Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1957, Part 4

Author: Fairhaven (Mass.)
Publication date: 1957
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 210


USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1957 > Part 4


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10


Interested in town affairs, he served for several years as a member of the Board of Assessors, and as Inspector of Wires, which office he held until his death.


78


Fire Alarm


The Superintendent of the Fire Alarm herewith submits his report for 1957.


The Fire Alarm system with (7) new three fold boxes added, has done away with all the old time boxes. At present there are (85) outside private, and street boxes.


This year we plan to put (4) new locations in the circuits, of which we have (4). The circuits are divided up as follows, North Fairhaven, East Fairhaven, Center, and Sconticut Neck. The new locations will be for the following sites: Capeview and Chase Road, Pilgrim and Francis Streets, East Coggeshall and Mina Streets, and Water Company, Mill Road.


Changing over of poles for the New England Telephone & Telegraph Company consumes considerable time. Two new sets of batteries was added this past year which was voted for at the last annual meeting. These batteries were added to circuits Three and Four.


The North Fairhaven circuit in the future will have to be split up, as it is getting too large. This circuit takes in all boxes north of Washington Street from the water front to Madison Square and thence to the Acushnet line. The wiring, and the materials, on the circuits, are in fine shape.


In closing, I would like to commend the men who worked with me for their faithful service.


FRANK ROGERS Superintendent of Fire Alarm


79


Board of Health


The Board of Health has held weekly meetings through- out the year of 1957. All complaints and nuisances have been attended to promptly, with consideration of all in- volved.


In the Board of Health Clinics, 240 children were inocu- lated against diphtheria, 63 were vaccinated against small pox. In the Polio Clinics, 2412 doses of Salk vaccine were administered. 36 town employees were given the Asian Flu vaccine.


The Community Nurses made a total of 65 visits to tu- bercular patients and contacts, and 21 visits were made to acute communicable disease cases. One new case of tubercu- losis was reported during the year.


The program for the care of premature infants, which was instituted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, has been followed in Fairhaven.


The Board of Health Dental Clinic is held at the Tripp School every Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Dr. Nor- mand Gamache continues as school dentist while Dr. Edward Mee is in the service. Pupils from each school go once every five weeks for examination. An average of ten or twelve children are treated each morning. The charges are low, ranging from twenty to thirty five cents, with free services for those unable to pay. Mrs. Louise Dennie reports the summary of dental work done in 1957, as :


Fillings 522


Cleanings 8


Extractions


122


Examinations 88


The Board of Health continues to support, in part, the Bristol County Mental Health Clinic in New Bedford. This Clinic provides facilities for psychiatric diagnosis, treatment and consultation, free of charge, for children in Fairhaven. During the past year, 18 residents made a total of 107 visits to this Clinic.


80


The following licenses were issued during the year :


Burial Permits


176


Ice Cream 3


Oleomargarine


30


Methyl Alcohol


12


Pasteurization


1


Camp


5


Day Nurseries


1


Milk Dealers


19


Store Milk 45


In 1957, the following diseases dangerous to public health were reported :


Chicken Pox


5


Salmonellosis 1


Dog Bites


29


Scarlet Fever 7


Measles 4


Pulmonary Tuberculosis 1


Poliomyelitis


Whooping Cough 4


(Non-Paralytic) 1


Mumps 7


Septic Sore Throat 1


The collection of garbage throughout the town, has been carried out by Joseph Medeiros, Joseph G. Mello and Ray- mond Bourdon. There has been an increase in the amount for this service during the past year. Henry Stevens, Slaughter Inspector, Samuel Barrett, Animal & Milk In- spector and Lawrence B. Maxfield, Sanitary Inspector have performed their duties effectively.


Fairhaven is a changing town. New developments have been built up and are still building. The population of the town has now grown to such an extent that Board of Health measures which sufficed a few years ago, are completely inadequate to-day.


Members of this Board wish to express deep appreciation to the Board of Selectmen, Police Department and the Com- munity Nurses for their help and cooperation during the past year. Our gratitude is also extended to the many towns- people who gave freely of their time to assist in our many Clinics.


Respectfully submitted, DR. EDWARD L. SOARES, Chairman DR. FILBERT A. SILVEIRA MR. FRANK BETTENCOURT


81


Dog Officer


I have made eighteen investigations of dog disturbances; caught and confined 26 unlicensed dogs and called on 34 owners of unlicensed dogs. Of these persons, two were brought into court ;- the others all obtaining licenses.


At present there are 1,415 licensed dogs in this town, in addition to 110 dogs covered by kennel licenses.


SAMUEL C. BARRETT,


Dog Officer.


Animal Inspection


Inspected are five hundred forty-six cows, forty-five heifers, one to two years old, twenty-nine heifers under one year old, fourteen bulls, twenty-six horses, seven goats, four sheep, sixteen steers and thirty-five swine.


Of the forty-six places inspected, I found but one with dirty cattle and was assured by the owner that it would be cleaned up. On one farm there was one reactor. There are 89 less head of cattle in town this year than a year ago.


Two hundred and forty head of cattle arrived in town from out of state during the past year.


Sixty-two dog bites were reported; heads of two were sent to the Wasserman Laboratory for examination but there was no case of Rabies.


SAMUEL C. BARRETT, Inspector of Animals.


Milk Inspection


There are nineteen places in town that sell their milk to dealers. Four or five of these places are inspected each month to insure cleanliness.


Number of resident dealers in town - one.


Number of pasteurizing plants in town - one.


Bacteriological examinations are made by the New Bed- ford Board of Health without cost to the town.


SAMUEL C. BARRETT, Inspector of Milk.


82


Slaughter Inspection


I, herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1957.


During the year, I made fifteen inspections as follows :


January


0


February


3


March


0


April


2


May


1


June


0


July


1


August


1


September


0


October


0


November


4


December


3


Total


15


.


-


Respectfully submitted, · HENRY STEVENS


Slaughter Inspector


83


Health Nursing Service


The community is the area in which Public Health Nurs- ing Service operates. It's objectives are the health of the individuals and families who live in the community. To help make this possible it has always sought to provide good health teaching to prevent disease, and give care to the sick whenever it is needed.


The appropriation from the Town for health nursing services made it possible to make the following visits during the year 1957 :


Child Welfare 1325 visits


Tuberculosis 65 visits


Acute Communicable 21 visits


1411 visits


The Town paid for the following nursing visits to pa- tients receiving-


Old Age Assistance 323


General Relief 3


Veterans Benefits 236


562 visits


One new case of Tuberculosis was admitted during the year and contacts have been X-Rayed. Several arrested cases had X-Ray examinations during the year. Some of these examinations were made at the Bristol County State Sanatoriam, 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 - 240 children inoculated Vaccination Clinics - 63 children vaccinated


Polio Clinics - 2412 doses given of Salk Vaccine 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 Public Health Nursing.


To all who have assisted and co-operated appreciation is hereby expressed.


GRACE E. SMALLEY, R.N. Agent of the Board of Health


84


Sewer and Water Department


The Board of Sewer and Water Commissioners organized with G. Winston Valentine, Chairman, John M. Reilly, Clerk and Lawrence B. Maxfield.


During 1957 thirty-six new water services and thirty-two new sewer connections were installed, making a total of sixty-eight for the year. There are now approximately 2137 sewer connections in use, and to date 882 water services have been installed on Sconticut Neck.


An eight inch main sewer was laid in Philip Street ap- proximately 497 feet.


We are pleased to report that due to work done during the year, we were able to return to the Town the amount of $21,165.36.


G. WINSTON VALENTINE JOHN M. REILLY LAWRENCE B. MAXFIELD


85


Highway Department


The year 1957 has been a busy one for this department in trying to take care of the usual maintenance problems and complete new construction voted by the Town Meeting.


We have constructed the following new streets and roads :


Hacker Street 2000 Square Yards


East Winsor Street


1256



North Green Street


1185


"


"


Bay Street


3013 "


"


"


"


Washington Street 5000 Total 17154


"


"


We installed the following drains :


Grove Street


600 feet


Prince Street


640


"


Hacker Street


840


"


Hiller Avenue


650


"


Haste Street


400


"


We also constructed curbing on the following streets:


Washington Street


3000 feet


Maitland Street


47


"


Sconticut Neck Road


736


"


New Boston Road


636


Under the sidewalk building program we have con- structed 292 square yards of cement walk and 1328 square yards of Bituminous Hot Mix or "Black Top" sidewalk.


The department was able to gain somewhat on seal coat- ing of old streets by covering 85,769 square yards. 50,000 square yards per year should be the minimum for a sealing program.


The widening of Main Street between Centre and Spring Streets was completed, including the rebuilding of 3 catch basins and lengthening of radius at three intersections.


RUBBISH COLLECTION


The problem of collecting and disposing of rubbish con- tinues to be greater each year with the construction of new homes and opening of new streets. The lack of co-operation of persons dumping at the dump greatly increases the prob- lem of maintaining the Town Dump.


HENRY T. HOWARD, Superintendent of Highways


86


"


East Allen Street


4700


Building Department


There were 304 applications for Building permits issued from this office for the year 1957, as follows :


85 dwellings: 16 trailers: 3 summer camps: 54 garages: 108 additions : 2 Gas Stations : 1 green house : 1 show room : 9 storage sheds: 1 Band Shell: 10 tool sheds: 1 shed and car porte : 1 Bath-house : 2 Car portes : 1 Diner : 2 Schools : 1 utility shed : and 5 buildings and 1 addition were razed.


The total estimated cost of new building was $1,722,- 678.00, less the estimated cost of the new Junior High School of $800,000.00 and the addition to the Rogers School of $288,- 000.00. Thus the estimated cost of new assessable property was $634,678.00.


Fees were charged for the following :


85 dwellings @ $5.00


$425.00


16 Trailers @ $5.00


80.00


5 Camps @ $5.00


25.00


53 Garages @ $1.00 53.00


1 Garage @ $2.00


2.00


Reported to Treasurer $585.00


All Plumbing permits must be obtained from the Plumb- ing Inspector :


Plumbing applications and fees for Inspections


John M. Reilly


196 @ $5.00 $980.00


Eben P. Hirst


76 @ $5.00 $380.00


Brayton Beals


3 @ $5.00 $ 15.00


$1375.00


It is the duty of the Building Inspector to enforce all of the Zoning and Building Regulations.


If an applicant for a Building Permit cannot conform with the Zoning or Building Code, he can apply to the Board of Appeals, which body meets each first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 in the office of the Building Inspector, Town Hall.


REUBEN E. HAWKINS


Building Inspector


87


Shellfish Inspection


This year has been a busy one. Closing of areas for propagation and shellfishing took a major part in develop- ing the shellfisheries.


Propagation was made possible with the co-operation of the Board of Selectmen and the Director of Marine Fisheries, Mr. Frederick C. Wilbour, in granting a permit to take Qua- hogs from contaminated area for transplanting in a closed area on the east side of Sconticut Neck. This project took 7 weeks to complete, employing 8 commercial fishermen who dug and transplanted 7131/2 bushels of mixed quahogs.


Scalloping set its record with one of the largest years of harvest in the town history. More than 45,000 bushels were taken, netting over $200,000 in gross income to the scallop fishermen.


A great saving was accomplished in salvaging 438 bushels of seed scallops washed ashore by four different storms in the vicinity of Fort Phoenix and transplanting them in Little Bay and Jack's Cove. Sea Scouts, commercial fisher- men and local residents, numbering 32, supplied the labor and the Highway Department furnished the trucks. Pros- pects look very good for another prosperous year of scallop- ing, as seed is in abundance on both east and west sides of Sconticut Neck, providing there is no destruction by storms.


Commercial fishermen and those with family permits have found good digging of quahogs in Jack's Cove, North Cove and East Cove. Little Bay was reopened August 1, 1957 to the taking of clams and quahogs, and October 1, 1957 to the taking of scallops and oysters. This area produces four kinds of shellfish.


Commercial fishermen have reported seeing good progress in the propagation of shellfish. Seed quahogs and clams are noticeable in most areas of the town.


Due to the unemployment situation, many people are taking to the shores to seek seafood in the dry digging areas. These areas are depleting rapidly, therefore I recommend propagation as much as possible next year.


88


Your Shellfish Constable has taken a very active part in trying to provide a better shellfishery, which requires much supervision, labor in propagation and investigation of viola- tors. A total of 14, 968 miles were patrolled by car.


The gross income from Clams, Quahogs, Oysters and Scallops, netted over $225,000 this year.


The following number of violators, as recorded, were given warnings :


8 Taking shellfish from closed area (local)


8 Taking scallops out of season (local)


9 Taking clams less than 2 inches (local)


21 Taking quahogs less than 2 inches (local)


16 Shellfishing without permits (local)


The following violations were prosecuted and fined :


4 Taking scallops without licenses (out of town)


1 Taking scallops out of season


(local)


1 Taking seed quahogs and without license


(out of town)


Under consideration are the revision of Shellfish By- Laws, to set areas aside for the taking of shellfish for family use only - no commercial allowed.


During 1957, the town received the largest amount of revenue from Licenses and Permits ever recorded.


1082 Family Permits @ $1.00 $1,082.00


41 Family Permits (Free-age over 70 years) .


5 Non-Resident Family Permits @ $5.00


25.00


1 Non-Resident Family Permit @ $1.00 1.00


424 Scallop Licenses @ $5.00


2,120.00


1 Scallop License (Free-age over 83 years).


5 Scallop Licenses @ $2.50


12.50


52 Commercial Quahog Licenses @ $5.00


260.00


1 Commercial Dredging License @ $5.00


5.00


1612


$3,505.50


State Contribution for Propagation 1,000.00


$4,505.50


I want at this time to thank the many people who sent me letters in appreciation of a fine job done, and also those who co-operated with me.


JOSEPH B. GOULART, Shellfish Constable


89


Fairhaven Board of Retirement


The following schedules show the operations summarized for the year ending December 31, 1957.


INCOME


Cash on Hand


$138,386.10


Contributions from members


12,905.83


Appropriation from Town


8,657.00


Interest Received


4,782.93


Total Income


$164,731.86


DISBURSEMENTS


Pensions Paid


$ 10,686.83


Refunds


947.70


Expenses


542.76


$ 12,177.29


$152,554.57


BALANCE


National Bank of Fairhaven $ 5,455.50


Fairhaven Institution for Savings


69,288.97


Bonds 77,810.10


$152,554.57


Retirement Board


ELIZABETH H. CHURCH


IRVA M. BUSHNELL


MICHAEL J. O'LEARY


90


Recreational Committee


The town beach has been again during the Summer a very busy recreational area for many of our residents with our fishermen considering this beach of ours as one of the finest spots around.


Red Cross swimming classes were held under the super- vision of Mrs. Kathleen Dolan.


Roland E. Blouin of 24 Florence St., Fairhaven was granted the privilege of operating the concession for the dispensing of soft drinks and food on the main floor of the tower without any renumeration to the town. However, he is compelled to keep sanitary facilities and bath houses in clean, orderly manner and good condition.


Permission was granted also for the late evening "cook outs."


Early in June, Parking Permit stickers were issued for the residents of Fairhaven containing on the reverse side the following regulations, approved by this Committee :


BEACH GROUND PROHIBITIONS


1. Disposal of Rubbish


2. Playing ball on the area


3. Closed tents


4. Vehicles of any type


5. Landing of boats on the East Side


6. Use of beach after 9 P.M. without permission


A total of 1530 Beach stickers had been distributed and plans are underway to supply a new type of stickers for the forthcoming year.


Life lines and ring buoys were placed again on the beach for the safety and protection of all.


The Police Relief Association is endeavoring at the present time to raise funds to purchase a rescue boat and transfer the present boat for use on our beach, and this Com- mittee cannot less than express our most earnest wishes for a successful fund raising campaign and our sincere thanks for the interest shown in this communal idea.


91


Many tons of fill material were placed from the recon- struction of Sconticut Neck Road into the parking grounds, and the only expense incurred in this operation was leveling of the ground. This lack of parking space constitutes our most pressing problem and we have tried to solve it by the purchase of more fill material late in the Fall.


A. Knox and Louis T. Brock have resigned. We are deeply sorry for their resignation since both of them devoted considerable part of their time and energy in accomplishing the ends and purposes of this committee.


FINANCIAL REPORT


Balance from 1956


$ 327.65


Appropriation 1957


1,700.00


Total for 1957


2,027.65


Total expenditures 1957


682.44


Balance


$1,345.21


Committee :


JAMES J. MEDEIROS


WALTER J. BOROWICZ


WALTER SILVEIRA


ALBERT E. STANTON


ARTHUR J. MULLEN


92


Park Department


The Park Commissioners organized with Joseph G. Mello as Chairman, Mrs. Elinor VanderPol Duxbury as Secretary, and Webber Rego Torres, Jr.


The past year has been one of progress, and we desire to report the following accomplishments :


The flagpole at Fort Phoenix has been painted, and the flagpole at Livesey Memorial Park was found to be rotted and was removed. We hope to replace it with a metal pole this coming year.


A band shell was erected at Cushman Park by the Junior Chamber of Commerce and was dedicated this Fall. It is an excellent addition to the facilities the Park Department has to offer.


A Little League Diamond was built at Cushman Park, with the backstop to be completed this coming year. The Little League Diamond at Livesey Memorial Park was com- pleted. The fencing in of the Tennis and Basketball Courts was completed and two additional Basketball hoops were installed and two slides were purchased.


A large dead tree at Benoit Square was removed and has been replaced; other trees were planted at Livesey Memorial Park in continuation of our planting program.


Many children again enjoyed the recreational facilities of our parks this summer and we shall continue to improve and expand our services with your assistance.


JOSEPH G. MELLO WEBBER REGO TORRES, JR. ELINOR VANDER POL DUXBURY


Park Commissioners


93


Care of Trees and Moth Control


As in past years, all shade trees in the town and some on private property have been given a first, second, and, in some cases, a third spraying to keep under control the later breed- ing of beetles.


Seventy-four trees have been removed, trees have been trimmed and elevated to avoid damage to large trucks and buses and dead limbs removed and taken to the town dump and burned. One hundred and two trees have been planted in various parts of the town. Our trees at present are in healthy condition.


I recommend an appropriation of Twenty-five Hundred Dollars for care of trees in 1958; also a special appropriation of One Thousand Dollars for the purchase of trees for planting.


I also recommend an appropriation of Four Thousand Dollars for Insect Pest Extermination in 1958.


JOHN JARVIS


Tree Warden and Moth Superintendent


94


Civil Defense


For the fifth year in a row your Fairhaven Civil Defense has chalked up another "First."


This year we are happy to welcome into our Civil Defense Family another specialized addition to our rescue division : an underwater rescue unit, headed by Bradford N. Luther Jr.


We in Civil Defense were much relieved when the hurri- cane season departed without paying us a visit, leaving Sput- niks to compete with forest fires for the activity this year.


The general uneasiness generated by world conditions has been reflected in Civil Defense at both Federal and State levels.


Once more we find ourselves in the position of having to adapt our Civil Defense to local needs and world conditions.


May we urge all of you to learn the "Six Steps To Sur- vival" so that you will be ALERT TO-DAY, ALIVE TO- MORROW.


I wish to personally thank you for your cooperation and help in making Fairhaven Civil Defense an operable organi- zation.


Sincerely yours, ARTHUR J. MULLEN Civil Defense Director


REMEMBER; CIVIL DEFENSE IS YOUR DEFENSE


95


Sealer of Weights and Measures


Report of the Activities of the Sealer of Weights and Measures for 1957 :


Scales-51


Weights-94 (Condemned 2)


Capacity Measures-24 (Liquid)


Meters-Adjusted 9-Sealed 59


Other Liquid Devices-19 Milk Tanks-2


Total 260


Total fees


$115.45


WILLIAM L. LACASSE


Sealer


96


FAIRHAVEN WATER COMPANY


Report of the Treasurer for the Six Months Ending June 30, 1957


FAIRHAVEN WATER COMPANY Comparative Balance Sheet - June 30, 1957


ASSETS


12-31-56


6-30-57


Cash-National Bank of Fairhaven


901.65


4,227.27


Cash-In Drawer


400.00


400.00


Accounts Receivable


51,586.08


52,923.96


Materials & Supplies


1,970.89


1,425.58


Land


11,202.70


11,202.70


Buildings


44,968.95


44,968.95


Standpipe


52,017.98


52,017.98


Pumping Plant Equipment


88,071.27


88,646.27


Trans. & Dist. Mains-Pipe Acct.


154,155.98


157,200.82


Trans. & Dist. Mains-Pipe Laying


168,767.57


168,408.84


Trans. & Dist. Mains-Misc. Equip.


10,842.87


10,842.87


Services


88,460.31


88,292.96


Hydrants


22,205.69


22,471.75


Office Equipment


2,245.83


2,485.98


Shop Equipment


6,615.62


6,690.62


Trucks, Autos & Excavator


5,436.52


12,051.77


Insurance Prepaid


2,178.03


2,527.88


$712,027.94


$726,786.20


LIABILITIES


Notes Payable


$100,000.00


$100,000.00


Accounts Payable


1,908.12


3,831.63


Depreciation


414,465.69


418,583.64


Interest Accrued


1,666.67


1,666.67


Taxes


400.40


8,555.01


Capital Stock


160,000.00


160,000.00


Surplus


33,587.06


33,649.25


Consumer Deposit


500.00


$712,027.94


$726,786.20


97


ANALYSIS OF SURPLUS


Surplus Jan. 1, 1957 Dividend Feb. 1957


33,587.06


2,000.00


31,587.06


GAIN


2,062.19


$33,649.25


Operating Statement - Six Months Ending June 30, 1957


INCOME ACCOUNT


Metered Sales to General Consumers


47,315.77


Other Water Rates


153.00


Hydrant Rentals


6,420.00


Jobbing & Mdse.


1,856.28


Miscellaneous


569.36


$56,314.41


OPERATING CHARGES


Salaries Officers & Clerks


4,383.30


Pumping Labor


6,101.81


Interest


2,000.00


Taxes


13,577.10


Insurance


1,845.98


MAINTENANCE


Water Supply Bldgs. & Fixtures


239.95


Power Pumping Bldgs & Fixtures


202.80


Pumping Equipment


831.56


Trans. & Dist.


Supplies & Expense


593.80


Trans. & Dist. Mains Services


672.90


7,938.51


Meters


2,025.46


Hydrants


202.42


Misc. Pumping Station


Sup. & Exp.


893.76


$13,601.16


98


Fuel Oil


General Office Supplies & Expense Transportation Expense Misc. General Expense Water Purchased for Resale Materials & Supplies Depreciation


3,219.81


523.64


963.54


208.80


1,735.08


1,974.05


4,117.95


$54,252.22


GAIN


$ 2,062.19


99


Veterans' Benefits


Veterans' Benefits was granted to a total of 67 cases during the year at a total cost of $44,509.54. There were 53 cases receiving aid in January and 46 in December. The present case load is divided as follows :


Spanish War 1


World War I


8


World War II


28


Korean War


9


46


Dependent parents in their homes


14


Dependent parent in nursing home


1


Widowed mothers


10


Families - illness of Veteran


3


Widows of Veterans


7


Disabled Veterans


7


Families - unemployment of Veteran


4


46


Medical care only is being furnished to seven cases.


The Veteran who is ill is admitted to a Veterans' Admin- istration Hospital whenever possible. During the time he is confined to the hospital it is often necessary to aid his family.


Before granting Veterans' Benefits approval is received from the Commissioner of Veterans' Services in Boston. All expenditures are reported monthly and one-half of the amount expended is reimbursed to the Town and is credited to the General Fund.


ALBERT E. STANTON


Veterans' Agent


100


Police Department




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.