USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leominster > Town annual report of the town officers 1914 > Part 12
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 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
WATER BOARD
221
.
...
190
222
WATER BOARD
SCHEDULE OF CEMENT PIPE REPLACED BY IRON, JAN. 1, 1915.
CEMENT PIPE
IRON PIPE
STREETS
12-inch
10-inch
8-inch
6-inch
4-inch
2-inch
20-inch
16-inch
12-inch
10-inch
8-inch
6-inch
4-inch
Adams
657
657
Allen
1277
1277
Arlington
792
792
Beacon
496
496
Birch
777
777
Blossom
1104
1104
Central
977
1400
1364
977
1400
1364
Cedar
693
693
Chestnut
478
478
Cross
698
698
Church
1018
614
404
Cottage
1887
1887
Cotton
..
300
300
Elm
2465
2465
Fairmount
657
657
Forest
512
512
Franklin
882
882
Graham
1082
1082
Green
793
793
Grand
76
76
Grove Avenue
1207
1042
165
Hamilton
1500
1500
Haws
330
330
Lancaster
1963
1652 1800
3615
1800
Laurel
781
781
Manchester
317
317
Mt. Pleasant
1045
1045
Main
2195
990
9496
2195
6650
3836
Middle
344
1445
1789
Mechanic
1371
1096
894
477
1096
Merriam Avenue
2719
2719
Mill
6051
6051
Monument Sq ..
313
313
Nashua
1103
1103
North Main
2558
2558
Oak
220
220
Orchard
120
120
Park
608
220
388
Pearl
946
946
Priest
358
358
Prescott
535
850
1385
Pleasant
699!
5038
4105
1632
Pond
690
690
Richardson
138
138
River
1271
1271
School
609
609
Summer
1156
1156
Tremaine
422
422
Union
688
4259
688
816
1253
2190
Vine
205
510
715
Walker
750
750
Washington
345
345
Water
2165
2165
Walnut
1300
155
490
1790
155
West
600
1923
567
600
1943
567
Whitman
....
670
670
Whitney
2873
2873
Totals
600 2195 3651
49882
30959 5649
4105 2195
22708
19894
15203
27340 1491
310
310
Prospect
805
805
Crawford
Making 92,936 feet of cement pipe replaced by iron.
223
WATER BOARD
REGISTRAR'S REPORT
For the Year ending December 31, 1914.
CASH RECEIVED
For service pipe
$ 1,376 15 574 36
For maintenance account
Street extensions, appropriation for 1913
3,048 33
Schedule rates
$ 6,633 65
Meter rates
34,029 26
$40,662 91
For public use :
Hydrants
$14,238 00
Watering troughs
144 00
Common and parks
127 80
School Department, meters
517 35
School Department, 32 Church Street
12 60
Fire Department, meters
54 33
Fire Alarm Department, meter
80 05
Highway Department, stable
6 75
Highway Department, stone crusher, meter 4 17
Highway Department, tarvia boiler, meter 90
Cemeteries
67 95
Kendall Hall, meter
28 39
Old Town Hall, meter
26 06
New Library Building, meter
15 14
Watering streets
180 00
Town scales
8 10
Town farm, meter
30 99
$15,542 58
$61,204 33
CONTRA
Paid cash to Town Treasurer $61,204 33
224
WATER BOARD
EXPENDITURES
For maintenance (labor and material) $9,995 99
For construction 5,276 50
For service pipe
1,939 94
For meters
1,429 79
To Town Treasurer (general account)
42,562 11
$61,204 33
The Town Treasurer has made payments as above (viz. $18,642.22) to the following persons and corporations :
Adams Express Co.
$ 10 23
Adams, Ralph E.
202 50
Allen's Reliable Print
23 30
American Forestry Co.
78 50
Anglo-Saxon Supply Co.
25 99
Antill, Thomas J.
4 00
Atlas Powder Co.
34 72
Ayotte, L. H.
2 75
Barnes, C. E. & Co.
16 00
Bates Grocery Co.
1 55
Bond, Harold L. Co.
34 49
Bosworth & Son
144 57
Bourgeois, D. H.
25 80
Bowen & Fuller
129 42
Boyden, George W.
3 25
Boynton, Fred W.
2 30
Boynton, Fred W. & Co.
24 50
Bruce, E. M.
85 95
Builders Iron Foundry
80 96
Burrage, L. F.
3 08
Cement Lined Pipe & Galvanizing Co.
9 15
Central Garage
2 25
Chase, W. H.
15 00
Classon, W. G.
70 50
Cohan, F. H. Est.
2 00
$18,642 22
WATER BOARD
225
Cook, F. H. & Co.
31 95
Corlies, Macy & Co.
26 25
Cragin & Wilkins Co.
2 49
Crosby Steam Gage & Valve Co.
80 00
Donaldson Iron Co.
1,672 12
H. G. Edgerly
5 00
Elliott Co., The
9 04
Farnsworth, John B.
81 16
Fiske, M. H. & Co.
38 00
Fitchburg & Leominster St. Ry. Co.
100 00
Fitchburg Water Works
225 27
Fuller, W. A. Lumber Co.
10 45
Gammon, A. K.
25 96
Gates & Ray
13 00
Gavin Hardware Co.
270 63
Geary, E. J.
41 00
Geldert, Mrs. E. L.
17 15
Gilchrist, George E. Co.
156 51
Grimes & Harris
43 55
Grip Coupling Co.
12 42
Hall, A. H.
16 50
Hardy, F. S. & Co.
19 24
Harris, Charles W.
20 40
Hersey Manufacturing Co.
2 88
Hibbard Electric Co.
9 45
Hills, T. A. (P. M.)
142 46
Horton, M. A.
7 85
Hosmer, A. C. Co.
7 70
Howe, C. H.
17 10
Johnson's Bookstore
3 61
Kennedy's Express
1 50
Lamoureux, Aimie
44 75
Laythe, G. W. Shoe Co.
20 00
Legate, Elmer F.
40 71
Leominster Concrete Co.
5 50
Leominster Electric Co.
2 48
Leominster Electric Light & Power Co.
49 50
15
226
WATER BOARD
Leominster Fire Department
300 00
Leominster Garage & Auto Co.
26 14
Leominster Gas Light Co.
1 80
Leominster Hardware Co.
135 05
Leominster Ice Co.
5 00
Leominster Printing Co.
3 00
Leominster Worsted Co.
2 50
Long, George Baker
3 90
Lunenburg, Town of
51 84
Makepeace, B. L.
59
Miller, J. D. Co.
102 48
Moore, John C. Corporation
16 60
Morse, W. K. & Co.
149 07
Morss & Whyte Co., The
14 30
Mueller, H. Manufacturing Co.
11 11
Municipal Journal
3 00
National Express Co.
8 12
National Meter Co.
1,094 20
Neptune Meter Co.
244 26
New England Tel. & Tel. Co.
97 49
New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co., The
23 66
Nichols, F. E.
128 50
Norwood Engineering Co.
8 50
Owens, Florence W.
157 96
Pay roll
7,826 56
Pettingell-Andrews Co.
28 79
Phelps, Z. S.
2 50
Pierson, F. I. (P. M.)
16 46.
Pittsburg Meter Co.
104 11
Pleasant Street Garage
6 00
Polson, John L.
4 50
Powers, M. L.
147 69
Price & Lee Co., The
4 00
Putnam, William A.
6 25.
Rensselaer Valve Co.
479 70
Richardson, F. A.
6 75
Richardson Piano Case Co.
3 25
227
WATER BOARD
Rider, P. L.
3 67
Rogers, L. E.
11 23
Sarkin, M. C.
4 00
Savage, Charles T.
6 43
Sheppard, Frederick W.
3 00
Smith, The A. P. Manufacturing Co.
50 60
Standard Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Co.
364 27
Thomson Meter Co.
269 02
Tyler, Henry I.
22 50
Union Water Meter Co.
18 00
Walworth Manufacturing Co.
5 58
Water Works Equipment Co.
50 60
Wetherbee, W. J.
1,416 33
Whitney & Co.
12 00
Whittier, Dorothy J.
592 00
Wood, Frank E.
2 50
Worthington, Henry R.
10 38
$18,642 22
The payments as above (viz. $18,642.22) have been divided as follows :
Addressing machine stencils and frames
$ 9 04
Advertising 9 88
Blacksmithing and repairs of tools
129 07
Blankbooks, stationery and printing
198 67
Cement
24 62
Concreting
5 50
Conduit, wire and fittings
37 64
Cordage, waste and packing
13 28
Dynamite, powder, etc.
128 89
Engineering and plans
83 50
Extra labor
24 70
Fertilizer and grass seed
71 07
Freight and express
45 01
Fuel and gasoline
1 89
Vorse, Walter J.
268 14
228
WATER BOARD
Gate boxes
57 25
Gates and valves
216 00
Hardware and tools
241 08
Hay, grain and straw
383 53
Hot water
2 50
Hydrants and repairs
167 20
Lanterns, globes, oil, etc.
20 10
Lead
257 59
Legal services
1 00
Lumber
10 45
Meters
1,426 40
Office supplies
27 20
Paint
3 89
Painting
7 50
Pay roll
7,826 56
Pipe-iron
2,040 39
Pipe-specials
80 96
Poles, reservoir clock line
49 00
Postage
161 58
Premium on surety bond
6 25
Rent of land
12 00
Rent of shop and stable
300 00
Repairs of meters
390 25
Repairs, wagons, sleigh and harness
76 30
Rubber boots
38 75
Salary of Superintendent
1,400 00
Salary of clerk
614 50
Services of assistant clerk
355 11
Services of auctioneer
5 00
Services of physician
2 00
Services of Water Board
48 60
Service pipe and fittings
571 59
Sidewalk boxes
125 25
Sleeves and valves
101 20
Stable supplies
15 65
Taxes
51 84
Telephone and telegraph
97 79
WATER BOARD
229
Transportation of men and materials, and car tickets 294 15 Trucking 214 55
Water pressure recorders
80 00
White pine transplants
78 50
$18,642 22
230
WATER BOARD
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND MAINTENANCE ACCOUNTS
For the Year ending December 31, 1914. INCOME
Schedule rates charged
$ 6,561 86
Meter rates charged 33,785 99
For public use
$40,347 85 15,542 58
$55,890 43
MAINTENANCE
Expenditures $9,995 99
Less credits for labor and material sold 966 48
Balance, net cost for year
$9,029 51
Interest on debt
6,780 00
$15,809 51
Net gain for year
$40,080 92
Net income, as stated on the next page, accounted for as follows :
Used for construction purposes (see page 232) $494,459 45
Inventory of materials on hand
3,821 79
Due for schedule and meter rates
528 52
Due for service pipe
1,594 92
Balance that has been available for general
expenses of the town
334,375 97
Total
$834,780 65
Deducting amount received for public use 406,926 85
Leaves a balance of $427,853 80 Above all cost for interest on water debt and maintenance of works and water for public use, to date.
231
WATER BOARD
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND MAINTENANCE Including Interest on Water Debt from 1873 to 1914, inclusive.
INCOME
EXPENSE
Year
Premiums on Bonds Sold
Public Use
Schedule and Meter Rates
Interest
Maintenance
1873-4
$ 7,700 00
$ 4,712 53
$13.529 94
$2,320 00
1875
5.250 00
6,919 38
10.810 00
2.431 31
1876
5.250 00
7,315 91
11.100 00
1 760 14
1877
5,600 00
7,467 16
11,100 00
1.530 15
1878
5.700 00
7,510 54
11,100 00
1.269 45
1879
5,800 00
8,155 74
11 100 00
2 175 21
1880
5,850 00
9,542 86
11,100 00
1.705 72
1881
5,950 00
10.083 50
11,100 00
2 847 28
1882
6,150 00
10,794 24
11.100 00
1 552 38
1884
6,350 00
11,148 92
9.600 00
1.815 51
1885
6,400 00
11,721 74
9 600 00
1.402 68
1886
6,400 00
12,836 28
9.600 00
2 287 62
1887
6,650 00
14.236 82
9.600 00
1.681 02
1888
116 89
6,900 00
15.027 40
8,679 17
1,800 07
1889
7,250 00
16.271 57
7,700 00
1,818 00
1890
6,507 00
15,008 72
7,700 00
2 972 90
1891
6,662 50
16,780 19
7,785 42
2.373 32
1892
7,036 50
18,349 04
7,850 00
3,880 78
1893
7,403 50
20 224 41
7 850 00
4 345 24
1894
305 20
7,909 00
20 119 70
8,270 00
1.501 00
1895
3,518 78
8,526 50
24.354 99
8.273 89
7 540 87
1896
6,378 90
9,419 11
25,048 14
10 504 45
3.996 25
1897
10.337 55
26.308 50
12.935 34
4.247 96
1898
10.940 42
27.613 74
12.818 89
3 266 85
1899
11,952 52
31,589 69
12 920 00
1 801 86
1900
12,837 26
33,900 99
12 912 50
1.945 05
1901
13,559 76
33,951 39
10 905 00
2.167 55
1902
14,293 82
36.087 94
10,455 00
2.418 96
1903
14,733 20
35.629 69
9,055 00
3,873 85
1904
14.909 82
36,558 48
9.930 00
4,318 28
1905
15,081 85
38,508 18
9.580 00
5.281 47
1906
15,338 83
38.568 16
9,230 00
5 166 11
1907
15.426 78
41,378 76
8,792 50
6.292 10
1908
15.815 43
28,362 60
8.617 50
6 244 56
1909
16 106 40
44.459 90
8.530 00
6.493 37
1910
16.144 68
45,795 03
8.180 00
9 506 84
1911
16.230 14
44,244 79
7,830 00
9.679 70
1912
8.769 83
43,876 50
7,480 00
10 951 51
1913
16,041 87
43,490 75
7,130 00
9 659 64
1914
15,542 58
40,347 85
6,780 00
9,029 51
Tot'
$11,459 77
$406,926 85
$975,579 92
$399,481 34
$159,704 55
Total of income
$1 393 966 54
Total of expense
554,185 89
Balance, being net ineome to Jan. 1, 1915
$834,780 65
1883
$1,140 00
6.200 00
11.277 20
10,346 74
2 352 48
232
WATER BOARD
STATEMENT SHOWING COST OF WORKS January 1, 1915.
Construction to January 1, 1914 $340,070 18
Cost of extension in 1914 5,224 08
$345,294 26
Fall Brook account to January 1, 1915
148,613 83
Improvement account, Fall Brook Reservoir Grounds to January 1, 1915
4,329 87
Improvement account, Distributing Reservoir Grounds to January 1, 1915
87 14
Relaying to January 1, 1915
103,036 93
Meter account to January 1, 1914 $35,540 57
Cost of meters in 1914
1,429 79
$ 36,970 36
Service pipe to January 1, 1914 $17,335 78
Cost of extension in 1914 791 28
$ 18,127 06
Total cost
$656,459 45
(Increase during the year, $7445.15.)
Water debt, January 1, 1915 $162,000 00
Balance paid from revenue of works 494,459 45 Total as above
$656,459 45
LEDGER BALANCES, JANUARY 1, 1915
Construction, Leominster $342,134 03
Construction, Lunenburg 3,160 23
Improvement account, Fall Brook Reservoir Grounds 4,329 87 Improvement account, Distributing Reservoir Grounds 87 14
Fall Brook supply
148,613 83
Relaying 103,036 93
Meters, purchase account
36,970 36
Service pipe, Leominster account
17,866 83
Service pipe, Lunenburg account
260 23
Due for service pipe
1,594 92
Due for schedule rates 78 27
233
WATER BOARD
Due for meter rates
450 25
Inventory of construction material
2,853 85
Inventory of service pipe and fittings
967 94
Town of Leominster, net gain, 1873 to 1914, inclusive
334,375 97
Total
$996,780 65
CREDITS
Water debt
$162,000 00
Income to January 1, 1915 (see page 231)
834,780 65
Total
$996,780 65
The following persons have been granted permits as plumbers and are authorized to do work as such in connection with the Leominster Water Works:
C. F. Bourne, Leominster O. H. Lyon,
Leominster 66
H. E. Burrage Co.,
R. A. Lyon,
M. J. Butler,
Smith Brothers, 66
W. H. Cook, 66 Frank Spill,
H. E. Crain,
James Barr,
Fitchburg 66
Cragin & Wilkins Co.,
J. F. Bartley,
J. J. Doyle, 66 The Brownell-Mason Co.
J. B. Farnsworth, 66
P. J. Hart,
J. W. Harrington,
The Jennison Co., 60
Adolph Houde 66
J. H. Mack,
G. F. Kendall, ( (
G. M. Parks, 66
F. E. Ladeau, 66 George Ronan, 66
Leominster Plumbing Co. " T. B. Sheehan,
William Lynch,
J. F. Sullivan, 66
O'Toole Brothers, Clinton
W. H. CHASE,
A. H. HALL, C. H. HOWE,
Leominster Water Board.
Report of Inspector of Wires
For the Financial Year ending December 31, 1914.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Leominster :
Gentlemen : I submit the following report as Inspector of Wires and Superintendent of Fire Alarm :---
The total number of new electrical installations and addi- tions to wiring systems in buildings that have been inspected is as follows:
Total number of buildings in which wires were installed 199 Total number of incandescent lights wired for 2348
Total number of horsepower in motors installed 101
There has been the usual amount of repair and construc- tion work during the year; have replaced three miles of old wire with new, and installed two new fire alarm boxes and replaced five old ones with new boxes as voted by the town.
During the year just closed there has been some trouble with the working of the alarm caused by the extreme weather conditions, but at the present time it is in good working order.
INCIDENTALS, FIRE ALARM
Adams Express Co., express
$ 1 34
Andrews, E. R., auto hire 1 50
Andrews, R. B., supplies
1 85
Auto Tire Exchange Co., tire and tubes
19 00
Barrows, W. L., labor 131 08
Boyden, G. W., labor
1 50
Burmeister, G., labor
11 25
Central Garage, supplies
2 60
Cochrane Chemical Co., supplies
7 77
Cook, F. H. & Co., labor
2 88
236
INSPECTOR OF WIRES
Farnsworth, F. S., making report 2 00
Farnsworth, J. B., labor and supplies 90 82
Fitchburg & Leominster St. Ry. Co., express 65
Fuller, W. A. Lumber Co., lumber and labor Gamewell Fire Alarm Co., labor and supplies 232 72
3 20
Gavin Hardware Co., hardware 18 15
Grimes & Harris, labor
75
Grow, G. Auto Co., tire
12 00
Hardy, F. S. & Co., supplies
311 79
Harvey, S., labor
1 60
Haskell, S. J., cash paid for labor
25 59
Hibbard Electric Co., supplies
8 85
Hubbard, C. W., labor
1 50
Kipp, A. W., labor 11 25
Leominster Concrete Co., concrete
5 41
Leominster Electric Co., supplies 17 81
Leominster Electric Light & Power Co., light
7 50
Leominster Garage & Auto Co., cable
1 32
Leominster Water Works, water
15 38
Lyon Co., labor 11 92
Lyon, P. P., design
2 50
Mitchell, R. & Co., labor and supplies 2 50
3 72
National Express Co., express
1 71
New England Tel. & Tel. Co., telephone
18 00
Nixon, C. F., supplies
50
Pettingell-Andrews Co., wire
33 76
Pleasant Street Garage, supplies
12 58
Smith & Co.'s Express, express
35
Thomas, E. I., oil and labor
3 00
Thomas, E. W., gasoline
3 90
$1,043 50
Balance last year
$ 151 48
Appropriation
1,000 00
$1,151 48
Balance
$ 107 98
Morse, W. K. & Co., trucking
237
INSPECTOR OF WIRES
FIRE ALARM, SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS
Fire Alarm Box, North Street and Sargent Avenue
Barrows, W. L., labor
$25 00
Gamewell Fire Alarm Co., supplies 12 16
Hardy, F. S. & Co., supplies
52 04
Morse, W. K. & Co., trucking
8 47
Star Electric Co., fire alarm box
78 40
$176 07
Appropriation
$200 00
Balance
$ 23 93
Fire Alarm Box, Prospect and Harvard Streets
Barrows, W. L., labor Balance last year
$13 35
. Balance
$ 8 25
Fire Alarm Box, Washington Street
Barrows, W. L., labor
$10 00
Gamewell Fire Alarm Co., supplies
12 16
Hardy, F. S. & Co., supplies
22 26
Star Electric Co., fire alarm box
78 41
Appropriation
$150 00
$ 27 17
Fire Alarm Boxes, Replacement
Gamewell Fire Alarm Co., five fire alarm boxes $500 00
Appropriation $500 00
$122 83
Balance
$ 5 10
238
INSPECTOR OF WIRES
Fire Alarm Duct
Hardy, F. S. & Co., supplies
$ 61 11
Long, Joseph, labor and material
190 00
Appropriation
Overdrawn
$ 1 11
Fire Alarm Whistle, Repairs
Barrows, W. L., labor
$46 25
Burmeister, George, labor
8 00
Grimes & Harris, labor 1 75
Gurney, E. E., labor and supplies
2 75
Hennessey, P. J., contract and extra labor
67 00
Hibbard Electric Co., wire
4 33
Leominster Electric Co., supplies
2 05
Leominster Water Works, water
8 05
Lyon Co., labor and supplies
27 85
Smith, E. M., labor
8 92
$176 95
Appropriation
$200 00
Balance
$ 23 05
S. J. HASKELL, Superintendent.
$251 11 $250 00
Report of Inspector of Buildings
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Leominster :
Gentlemen: I herewith submit the annual report of the Inspector of Buildings for the year ending Dec. 31, 1914 :
Whole number of permits issued, 110. New buildings, 78; alterations and repairs, 32.
Permits for new dwellings
47 36
Estimated cost $110,000 00
Alterations and repairs
18,080 00
Garages
11
2,735 00
Stables
6
66
66
3,090 00
Storage
5
66
66
3,930 00
Poultry houses
5
66
66
340 00
Total
110
66
$138,175 00
Average cost of dwellings, about $2,340.
The total estimated value of all building operations for the year was about $2,000 less than last year and, while the dwellings built were mostly small and inexpensive, they were quite substantially built and of a pleasing and attractive appearance. The prevailing plan seemed to be the bungalow style of architecture.
My experience as Inspector of Buildings for the two and one-half years that I have served in that capacity has per- suaded me that the present methods of conducting this depart- ment are unsatisfactory to all concerned. The people, and those engaged in building operations, owing, in my opinion, to the conditions that have resulted from these methods, fail to give it the serious consideration it deserves.
240
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Some of us have felt that the remedy, to a large degree, might be found in a new, revised, and more complete code of building laws and regulations. Such a code of building laws has been prepared which change, rectify and supply certain things indefinite and wanting in the present building laws. These new regulations have been undergoing a process of change, amendment and general examination by the town solicitor, and he now informs me that they are all complete and ready for adoption at the annual town meeting in March, and I presume they will be adopted at that time.
Under these new rules, certain hazardous fire traps within the fire limit, which these laws prescribe for, can be attended to and possibly eliminated. To require and enforce a more strict compliance with these by-laws ought to and will require much more time than has ever been put into this work.
This year a new duty has been put upon the Building Inspector. He is now required to inspect all elevators within the limits of the town and to determine the changes and addi- tions necessary to make them conform to a new set of rules and regulations prepared in accordance with a law passed by the Legislature of 1913.
The elevator inspection requires a good deal of time as well as a good deal of expert knowledge which can only be acquired by a good deal of study and experience. A knowl- edge of elevator construction and the operating machinery is necessary in order to be able to make the required tests as to the safe operation of the elevator.
There is much writing in connection with the work. A lengthy report of each elevator inspected is required by the state police. Unsafe elevators, when found, are to be posted with a legal form of notice of its condition, similar notices to be posted (of approval) when found to conform to the regulations, and a record of the same kept in the office of the inspector.
All of which will require considerable printed matter in the form of blanks and a good deal of time and labor for some one. If the work is to be properly done, if it is thought
241
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
necessary to do the work at all, sufficient time and attention ought to be given to it, that it may be done thoroughly and well.
I wish to call to the attention of your honorable Board the necessity, as it seems to me, of requiring the Inspector of Buildings to devote all his time to this work, the same as the other inspectors-of plumbing, wires, etc.
As the law requires that the superintendent of buildings, or some other officer, shall be designated as inspector of build- ings, I would suggest that a superintendent of public build- ings be appointed, and this official be designated Inspector of Buildings, thereby complying with the statutes and giving legal authority to the Inspector.
The duty of this position I think would require the un- divided attention and services of any one competent to per- form it. No doubt much might be said, pro and con, upon this question, but I will conclude by simply saying that in view of the facts and conditions as I find them I think the time has arrived when the Inspector of Buildings should be paid a yearly salary and devote the time to it that the im- portance of the work demands.
Respectfully submitted,
E. R. STUART, Inspector of Buildings.
16
.
Report of the Board of Health
For the Financial Year ending December 31, 1914.
ORGANIZATION
C. E. BIGELOW, M. D., Chairman FREDSON N. GRAY, Clerk HERVEY B. PITCHER, M. D.
Agent of the Board of Health MICHAEL J. BUTLER
Inspector Plumbing MICHAEL J. BUTLER
Inspector of Slaughtering, Milk and Markets WILLIAM H. DODGE, D. V. S.
Bacteriologist PROF. C. F. NIXON, Ph. G.
Agent to issue burial permits ROBERT L. CARTER
The work of this Board the past year has steadily increased over the previous years.
It is a noticeable fact that each year the public rely more and more on this Board to relieve and remedy conditions
244
BOARD OF HEALTH
which pertain to the province of the health department, and it is with the thorough co-operation of the public that the best results are obtained.
The regular meetings of this Board are held each Monday night at 8:30 o'clock. A majority of the Board is also pres- ent on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The agent of the Board has also regular office hours daily from 9 to 10 A. M. and 1 to 2 P. M.
CASES OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Reported to the Board of Health for 1914.
Diphtheria
117
Scarlet fever
33
Typhoid fever
18
Measles
29
Tuberculosis
21
Whooping cough
25
Varicella
103
Infantile paralysis
2
Ophthalmia neonatorum
1
Cerebro spinal meningitis
1
Total 350
CONSUMPTION
Twenty-one cases of tuberculosis have been reported in the year 1914.
As it is a well-known fact at the present time that this is an extremely contagious disease, it is incumbent on not only the boards of health, but the laity as well, to do all within their power to prevent the spread of this much dreaded dis- ease.
While a bacteriological examination of the sputum in the majority of cases reveals the presence of the bacilli, yet they are absent in other cases. This may sometimes be due to the fact that the secretion obtained may be simply the saliva
245
BOARD OF HEALTH
and not from the lungs or bronchial tubes. Physicians are urged to explain this point to their patients.
Too much emphasis cannot be laid on the necessity of calling in the family physician in the early stages of the disease, i. e., whenever a persistent cough continues, and especially when accompanied by a loss of strength, appetite and color. It is imperative that physicians report every case that they are called to treat as soon as they have made their diagnosis, regardless of the fact that it may have been re- ported by some other physician who has been in attendance on the same case.
As many of these cases have to be cared for by this Board, either at home or put on the waiting list for some sanitarium, and as some of these cases may belong to the state or have residence in some other town or city, the sooner the cases are reported the sooner can the proper measures be taken which each case demands.
While it is quite evident that the necessity of properly caring for these cases is much better recognized by the laity than formerly, there is yet much that can be done to lessen the danger to others who are obliged to come in contact with them.
This Board expects very shortly to be able to open a tuberculosis clinic, as soon as we remove into the new quar- ters in the municipal building, which is nearly completed.
DIPHTHERIA
One hundred and seventeen cases have been reported this year, two more than the previous year.
There is no question but that the common carrier is responsible each year for these epidemics. Too much stress cannot be laid on the extreme necessity of calling in a physi- cian in every case where there is a sore throat.
If the laity would recognize and remember the fact that it is not always necessary to be able to see a white patch or a membrane in the throat, and that a throat which is only
246
BOARD OF HEALTH
slightly red, with or without any soreness, may have the germs of diphtheria present, and that such throats may carry a malignant case to some one else who may be susceptible to this disease, and have such throats seen to at once by a physician, there would undoubtedly be fewer cases to report.
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.