USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1938 > Part 5
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Several notes of activities were made and we might offer them here to further condense this report. They are as follows :
64 individual wells were pumped out, some several times, equalling in all 181 times pumped.
31 individual basements that were not drained by the Bridge Street sewer station were pumped out.
The Bridge Street sewer station was maintained by two pumpers, one worked 2814 hours (Eng. 2) and the other worked 2014 hours (Eng. 5.) These pumpers remained on continuous duty while the station equipment was out of order. The number of basements thus emptied and main- tained until repairs were made could not be ascertained, the knowledge of which was not so important to this Dept.
Engine 5 total pumping time on hurricane work was 43 hours.
Engine 2 total pumping time on hurricane work was 62 hours, 38 minutes.
Constant patrol maintained of stricken area from Septem- ber 28 to November 28 to minimize fire hazard.
Total mileage of patrol recorded as 1876 miles covered.
2291/2 hours recorded by patrol, during 61 days patrol. Extra time extended by patrolman not recorded. Extra time consisted of calls to check on fires left burning and on com- plaints.
Written reports, complaints, fires extinguished, permits issued, etc., made to Hdqrs. office at least twice each day
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during patrol period. Many permits granted by patrolman for fires and all burning was allowed under his supervision.
209 complaints of burning without permits recorded at Hdqrs. by patrolman. Numerous fires extinguished by patrol- man without calling for services of Dept. apparatus.
Respectfully submitted,
Edward G. Spooner,
Charles H. Lawton, James M. Young, Arthur S. Richards, William Cabral,
Board of Fire Engineers.
PERMITS ISSUED FROM HDQRS. OFFICE, 1938
Kerosene-Retail
2
Oil Burner and Oil Storage
70
Gasoline-Retail 3
Dynamite for Blasting
20
Fireworks-Retail
14
Fireworks-Display
2
METHODS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN EXTINGUISHING FIRES, 1938
(Apparatus used to extinguish)
Pump tanks from single unit only, used at 33 fires.
Pump tanks from more than one unit used at 19 fires.
Booster equipment from single unit used at 34 fires.
Booster equipment from more than one unit used at 8 fires.
Pyrene hand extinguishers used at 4 fires.
Imp chimney chemicals used at 8 fires.
Foam 21/2 gal. tanks used at 2 fires.
Pails used at 1 fire.
Soda and Acid 212 gal. extinguishers used at 4 fires.
Soda and Acid 35 gal. tanks used at 1 fire.
Ladders used in 13 calls, totalling 508 ft. raised.
21/2 in. Hose used in 20 calls, totalling 14,000 ft., handled 3 times each call.
11% in. Hose used in 25 calls, totalling 4,300 ft., handled 3 times each call.
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CAUSES FOR FIRES AND ALARMS, 1938
1 Automobile-backfire
1 Automobile-careless refueling of
3 Automobile-defective wiring
1 Bird caught in street wiring
15 Bonfire-without permit, illegal
5 Bonfire-without permit, illegal and dangerous
1 Bonfire-without permit, illegal and out of control
3 Bonfire-without permit, illegal and left unattended
11 Bonfire-with permit, dangerous
5 Bonfire -- with permit, out of control
3 Bonfire-with permit, left unattended
2 Burning brush-without permit, illegal
3 Burning brush-without permit, illegal and dangerous
1 Burning brush-with permit, dangerous
4 Burning grass-without permit, illegal and dangerous Burning weeds in garden-without permit, illegal
4
11 Carelessly thrown lighted or smoking material
3 Cat on pole
1 Cat on tree
2 Chicken brooder heating equipment faulty
7 Children and matches
11 Chimney-burning soot
1 Delayed alarm
9 Dump fire-unattended and dangerous
4 Dump fire-objectionable smoke
1 Dump fire-sparks from
2 Exposure fire-sparks from major fire
3 False fire alarm-Box
2 Faulty fire alarm system
1 Faulty installation of smokepipe
2 Fireplace poorly constructed
2 First-aid to injured at station
1 Grease on stove
2 Incendiary
3 Incinnerator-without permit, illegal, sparks from 2 Inflammable material in rubbish barrel
1 Lightning
4 No cause for alarm
13 No fire found
1 Oil burner-improperly regulated
1 Oil burner-hurricane damage to oil supply
1 Oil burner-range, flooded
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1 Oil burner-heater, defective, not inspected by F. D.
4 Oil street flare tipped over in street
1 Oil stove-flooded
1 Pumping boat for salvage purposes, hurricane damage Pumping wells for health purposes, see hurricane report
1 Recall to previous fire
1 Recurrence of grass and brush fire
1 Rubbish burning in auto truck
1 Smokepipe-burning soot in
1 Sparks from chimney basement cleanout
1 Spontaneous ignition
1 Steam escaping from boiler
5 Still Alarms converted to Box Alarms
3 Suspicious
20 Unknown
1 Unreported
1 Wires burning on pole
2 Wiring damaged by hurricane and salt water
1 Wiring defective in dwelling
197
REPORT OF ALARMS, LOSSES AND INSURANCE FOR THE YEAR 1938
Month
Value Buildings $15,185.00
Contents $8,312.00
Buildings $11,691.00
Contents $3,772.00
Insurance Buildings $18,539.00
Contents $7,500.00
Insurance Loss Buildings $11,539.00
Contents $3,000.00
January
February
March
2,825.00
5,010.00
25.00
10.00
1,500.00
25.00
April
3,500.00
3,000.00
27.00
6.00
5,000.00
3,000.00
27.00
6.00
May
450.00
291.00
700.00
131.50
1,500.00
100.00
622.20
40.50
June
1,950.00
2,000.00
328.50
265.35
2,000.00
1,900.00
228.50
165.33
July
730.00
1,000.00
550.00
700.00
1,000.00
700.00
August
1,100.00
700.00
508.00
100.00
2,570.00
508.00
September
October
8,400.00
2,500.00
258.00
20.00
5,500.00
1,000.00
230.00
November
12,675.00
10,515.00
426.00
20.00
13,900.00
434.25
December
10,600.00
4.500.00
25.00
65.00
36,000.00
4,500.00
25.00
15.00
$57,415.00
$37,828.00
$14,538.00
$5,089.83
$86,509.00
$19,000.00
$13,638.95
$3,926.83
Total
$95,423.00
$19,627.83
$105,509.00
$17,565.78
Insurance loss on Buildings
$13,638.95
Insurance loss on Contents
$3,926.83
Uninsured loss on Buildings
899.05
Uninsured loss on Contents
1,163.00
Total damage to Buildings
$14,538.00
Total damage to Contents
$5,089.83
Total Fire Loss
$19,627.83
Total value of property involved where only losses occurred
$95,243.00
Total insurance of property involved where only losses occurred
105,509.00
Total insurance loss
17,565.78
Total uninsured loss
2,062.05
Assessed value of buildings totally destroyed
2,728.00
Rebuilt and revalued property
278.00
Total assessed loss
2,450.00
Exposure loss during year
2,000.00
Per Capita loss for 1938 $1.78
This Department responded to 36 Box Alarms and 161 Still Alarms during the year.
Damage
Report of Superintendent of Fire Alarm
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
As far as the appropriation of last year permitted re- placement of old wiring and cross arms was made, and also a start was accomplished in the program of replacing the very old fire alarm boxes with the latest non-interfering type of signal device.
I am in hopes to carry on with this work to make the whole system as modern as possible, and the appropriation asked in this year's budget is for this purpose and the or- dinary maintenance.
The storm of September 21st did considerable expensive damage to boxes along the waterfront, that became sub- merged in salt water and had to be replaced. Also, many of the fire alarm wires and poles came down necessitating a good deal of labor in replacing the same, which was an unforeseen and costly expense and had to be met with a special appropriation along with the other storm damages sustained by the Town.
Thanks is due to the Gamewell Company for the help extended at no expense to the Town in sending men to our assistance; and to the other wire companies for their quick work in replacing poles that made it possible to put the Fire Alarm back on a working basis with only the loss of a few days for the whole system.
At all times during this period the whistle was in com- mission, and an alarm could have been sent out if it had been necessary.
The personnel of the Fire Department has been most co- operative in helping to maintain an efficient Fire Alarm system for which they have my heartfelt thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON A. HACKER,
Supt. of Fire Alarm.
Report of the Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen and the Townspeople of Fair- haven :
The Building Inspector respectfully submits the following report of the building activities for the year 1938. There were 186 applications for permits filed in this office, the estimated cost of which was reported as $44,054.00. For the issuing of these permits the office received the sum of $119.00, which sum has been turned over to the Treasurer and the Town Accountant, notified.
Following is a list of the different permits :- 24 dwellings, 2 barns, 20 garages, 29 hen houses, 85 additions, 4 sheds, 1 boat shed, 4 alterations, 2 milk houses and 15 buildings were razed.
The September storm caused great havoc at the different shore areas, many cottages being totally demolished. At first it seemed as though the town would lose a great deal of taxable property, as it did not seem probable that many of the owners would rebuild for some time, if ever. How- ever, the Building Department is happy to report that much of the destroyed property has been replaced and in most cases, in much better condition than before. Each and every dwelling restored, must have the proper sanitary conditions installed before being passed by the Building Inspector and the Plumbing Inspector. This means a flush closet and an adequate cesspool or septic tank. Anyone will understand that this will mean the doing away with many of the unsightly and unsanitary conditions that have existed at the beaches for some time. All relocations, unless the building is damaged less than fifty per cent must adhere to our Zoning Law, which requires all buildings to have a set back in clear depth of twenty feet in front of each build- ing. Also there must be a ten foot side yard on each side of the building. In insisting upon following this law, there will be no more congested districts.
Since September 29th, 1938, this office has issued 158 permits for restoration and replacement at an estimated cost of $50,100.00. This means that in some districts the restoration is complete and the property is in as good or
109
better condition than before. It also means that much more than the estimated cost of $50,100.00 is now available for taxable purposes. We anticipate that the warm weather will cause a much greater boom in rebuilding and trust that our beaches will be bigger and better than ever.
TITLE AND SCOPE
Section No. 1. These by-laws shall be known and cited as the Building Laws. No building, structure or part there- of, shall hereafter be constructed and no building or struc- ture now or hereafter erected, shall be razed, altered, moved or built upon except in conformity with the provi- sions 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 191 plumbing inspections made in the year 1938.
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 Di- vision of Livestock Disease Control, I do respectively submit my report for the year 1938.
19 Dogs Quarantined
1 Cow Quarantined
900 Cattle Inspected (116 places)
741 Cows Inspected
137 Young Cattle Inspected
22 Bulls Inspected
228 Swine Inspected
66 Goats Inspected
There were 3 inspections of barns where cattle were con- demned under the Tuberculene Test 1, Inspection of permits under chapter 129, section 20, General Laws and order 43.
A new danger has developed during the past year by a disease known as Equine Encephalomyelitis, which is con- fined solely to horses and mules. The carriers are blood- sucking flies and mosquitoes. The first symptoms of the dis- ease are twitching of the lips and general drowsiness and if the disease is not arrested, paralysis of the throat and hind quarters follows and then death.
The advice of Mr. Frank F. Riordan, Director, is to vac- cinate all horses not exposed to the disease, especially horses in pasture. Any approved veterinarian is competent to choose the proper vaccine. Horses dying of this disease should be buried deep in quicklime at once, or burned unless delivered to rendering establishment.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL C. BARRETT,
Inspector of Animals.
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REPORT OF POUND KEEPER
There were 3 cows and 2 horses impounded during the year which were claimed by their owners.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL C. BARRETT,
Keeper of the Pound.
Report of the Shellfish Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
As a whole, the Shellfish Inspector reports a very good year for 1938. The spring and summer found a large number of cottagers and citizens getting good catches from the shores, and the early season found shellfish plentiful and hundreds of bushels were taken out of the surrounding waters.
There were 105 Tonger and Bullraker licenses taken out this year, but they were not blessed with very good prices during the summer. Then on September 20th the hurricane broke up the whole situation, fishing gear along with homes and fish houses took a terrible beating. Nearly all boats and gear were lost or wrecked, but the prospects of some scallops off shore resulted that everyone who was interested, tried to get some kind of gear ready for the opening date. The one bright spot in our season was a fine harvest of scallops and a fair price. There were 103 licenses taken out and nearly 8,000 bushels of scallops that brought an average price close to $2.75 per bushel.
The price of quahogs has risen to $1.50 per bushel and there is a fair set of seed for next year.
A spirit of better feeling and co-operation exists at present than has been apparent for a long time.
Your Inspector wishes to thank the Town and State Officials for their excellent co-operation and a good clean slate for this year.
Respectfully submitted,
TRACY W. MARKS, Shellfish Inspector.
Report of Fairhaven Board of Retirement
In November 1936 the Town voted to accept Chapter 318 of the Acts of 1936 of the General Laws, which provides for a Contributary Retirement System, for employees of the Town, beginning July 1, 1937.
There were thirty four employees of the Town who took advantage of this System at once, and six more later, mak- ing a total of forty members. Four have withdrawn, and we lost one by death, leaving a membership of thirty five at the present time.
There are three members who have retired and are re- ceiving a pension, and six more members who will be re- tired on June 30, 1939.
Income for 1938
Cash on Hand Jan. 1, 1938
$ 891.27 1,698.36
Contributions of Members
Appropriation of Town
Interest received
3,663.58 52.20 $ 6,305.41
Disbursements
Pensions Paid
Refunds
Expenses
$ 1,466.90 93.66 136.20 -$ 1,696.76
Balance on Hand Dec. 31, 1938
$
4,608.65
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. GREENE, Chairman, CLAUDIA I. SCHILLER, WILLIAM D. CHAMPLIN, Fairhaven Board of Retirement.
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, 1938 during which time the following devices were tested and sealed or condemned.
Scales
Platform
Adjusted 22
Sealed 54
Not Sealed 13
Condemned 10
Counter Platform
1
8
1
Counter
22
59
2
15
Beam
2
Spring
42
92
3
3
Computing
27
53
1
2
Personal Weighing
8
2
Prescription
3
Weights
Avoirdupois
71
242
Apothecary
23
7
Metric
7
6
Troy
1
Measures
Liquid Measures over 1 gal.
11
Liquid Measures
89
Dry Measures
28
Fuel Baskets
1
Measuring Devices
Gasoline Pumps
5
12
3
2
Stops on Pumps
32
73
Gasoline Meter Systems 29
42
10
Oil Pumps
19
26
Molasses Pumps
1
Kerosene Pumps
11
15
Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
7
262
849
50
58
Sealing fees collected
$114.70
e
1
Grease Pumps
115
Number of Reweighings of Goods Ready For Sale
Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Beans
130
127
2
1
Bread
256
244
12
Butter
223
182
41
Charcoal
(in paper bags)
10
9
1
Confectionery
58
58
Dry Commodities
197
146
51
Flour
55
55
Fruit and Vegetables
88
32
47
9
Grain and Feed
58
57
1
Lard
73
73
Liquid Commodities
20
20
Meats and Provisions
15
12
1
2
Potatoes
145
99
40
6
Coal (in paper bags) 120
95
2
23
Number of Inspections
Paper or fibre cartons
158
Pedlers Licenses
54
Milk jars
42
Marking of
Foods Pkgs.
183
Bread
360
Wholesale milk cans
52
Coal in paper bags
70
Kindling wood in paper bags
80
Transient vendors
1
Pedlers Scales
12
Ice Scales
11
Junk Scales
4
Oil jars
272
Glass graduates
14
Other inspections
79
Number of tests made
Retest on gasoline devices after sealing 41
Mfrs. Sealed milk jars
16
Approved paper cartons
18
116
Number of pedlers licenses issued State, County and Town
19
I wish to express my appreciation to the various officials for the support extended to me during the past year.
Appropriations recommended for 1939 as follows:
Salary
$630.00
Transportation
180.00
Equipment and Supplies
45.00
Tel., Postage, Printing
10.00
Convention and Travel
25.00
Sealers Helper
10.00
$900.00
Respectfully submitted,
CHAS. P. THATCHER,
Sealer of Weights & Measures
Report of the Tree Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
All street trees throughout the town have been sprayed as well as a large number on private property to safe-guard our shade trees. I have trimmed and cared for the trees in the different parts of the town as far as my appropriation would permit.
The hurricane disaster of September twenty-first ruined a large number of our shade trees and caused the removal of 350 trees throughout the town and caused damage which will require considerable work. At present the W. P. A. project for removing broken and dead limbs is taking care of this.
I would recommend an appropriation of $2,000 for the care of trees in 1939.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN JARVIS,
Tree Warden.
Report of the Moth Superintendent
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen :
There have been no Browntail Moths on the trees this year, but a number of Gypsy Moths, both on street trees and on private property, and also a large number of tent caterpillars. More attention must be given to follow-up work with creosote and thorough spraying.
In woodland areas, where work has been done under a W. P. A. project, the Gypsy Moths have been considerably reduced. The workers on this project should be commended for the splendid work accomplished. I would recommend an appropriation of $500 for the department in 1939.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN JARVIS,
Moth Superintendent.
Report of the Board of Health
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:
The Board of Health hereby submits the annual report for the year ending December 31, 1938.
Frequent meetings have been held during the year. The office has been open every day from 9 to 11 A. M. and on Wednesday from 9 to 11 A. M. and from 1 to 3:30 P. M. unless the executive officer has been out of town on business.
Garbage has been collected in the usual satisfactory manner. The following diseases dangerous to public health have been reported.
Measles
84
Chicken Pox
46
Dog Bites
14
Eye Infection
1
Scarlet Fever
1
Tuberculosis
4
Tetanus
1
Whooping Cough
43
194
There have been 79 places carded and released and 50 inspections made. We have issued 116 burial permits, 2 pasteurization licenses, 5 alcohol licenses, 14 oleo and 2 ice cream licenses.
In September the Board appointed Richard T. Thatcher Inspector for Sanitation and Harold G. Gifford Inspector on Cleaning Property Damaged by the Flood. They have done work to the satisfaction of the Board and the State Department of Public Health.
The Secretary wishes to express his appreciation to the Community Nurse and the Police Department for the valu- able 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 1938 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
508 Visits
Communicable Diseases 150
Tuberculosis
247
Child Welfare
2,133
66
Total
3,038 Visits
The appropriation paid for only 1,334 of the above visits.
Visits to Town Patients .- This included actual bedside nursing, or demonstration of nursing methods, carried out under medical direction. The aims were to secure proper medical care, to provide nursing or to supervise nursing for patients in the homes and especially to give instructions 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 re- ferred by the Board of Health consisted of bedside nurs- ing care, or supervision of nursing care, endeavoring to educate the patient as well as others with whom she comes in contact, in matters relating to the prevention and treat- ment of these diseases. The aim was to aid in securing complete reporting, in obtaining medical and nursing super- vision 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 members of the Board of Directors of the Community Nurse Association, 32 con- tacts were taken to State Sanatoria, and many others have had periodic examinations by their family physicians.
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From the proceeds of the sale of Christmas seals in Fairhaven, six 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 condi- tion.
Child Welfare-This 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-em- phasizing immunization, vaccination, a physical examina- tion for every child and to encourage the correction of physical deformities.
Assistance was given at the following clinics and child welfare conference held under the supervision of the Board of Health-
Diphtheria Toxoid Clinic-272 children were immu- nized.
Vaccination Clinic-84 children were vaccinated.
Child Welfare Conference-69 pre-school children were examined.
The Child Welfare Conference was conducted by a State Unit from the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health, which consisted of a physician, dental hygienist, and a nutritionist. The purpose of this conference was educational and the opportunity was offered to demonstrate to the parents the importance of periodic medical, dental and nutritional su- pervision.
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 Sewer Commissioners
To the Citizens of the Town of Fairhaven:
A total of 51/2 miles of sewers have been built by the town under the various Federal Relief Agencies during the past few years, and during 1938 the following sewers were con- structed.
Massasoit & Francis Sts. 810 feet
Jesse St. 150
Spring St. 250
Maitland St.
2423
Houle, Morgan, East Coggeshall, Brown,
Wilding, Spruce, Ball, Burgess Ave. 7809 1100
Morgan St.
Tripp 170
12,712
During the year 43 new connections were made and 3 repairs to existing connections, making a total of 1542 connections now in use. The net expenditures for the year for maintenance totalled $8,450.30.
Respectfully submitted,
G. W. VALENTINE, FRANK 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:
During the past year Fairhaven has had 79 accidents with 114 injured and two deaths. In neither fatal accident was a Fairhaven driver in any way involved and it is un- fortunate and seemingly unjust that Fairhaven should re- ceive a blot on its record because of the action of out of town drivers. In each case intoxication and speed were the contributing factors in the deaths.
What horror when the realization dawns upon the in- dividual that the death of someone's loved one could have been avoided if the last drink or two had not been taken.
Again the 1938 Committee urges greater vigilance and the continued cooperation of Fairhaven's inhabitants in respecting all motor vehicle rules and regulations.
It is also recommended that the Selectmen and Police Dept. study the recommendations of this Committee as sub- mitted in previous years, also the recommendation regard- ing the advisability of controlled speed and the need of a motorcycle police officer during good weather and particu- larly from April first to the first of November. It is believed that this could be arranged without any increase in ex- pense to the police department. The idea is at least worth a trial.
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