USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1950 > Part 4
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A joint meeting with the Selectmen was held on September 17th to consider the proposed layout of Sconticut Neck Road widening from Washington Street southerly. The Planning Board could not approve the widening as proposed and suggested further study by the Selectmen and State Engineers.
For several years the Board has attempted in Town Meeting to suggest that the Town needs a considerably revised policy with regard to the approval of street layouts and acceptance of streets. The wholesale accept- ance of streets by the Town is wholesale acceptance of responsibility and expense often unwarranted.
During the coming year the Board hopes to study the Legislation available for adoption, (Chap. 340 of the Acts of 1947) and propose for adoption acceptances and
72
regulations imposing responsibilities with regard to the construction of improvements, utilities, etc., for "sub- divisions" for land sale or building development upon the petitioners.
Respectfully submitted
WM. TALLMAN, Chairman KENNETH E. VINING, Secretary VICTOR O. B. SLATER GEORGE A. STEELE HERBERT L. CANDAGE CHARLES R. DUGDALE ARSENE J. DUVAL JAMES PARKINSON
Report of the Board of Fire Engineers
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The Board of Fire Engineers herewith submit the Annual Report for the year 1950.
During the year the Fire Department responded to 45 bell alarms and 167 still alarms, a total of 212 calls. This is 57 more than 1949 when we had 155 calls, of which 20 were bell alarms and 135 were still alarms.
The apparatus and equipment is in good condition and is being properly maintained. We are again asking for a new 750 GPM pumper by a separate article in the Town Warrant, to replace the present Engine #1.
We are also asking for a complete radio transmit- ting and receiving outfit for the Department which will no doubt be of great assistance to the work of this Department.
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The stations at North and East Fairhaven are in good condition and we expect to do some necessary repairs on the station at Oxford Street which will include the painting of the trimmings.
After many years of faithful service in the Fire De- partment, Deputy Chief Charles H. Lawton passed away on November 14, 1950. At a meeting of the Board of Fire Engineers a suitable resolution was adopted and spread upon the records as a memorial to him. To fill this vacancy the Board of Selectmen appointed Lindsey Gifford as a member of the Board of Fire Engineers. At a meeting of the Board for the purpose of organizing, Augustus Xavier was appointed Deputy Chief Engineer.
The Board of Fire Engineers believe that the Town has a well trained and efficient Fire Department and the members of the Fairhaven Protecting Society add to this efficiency by their interest and attendance at fires which is greatly appreciated by the Department.
Respectfully submitted BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
FRANK ROGERS AUGUSTUS XAVIER AUDELL W. MONK JR. HAROLD S. MACOMBER LINDSEY GIFFORD
74
Report of Superintendent of Fire Alarms
January 15, 1951
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Fairhaven, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The Superintendent of the Fire Alarm presents his annual report for the year 1950.
During the past year considerable work has been done on the Four circuits of the Fire Alarm system replacing old wire, and conduit has replaced some of the old wire on Boxes. Three of the original Air Raid Sirens used in the Fire Alarm system had to be overhauled at the Factory. Considerable damage was done to the system during the fall storm, and had to be repaired. Four (4) Boxes were replaced after being burned out, this damage caused by storm.
Former Engine #6 with Civil Defense pump was con- verted into a Fire Alarm Truck and this move has proved very valuable. Cross Arms used on the Fire Alarm system were made up at Headquarters as a money saving project for the Town.
This year I am asking for Six (6) new Boxes, one for the North end, one for the East Fairhaven circuit, one for the Sconticut Neck and three old box replacements for the center of Town.
Six (6) new Fire Alarm Boxes were installed at the following locations the past year.
Box 21 Bridge & New Boston Rd.
Box 23 New Boston Rd. 1/2 Way
Box 141
Ocean View Ave. 1/2 Way
Box 145 Calumet & Torrington Rd.
Box 148
Dan Dean's Barn
Box 621 Hopkins & East Morgan Sts.
At this time I would like to commend the men who worked with me for their faithful service.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK ROGERS
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
75
Report of the Board of Health
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Health herewith submits the annual report for the year ending December 31, 1950.
The Board has held regular monthly meetings through- out the year. We have investigated all complaints and nuisances and have taken prompt action whenever it was indicated.
The following diseases dangerous to public health have been reported :
Typhoid
1
Chicken Pox
9
Dog Bites
25
Measles
6
Mumps
34
Scarlet Fever
24
Tuberculosis
6
Whooping Cough
19
Eye Infections
5
Anterior Poliomyelitis
1
130
During the past year we have issued 74 burial permits, 3 pasteurization licenses, 19 alcohol licenses, 20 oleo- margarine licenses, 2 ice cream licenses, 73 milk licenses, and 4 camp licenses. We also issued a six day nursery license.
Six patients were maintained at Bristol County Tuber- culosis Hospital during the past year. Six new cases were discovered and 32 tuberculosis contacts were x-rayed. Eighty-three visits were made to tubercular patients.
In the Board of Health Clinic 235 children were immunized against Diphtheria and 77 were vaccinated against Smallpox. The Community nurse, under the super- vision of the Board of Health, made a total of 124 visits to persons ill with communicable diseases.
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The Board approved and accepted the new regulations regarding the minimum standards of fitness of dwellings for human habitation which were proposed last year by the State Board of Health. These regulations are in use at the present time.
Since April 1, 1950, Fairhaven has participated in the Tuberculosis Clinic of New Bedford. This Clinic offers free x-rays and chest plates to residents of those towns which help pay the cost of maintaining it. The cost per capita for the Town of Fairhaven in 1950 was $.081. The probable cost in 1951 will be $.57, a considerable drop from the 1950 figure. This is a tentative figure, however, as the exact amount cannot be calculated until the books of the New Bedford Board of Health are closed at the end of the year. We strongly urge all citizens of Fairhaven to take advantage of this Tuberculosis Clinic and mass x-ray program.
The program for the care of premature infants, adopted by the Fairhaven Board of Health in 1949, is working out satisfactorily. The details of this program were outlined in last year's report.
The Board of Health Dental Clinic is held at the Tripp School every Tuesday and Thursday. Dr. Edward J. Mee is the school dentist and he is assisted by the school nurse, Mrs. Richard A. Dennie. Pupils from each school go once every five weeks. The charges are extremely low, ranging from twenty cents to thirty-five cents. However, the work is done free for those children who are unable to pay.
Mrs. Dennie reports the following work done on the children's teeth during the past year: 376 fillings, 178 ex- tractions, 39 examinations, 49 treatments, 63 cleanings.
The collection of garbage has been carried out most efficiently by Joseph Mello. John Reilly, sanitary inspector, and Henry Stevens, slaughter inspector, have discharged their duties commendably. Samuel Barrett, who serves as both animal inspector and milk inspector, has thoroughly investigated all complaints and has found few violations of the milk regulations.
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The Board wishes to express its appreciation to the community nurses and the police department for the help and co-operation given us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, DR. C. E. P. THOMPSON CLARENCE TERRY DR. F. A. SILVEIRA JR., Secretary
Inspector of Slaughtering
373 Alden Road Fairhaven, Mass. January 2, 1951
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1950.
I made 33 inspections and made one investigation of an alleged sale of contaminated meat.
Respectfully submitted HENRY STEVENS
Slaughter Inspector
78
Report of Inspector of Animals
December 25, 1950
To the Board of Health and
Citizens of the Town:
Under the supervision of the Division of Livestock Disease Control, and in co-operation with the Board of Health.
Inspected are 796 milk cows, 67 heifers one to two years old, 56 calves under one year old, 38 bulls, 38 horses, 16 goats, 247 swine, 6 steers.
I have quarantined 42 dogs for biting, there has been no case of Rabies. Some of the dogs quarantined this year had no identification tag or collar, and had to be taken to the Animal Rescue League.
There were 401 head of cattle that entered from out of State, 4 head less than last year.
Respectfully submitted, SAMUEL C. BARRETT
Inspector of Animals
79
Report of Inspector of Milk
December 25, 1950
To the Board of Health and Citizens of the Town:
Inspected 22 places that sell their milk to dealers, 49 places that have private stock, 2 dealers that buy their milk from nearby farms, 1 dealer that produces their own milk.
I have inspected 74 places and issued permits to keep stock for the year 1951.
A report to the State Board of Health was issued this year in regards to the amount of milk and cream sold in this Town.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL C. BARRETT
Inspector of Milk
80
Report of Health Nursing Service
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Public Health Nursing has become an important part of the health program of the community. Its object has always been to bring health to minds and bodies of those in need of it. This has only been accomplished by the co-operation of the entire community.
The appropriation from the Town for health-nursing services made it possible to make the following visits during the year 1950:
Communicable Diseases 124
Child Welfare
1275
Tuberculosis
83
Total
1482
The Town paid for 224 bedside nursing visits to Old Age Assistance recipients and 84 bedside nursing visits to patients receiving general relief.
Six new active cases of tuberculosis were discovered during the year. Four were hospitalized and their contacts were X-rayed. Several arrested cases had X-ray examin- ations and contacts have been checked periodically. Some of these examinations were made at the Bristol County State Sanatoria, others at the New Bedford Tuberculosis Clinic, and others by private physicians.
Assistance was given at the following clinics held under the supervision of the Board of Health:
Diphtheria Toxoid Clinic - 235 children were inoculated Vaccination Clinic 77 children were inoculated
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, GRACE E. SMALLEY, R.N. Agent of the Board of Health
81
Report of the Sewer and Water Commissioners
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board organized with G. W. Valentine, as Chair- man, John M. Reilly, as Clerk, and Lawrence B. Maxfield.
The department has been busy this year with new sewer and water connections. Sixty-three water services were installed, and forty new sewer connections made, making a total of 103 for the year. There are now 512 water takers on Sconticut Neck.
Water mains were laid on Timothy Street, Grape Street, Austria Avenue, Raymond Street and Bermise Street, supplying many residents with Town Water.
During the year several repairs were made to sewer connections, and many water meters were checked, tested and repaired.
Respectfully submitted, G. W. VALENTINE JOHN M. REILLY LAWRENCE B. MAXFIELD
82
Report of the Highway Department FOR 1950
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Town of Fairhaven, Mass.
Gentlemen :
Among the varied activities during the past year were the following :
At available periods the buildings at the Town Yard were repaired and painted, in part, and a doorway cut and made higher to permit the passage of our newly purchased Road Grader.
Portions of many sidewalks in various parts of the town were repaired and in many instances retopped with bank gravel and screenings.
Curbings were removed and brows constructed for driveways in response to the many requests for this service.
Needed patching was done with Bituminous Mixture on all streets where needed and about six miles of hard surfaced roads in all parts of the Town were sealed with an application of Tar or Asphalt.
Drains were repaired and cleaned as is the usual custom.
Many street name signs have been erected, replacing those which were destroyed, damaged or defaced and at intersections where none existed including new streets or in newly developed sections and this program will continue until all principal and lesser used highways are easily identified.
About two miles of new construction was accomplished in rebuilding old gravel and cinder roads under the special appropriation.
Under our dust control program, 34 gravel and cinder roads or portions thereof were treated with a dust prevent- ing Road Oil.
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By rearranging the storage of our various equipment with a little crowding we were able to provide warm and dry garage space for the Town Ambulance so that it has been available promptly for any emergency use.
Our new Road Grader was put into service immedi- ately after delivery to us the last week of May 1950 and has been of immense help to us in the maintenance of our gravel and cinder roads and in the reconstruction of roads that were converted to hard surface roads. We have kept an accurate cost of every item of expense in the operation of this new piece of equipment and based on the actual hours we showed a saving in rental of $3,996.42.
We have also added to our equipment without cost to the Town a 10 Ton Road Roller replacing the old Steam Roller which became obsolete and was disposed of a few years ago. This roller was purchased on a rental basis to be applied against the purchase price of $549.00 with the result, that with all cost of operation considered, including the rental, we made a saving of $1,780.16 and now own the Road Roller, which will be in first class condition and ready for use in the next seasons work without any further ne- cessity of rental.
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE
Work carried on and completed under the Chapter 90 Maintenance program included the following;
215 feet of Granite Sloped Edging was installed at the intersection of Alden Road and Bridge Street and the sur- face widened with Bituminous Concrete.
320 feet of 8 inch Perforated Coated Drain Pipe was installed under the shoulder of a portion of Alden Road.
On Sconticut Neck Road we dug out 3000 feet of the water trench to the depth of 6 inches and replaced with bank gravel, which was graded, rolled and penetrated and sealed with road tar to restore the hard surface to the orig- inal width.
The portion of Bridge St. between Adams St. and Huttleston Ave. that was reconstructed in 1942 was treated by sealing with an application of rapid curing Asphaltic Oil.
84
RUBBISH COLLECTION
We extended our collection area in 1950, and in addi- tion to the regular crew working five days each week we have an extra truck and crew transferred from the Highway Department two days per week every other week collecting on Sconticut Neck and East Fairhaven and are now receiv- ing requests from the South and Northeast parts of the Town as well as Sconticut Neck and East Fairhaven, for service on additional streets and roads which will require another day every two weeks if granted.
Respectfully submitted, ELLSWORTH M. BURGESS, Superintendent of Highways
85
Report of Building Inspector
January 26, 1951
To the Board of Selectmen :
The Building Department submits the following report for the year 1950.
There were 372 applications for permission to build received during the year as follows: 143 dwellings, 86 one or two stall garages, 1 business garage, 2 three stall garages, 1 motor court, 1 green house, 10 stores, 1 turkey house, 1 store with showroom attached, 1 pidgeon loft, 2 barns, 1 church. 77 alterations & additions, 19 henhouses, 11 sheds, 1 rabbit house, 1 dog kennel, 2 luncheonettes, 1 concession building, 1 office building, 1 projection booth, 1 movie screen, 4 buildings were razed and three single family dwellings were changed into apartments.
The estimated cost of the new building was given as $663,780.00. The fees collected for the issuing of these permits was $851.00. 143 dwellings at $5.00 - $715.00; 86 garages at $1.00 - $86.00; 1 motor court - $19.00; 1 busi- ness garage at $25.00; 2 three car garages at $3.00 - $6.00. No fee charged for other permits.
PLUMBING INSPECTION
There were 372 plumbing inspections made in the year 1950 by the following inspectors:
John M. Reilly
312 at $5.00
$1,560.00
Eben P. Hirst
22 at 5.00
110.00
Brayton Beals
38 at 5.00 190.00
372 $1,860.00
All plumbing applications must be taken out at the office of the Building Inspector, Town Hall.
ELLSWORTH M. BURGESS
Building Inspector
86
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, 1950 during which time the following devices were tested and sealed or condemned.
Scales
100 to 5000 Lbs.
8
58
15
2
Scales or Balances
Under 100 Lbs.
34
149
7
5
Weights
7
330
Capacity Meas.
Liquid 1 Gal. or Under
65
Liquid Over 1 Gal.
1
43
Dry Measure
4
Meters
Inlet 1 Inch or Less
Gasoline 22
57
1
7
Automatic Measuring Devices
Inlet More Than 1 Inch
Vehicle Tank Meter System 3 12
1
Bulk Storage 1 11
Other Auto Liquid Meas. Devices
Kerosene, Oil, Grease (Ea. Meas.)
1 16 43
Linear Measures
Yard Sticks
2
87
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Con- demned
Sealing fees collected and turned into Town Treasurer $338.35
I wish to thank all the various officials for the support extended to me during the past year.
Appropriation recommended for 1951 as follows:
Salary $1,100.00 250.00
Transportation
Equipment and Supplies
45.00
Tel., Postage, Printing
15.00
Convention and Travel
35.00
Sealers Helper
55.00
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES P. THATCHER Sealer of Weights & Measures
88
Report of Shellfish Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
The 1950 shellfish season was about average. Our shellfish beds and beaches were badly depleted the first of the season. With one-third the usual number of family permits issued during this year we should see some improve- ment as it gives the area a chance to reseed itself.
The closed area at Jack's Cove will be ready to open this summer and I find a lot of shellfish there for the size of the area.
About 10,000 bushels of scallops were taken from Fairhaven waters this year; they were poor in quality and very small in size.
Commercial tongers have found a good bed of quahogs off Fort Phoenix and are able to average $15. per day, weather permitting. This is the area that was broken up by the draggers four years ago and it is expected more beds will be found in the Bay.
Clams have been poor all the way from the tip of the Cape to Rhode Island, for the last two years. The seed was plentiful in this area in the spring, I have found as many as 135 seed to one square foot of ground, but did not develop. We did, however, have a few scattered beds this year.
Thru the co-operation of the Selectmen and the Officers of the Sconticut Neck Improvement Association we were able to close and plant Little Bay. As this is one of our most heavily fished areas we saw to it that it was very well restocked by planting :-
239 bushels quahogs (necks and mediums) $3. $717.00
@
1301/2 bushels large quahogs
@ 1. 130.50
183 bushels mixed seed quahogs
@ 5. 915.00
15 bushels local mixed Cost of planting
@ 4. 60.00
101.50
$1,924.00
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Number of permits issued and amount received :-
437 family permits
@ $1.00
$437.00
40 commercial
@ 5.00 200.00
207 Scallop
@ 5.00
1,035.00
$1,672.00
Contributed by State
200.00
$1,872.00
Approximate value of scallops taken from Fairhaven waters during this season $30,000.
Impossible to keep record of shellfish taken for family Value of quahogs taken unobtainable. use.
We have had 12 to 15 commercial fishermen working steadily all year, weather permitting, and four or five more working part time. At present quahogs are bringing the highest price known, $7.50 per bushel for necks and $4.00 per bushel for large.
Respectfully submitted,
TRACY W. MARKS,
Shellfish Inspector
90
Report of Fairhaven Board of Retirement
The following schedules show the operations sum- marized for the year ending December 31, 1950.
INCOME
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1949
$56,542.66
Contributions from members
8,651.17
Appropriation of the Town
6,775.00
Interest received
1,615.47
Total Income
$73,584.30
DISBURSEMENTS
Pensions Paid
$5,294.55
Refunds
1,207.06
Expenses
533.77
Total Disbursements 7,035.38
Balance on Hand December 31, 1950
$66,548.92
Balance represents the following
National Bank of Fairhaven
$1,319.27
Fairhaven Institution for Savings
40,229.65
Government Bonds
25,000.00
Total
$66,548.92
Board of Retirement
HELEN M. WESTGATE GEORGE A. GREENE CLAUDIA I. SCHILLER
91
Report of Park Board
In the year of my retirement Mr. Vining has requested a brief resume of the development of the park system in the last 30 years, thinking it may be of some interest to the citizens of the town of both new and older tenure. I might say in the beginning my job has been mainly in line with my profession; the charge of new plantings, renewals and adjustments among the old. The ideal has been toward more naturalistic design as in Bridge Park and shows more or less in other borders, the elimination of small beds and introduction of some evergreens in all for more character and winter interest.
So, can anyone remember in 1921 the picturesque figure of James Goggin riding the lawn mower of that period in Cushman Park among many beds and borders of shrubbery, planted in a style of the early 1900s and sheered and groomed as no large park should ever be? Thus Cushman which with a narrow strip bordering the bridge from shore to Main Street and the parkways on Huttleston (recently withdrawn for State care) and Park avenues comprised the entire park system.
Since, have been added from time to time eleven plots large and small so the enlarged system (with a few apologies) is one in which to take pride, more adequate in beauty spots, picnic grounds, and sport and playground space than many a larger town or city. And all this has been taken care of by two and three men with an annual appropriation in keeping with the town budget, with a special allowance for occasional major needs.
The smaller plots, Willow, Marine, Cook Memorial and the Garrison Lot, whose care was given over by the Improvement Association so long ago, the early work in initiating and planting is all but forgotten, have needed little but mowing and occasional pruning and from time to time renewals or extra plantings. Benoit Square planted as a memorial by the father of a World War I casualty falls into the same category. Fort Phoenix, a more recent acquisition, fell to our care after Lady Fairhaven bought the historic spot from the Government and presented it to the Town. Some repair to guns, magazine and embank- ment has been necessary, and an occasional beach clearup with a weekly cleaning and mowing has been adequate.
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A Tribute to MABEL L. POTTER
MABEL L. POTTER
In the 30 years Miss Potter has served on the Park Board, she has given freely of her time, with unselfish de- votion to the betterment of the park system. She has seen it's growth and contributed greatly in material, in addition to the wisdom and foresight of a well trained and experi- enced landscaper, which is her profession.
Miss Potter is the daughter of the late Daniel C. Potter of Widemarsh on Sconticut Neck. Mr. Potter was the first chairman of the town planning board and principal organ- izer; also many years chairman of the town Finance Com- mittee. Miss Potter is a charter member of the New Bed- ford College Club; graduate of Pembroke, Brown Univer- sity ; active member of Fairhaven Improvement Association ; former chairman Town Victory Garden Committee, present member of the Town Forest Committee, and Trustee of the Millicent Library. Her motto always was, "What is worth doing at all, is worth doing well."
Thank you and good health.
JOSEPH MELLO KENNETH R. VINING
*****
MABEL L. POTTER
Bridge Park was enlarged from the narrow bridge borders over 20 years ago, the Town taking and filling a much wider area on both north and south sides. A rip-rap wall at the north has proved a good protection; the south beach is still a problem. These extensions were planted by the Park Department, have suffered in hurricanes but little replacement was necessary, in trees more than shrubs. Changes have been in order from time to time on account of street widenings and to relieve traffic hazards and a setting has been given the War Memorial on the south side. The addition of an East Fairhaven plot abutting the school furnishes a ball field for area boys at little expense so far. Attempts to secure similar open spaces at Oxford and Sconticut Neck, both badly needed, have so far failed. An addition to Cushman west of the Walnut Street entrance as a service area has become a necessity.
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