- partment.
Your Fire Department is something more than ladder truck, pumpers, hosewagons, hose and other equipment, it is the zealous men with the willingness to serve you at all times that makes it the efficient Department it is. It is the aim of this Board to provide the most adequate and up to date equipment possible, through the means placed at their disposal, in order that the efficiency of the Department may continue to be of the highest. It would suggest a serious
103
consideration of the need of a more adequate hydrant ser- vice, particularly in the water-front section, as a protective measure and greater aid to the efficiency of the Depart- ment. A cordial invitation is extended to every tax payer to visit any station when opened and see for himself the present facilities of his Fire Department. A whole-hearted and earnest support thereof should be the aim and desire of every tax payer and voter in the Town.
Detailed reports of Chief of the Department follows: I. The Board recommends the appropriation of $15,500, for Departmental Expense.
II. The appropriation of $1,000, for purchase of Fire Hose.
III. The installation of a hydrant on the Town owned Union wharf property as the growth and nature of the ac- tivities carried on there demands this added protection. This should be installed this year.
This Board in closing expresses its appreciation of the cooperation of your Board in matters brought before it in joint assembly, or by notice.
This same expression of appreciation is tendered to the Department personnel, the tax payer and to each and every- one, who have through service and advice helped to make the Department what it is.
Yours very respectfully,
P. D. BROWN, JAMES M. YOUNG, WILLIAM CABRAL,
Board of Engineers.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE DEPARTMENT
CAUSES FOR FIRES AND ALARMS 1937
Automobile-backfire
1
Automobile-broken gasoline feed line
1
Automobile-defective wiring 2
Automobile-grease around motor
1
Automobile collision
2
Bonfire, with permit, dangerous 1
104
Bonfire, without permit, illegal
Bonfire, without permit, illegal and dangerous
Bonfire, without permit, illegal and out of control
Burning brush, without permit, illegal and dangerous Burning grass, without permit, illegal and dangerous Burning grass, with permit, dangerous
Burning off paint
Burning sulphur candles
Carelessly thrown lighted or smoking material Cat on pole Cat on roof of barn
Cat in tree
2
Children and matches
Chimney-burning soot
Combustible material around hot air furnace
Dump fire-dangerous
Dump fire-recurrence
Dump fire-sparks from
False fire alarm-Box
False fire alarm-Tel. Still
1
Faulty construction under heater Faulty construction of smokepipe
1
2 1
1
2 8 1
Oil Cabinet heater-flooded
Oil Heater, portable-overturned
Oil Heater improperly regulated
1
Open flame around gas leak
1
Occupants locked out
1
Out of Town call for assistance, Acushnet
1
Pumping well for health purposes
1
Radio-overheated
1
Rats and inflammable materials in closet
1
Recall to previous fires
2
Short circuit in store refrigerating unit
1
Sifting ashes near haystack
1
Sparks from chimney
Sparks from previous fire
6 2 4 2 1
1 1 1
10
3
1
Chicken brooder equipment in basement faulty
1 4 10
1 2
2 1 8 3
Faulty construction around chimney
1
Incinnerator-without permit, sparks from, illegal Inflammable material in closet
Inflammable material around stove
Needless calls for fire
No fire found
Oil Burner-short circuit in motor
Oil Burner, range-flooded
1
1 1 1
Oily rags in automobile
1
1
105
Sparks from RR locomotive
3
Spontaneous ignition in barrel Spontaneous ignition in dwelling
1
2
Still Alarms converted to Box Alarms Unknown
36
Water pipe broken in stove
1
Wires-street, broken, dangerous
1
Wiring, short circuit in boat
1
158
METHODS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN EXTINGUISH- ING FIRES, 1937.
(Apparatus used to extinguish)
Pump tanks from single unit only used at 21 fires.
Pump tanks from more than one unit used at 13 fires.
Booster equipment from single unit used at 34 fires.
Booster equipment from more than one unit used at 6 fires. Pyrene hand extinguishers used at 3 fires.
Imp chimney chemicals used at 9 fires.
Foam 21/2 gal. tanks used at 1 fire.
Pails used at 1 fire.
Soda and Acid 35 gal. tank used at 1 fire.
Ladders used for 13 calls, totalling 750 ft. raised.
21%" Hose used in 27 calls, totalling 20,150 ft., handled 3 times.
11/2" Hose used in 15 calls, totalling 2,800 ft., handled 3 times.
PERMITS ISSUED FROM HDQRS. OFFICE, 1937
Kerosene-Retail
4
Oil Burner and Oil Storage
96
Gasoline-Retail
3
Gasoline-domestic storage
1
Fireworks-Retail
12
Fireworks-Display
3
Dynamite for Blasting
8
4
REPORT OF ALARMS, LOSSES AND INSURANCE FOR THE YEAR 1937
Value
Damage
Insurance
Insurance Loss
Month
Buildings
Contents
Buildings
Contents
Buildings
Contents
Buildings
Contents
January
$100.00
$10.00
February
5,200.00
$6,000.00
4,145.40
$3,585.00
$21,000.00
$3,000.00
$1,530.40
$2,370.00
March
28,000.00
800.00
1,845.80
11,500.00
1,578.80
100.00
April
4,660.00
1,300.00
2,496.00
213.00
9,600.00
500.00
2,570.25
163.00
May
6,000.00
2,550.00
2,300.00
1,906.42
4,500.00
3,800.00
2,425.00
1,896.42
June
6,100.00
2,910.00
1,980.00
1,442.50
7,275.00
2,610.00
499.90
1,442.50
August
September
October
5,435.00
2,540.00
175.00
140.00
6,500.00
1,500.00
105.85
90.00
November
3,200.00
1,000.00
86.00
7.10
3,500.00
1,000.00
61.00
7.10
December
20.00
20.00
$58,715.00
$17,100.00
$13,058.20
$7,294.00
$63,875.0)
$12,410.00
$8,771.20
$6,069.02
Total
$75,815.00
$20,352.20
$76,285.00
$14,840.22
Insurance loss on Buildings
$8,771.20
Insurance loss on Contents
$6,069.02
Uninsured loss on Buildings
4,287.00
Uninsured loss on Contents
1,124.98
Total damage to Buildings
$13,058.20
Total damage to Contents
$7,294.00
Total Fire Loss $20,352.20
Total value of property involved where only losses occurred
$58,715.00
Total insurance of property involved where only losses occurred
76,285.00
Total insurance loss Total uninsured loss
14,840.22
5,511.98
Assessed value of propery totally destroyed
5,850.00
Assessed value of property totally destroyed
5,850.03
Rebuilt and revalued property
1,900.00
Total assessed loss
3,950.00
Exposure loss during year
Per Capita loss for 1937 - $1.85
The Department responded to 41 Box Alarms and 117 Still Alarms during the year.
4,666.22
July
Report of Fire Alarm
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
With the appropriation for the year 1937, this depart- ment installed in much needed localities three Gamewell fire alarm boxes of the latest non-interfering type, besides renewing a mile of old worn out wire and cross-arms.
Also, the new station in East Fairhaven was connected with the fire alarm system and a recording tape and gong placed in service, besides an outside siren horn that will code the box alarms and call the firemen in that section to their station.
April 26th of this year, the fire alarm will have given service to this Town for a period of 40 years.
It is recommended that a small amount of money be appropriated each year to replace some of the boxes that have served this length of time with new and up-to-date non-interfering signal boxes; and also to place new boxes in localities at present unprotected by such service.
I wish to express my appreciation for the help that I have at all times had from the Selectmen's office; also the Board of Fire Engineers and Chief E. G. Spooner and his men who have always given me their loyal support and help in maintaining the fire alarm service.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON A. HACKER, Supt. Fire Alarm.
Report of Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen and Townspeople of Fairhaven:
The Building Department respectfully submits the follow- ing report of the various building activities for the year 1937. There were 185 permits issued. We received for the issuing of these permits, the sum of $156.00. This amount has been paid over to the Treasurer and the Town Account- ant, notified.
Following is a list of the different permits :- 19 dwellings, 4 barns, 1 green house, 2 bath houses, 7 sheds, 1 spar shed, 29 garages, 14 hen houses, 90 alterations, 1 Fire Station, 1 silo, 1 pattern shop, 1 machine shop, 1 milk shed and 12 buildings were razed. The estimated cost of new buildings was $65,449.00. This is a gain of about $9,000.00 over last year.
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 conformity herewith.
PLUMBING INSPECTIONS
There were 172 plumbing inspections made in the year 1937.
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, Gentlemen :
As Inspector of Animals under the supervision of the Division of Livestock Disease Control, do respectfully sub- mit my report for the year 1937.
Number of Dogs Quarantined 17, Number of Cats Quarantined 1, Number of Cows Quarantined 5.
Inspected 876 head of Cattle at 126 Places.
Cows 743, Young Cattle 110, Bulls 23, Swine 294, Sheep 1, Goats 58.
Inspection of barns where cattle were condemned under the Tuberculene Test 6, Inspection of Permits under Chap- ter 129, Section 20, General laws and order 43, Five.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL C. BARRETT,
Inspector of Animals.
Report of Inspector of Slaughter
The Board of Health, Fairhaven, Mass. Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year Jan. 1, 1937 to Jan. 1, 1938.
Cattle 14
Calves
7
Hogs
32
Sheep
4
Total inspections 57
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY STEVENS,
Inspector of Slaughter.
Report of Shellfish Inspector For the Year 1937.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
Constant care of the fishing department has shown good results during the past year. No lawlessness or major violations, just the incidental violations due to strangers and outsiders knowing nothing of the shell-fish laws. Our waterfront property was well filled with tenants last sea- son, some from far distant places and I had minor violations to the extent of 150, mostly seed clams and scallops, these were replanted under supervision and proper warning and information given. This action created good-will and co- operation from the people spending their money in Fair- haven.
I have had excellent co-operation from the Selectmen, the Fishermen, and the State Wardens, under whom I work as a Deputy.
I have had to take court action only in three cases, one for marketing seed clams and two for taking scallops out of season, received convictions.
The scallop crop was poor this past year, only about 1,500 bushels were taken commercially and an unknown amount taken by citizens who needed no permit for their 11/2 bushels per week. I am glad to report there is a good set of scallop seed for another year. The quahogs and clams have furnished an exceptionally large number of people with food and pastime during the past season, as so many were out of work and there have been from 15 to 150 people digging practically every day except when frozen over.
There are to date eight power draggers taking quahogs, requiring 16 licenses, 9 lobster fishermen licensed, 89 ton- gers and bullrakers, 87 scallop licenses were taken out and three fish traps maintained.
Everything has been properly taken care of to the best of my knowledge and ability.
Respectfully submitted,
TRACY W. MARKS, Shell-fish Inspector.
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 December 31, 1937, during which time the following devices were tested and sealed or condemned.
Scales
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Condemned
Platform
15
50
26
6
Counter platform
3
8
2
Counter
10
58
5
2
Beam
1
2
1
Spring
33
86
7
Computing
21
50
1
6
Personal Weighing
7
3
Prescription
3
Weights
Avoirdupois
85
451
Metric
1
13
Apothecary
11
Troy
1
Measures
Liquid over one gal.
19
Liquid
107
Dry
20
Oil jars
11
Fuel Baskets
3
Measuring Devices
Gasoline Pumps
9
16
6
2
Gasoline Meters
23
42
11
Kerosene Pumps
5
14
8
2
Oil Pumps
1
24
30
Molasses Pumps
2
Stops on Pumps
39
84
Grease Pumps
3
Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
7
Sealing fees collected
Adjusting fee collected
$114.02 5.99
113
Number of Reweighings of Goods Ready for Sale
Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Beans
132
128
3
1
Bread
230
207
17
6
Butter
183
166
17
Coal (in paper bags)
154
138
2
14
Coke (in paper bags)
10
10
Confectionery
45
27
18
Dry Commodities
388
375
3
10
Flour
33
33
Fruit and Vegetables
332
145
169
18
Grain and Feed
64
54
3
10
Lard
62
60
37
Meats and Provisions
119
91
3
25
Number of Inspections
Paper or fibre cartons
82
Pedlers licenses
70
Marking of food pkgs.
255
Labels on bread
335
Wholesale milk cans
62
Transient vendors
2
Pedlers scales
13
Glass graduates
13
Junk scales
Ice scales
7
Milk jars
98
Oil jars
382
Kindling wood in paper bags
170
Other inspections
43
Number of tests made
Retest on gasoline devices after sealing 38
Mfrs. Sealed milk jars
19
Approved paper cartons
23
Berry baskets
13
Oil jars
17
2
Potatoes
134
97
I wish to express my appreciation to the various officials for the support extended to me during the past year.
114
Appropriations recommended for 1938 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 of Fairhaven. Gentlemen:
During the past year all street trees have been thor- oughly sprayed and consequently are free from Elm Leaf Beetle, Fall Web Worm and other leaf attacking insects. Some spraying has also been done on private property to safeguard street trees from this source of infestation.
It has been necessary to remove several large trees and a number of small ones have died from various causes. Forty-two new ones have been set, mostly for replacements. A moderate amount of pruning has been done by W. P. A. labor.
As to the present needs-trees must be removed as some are even dangerous and there is still much dead wood. Continued spraying and also feeding will save many. Most serious, however, are ravages of the Leopard Moth Borer which must be taken care of by removing all affected wood if the trees are to be saved. Replacement with young trees should not be neglected.
I, therefore would recommend an appropriation of $3,000 for the ensuing year to start an adequate and com- prehensive program.
Respectfully yours,
MARINUS VAN DER POL,
Tree Warden.
Report of the Moth Superintendent
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Fairhaven, Gentlemen :
There have been no Brown Tails and but few Gypsy Moths this year on the street trees, but the Tent Caterpillar was so serious that nearly all the appropriation was spent on their extermination. They must require more attention the coming year, a follow up with Creosote and thorough spraying.
In woodland areas where W.P.A. worked, the Gypsy Moth has been considerably reduced,-in other areas some 502 acres have been stripped of Foliage during 1937. This acreage should be treated thoroughly to save the trees and prevent spreading.
The spraying equipment requires reconditioning as well as some additions. I would accordingly recommend an appropriation of $1,500.00 for this department this year.
Respectfully yours,
MARINUS VAN DER POL,
Moth Supt. .
Report of the Fairhaven Infirmary
During the year of 1937, 'The Home' has cared for a total of 18 persons; the largest number at one time, being 14; and the smallest, at one time, being 10 .; and at the present time, we have 11 inmates ; 9 men and 3 women. One woman helps with all kinds of work; one woman cares for her own room. One man helps outside and helps with the care of the sick and aged.
At the beginning of the year, we had three cases of convalescents one of whom went home as soon as able to sit up. Another has gone to work and one is still with us, under the care of the Mass. General Hospital Clinic. Also there were 2 very sick men brought in, one needed nurses, both day and night, and as soon as it was safe to move him he was moved to Tewksbury. The other was ill a long time, and although better and able to be around, still needs the medicine and care. One man came with a bad heart, but was better in a few days, and went back home as soon as strong enough. One young girl, having no home, was taken sick and has been with us until now, and having had care and rest, will be able to go to work again in a few weeks.
During the year, the house has been rewired, using BX cable; with new switches and new brackets in each room. There was also, new runners bought for the front halls :- new Congoleum rugs for both dining-rooms. And new win- dow shades throughout the house, replacing those which have been in service about 18 years.
As usual, enough potatoes were raised to supply us through the winter as were other vegetables raised to supply the house during summer and fall.
We had a very nice Christmas; the house was decorated and the people enjoy this much better than having a tree for themselves. Each one was given a basket of comforts: including clothing, etc. The Ladies Aid of the Center M. E. Church sent each one a basket of goodies, and The King's Daughters sent each one some fruit and a present.
We would like to thank these ladies, for their continued
118
interest and for helping to brighten the days of those whose lives have not much to cheer them on to the end. And we wish to thank those of our Board, who gave us things of cheer, also because they have visited us and helped us in every way they could.
We want to thank our physician for his consideration and response in emergencies-the personal effort-the interest taken and would like to call attention to the fact that he furnishes all the proprietary medicines.
Respectfully submitted,
EDITH ELDRIDGE, Matron.
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, 1937.
Frequent meetings have been held during the year, the office has been open every day from 9 to 11 and on Wednes- days from 9 to 11 A. M. and 2 to 3.30 P. M., unless the executive officer has been out of town on business.
Licenses have been issued as follows :
Milk 81
Pasteurization 2
Oleo 8
Ice Cream 3
Alcohol 6
108 Burial Permits have been issued which is rather more than last year.
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.