USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1954 > Part 4
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With relation to protection against hurricanes high water, members of the Board were much interested in the very excellent analysis of the problem given under the aus- pices of the Leighton Club by the Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army. It should be apparent to all who heard that dis- cussion that any general solution of this problem for areas below the Coggeshall Street Bridge is most unlikely in the near future.
The Chairman of the Board has several times during the year conferred with the Traffic Advisory Commission of the City of New Bedford and Commissioner Volpe of the Department of Public Works with relation to improve- ments in traffic control and flow at both the Fairhaven and New Bedford ends of the bridge. Improvement by some changes suggested is expected before the summer of 1955. The Board believes that traffic on the New Bedford - Fair- haven Bridge is an area problem and, therefore, some- what the business of the Fairhaven Planning Board.
With relation to "approvals" by the Board as required by Town By-Law of street layouts or other plans, such "approval" does not mean that the Board advocates or rec- ommends favorable action by the Town Meeting unless the majority of the Board so votes. In case the Board does advocate favorable action by the Town, formal recom- mendation to the meeting is always made.
With relation to the required presentation to the Board of such plans as those for the proposed Intercepting Sewer and the proposed Junior High School, it has long been the poilcy of the Board to confine any comment to matters of site and appearance. The Board has believed
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that with such projects in the hands of a Special Com- mittee or a Commission, comment on the detail of such plans would be considered presumptuous.
The Board will again advocate the By-Law changes sought in the 1954 Town Meeting as we believe them to be entirely in the public interest.
WILLIAM TALLMAN, Chairman ALFRED RAPHAEL, Secretary Planning Board
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Fire Department
The Board of Fire Engineers as appointed by the Board of Selectmen for 1954, organized as follows:
Frank Rogers, Chief Engineer. Augustus Xavier, Deputy Chief Engineer Audell Monk, 1st Asst. Chief Engineer and Clerk Harold S. Macomber, Jr., 2nd Asst. Chief Engineer & Drill Master
Lindsey S. Gifford, 3rd Asst. Chief Engineer.
During the year 1954 the Department responded to 251 calls, 46 of which were bell alarms and 205 were still alarms, of which 12 required the use of the resuscitator. This is an increase of 17 calls over 1953. In fact each year shows an increase of calls over the preceding year.
The number of men in the Department remains the same as in 1953 and no changes are anticipated.
The permanent men of the Department who are now under Civil Service underwent a qualifying examination the latter part of the year and to date no results have been announced.
The station in East Fairhaven and the station on Ox- ford St. are in good condition and will require no work this year. Station 3 on Adams St. will require some work on the north side to improve the appearance of same and this we plan to do.
The center station on Washington St., which is rented, is undergoing repairs to the roof and sides to take care of several bad leaks. This station during the August 31st hurricane had 19 inches of water in it. This condition required the evacuation of all apparatus and equipment that could be moved. Some of the fire alarm equipment could not be moved; consequently, it was under water and destroyed. We have, in the past, recommended a new fire station and we again recommend it very strongly. Being in a low area and knowing through experience what these storms can do, there seems to be no alternative other than to have a new fire station in a locality where ap- paratus and equipment will be secure.
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During the Aug. 31st hurricane the Department pump- ed out over 100 cellars and wells and even pumped out some sewers to help relieve the situation. We tried to cooperate with all departments and wish to express our thanks and appreciation to all the departments who as- sisted us in our efforts.
We have recommended that the sum of $5,000.00 be placed in the 1955 warrant to be added to the Stabilization Fund in order that we may request a new piece of apparatus in 1956.
We are also requesting money to purchase a radio for Engine #2. A similar radio was purchased in 1954 for Engine #3. All of the apparatus is in good condition as of the end of 1954. Tires were purchased for Engine #4 and Engine #5 during the year.
We have recommended and placed an amount of money in our 1955 budget to allow for a clothing and equipment allowance for all the men.
All of the men in the Department are to be commended for their good work during the year.
The Fairhaven Protecting Society have given valuable assistance to the Department during the year and are now forming plans to give added assistance, all of which is highly commendable.
FRANK ROGERS AUGUSTUS XAVIER AUDELL W. MONK HAROLD S. MACOMBER, Jr. LINDSEY S. GIFFORD
BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
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Superintendent of Fire Alarm
During the year 1954 the Fire Alarm Department had one of the busiest years in the history of the Department. The New Bedford Gas & Edison Light Company ran a new high line on the Sconticut Neck Road from Washington Street to Silver Shell cutout, so the fire alarm had to be changed over to the new poles. From Dean's barn to Wil- bur's Point new lines were run, also lines were run to West Island, and three new boxes were installed in the construc- tion. They are as follows:
Box 12 Wilbur's Point Box 13 West Island
Box 125 Winsegansett Heights
The new construction of Route 6 was changed over from Sconticut Neck Road to Shaw Road. Circuit three, East Fairhaven, and Circuit four, Sconticut Neck, now are completely new, so this will be a saving to the town for years to come, unless some unforeseen emergency arises. Seven old boxes were replaced with new up to date three- fold boxes. This leaves us with seventeen old type boxes. I am asking for money this year to replace five old boxes.
Due to the hurricanes the fire alarm system received considerable damage. Temporary repairs were made and the alarm system was out only a short time. Hurricane damage is now completely repaired. The most damage occurred at Headquarters where there were nineteen inches of water. This put our circuit panel out of commission. The Gamewell Company gave us fine service within twenty- four hours and we were then back in working order. This year I have asked for money to raise the circuit panel so it will be above hurricane waters in the future.
There were quite a few change-overs on the other two circuits due to changeovers by the Gas and Telephone Companies. I have installed lightning arresters around the four circuits to prevent damage, and I shall install a few more this year.
In closing, I would like to commend the men who work- ed with me for their faithful service.
FRANK ROGERS, Superintendent of Fire Alarm.
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Board of Health
The Board has held meetings throughout the year and all complaints and nuisances have been attended to promptly.
The following diseases dangerous to public health have been reported :
Chicken Pox
16
Dog bites
37
Measles
124
Mumps
18
Scarlet Fever
2
Tuberculosis
9
Whooping Cough
6
Eye Infections
1
Poliomyelitis
3
Hepatitis
3
219
During the past year we have issued 118 burial per- mits, 1 pasteurization license, 15 alcohol licenses, 68 milk licenses, 23 oleomargarine licenses, 4 ice cream licenses, and 8 camp licenses. We also issued licenses to 7 day nur- series and 5 convalescent homes.
In the Board of Health Clinic 474 children were im- munized against diphtheria and 63 were vaccinated against smallpox. Six new cases of tuberculosis were admitted and all contacts were x-rayed and were given periodic check- ups. The Community Nurse made a total of 122 visits to tubercular patients and contacts and 50 visits to persons ill with communicable diseases.
We again stress the fact that all Fairhaven residents may obtain free chest x-ray at the Tuberculosis Clinic in New Bedford.
During the year 1954, three patients were maintain- ed at Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital.
The hurricanes of 1954, which dealt Fairhaven severe damage, placed a heavy burden on members and agents of the Board of Health. Due to the severe destruction, numerous extra inspections and investigations were made.
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Personnel of the Board cooperated efficiently to carry on this extra work.
The program for the care of premature infants which was instituted by the Massachusetts State Board of Health in 1949 has been followed in Fairhaven. Copies of these regulations may be obtained at the Board of Health office in the Town Hall.
The Bristol County Mental Health Clinic, which is supported in part by the Town of Fairhaven, provides facilities for psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, and consul- tation for both children and adults. These services are provided to residents of Fairhaven free of charge. During the past year, 55 patients from this town were treated at the Clinic.
The Board of Health Dental Clinic is held at the Tripp School every Tuesday and Thursday. Dr. Normand Gamache of New Bedford is the school dentist until Dr. Edward Mee returns from the Navy. Dr. Gamache is as- sisted by the school nurse, Mrs. Richard Dennie, and by Mrs. Katherine Govoni. Pupils from each school go once every five weeks for an examination. An average of 10 to 12 children are treated each morning. The charges are extremely low, ranging from twenty cents to thirty- five cents. £ However, all dental work is done free of charge for those unable to pay. Mrs. Dennie reports the following work done on children's teeth during the past year: 430 fillings, 71extractions, 25 cleanings, and 55 examinations.
The collection of garbage has been carried out most efficiently during the past year by Joseph Medeiros. Henry Stevens, slaughter inspector, Samuel Barrett, animal and milk inspector, and Lawrence Maxfield, sanitary in- spector, have discharged their duties efficiently and well. The time and effort these men have put into their work have aided the Board immeasurably.
The Board wishes to express deep appreciation to the community nurses and the police department for the help and cooperation given us during the past year.
DR. C. E. P. THOMPSON CLARENCE TERRY DR. F. A. SILVEIRA, JR. Executive Officer
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Slaughter Inspection
Twenty inspections slaughtered animals were made during the last year. £ There were no confiscations.
HENRY STEVENS Slaughter Inspector
Milk Inspection
There are 23 farms in Town that sell their milk to dealers.
The total production of milk in the Town amounts to about 6170 quarts. With but few exceptions the farm barns and cattle in Town are kept very clean, and the laxity of the few seems to concentrate on the places that have other employment and do not devote as much time as they should to the cattle.
There is but one pasteurization plant in Town.
Bacteriological examinations are made of the products from these places, by the New Bedford Board of Health, without cost to the Town of Fairhaven.
Frequent inspections of these places are made to in- sure cleanliness of the products they sell.
SAMUEL C. BARRETT
Inspector of Milk
Animal Inspection
Under the Supervision of the Division of Livestock Disease Control, and in co-operation with the Board of Health.
Inspected at 69 places 724 milk cows, 59 heifers one to two years old, 64 heifers under one year old, 23 bulls, 15 steers, 31 horses, 17 goats, 2 sheep, 18 swine.
I have quarantined 42 dogs for biting; there has been no case of Rabies.
I have sent the heads of 4 dogs, and two cats to the Wasserman Laboratory for examination.
Entered from out of State are 377 head of cattle, that had to be checked for tags and health chart.
SAMUEL C. BARRETT Inspector of Animals
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Health Nursing Service
A Public Health Nursing Service is an indispensable unit in any really comprehensive health program. It has three basic nursing functions which are to promote health, to prevent disease and to care for the sick in their homes, but the main function is health education.
The appropriation from the Town for Health Nursing made it possible to make the following visits during the year of 1954:
Communicable Diseases
50
Child Welfare
1,306
Tuberculosis
123
1,479
The Town paid for the following nursing visits to patients receiving :
Old Age Assistance
358
General Relief
68
Disability Assistance
342
Veterans Benefits
161
929
Six new active cases of Tuberculosis were admitted during the year, who were hospitalized and their contacts have been X-Rayed. Several arrested cases had X-Ray examinations during the year and contacts have been check- ed periodically. Some of these examinations were made at the Bristol County State Sanatoria, others at the New Bed- ford Tuberculosis Clinic, and others by private physicians.
Assistance was given at the following clinics held un- der the supervision of the Board of Health:
Diphtheria Toxoid Clinic - 474 children were inoculated Vaccination Clinic 63 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.
GRACE E. SMALLEY, R.N.
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Sewer and Water Department
The Board of Sewer and Water Commissioners organ- ized with G. Winston Valentine, Chairman, John M. Reilly, Clerk and Lawrence B. Maxfield.
Six inch water mains were installed on the following streets. Total distance of 2,520 feet.
Nelson Avenue - 530 ft.
Potter Street 630 ft. Winona Avenue - 1,010 ft. Smith Street - 360 ft.
A new eight inch sewer main was laid in Spring Street and Rogers Street, approximately 400 feet, and the old eight inch main in Rotch Street, between Washington Street and Center Street was replaced with a twenty inch pipe, approximately 525 feet.
Eighteen new sewer connections and sixty-eight new water services were put in during 1954, making a total of eighty-six for the year. Thirty-two year round water ser- vices were lost as a result of hurricane damage, and many more were lost in summer homes. It is not known now how many of the residents will repair or rebuild their houses.
As of December 31, 1954 there were approximately 2,020 sewer connections in use. To date 765 water ser- vices have been installed, but due to the hurricanes, it is not known exactly how many are in use.
As a result of a busy year, the Sewer and Water De- partment turned back to the Town, the sum of $20,571.71.
G. WINSTON VALENTINE JOHN M. REILLY LAWRENCE B. MAXFIELD Sewer and Water Commissioners
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Highway Department
This has been an unusual year for this department. Maintenance and construction program was disrupted by the hurricane and could not be completed during the year. The granolithic sidewalk program was drastically cur- tailed ; only 88 yds. of cement walk and 1,385 yds. of black- top were laid. Chapter 90 maintenance was also curtailed for the same reason. However, the department was able to seal-coat 37,370 square yards of roads and construct 11,581 yards of new work, leaving a balance of 2,533 square yards on Bryant Lane to be completed in 1955.
The new heavy-duty truck voted by the Town and which has been in service since June 1st, has been equipped with a snow plow adding one more piece of snow removal equipment. Also the small tractor, which is equipped with snow plow, mower and bucket loader has proven a very versatile piece of equipment.
Under special appropriations this department widened Centre St. between Main and Middle Sts and laid 60 feet of 5-foot cement pipe in the park at the bridge. This drain is going to require replacement from time to time at least as far as Main St.
RUBBISH COLLECTION
The delivery, June 1st, of the new Load Packer truck has eased somewhat our collection problems as far as labor is concerned, but the ever increasing load of material from homes, old and new, as well as stores, etc., still makes it necessary to add to the hours worked by these crews. The saving of time on the surburban route made possible by the additional truck has been offset by the extra time re- quired on the in-town route.
HENRY T. HOWARD,
Superintendent of Highways
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Building Department
There were 306 applications for building permits is- sued from this office, in the year 1954, as follows:
83 dwellings: 41 garages: 9 dwellings, with garages attached: 4 sheds with garages, attached; 85 additions: 7 henhouses; 25 sheds; 29 buildings were razed and 24 permits were given to replace and repair dwellings, after the Hurricane. The estimated cost, as given was $588,475.00.
Fees were charged for the following :
83 dwellings at $5.00 $415.00
41 garages at $1.00 41.00
9 dwellings, with garages attached $6.00 54.00
4 sheds with garages
attached at $1.00 4.00
Reported to the Treasurer $514.00
It is required that all Plumbing Applications be ob- tained at the office of the Building Inspector, Town Hall.
John M. Reilly 289 at $5.00 each $1445.00
Brayton Beals 18 at $5.00 each 90.00
Eben P. Hirst 28 at $5.00 each 140.00
$1675.00
All Plumbing Applications must be taken out at the office of the Building Inspector, Town Hall.
HENRY T. HOWARD
Building Inspector
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Shellfish Inspection
The report on shellfish for 1954 reflects the effects of heavy commercial fishing, especially dragging.
Our total catch was approximately 21,100 bushels of quahogs. Large areas are cleaned out to the extent it is impossible to make wages and expenses.
During the last twenty years we have had only two major sets of seed quahogs and only a few small sets each year in scattered areas. This is not due to seed stock being depleted, as there are thousands of bushels thinly scattered along our twenty miles of shoreline, but due to conditions beyond our control plus the fact we are taking out shell- fish faster than it can grow, by a large percentage. We have more oysters than we have had for a number of years. Possibly this is due to the fact that the lower Bay has been closed to the taking of oysters for the last two years allow- ing spawn to spread and grow in many places around Little Bay.
During the last two years outboard small boat fishing has taken the pressure off shellfishing as a pastime. This has been a big help in keeping shellfish on hand.
Seven draggers and fourteen men were registered during the dragging season ending April 30th. Only four tongers worked throughout the year on a full time basis.
One hundred four licensed fishermen found approx- imately five hundred bushels of scallops this fall. We did not plant quahogs this year as the State Fisheries could not furnish the seed ordered. Seven boats took out 2,350 bushels of starfish.
Lincenses granted :
13 Dragger licnses @ $5.00 $65.00
104 Scallop licenses @ $5.00 520.00
39 Commercial licenses @ $5.00 195.00
614 Family permits @ $1.00 614.00
$1394.00
TRACY W. MARKS, Shellfish Constable
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Fairhaven Board of Retirement
The following schedules show the operations summar- ized for the year ending December 31, 1954:
INCOME
Cash on hand December 31, 1953 $101,973.25
Contributions from members 11,149.76
Appropriation from the Town
6,775.00
Interest Received
3,177.77
Total Income
$123,075.78
DISBURSEMENTS
Pensions Paid
Refunds
$7,019.23 1,682.72 402.33
Expenses
Total Disbursements 9,104.28
Balance on Hand December 31, 1954
$113,971.50
Balance represents the following :
National Bank of Fairhaven
$3,131.33
Fairhaven Institution for Savings 86,840.27
Government Bonds
24,000.00
$113,971.50
Board of Retirement ELIZABETH H. CHURCH
IRVA M. BUSHNELL
MICHAEL J. O'LEARY
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Park Department
The Park Commissioners, Joseph L. Faria, Jr., Ernest Tripanier and Louis T. Brock, organized for the year 1954 with Mr. Faria as Chairman and Mr. Brock, Secretary.
Several meetings were held during the year, with mem- bers of the North Fairhaven Improvement Association in attendance, with the result that suitable repairs were made to the hard and soft ball diamonds at Livesey Park. Signs were erected at four points in this park which immeasur- ably aided in keeping automobiles from destroying the shrubs and lawn.
The Fairhaven High School team, the Catholic Youth Organization League and many independent teams have used the hard baseball diamond at Livesey and Cushman Parks. Soft ball games were enjoyed evening after even- ing at both parks by hundreds of town residents. Splendid sportsmanship was shown by the Livesey Park Soft Ball League and the Cushman Park Soft Ball League. Interest in soft ball has developed to such an extent that residents of North Fairhaven have requested the construction of an- other diamond.
The beautiful music provided by the Fairhaven High School Band, under the direction of Miss Elizabeth L. Hast- ings, attracted many people to Cushman Park during the summer evenings.
Among the projects completed by the Park Depart- ment during the year were the black-topping and re-wiring of the tennis court at Cushman Park and the re-shingling of the roof of the equipment and storage building on Spring Street.
The Department is faced with considerable reconstruc- tion work due to the two hurricanes in September which destroyed the Honor Roll at Bridge Park on Huttleston Avenue as well as many trees, shrubs and lawns. Although much has been done to rebuild the landscape, it will take some time before the grass and shrubs regain their beauty.
Fairhaven can well be proud of the civic population and the business men of North Fairhaven who contributed
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so much to the beautiful electrically illuminated display at Benoit Square Park during the Christmas season.
Our Department was very fortunate in obtaining the services of Edward J. McDermott as Playground Supervisor His report follows.
JOSEPH L. FARIA, JR. ERNEST TRIPANIER LOUIS T. BROCK Board of Park Commissioners.
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND ACTIVITIES
The Fairhaven Playgrounds opened on Tuesday, July 6, with double sessions at each playground. Mrs. Eleanor Rimmer was in charge of the Livesey Park playground; Mrs. Mary LeBeau conducted the program at Cushman Park playground and Mrs. Leola Shurtleff was the director at the East Fairhaven playground. Morning sessions began at 9 A.M. and ended at 11:30 A.M. Afternoon sessions began at 1 P.M. and ended at 4:30 P.M.
Attendance.
Attendance at all playgrounds was very satisfactory with an overall attendance at the three playgrounds of 16,629. Broken down into individual playgrounds it shows: Livesey Park, 8,068; Cushman Park, 5,936; East Fairha- ven, 2,625. In addition to keeping a daily attendance rec- ord the playground directors kept a list of children who en- rolled at the various playgrounds. At Livesey Park the enrollment was 590; at Cushman Park, 368 and at East Fairhaven, 256, for a total of 1214 different individuals who used park facilities during the summer.
Program.
The program of activities included checkers, dominoes, jacks, pick-up-sticks, Junior horseshoes, softball, basket- ball and horseshoes. Also included were the various hand- crafts such as weaving, leathercraft and work with plastics and gimp. Crayon and color books were on hand for the very young. In addition all playgrounds had swings, see-
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saws, merry-go-rounds and slides. Tennis was also en- joyed at Cushman Park. This facility was open to boys and girls from all three playgrounds.
The most popular activity however, was softball, in which youngsters of all ages participated because there were three leagues formed. The Midget League consisted of boys up to 12 years of age; the Junior League had boys up to 14 years enrolled and the Senior League age limit was 17 years of age. Nine teams participated in league play, which included 101 boys from the combined playgrounds.
Special Activities.
Special activities included a trip to Boston to see the Red Sox play at Fenway Park. Making the trip were boys whose teams were leading in the various leagues the day the trip was planned. Another special activity was the Field Day held at East Fairhaven. Sporting events were held for boys and girls of all ages and handmade articles were on sale.
Field Day.
The season ended on Friday, August 30, with the An- nual Field Day held at Cushman Park. An estimated crowd of 900 attended. The program included various running races for boys and girls, a Doll Carriage Parade, Bicycle Parade, and the awarding of individual and team prizes for horseshoe and softball championships. Refresh- ments consisting of ice cream and Coca-Cola were served to all in attendance. Horseshoe Champions were: Alfred Del- lecese, Ronald Garifales, Manuel Machado, Robert Mon- teiro and John Correia. Softball Champions were : Seniors, Livesey Park; Juniors, Livesey Park and Midgets, Cushman Park.
Safety.
Outside of minor cuts and bruises we are happy to re- port that there were no serious injuries to any children using the Fairhaven Playgrounds this past summer.
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