USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1937 > Part 6
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83 houses have been placarded, same number have been released.
44 Inspections have been made under Section 104 of Chapter 111 G. L.
Communicable diseases have been reported as follows :
Chicken Pox
44
Dog Bites
24
Eye Infection
5
Lobar Pneumonia
9
Scarlet Fever
18
Tuberculosis (all forms)
7
Measles
74
Whooping Cough
27
We have had no Diphtheria for two years which proves that Immunization stamps out this disease.
We have 12 cases in the various Hospitals which we are caring for.
Garbage collections have been made in the usual efficient manner.
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The executive officer wishes to express his appreciation to the Community Nurse and the Police Department for the valuable assistance they have given him during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
W. F. DELANO,
Secretary and Executive Officer.
Report of Health Nursing Service
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Fairhaven, Mass. Gentlemen:
At the 1937 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.
The following is a report of the nursing visits made dur- ing the year:
Town Patients 509 Visits
Communicable Diseases
218
Tuberculosis
307
Child Welfare Total
1834
2,868 Visits
The appropriation paid for only 1297 of the above visits, the remaining 1571 were not paid for.
VISITS TO TOWN PATIENTS .- This included actual bedside nursing, or demonstration of nursing methods, car- ried out under medical direction. The aims were to secure proper medical care, to provide nursing or to supervise nurs- ing for patients in the homes and especially to give in- structions in the homes, not only in nursing technique, but also in hygiene and the prevention of disease.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES-A follow-up of the cases referred by the Board of Health consisted of bedside nurs- ing care, or supervision of nursing care, endeavoring to edu- cate the patient as well as others with whom she comes in contact, in matters relating to the prevention and treatment of these diseases. The aim was to aid in securing complete reporting, in obtaining medical and nursing supervision of all cases of communicable diseases, to assist in case-finding and in obtaining histories.
TUBERCULOSIS .- Xrays and examinations were urged for all these patients and their contacts. Through the co- operation of the Board of Health and Board Members of the Community Nurse Association, 38 contacts were taken to State Sanatoria and many others have had periodic ex- aminations by their family physicians.
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From the proceeds of the sale of Christmas seals in Fair- haven, five children (tuberculous contacts) were sent to Bristol County Health Camp. Two more children were able to go through the generosity of the American Legion who paid their board. Each child stayed one month and returned home much improved in general physical condition. The average gain in weight was 10 lbs.
CHILD WELFARE-This program has consisted of a check-up and follow-up of the pre-school child, endeavor- ing 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, vaccination, a physical examination for every child and to encourage the correction of physical deformities.
Assistance was given at the following clinics, under the supervision of the Board of Health-
Diphtheria Toxoid Clinic 245 children were immunized.
Vaccination Clinic
86 children were vaccinated.
The Board of Health Executive Officer has been most helpful in reporting some of the new laws and policies of the Commonwealth as they affect those doing public health nursing.
To all who have assisted and co-operated, appreciation is hereby expressed.
Respectfully submitted,
EDITH B. HORNE, R. N.
Report of the Board of Sewer Commissioners
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :-
The Board of Sewer Commissioners have received forty- four calls of emergency plug-ups. Twenty-two new connec- tions have been made and three repaired during the year, making a total of 1499 connections now in use.
The following sewers have been constructed during the year under the Emergency Relief Administration :
Hawthorne Street-600 feet easterly from old termi- nus.
North Walnut Street, 206 feet from a point between Elm Avenue and Massasoit Avenue to north end of street.
Union Street from William to Acushnet River.
Jesse Street-150 feet easterly from Main Street.
Massasoit Avenue)
Francis Street ) 760 feet.
Veranda Avenue-872 feet easterly from Sycamore Street.
Newbury Avenue-760 feet easterly from Sycamore Street.
The expenditures for the year for Maintenance amount- ed to $7,989.90.
Respectfully submitted,
G. W. VALENTINE, F. W. MORSE, JOHN M. REILLY,
Board of Sewer Commissioners.
Report of the Fairhaven Committee on Street and Highway Safety
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
Although Fairhaven has been very fortunate in not having a fatality during 1937, the past year has shown a tremen- dous increase in accidents with the resultant increase in the injured.
There is very little any one person can do in the interest of safety unless everybody by word and deed cooperates in the work of safety.
Your chairman is affiliated with the New Bedford Safety Council and the work in Fairhaven has been aided to a large extent by this affiliation.
Because of the present uncertain understanding of the rights of the motoring public regarding school busses, a letter has been sent to Lewis E. MacBrayne of the Massa- chusetts Safety Council recommending that a law be passed putting school busses in the same class as street cars. This is to protect the children when getting on or off the busses.
It is once more a pleasure to thank publicly Mr. Charles F. Prior and the corps of principals and teachers through- out our school system for the fine work being done in the Fairhaven schools in safety education.
At the request of your chairman, the New Bedford Street Department resurfaced the Coggeshall Street Bridge with a non-skid surface. This was done through the New Bed- ford Safety Council.
With the Cooperation of Mrs. Dutton, Supt. of Fair- haven's playgrounds and Mr. Lewis E. MacBrayne of the Massachusetts Safety Council a series of safety talks were given the children at the playgrounds this past Summer. The good work done by Mrs. Dutton and the state's repre- sentative is heartily appreciated and it is hoped the work will be continued another Summer.
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For the past three years Fairhaven has enjoyed sizable reductions in automobile insurance premiums only because of our safety record. But unless this safety work is taken more seriously, the insurance premiums will go up. Let us look at the following table and then decide what part each individual should take for a safer record.
Year
Accidents
Deaths
Total Injured
Number of Pedestrians Injured
1933
54
2
97
25
1934
52
3
83
25
1935
47
0
73
20
1936
54
1
96
11
1937
77
0
118
31
The fact that there were 107 drivers involved in accidents during 1937 against 86 in 1936 gives food for thought. There were 43 drivers engaged in accidents in 1936 who were residents of Fairhaven ; this was increased to 52 during the past year.
This Committee has made in the past recommendations for study but without results.
The Committee recommends that the Police Dept. consult with the Board of Selectmen regarding the advisability of no parking on the west side of Main Street south of Howland Road for a distance of at least one hundred feet for the reasons stated before and that a study be made for suitable legal signs or appliances at Green Street and Huttleston Avenue and at Middle Street and Huttleston Avenue, also that the Square at Main Street and Huttleston Avenue be more adequately lighted. It is very dangerous at night for pedestrians at this section.
We wish to again recommend that when the Information Booth is in operation that Huttleston Avenue in the vicinity of the Booth be marked with warning signs as a precaution to motorists who may not think or who are strangers to our Town.
Also suggest greater vigilance by the Police to prevent speeding, especially on Main Street north of Huttleston Avenue. It is common to see automobiles and trucks using this street for a speedway.
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Fairhaven's standing as a Safety Town in the state is 44th out of 48 cities and towns of its size. Fairhaven's record is 40.8% worse than the previous three years average.
A Safer Town is a Better Town and we are sure you can have no sympathy for the drunken driver or the fool with their disregard for the rights of others.
Respectfully submitted,
Members:
E. Philip Osberg Raymond Babbitt
VICTOR O. B. SLATER,
Chairman
Emergency Relief
The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
I am submitting report of projects completed in the year 1937.
This report is compiled from data and reports submit- ted by the various departments of the town directly spon- soring the projects worked.
No. 11305- A project to complete Herring River Drain to culvert at Elm Ave. This completes work started under E.R.A. and W.P.A. No. 8677.
The completion of this project has eliminated an unsightly open ditch and permits the layout of Linden Avenue from Adams Street westerly to Green Street and has greatly improved appearance of the locality. There was an unexpended contributory estimated cost of $988.46 of which $332.93 was used to complete the work. Material $275.55, equipment $9.13, labor $48.25. Started Dec. 28, 1936 and completed Jan. 20, 1937.
No. 11328- Removal of 18 dead or dangerous trees in va- rious streets. ; Estimated contributory cost $271.45, Actual $185.67, Material $42.42, Equipment rental $143.25. Started Nov. 30, 1936, completed Jan. 27, 1937.
No. 2400- Construction of addition to Adams Street Fire Station, extension of cement floor, shingling of exterior of building and painting of all trim. Estimated con- tributory cost $272.75, Actual $361.21 all for material. Started Dec. 28, 1936, completed Jan. 28, 1937.
No. 11780- Hawthorne Street sewer extension 600 feet easterly from old terminus. 554 feet of 8" pipe, 24 8x4 y's and 3 manholes. Estimated contributory cost $398.35, Actual $264.55, Material $167.11, labor $97.44. W.P.A. supplied 554 ft. of 8" vitrified pipe and 21 8x4 y's valued at $151.84. Started Jan. 4, 1937, completed Feb. 11, 1937.
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No. 12213- Sewer in No. Walnut Street from a point between Elm and Massasoit to North end of street. 206 feet 8" pipe, 2 8x4 y's, 1 manhole and 1 lamphole. Estimated contributory cost $179.00, actual contribu- tory cost $112.07. Started Feb. 15, 1937, completed Feb. 26, 1937.
No. 2419- Excavate and reconstruct with gravel, sections of Rotch, Hawthorne, Morgan and Church streets. Es- timated contributory cost $6,133.60, actual contributory cost $4,026.15. Material $654.79, equipment rental $3,143.56, labor $227.80. Started Dec. 30, 1935 sus- pended Jan. 27, 1936, re-opened May 18, 1936, sus- pended October 27, 1936, re-opened Dec. 7, 1936 and completed Feb. 27, 1937.
No. 7999-A project to serve hot lunches to under-nourished children from relief or needy families who could not get home for noon meal. All sundry equipment sup- plied by School Department and food stuffs furnished by local charitable organizations. Sundries, $29.57; food stuffs, $265.55. Project started Dec. 7, 1936 and stopped May 9, 1937.
No. 10266- A project in Washington Street from Rotch to Pleasant Street removing block paving and sufficient excavation to construct new road bed with 12" gravel base rolled, and 61/2" of crushed stone rolled in two courses penetrated and sealed. Also construction of surface drain from Pleasant to Laurel Streets and con- struction of four catch basins. 524' of granite curb also reset.
Estimated contributory cost, $1,692.66 ; actual con- tributory cost $1,947.60, material $1,240.29, equipment rental $589.36, labor $117.95. Actual cost exceeded estimated cost because Warcolite was used to resurface road where drain was laid from Pleasant to Laurel Streets and this item was not figured in project when written, W.P.A. supplied 500 ton crushed stone and 2,572 gallons asphalt valued at $1,295.78. Started April 5, 1937, completed May 9, 1937.
No. 6435- A project to re-mend, re-back, re-cutter, re-case, and re-letter books in Millicent Public Labriray. Work completed Jan. 27, 1936 to May 30, 1937:
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Books re-lettered
8,229
66 re-lettered
18,660
re-backed
1,243
re-cased
1,349
mended
1,734
Estimated contributory cost $105.50. Actual contri- butory cost $104.21, not from W.P.A. appropriation; paid by Library. Project started Jan. 28, 1936, com- pleted May 30, 1937.
No. 11019- A project to transcribe, catalogue, cross index, and file records in the public office of the Town Clerk and Treasurer, which had not been organized pre- viously in this fashion. Estimated contributory cost $84.00; actual contributory cost $57.92; material $21.92, equipment rental $36.00. Started Nov. 16, 1936, completed June 10, 1937.
No. 6,920- Knitting woolen socks to be distributed to needy of various communities. Material supplied by W.P.A., and knitting machines were loaned.
4,162 pairs mens socks.
1 mans sweater.
1 pair mans moccasins, were made.
This project started March 2, 1936, suspended June 11, 1936, reopened August 10, 1936 and closed June 17, 1937.
No. 11735- Construction of a cut off on Sconticut Neck Road. Eliminating a dangerous curve. Excavation of approximately 4,000 cubic yards of soft bottom and fill of approximately 8,000 yards of gravel. This pro- ject was written for all hand labor, but when started W.P.A. demanded some type of machinery in pit. A dragline was installed with runway to loading bin. Estimated contributory cost $6,481.36; actual contri- butory cost $5,820.46; equipment rental $4,195.16; material $975.65; labor $649.65. This project started December 29, 1936, completed July 3, 1937.
No. 11022- Construction of 1,615 lineal feet of reinforced concrete curb on 16" x 16" stone grouted base, Pleas- ant Street between Church and Allen Streets. Old macadam approximately 2,620 square yards and ex- cess crown excavated and road bed resurfaced 4" crushed stone penetrated and sealed. Estimated con-
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tributory cost $2,558.10; actual contributory cost $1,793.95; equipment rental $619.89; material $1,051.06; labor $123.00. W.P.A. supplied crushed stone valued at $1,178.00, and asphalt valued at $204.05. This project started June 1, 1937, com- pleted July 23, 1937.
No. C-1 Bl .- Reconstruction in Adams Street, including the intersection at Spring Street, and northerly to a line approximately 25 feet south of Christian Street. Gravel base and two layers of crushed stone, both rolled, penetrated and sealed. Material $1,216.29; equipment rental $413.50; contributory labor $172.15. Total $1,801.94. Started July 26, 1937, completed August 28, 1937.
No. 10331- Reconstruction of Rodman St. between Rotch and Green Streets, 1,063 lineal feet of road 24 feet wide excavated to a depth of 12" and rebuilt with gravel laid in two courses, each rolled. Installation of 656 feet of 8" surface drain and construction of 5 catch basins and 3 manholes, 2,016 feet of reinforced concrete curb set on stone grouted base and granite curb at corners reset. Material $678.23; equipment rental $1,449.38; contributory labor $179.35. Total cost $2,306.96. W.P.A. supplied cement valued at $292.50, and Akron pipe valued at $150.88. Started Feb. 23, 1937, suspended May 16, 1937, reopened July 6, 1937 and completed Sept. 11, 1937.
No. 12219- Main Street Drain-Washington Street to drain at Cushman Park. 304 feet of 12" and 150 feet of 8" drain pipe installed and 5 catch basins con- structed. Completion of this project eliminated flood- ing of intersection of Washington and Main Streets, a condition which has caused trouble for vehicle and foot travel. Estimated contributory cost $446.00; ac- tual contributory cost $620.76; material $501.76; labor $91.26 ; equipment rental $27.75. Work started Sept. 20, 1937, completed Oct. 27, 1937.
No. WP 13296- Construction of sub Fire Station in East Fairhaven at corner of Aiken and Washington Streets. Estimated contributory cost $1,223.03; actual contri- butory cost $1,185.04; equipment rental $110.25; ma- terial $1,065.29; labor $9.50. Started July 26, 1937, completed Oct. 25, 1937.
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No. 12219- Surface drain and sewer flood relief in Union Street, William Street to Acushnet River. 1,388 feet of 20" and 200 feet of 8" vitrfiied pipe laid, 11 catch- basins constructed, and an outfall chamber built in west end line at Union Wharf. Estimated contributory cost $2,227.80; actual contributory cost $2,120.09; ma- terial $1,771.84; equipment rental $166.75; labor $181.50. W.P.A. supplied 480 feet of 20" pipe valued at $540.40. Started May 10, 1937, final completion of outfall was delayed awaiting delivery of a length of sand spun iron pipe, then construction of outfall cham- ber could be carried on only at low water. Completed Nov. 23, 1937.
No. C-1 Bl .- Resurfacing of Union Street, Laurel Street to Water Street. 41%" crushed stone, penetrated and sealed. 195 feet of 8" Akron drain pipe, 2 manholes and 2 catchbasins, and resetting of 2,705 feet of granite curb. Contributory cost $5,088.05 ; material $3,469.94; equipment rental $1,354.51; labor $263.60. Started Sept. 13, 1937, completed Oct. 30, 1937.
No. C-1 Bl .- Green Street, Spring Street to Bridge Street, excavation of old macadam and excess crown. Re- surfaced with 61/2 inches of crushed stone in two large layers each rolled, penetrated and sealed. 2,068 feet of granite curb reset, cobble gutters eliminated. Con- tributory cost $3,891.17 ; material $2,553.47 ; equipment rental $1,112.50; labor $225.20. Started Oct. 25, 1937, completed Nov. 27, 1937.
No. WP 7931- Granolithic sidewalks throughout the Town. Abuttors supply cement, Town supply cinders, sand, equipment and incidentals. W.P.A. labor. 5,566 square yards laid June 1, 1936 to Jan. 8, 1937. 7,192 square yards laid April 5, 1937 to Dec. 2, 1937, a total of 12,758 square yards of walk. Estimated contributory cost $26,684.75 was for 20,000 square yards, actual contributory cost $15,857.82 for the 12,758 square yards laid under project. These figures include cost of cement supplied by abuutors. Estimated contributory cost per square yard $1.334. Actual contributory cost persquare yard $1.243. Started June 1, 1936, suspended Jan. 8, 1937, reopened April 5, 1937, completed Dec. 2, 1937, Federal allotment of funds exhausted. A sup- plemental was submitted for an additional 8,000 square yards of walk, and approval has been received. Be-
132
cause of weather conditions it was deemed inadvisable to carry on the work under this supplemental. As soon as weather conditions warrant in the spring, the work will be continued.
In July a blanket project was approved which covers general highway improvement including new construction, replacement and repairs ; pavements, sidewalks, curb, paths and gutters, roadside improvements, storm drains and cul- verts. This blanket project superceded ten official projects, some of which were in operation, and some not yet started. The idea of the blanket project being to facilitate the handl- ing of labor, making possible the shifting of men from one job to another without the necessity of awaiting a transfer slip from Boston. The project was made large enough to cover the ten official projects which it superceded, and carried an additional estimate for other units contemplated. All projects in this report carrying the notation C-1 - Bl. operated on the project explained above.
The following projects are still operating at the year end.
The project in the Banquet Hall where 27 women are employed sewing.
One trimming trees which started on November 15th.
A household aid project started October 25th which was started first with a supervisor and two workers, and has since been increased to four general workers with a supervisor. This particular project we have found to be of great assistance in homes where a temporary disability of the woman of the house has occurred.
The Library project for repair of books, etc., is still in operation.
We also started on December 2nd a project to prepare hot lunches for undernourished children in schools similar to the one in operation last year. Food stuffs supplied by the Local Chapter Red Cross.
On December 17th, the project in operation last year for creosoting gypsy moth nests was re-opened and still operating.
Under the blanket project the reconstruction of Jeffer- son Street with gravel, later to be stabilized with tar, and the construction of concrete curb and stone grouted base.
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The covered stone drain from Coggeshall Street north to the skating pond and from Maitland Street to Blackburn is still in operation. Included in this same job is the re- locating of the drain from the Tripp School yard to Huttle- ston Ave. The latter portion has not as yet been started.
The installation of sewers in Jesse Street, Massasoit, Francis, Veranda and Newberry Avenues is still operating. Jesse Street is completed, also Francis and a portion of Massasoit where the road was stabilized. Newberry Aven- ue is completed and Veranda should complete early in the new year.
Respectfully submitted,
E. W. SANDERS, Sponsors Agent.
Report of the State Audit
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 period from August 9, 1936, the date of the previous audit, to April 23, 1937, the following report being sub- mitted thereon :
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving money for the town or committing bills for collection, were examined and verified by a comparison with the books of the accounting officer and the treasurer.
The ledger accounts were analyzed, the appropriations and transfers were checked with the town clerk's record of town meetings and with the records of the finance com- mittee, and other accounts were compared with informa- tion in the departments in which the transactions originated.
The necessary adjusting and correcting entries resulting from the audit were made, a trial balance was taken off, and a balance sheet, showing the financial condition of the town on April 23, 1937, was prepared and is appended to this report.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were ex- amined and checked. The recorded receipts were analyzed and checked with the accounting officer's ledger and with the records of the departments collecting money for the town, while the payments were compared with the select- men's warrants authorizing them. The cash balance on April 23, 1937, was proved by actual count of the cash in the office and by a reconsiliation of the bank balance with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit.
The recorded payments of maturing debt and interest were checked with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities and coupons on file.
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The savings bank books and securities representing the trust fund investments in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed, the income, withdrawals, and balances being found to be as reported.
The income from the Henry H. Rogers High School Fund as entered on the treasurer's books was verified with a state- ment furnished by the City Bank Farmers Trust Company of New York City, Trustees.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined. The taxes and assessments added to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records, the recorded redemptions were verified, and the tax titles on hand were listed and checked with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
The books and accounts of the tax collector and the tem- porary collector were examined and checked. The commit- ments and recommitments of taxes and assessments were compared with the assessors' warrants, the recorded col- lectoins were checked with the payments to the treasurer, the abatements were proved with the assessors' records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accounting officer's ledger.
Verification of the outstanding accounts was made by sending notices to a large number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town. Nine replies were received from persons who claimed that their taxes had been paid but not credited on the books of the collector. These claims were investigated and six of the claims were later substantiated by presentation of proper proof of payment of taxes which had not been entered on the cash book of the collector or posted to the commitment book. From the other replies received it appears that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
Unidentified receipts of the collector's office on April 23, 1937, amounting to $406.70 were paid to the treasurer on the same day, and during the progress of the audit claims properly proved were applied to the above mentioned amount, so that at the completion of the audit the amount of $165.12 was due from the collector.
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