USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1951 > Part 4
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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
77
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, 1951.
The Board has held regular monthly meetings through- out the year, and has held special meetings whenever the occasion has demanded it. We have investigated all complaints and nuisances and have taken prompt action wherever it was indicated.
The following diseases dangerous to public health have been reported :
Chicken Pox
11
Dog Bites
42
Measles
3
Mumps
4
Scarlet Fever 6
Tuberculosis
4
Whooping Cough
6
Eye Infections
3
79
During the past year we have issued 102 burial per- mits, 3 pasteurization licenses, 17 alcohol licenses, 77 milk licenses, 23 oleomargarine licenses, 3 ice cream licenses, and 6 camp licenses. We also issued licenses to 7 day nurseries and 5 convalescent homes.
Three patients were maintained at Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital during the past year, one at Lake- ville State Sanitorium and one at Rutland State Sanitorium. Three new cases were discovered and 15 tuberculosis con- tacts were x-rayed. One hundred and ten visits were made to tubercular patients.
In the Board of Health Clinic 260 children were im- munized against diphtheria and 79 were vaccinated against smallpox. The Community Nurse, under the supervision of the Board of Health, made a total of 60 visits to persons ill with communicable diseases.
78
The Board approved and accepted the regulations regarding the minimum standards of fitness of dwellings for human habitation which were proposed in 1949 by the State Board of Health. These regulations have been in use for the past year.
Since April 1, 1950, Fairhaven has participated in the Tuberculosis Clinic of New Bedford. This Clinic offers free x-rays and sputum tests to residents of those towns which help pay the cost of maintaining it. The cost per capita for the Town of Fairhaven in 1951 was $.062. Since the cost per capita in 1950 was $.081, this figure shows a marked reduction. We strongly urge all citizens of Fairhaven to take advantage of this Tuberculosis Clinic and x-ray program.
This year, also, we have joined with neighboring towns in helping to maintain the Bristol County Mental Health Clinic in New Bedford. This clinic provides faci- lities for psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, and consultation for both children and adults. These services are free of charge to Fairhaven residents and residents of other towns participating.
The program for the care of premature infants, adopted by the Fairhaven Board of Health in 1949, has worked out satisfactorily. The details of this program have been outlined previously.
The Board of Health Dental Clinic is held at the Tripp School every Tuesday and Thursday. The school dentist is Dr. Edward J. Mee and he is assisted by the school nurse, Mrs. Richard A. Dennie, and Mrs. Eleanor Gonsalves. Pupils from each school go once every five weeks. From 12 to 16 children are treated each morning. The charges are extremely low, from twenty cents to thirty-five cents. However, all dental work is done free for those unable to pay.
Mrs. Dennie reports the following work done on children's teeth during the past year: 440 fillings, 228 ex- tractions, 60 examinations, 69 treatments, 82 cleanings.
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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 efficiently and commendably. Samuel Barrett, who serves as both animal and milk inspector, has thor- oughly investigated all complaints.
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
To the Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1951. During the year I have made thirty-six inspections and there were no confiscations.
Respectfully submitted HENRY STEVENS
Inspector of Slaughtering
80
Report of Inspector of Milk
December 18, 1951
To the Board of Health and Citizens of the Town:
Total Number of Quarts of Milk sold Daily all Pasteurized about 5634
Number Dealers selling Pasteurized Milk 16
Number of Resident Dealers in Town 3
Number of Dairy Farms 26
Number of Pasteurizing Plants in Town 2
Bacteriological examinations are made of the products of these places, by the Laboratory of the New Bedford Board of Health without cost to the Town of Fairhaven.
Frequent inspections of these places are made to insure cleanness of the products they sell.
Respectfully submitted, SAMUEL C. BARRETT
Inspector of Milk
81
Report of Inspector of Animals
December 18, 1951
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 at 74 places were 817 milk cows, 60 heifers one to two years old, 80 heifers under one year old, 42 bulls, 29 horses, 14 goats, 292 swine, 18 steers.
I have quarantined 29 dogs for biting, there has been no case of Rabies.
There were 353 head of cattle that entered from out of State, requiring 34 inspections.
Two inspections were made where cattle were con- demned with T.B.
Six inspections were made on complaints of pigpens.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL C. BARRETT
Inspector of Animals
82
Report of Health Nursing Service
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Public Health Nursing has been defined as the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and increas- ing physical and mental efficiency through organized effort.
Due to increased medical knowledge, and good Public Health teaching we find that deaths from acute com- municable diseases have been almost eliminated, and the mortality rate of the public generally has been reduced by almost 50% in the last forty years.
The appropriation from the Town for health nursing services made it possible to make the following visits during the year 1951:
Child Welfare
1124
Tuberculosis
110
Acute Communicable 60
1294 Total
The Town paid for 291 bedside nursing visits to Old Age Assistance recipients and 293 bedside nursing visits to patients receiving general relief.
Three new active cases of tuberculosis were discovered during the year and were immediately hospitalized and their contacts X-rayed. Several arrested cases had X-ray examinations during the year, and contacts have been checked periodically. Some of these examinations were made at the 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 Clinics - 260 children were inoculated Vaccination Clinic - 79 children were inoculated
83
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
84
Report of the Sewer and Water Commissioners
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Board of Sewer and Water Commissioners organized with G. W. Valentine, as Chairman, John M. Reilly, as clerk, and Lawrence B. Maxfield.
Thirty-one sewer connections and thirty-five water connections were installed in 1951, making a total of sixty- six for the year. There are now 555 water takers on Sconticut Neck and 1944 sewer connections in use.
In 1951 six inch water mains were laid on the follow- ing streets :
Hiller Avenue & John Street - 1165 ft.
Golf Street - 320 ft.
Capeview Street - 305 ft.
making a total of 2790 feet of six inch pipe laid, and in- cluding two hydrants.
Many water meters were tested and repaired and thirty-nine sewer connections were checked and repaired during the year.
The Board ordered last spring the 10" pipe for Sconti- cut Neck Road, and to date 1393 feet has arrived, with the promise of the balance in March 1952.
It is suggested that petitions for either sewer or water extensions be sent to the Sewer and Water Commissioners, who will have the costs given to the Finance Committee and then to the Selectmen to be put in the warrant.
Respectfully submitted, G. W. VALENTINE JOHN M. REILLY LAWRENCE B. MAXFIELD
85
Report of the Highway Department FOR 1951
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Town of Fairhaven, Mass.
Gentlemen :
During the year just ended, more work has been ac- complished by the Highway Department personnel than in any year since the days of the WPA.
In addition to the customary required work of main- tenance and repairs of the hard surfaced streets, cinder and gravel suburban roads, sidewalks, and drains, the de- partment was called upon to convert 12 cinder and gravel roads into modern hard surfaced thoroughfares, represent- ing 13,776 lineal feet or nearly 40,000 square yards of what was actually new construction.
Many new street signs were made and erected, many old dirt sidewalks were graded, graveled, and screenings applied, a number of driveways were created by the re- moval of curbs and satisfactory brows constructed, which assisted in keeping more cars off the streets at night and aided in the plowing operations during snow storms. We also continued our program of building up low gutters with Bituminous Mixture on many of the old type high crowned streets making it easier and safer parking for modern low hung automobiles. Some hard surfaced streets were resurfaced (sealed) with tar or asphalt, although we were not able to complete our entire program of sealing because the men and the equipment were not available while engaged in the attempt to complete the Road Re- construction Program before cold weather.
Among other activities we built nearly 200 square yards of Granolithic Sidewalks and 500 square yards of Hot Top (Bituminous Mixture) under the special sidewalk program.
All hard surfaced roads were repaired with "Hot Mix" where needed after the severe treatment of heavy traffic and winter weather.
86
Because of the many new homes built on some of the "soft" roads, the demand for dust control was greater than ever before and early in the dry season we were obliged to apply dust laying oil on 35 roads using a total of over 12,000 gallons of Asphaltic Oil. This treatment was made more effective and longer lasting by a new method of preparation now possible because we have the equipment available. We first scraped and graded these roads and then compacted them with our 10 Ton Roller and then applied the oil. This treatment is good for only one season and must be repeated each year as long as we have this type of road.
By the town owning the road grader and heavy roller we have been able to do more work at less expense and if and when a mobile loading machine can be acquired for loading material from stock piles in the Town Yard and snow from the roads there will be a substantial savings in time and money.
RUBBISH COLLECTION DEPARTMENT
The extended service starting a year ago has required the use of a truck and 4 men, 3 days every other week being transferred from the highway department and resulting in a serious disorganization of our work plans, which has greatly affected the progress of not only the maintenance work but also our construction work when every piece of equipment available was needed to keep the work going smoothly and continuously.
Any further extensions of the rubbish collection service will necessitate the purchase of another truck with a compactor body and setting up another crew.
Another problem which is becoming more acute is the proper disposal of the type of rubbish now being handled, which consists of less ashes and more refuse of all types much of which is incombustible and must be deposited and covered in a suitable location. This requires the services of a bulldozer at more or less regular intervals which must be rented, increasing the cost of the Town Dump Maintenance.
Respectfully submitted,
ELLSWORTH M. BURGESS
Superintendent of Highways
87
Report of Building Inspector
January 19, 1952
To the Board of Selectmen :
The Building Department submits the following report for the year 1951:
There were 314 applications for new building, passed by the inspector for the year as follows:
100 dwellings, 44 garages, 12 dwellings with attached garages, 1 dwelling with store attached, 3 trailers, 3 cabins, 1 Motel, 4 garages with attached storage space, 1 show room, 4 bathhouses, 2 barns, 1 play yard, 83 additions, 7 henhouses, 14 storage sheds, 1 store, 1 dog kennel, 3 luncheonettes, 2 boat sheds, 8 alterations of single family units into two or more apartments, 1 cold frame house, 2 community houses, 1 Morgue, 15 buildings were razed.
The estimated cost of this new building, as reported, was $1,226,080.00. The fees collected for all chargeable items was $685.00.
100 dwellings at $5.00 $500.00
44 garages at $1.00 44.00
12 dwellings with garages at $6.00 72.00
1 dwelling with store attached at $5.00
5.00
3 trailers at $5.00
15.00
3 cabins at $5.00
15.00
1 Motel at $30.00 30.00
4 garages with storage space at $1.00 4.00
$685.00
There was no charge for any other building or alterations.
The reason that the estimated cost of new building is much larger than in recent past years, is that included in this sum is the new additions to the Oxford and New Boston Schools, estimated at $377,000.00 for the Oxford School and $310,000.00 for the New Boston School.
88
PLUMBING INSPECTION
There were 432 plumbing inspections made in 1951 by the following inspectors :
John M. Reilly 371 at $5.00 ea.
$1,855.00
Brayton Beals
13 at 5.00 ea. 65.00
Eben P. Hirst
48 at 5.00 ea. 240.00
$2,160.00
All plumbing applications must be taken out at the office of the Building Inspector, Town Hall.
ELLSWORTH M. BURGESS
Building Inspector
89
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
January 4, 1952
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my annual report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending Dec. 31, 1951, during which time the following devices were tested and sealed or condemned.
Not
Con-
Adjusted
Sealed
Sealed
demned
Scales
100 to 5000 lbs.
16
63
16
5
Scales or Balances
Under 100 lbs.
26
151
8
6
Weights
8
321
Capacity Meas.
Liquid 1 Gal. or Under
72
Liquid Over 1 Gal.
39
1
Meters
A
Inlet 1 Inch or Less
Gasoline 18
50
1
Automatic Measuring Devices
Inlet more than 1 Inch
Vehicle Tank Meter System 2 11
Loading Rack 2
11
Other Auto Liquid
Meas. Devices
Kerosene, Oil, Grease
(Ea. Meas.)
18
43
Lineal Measures
Yard Sticks
3
Sealing fees collected and turned into
Town Treasurer
$309.35
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I wish to thank all the various officials for the support extended to me during the past year.
Appropriation recommended for 1952 as follows:
Salary
$1,300.00 250.00
Transportation
Equipment and Supplies
45.00
Tel., Postage, Printing
15.00
Convention and Travel
35.00
Sealers Helper
55.00
$1,700.00
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES P. THATCHER Sealer of Weights & Measures
91
Report of Shellfish Inspector
My report for 1951 shows shellfish conditions much improved over last year. The Commercial Fishermen have been fishing in deeper water most of the year and the shell- fish on the various beaches have started to improve. Clams, which have been almost extinct all along the coast, are showing up on several beaches and in some locations they were fairly plentiful last summer.
We had a poor crop of scallops, only two full days scalloping for the 110 who took out licenses.
This year I closed and planted Deacon's Cove with all the quahogs the State could supply which was 512 bushels delivered in small lots dribbling along all summer.
Also closed and planted a part of Priests' Cove with quahogs taken from polluted areas.
Little Bay will be closed two years next July and should give us some good fishing ground. I wish to recom- mend that when Little Bay is opened it be opened for family use only until such time as the quantity of shellfish warrants further action. If the area is commercially fished and sold, our good effort to give the Townspeople a good spot to fish in, and build up a supply, will be definitely ruined.
I want to thank the residents of Sconticut Neck and the residents along the water fronts for the help I have received from them, as it is impossible for me, with such a large territory and small appropriation, to put in all the time needed.
SUMMARY
12 to 14 steady tongers and a few part time fishermen took out 7,297 bu. quahogs
11 power draggers 5,000
Total 12,297 bu.
Value approximately $60,000.00
Scallops about 700 bushels-value approximately 2,100.00
Clams 150 bushels-no estimate
92
PROPAGATION
Planting Deacon's Cove 5122/3 bushels quahogs @ $2.00 Cost of planting Planting Priest's Cove 188 bushels mostly little necks
$1,025.34
72.25
696.00
Total cost of 1951 planting
$1,793.59
REVENUE TO TOWN FROM SHELLFISH
652 family permits @ $1.00
$652.00
11 Dragger licenses @ $5.00 55.00
46 Commercial licenses @ $5.00 230.00
110 Scallop licenses @ $5.00
550.00
$1,487.00
Respectfully submitted,
TRACY W. MARKS.
Shellfish Inspector
93
Fairhaven Board of Retirement
The following schedules show the operations sum- marized for the year ending December 31, 1951.
INCOME
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1950 $66,548.92
Contributions from Members 9,721.58
Appropriation of the Town
6,788.43
Interest Received
1,947.58
$85,006.51
DISBURSEMENTS
Pensions Paid
Refunds
$ 5,684.64 565.70 579.16
Expenses
$ 6,829.50
Balance on Hand December 31, 1950 $78,177.01
Balance represents the following
National Bank of Fairhaven
$ 2,712.48
Fairhaven Institution for Savings
50,464.53
Government Bonds
25,000.00
$78,177.01
Board of Retirement GEORGE A. GREENE HELEN M. WESTGATE
CLAUDIA I. SCHILLER
94
Report of Park Board
January 19, 1952
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The 1951 season was a very successful one. We were able to maintain adequate help in keeping our 10 parks, 3 playgrounds and 4 ball diamonds in very good shape. The diamonds at Livesey Park were reconditioned with new surfacing. All diamonds were kept rolled and raked. Many permits were issued for both softball and hardball games. Noteworthy were the Jr. Legion and Twilight Leagues sponsored by local interests. The High School practiced both baseball and football in our parks.
Band Concerts were held every Tuesday evening dur- ing the summer by Fairhaven players under Miss Elizabeth Hasting's direction.
Lights for both Livesey and Cushman Parks are main- tained by this department.
Two new sanitary fountains were installed at both Livesey and Cushman Parks. Posts were erected at Livesey Park to stop autos from going on the ball diamond. New shade trees at Livesey Park will, if not destroyed, give the needed shade for summertime.
The location of Livesey Park is very poor from the standpoint of both protection and use. There is no traffic going by this park and it is down a slope, practically unseen from Main St. Police do not cover this park unless re- quested. Some day the town could seriously consider Dana property opposite the Riverside Cemetery on Main St. Over a period of fifteen years, this department has spent over $40,000 to maintain and constantly equip Livesey Park. Cushman Park is a sample of an open and within view, easily protected park. No vandalism exists because it is open and can be watched.
After the East Fairhaven School is completed, we hope to build a softball diamond with back board.
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Sconticut Neck and West Island are growing fast and will need parks with playground facilities. This board, for several years, wanted to have the town property on the corner of Washington St. and Sconticut Neck Road for park use. It would beautify the corner and be an asset to West Island and Sconticut Neck development.
Thank you all for your cooperation and may you and yours have a healthy 1952.
Respectfully yours, JOSEPH MELLO, Chr. KENNETH R. VINING, Sec'y ERNEST TRIPANIER
PLAYGROUND PROGRAM
December 9, 1951
Park Commissioners
Gentlemen:
In addition to the information, comments and recom- mendations contained in the report which follows, I wish to express my thanks for the cooperation and assistance given to me by the Park Commissioners, by the Park Maintenance Crew, and by my assistants, Mrs. William Karl, Mrs. Leonard Burnham, and Mrs. Harold Rimmer. (As you know, Mrs. Edward Kearly resigned early in the season and was replaced by Mrs. Karl)
Operating hours of the playgrounds were, at the start, 9 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at Livesey and East Fairhaven, and 1 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. at Cushman and East Fairhaven. Starting August 9, (with the appointment of Mrs. Rimmer as an additional assistant) it became possible to henceforth operate all three playgrounds on a day-long basis. Our park season was, as usual, exactly eight weeks. We opened July 2 and closed on August 24.
Sincerely yours,
GEORGE M. COOK
ยท
96
EXPANSION AND REORGANIZATION
Several steps were taken to expand and reorganize Fairhaven's playground program for 1951. East Fair- haven's playground was reestablished and operated as the third unit in a system which already included Cushman Park and Livesey Park. The appointment of an additional assistant on August 9 made it possible to change from a half-day to a full-day program at Cushman and Livesey Parks for the balance of the season. East Fairhaven was on a full-day basis from the start. Thus, by summer's end, the operating-time of our playgrounds had been tripled in comparison with previous years, when the two parks were open for half-days only.
ACTIVITIES
Livesey Park
Two teams, the Livesey All-Stars and the Kiddicus, were organized and admitted as members of the Playground Softball League. Any boy under 16 was eligible to play. Games were played on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the morning games at Livesey Park and the afternoon games at Cushman Park, home field of the third member of the league, the Cushman All-Stars. 12 games were played by each team and the final record reads as follows:
Cushman All Stars Won 9, Lost 3
Livesey All-Stars Won 5, Lost 7
Kiddicus Won 4, Lost 8
Swings, seesaws, slides, were all kept busy by the younger children, with checkers also popular. Horseshoes was enjoyed by all, and a tournament for boys was held, with Pete Giroux emerging as winner. A volleyball was available for various games. The girls sewed, knitted, crocheted and played group games under the supervision of my assistant, (Mrs. Kearly for two weeks, Mrs. Karl for three weeks, Mrs. Rimmer for the last three weeks).
Cushman Park
As mentioned above, the Cushman All-Stars played good ball to win the championship trophy in the Play- ground Softball League. They also won an exhibition game played with the East Fairhaven playground's independent
97
team on August 22. On August 23, an all-star team selected from all players in our softball league played an exhibition game against the Buttonwood Park team of New Bedford, Fairhaven winning with a good crowd in attendance.
Volleyball equipment (including posts and net) was available, and the game was played occasionally, but not to the extent which had been expected. Basketball, even in summer's hot weather, seems to have strong appeal to Fairhaven youths.
Horseshoes was extremely popular for all ages among the boys. Tournaments were held, with the Junior Cham- pionship going to William Bettencourt and the Senior title to Wesley Bumpus.
The younger folk preferred the two slides, the merry- go-round, the swings, seesaws, checkers and other games. Sewing and other types of handiwork for the girls were taught by Mrs. Karl.
Tennis was introduced as a new park activity, with a group being taken to the high school courts one or two afternoons per week.
A considerable number of adults visited Cushman Park during the summer.
East Fairhaven Playground
For this first season of its reestablishment, East Fair- haven got off to a good start under Mrs. Burnham, assist- ant, in charge. Six swings, a volleyball court, and the East Fairhaven School's baseball diamond were available. Horseshoes were provided and checker boards and checkers were bought. Softball was occasionally played, but volley- ball and horseshoes were more popular. A tournament was held, with Bob Augustine coming out as the horseshoe champ of that playground. Starting slowly, attendance increased, with average daily attendance approximating 50. Still needed by this playground are a slide and more swings.
Field Day
The Fairhaven Playgrounds ended their season with a giant Field Day on the afternoon of Friday, August 24, the attendance of children, parents and friends being estimated
98
by the Standard-Times as 1,000. The Park Board really did itself proud, with valuable and beautiful prizes awarded to winners of the traditional Doll Carriage Parade and Bicycle Parade, and candy prizes to winners of first five places in each of 10 competitive races. Lollipops for the children and ice cream for everyone were distributed, courtesy of the Park Board, and free Coca-Cola was avail- able, courtesy of the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. The use of a sound system for announcements was donated by Freddie Jones of New Bedford.
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