USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960 > Part 58
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As usual, the heavy expense of the Board during the past year has been the maintenance of the Town Dump. Due to hurricane "Donna," it was necessary to have extra fill to keep the bank from falling in and causing serious accidents. The Dump is open daily from 8 A. M. to 4:30 P. M. We suggest that the citizens of the Town who have occasion to use the Dump could assist greatly by using it during regular working hours. The Dump is outgrowing its present location and expansion is becoming a necessary problem.
No garbage is allowed to be deposited at the Town Dump. The Town provides a garbage collection.
The Town provided mosquito spraying during the spring and sum- mer months. There were many complaints during this period which poses a question, in the opinion of the Board, whether this type of spraying is the proper method of mosquito control.
The Board sponsored the usual clinics which were Schick testing, tuberculin testing and the Dental Clinic for the school children. These were under the supervision of Dr. Paul Gates, Mrs. Hale, Town nurse and assistants, and Dr. Thomas McQueen who is the dentist at the clinic. A dog clinic was held under the supervision of Dr. Vance Carlson. As was the case in 1959, it was very unsatisfactory due to poor attendance, as well as an expense to the Town. People should avail themselves of this opportunity before it becomes mandatory that all dog owners have their dog inoculated at their own expense.
Mrs. Eileen Hale, the Town nurse, was away on a leave of absence during the Fall attending school to further her education in Public Health duties. The Board hopes the Town will benefit by this new and added education. During her absence, the Town was well taken care of by Mrs. Lydia Rhodes, R.N. and Mrs. Hazel Vose, R.N.
The Board reports no cases of TB in the hospital at present. There has been a gradual decline in the number of cases of tuberculosis. The great need lies in finding the undiscovered cases early enough so that
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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF
treatment can be used effectively on the patient. The Middlesex County Sanatorium at Waltham provides a clinic for free chest x-ray. Every per- son should take advantage of this opportunity to have a chest x-ray taken. The Town is responsible for TB treatment in hospitals. Depending on the length of stay of a patient, the Town receives subsidy from the State.
There were 166 cases of contagious diseases, dangerous to the public health, reported during the year 1960.
Cases Reported:
Scarlet fever
3
Chicken pox 67
Measles 5
German measles 3
Dog bites
23
Mumps
64
Syphilis
1
The Town has been free from any epidemic of communicable disease during the year 1960.
The following permits and licenses were issued:
Sewage disposal 162
Total amount collected for these
$2,880.00
Burial permits issued
30
Offal transport permits
3
Catering permits
3
Overnight cabins and camps
2
Methyl alcohol permits
9
Kindergartens and nursery schools permits
7
Store milk licenses
14
Milk dealers licenses
11
Massage license 1
Amount received for these Misc. permits
$63.50
Nursing and Rest Homes inspected
2
Eating and Food dispensing establishments inspected 12
Water samples are taken of Town water and from other places when the Board considers it necessary.
Plumbing permits issued 218
Amount received $2,094.50
The Town nurse is under the jurisdiction of the Board of Health. She is available to the Town for emergency nurse care at a small fee if one is financially able to pay
Amount received from the Town nurse $986.00
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THE TOWN OF ACTON
Total amount received and deposited with the Town Treasurer for year ending December 31, 1960 $6,024.00
This sum should be credited to the appropriation of this department, therefore the maintenance of the Board is much less than suggested in the Town Report.
Your Board requests the continued support of the people in their endeavor to carry on the necessary work for the best interests of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT S. HEUSTIS, R.S., Chairman DONNELL W. BOARDMAN, M.D. MARTIN J. DUGGAN, R.N.
TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH:
I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1960. Total number of visits made 2,293 Visits for:
Old Age Persons
General Welfare
Aid to Dependent Children
Veterans, Veterans' Widows and their Dependents
836
Total number of emergency (Sunday and off duty calls) 48
Total number of Maternity and Child health calls 150
Prenatal
31
Postnatal
28
Home delivery 1
Visits for communicable diseases :
Flu 5
Venereal disease 1
Chicken pox 2
Mumps
4
Tuberculosis patients and contacts 60
New cases
1
Trips to hospitals and Doctors with patients 17
Public Health Clinics held during the year in cooperation with the School Department are as follows:
Diphtheria clinics - Schick testing of grades
1, 3 and 5 344
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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF
Immunizations 3
Booster Diphtheria injections 68
Dental clinics held each month except August by Dr. John Albright and Dr. Thomas McQueen Appointments 88
Tuberculin Testing Clinic
Number tested 604
Positive reactors (to have chest x-ray) 5
Polio inoculations for adults were done by the doctors clinic. Only 10 inoculations were given by me at the request of doctors.
Total amount of fees received and turned over to the Town Treasurer $986.00
I wish to extend my thanks to all those who have helped me during the past year, especially to Mrs. Lydia Rhodes and Mrs. Hazel Vose, who capably filled in during my eight weeks' leave of absence for study at Simmons College.
Thank you,
EILEEN F. HALE, R.N., Town Nurse.
TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH:
Acton, Massachusetts
There were no cases of slaughtering reported during the year 1960.
EDWARD J. HIGGINS, Inspector of Slaughtering.
BOARD OF HEALTH SPECIAL REPORT
A Board of Health for the town of Acton was first established in April 1901. The three members were Dr. F. J. Barker, C. J. Williams and Dr. F. E. Tasker. Julian Tuttle was appointed Agent.
The principal concerns of this new Board were fumigation, sanita- tion and vaccination. Lacking coercive powers, the Board was limited to offering suggestions, urging cooperation upon the inhabitants.
We find a growing concern over sanitation throughout the first years of the Board's being. It unsuccessfully campaigned for an isola-
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THE TOWN OF ACTON
tion hospital, as demanded by State Law, and had to make shift with a building donated by Luther Conant for the care and isolation of com- municable diseases.
In 1904, two Town Dumps were established, and in 1905, contagious disease had to be reported. In 1907, several flagrant cases of utter neglect of the simplest laws of sanitation were cited, and a pamphlet was distributed, urging citizens to clean up ash-heaps and refuse piles, check sink drains, cesspools and privy vaults.
Dr. F. E. Tasker, James Tuttle and Asaph Merriam were the mem- bers of the Board from 1909 through 1913. They instituted cattle and stable inspection and permits were issued for the production and sale of all milk.
In 1914 members of the Board (Phalen, Tasker and Page) were concerned with fire prevention, at the Town Dumps and with the regulations against the dumping of vegetable matter.
Anti-rabies treatment was offered, permits for the boarding of children in private homes issued and the pasteurization of milk dis- cussed. A Public Health nurse was hired, and the inspection of meat and slaughtering started.
Cemeteries and burial of the dead came under the Board's juris- diction. In 1936 written permission was given to the Town of Acton by the Board for the establishment of an addition to Woodlawn Cemetery.
In 1937 Dr. F. E. Tasker was still presiding as Chairman of the Board, while Mrs. Lillian Taylor was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Raymond Durkee. The third member was Dr. O. L. Clark.
Various clinics were held, some discarded, others retained. Well- child, dental, diphtheria, chest x-ray, eye and ear clinics were held at various times. There was much discussion over piggeries, and their continuation in Acton discouraged. Water contamination was held in check by frequent tests in suspicious locations. A new pump for fire prevention at the Dump was needed in 1938. A substitute nurse was required to help care for the many sick people who needed constant nursing, but could not afford private help. The yearly budget of $1,000.00 proved inadequate. Thus, we see the Board asking for $1,500.00 yearly for expenses.
The death of Dr. Tasker in 1938 ended his long period of service to Acton as a Board of Health member. Dr. Clark now became Chairman with Lowell Cram and Lillian Taylor the other two members.
Inspection of milk, food and drugs continued. In July 1938 it was voted to draw up Acton Board of Health rules and regulations and have some printed in local newspapers. A permit became necessary to
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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF
transport garbage through the town. Poultry and animal care rules were established, a license required to sell milk, while no more than five swine could be kept without a permit.
In 1939, mosquito control was considered, but passed up, fire escapes considered, cabins, overnight camps and trailers inspected. Dogs were restrained for a period of 90 days after an outbreak of rabies.
In 1941, a dog clinic was started. All possible means were activated to prevent a possible scarlet fever epidemic. The pollution of the Assabet river was reported and acted upon. The dump was cleared after a devastating storm.
All the while the Board of Health received and acted upon com- plaints of citizens regarding various phases of sanitation. Occasionally legal services were required to eliminate unhealthy conditions, but usually the Board members could find solutions themselves, satisfactory to all involved.
As the town grew, the duties of the Board increased. In 1943, town collection of garbage was started, restaurants and lunch counters inspected, all day nurseries supervised.
In 1944, the Board consisted of Dr. O. L. Clark, Chairman, Lowell Cram and Robert Ford. Chest x-rays were given free of charge and needy patients sent to Middlesex County Sanatorium for treatment at town expense. In 1946, Herbert Leusher replaced Ford as a member of the Board and in 1948, Ernest Allsopp, the Agent for many years died. He was replaced by Col. Edward Higgins.
The pasteurization of milk was discussed, and in 1949, the sale of raw milk in Acton was forbidden.
In 1951, the Board's three members were Dr. O. L. Clark, Herbert Leusher and Martin Duggan, R.N. Rest Homes were inspected. The first discussion of a plumbing code was held and a permit for septic tank installation was required.
In 1952 Mrs. Lillian Taylor, the Town nurse, resigned after twenty- five years of public service to the Town. She was replaced by Mrs. Eileen F. Hale. Dr. E. A. Mayell, who was School Physician for many years was also considered Board of Health physician, being called for opinion on cases of possible contagious disease. The present Board of Health physician is Dr. Paul P. Gates.
The State requirement for cooking of all garbage necessitated a large increase in the cost of garbage collection for the Town.
The quick action of the Acton Board of Health prevented an out- break of polio when, in September 1952, a second grade student became a victim of this disease. Precautionary action resulted in no new cases.
133
THE TOWN OF ACTON
For greater efficiency, the Board voted to hire a clerk to assist the members, Agent and Nurse, and to request a room for its use at the Town Hall. James Kinsley was appointed clerk. In 1954, an office was opened and Mrs. Vesta Thompson took over as Secretary until her resignation in March 1955. She was replaced by Margaret Heath who resigned in the Fall of 1955. It became necessary to appoint another Secretary and in October 1955 Mrs. Dorothy Turner was appointed.
The Board worked with the Planning Board in dealing with the many new housing developments in the Town. Discussions with the State Health officers resulted in the drawing up of a plumbing code which was deemed necessary to keep Acton free from contamination difficulties. Joseph Perry was appointed inspector of plumbing when the plumbing code was put into effect Jan. 1, 1955. Polio clinics were set up for school children in 1955. Percolation tests were made manda- tory in April 1956. In December 1956, Col. Higgins resigned as Agent, and Edward Hurley was appointed. Herbert Leusher resigned in 1957 and John W. Fish and Robert Heustis became members of the Board. Dr. Clark resigned in 1958 having completed twenty years of service as Chair- man of the Acton Board of Health. Dr. Donnell Boardman, Martin Duggan and Robert Heustis were the members of the Board in 1958 and are the present members with Robert Heustis as Chairman.
Upon the death of Edward Hurley in 1959, Irving Davis became Agent and at present holds that position.
Mosquito control spraying, dog clinics, polio clinics for adults and the acceptance of a code for kindergartens have all been carried out recently. In December 1960 rules and regulations for food handling establishments were adopted.
The Board of Health duties cover a wide area. They may briefly be summarized as follows:
1. Dept. of Sanitation
Installation of sewage disposal systems, water pollution, etc.
2. Vital Statistics
Town nurse reports, clinics, drugs, illnesses, contagious disease, rest homes, kindergartens, etc.
3. Foods
Inspection of milk, food, restaurants, etc.
4. Public Relations
Cooperation with State Dept. of Health, contacts with other Boards, hospitals, etc.
5. Plumbing
6. Town Dump and its care
7. Garbage Collection
8. Legal matters
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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
Acton, Massachusetts
I herewith submit my report for the year ending 1960.
Premises inspected
35
Cows
239
Young Cattle
45
Bulls
7
Steer
5
Swine
2
Sheep
17
Goats
4
Horses and Ponies
50
Dog Bites
24
Dogs Quarantined
24
Rabies
0
Respectfully submitted,
CARL W. FLINT, Animal Inspector, Town of Acton
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
Town Hall
Acton, Massachusetts
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Wires for the year ending December 31, 1960.
Two hundred sixty-two permits were issued. The sum of One Thousand nine hundred sixty-two dollars and twenty cents, ($1,962.20) was collected in fees for these permits, and turned over to the Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
LESLIE F. PARKE,
Inspector of Wires.
135
THE TOWN OF ACTON
REPORT OF INSURANCE COMMITTEE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
Acton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
This is the 1960 Report of your Insurance Committee. During the year only minor changes have occurred to the schedule of Fire Insurance. The demolition of the South and West school buildings resulted in a premium reduction of roughly $360.00 a year. Other changes involved the purchase of a Blanket Dishonesty Bond that will protect the Town up to $10,000. for any loss caused by dishonesty of any Town employee. The average annual cost of this protection is about $151.00, and will remain unchanged for three years. Non-Ownership Automobile Liability Insurance was also purchased to protect the Town from serious losses arising from accidents caused by Town employees using their own auto- mobiles on Town business; Cost this year $80.67.
Early in 1961 the Insurance Committee will investigate the advisability of shifting the Fire Schedule to a new form which will pro- vide better coverage for less cost and possibly permit the inclusion of Extended Coverage and Vandalism at no increased cost to the Town.
If this proves feasable, it will have two outstanding recommenda- tions that have yet to receive full consideration. Namely, Public Liability Insurance on public buildings and Valuable Papers Insurance on Town Records. Of the two, we consider the question of Public Liability Insur- ance by far the most important, and we are anxious to discuss it with the Board at your convenience.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID P. TINKER RAYMOND A. GALLANT CHARLES M. MACRAE THERON A. LOWDEN THOMAS MOTLEY, II, Chairman
136
225th ANNUAL REPORT OF
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
I herewith submit the following report for 1960:
Board of Trustees
Richard Bodge
Roland Maclean
Mrs. Florence Durkee
Miss Florence Merriam
W. W. Forbes, M.D.
Mrs. M. P. Moore
Frank Garbarino, Chairman
Marvin Tolf
Dudley Howe
Library Hours
Acton Memorial West Branch
Tuesday - Saturday (incl.)
Tuesday 3 - 6 P. M.
1 - 6 P. M. and 7 - 9 P. M.
Thursday 6 - 8 P. M.
Librarians
Marian L. Piper
Edna Custance
Marion Armstrong
Ina Milbery - West Branch
Custodian
Ralph Parsons, Jr.
Accession
Number of Volumes in Library January 1, 1960
21,274
Increase by Purchase
679
Increase by Gift
143
Withdrawn
927
Number of Volumes in Library January 1, 1961
21,169
Circulation in 1960:
Fiction
24,777
Non-fiction
9,965
Juvenile
15,403
Total
50,145
Circulation in 1959
44,052
THE TOWN OF ACTON
137
Receipts
Fines
Miscellaneous
$793.69 14.50
Total $808.19
My thanks to all who so kindly contributed books and magazines.
Respectfully submitted,
MARIAN L. PIPER, Librarian.
REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1960. The Moth Depart- ment removed 60 diseased Elms in 1960. There are 7 diseased Elms remaining to be removed in early 1961.
A 6% D.D.T. foliage spray was applied to all the publicly owned Elms in June.
The poison ivy control program was continued, with emphasis around the New Schools and Playgrounds of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANKLIN H. CHARTER, Moth Superintendent.
138
225th ANNUAL REPORT OF
REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL BOARD
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
The basic objective of the Board as outlined early in the year were threefold:
FIRST: To evaluate salaries and wages of the employees of the town of Acton as compared to towns of similar population, area and tax structure.
SECOND: To investigate the fringe benefits granted employees of these towns.
THIRD: To make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen as a result of these investigations.
The Personnel Board has met on an average of once per week during the past year in order to accomplish this task.
Our recommendations to the Board of Selectmen are as follows :
1. The existing wage and salary levels of the town, with the exception of Police and Fire Chief, be raised by 4%.
2. Noting the differential between the pay of the Police Chief and other members of his department as compared with Police Departments of other towns we recommend that the Police Chief receive a 6% increase in his salary.
3. The Board notes that the Fire Chief of most towns has histori- cally received the same salary as the Police Chief. The Board assumes that this relationship is to continue.
4. The Board recommends Fringe Benefits as per attached schedule. The Board notes that the recommendations represent formaliza- tion of present practice so far as Holiday, Vacations and Jury Duty are concerned, but represent, in a large part, new practices so far as Life Insurance, Town Contribution to Blue Cross, Blue Shield and the provision for sick leave carryover.
5. That an Article be placed in the Town Warrant to the effect that an appropriation, not to exceed $4,000.00, be voted to engage an outside consulting firm to take whatever steps that are necessary to establish a Personnel By-Law for the Town's approval in March 1962.
Summary
At the present time the Personnel Board wishes to clarify its posi- tion and duties. It functions as an advisory board only, to the Board of Selectmen. We have attempted, during this past year, to provide facts and figures and studied information when requested by the Board of
139
THE TOWN OF ACTON
Selectmen and the Finance Committee. The recommendations which we have made this year come after long and careful study and we hope that they will be of help and value to the Board of Selectmen.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN DARGIN, PETER GRAY, CLYDE HORNE, EVERETT PARKER, CHARLES WHITEHEAD, WARREN NEWELL, Secretary, Acton Personnel Board.
Appointments
Each employee of the Town shall be appointed as either a Tempo- rary Employee or a Permanent Employee.
A Temporary appointment is for a limited period of time not to exceed six (6) months.
Permanent appointees shall be further designated as either Perma- nent Full-Time or Permanent Part-Time. A Permanent Full-Time employee is one who is hired to work (a) a full schedule of hours per week, but not less than 35 hours per week, and (b) not less than 50 weeks per year. Randon fluctuations in the actual hours worked, relating to the needs of the operation, do not affect the employee's status as either Full-Time or Part-Time.
Life Insurance
Effective June 1, 1961, each Permanent Full-Time employee who on that date shall have completed one (1) year of continuous full-time service for the Town, shall be provided with Group Life Insurance coverage in the amount of $2,000, at no cost to the employee.
Thereafter, each Permanent Full-Time employee shall be provided with Group Life Insurance coverage in the amount of $2,000, effective on the 1st day of the month coincident with or following his completion of one (1) year of continuous full-time service for the Town.
Holidays
The following are recognized as work holidays by the Town:
1. January 1
6. Labor Day
2. February 22 7. October 12
3 . April 19
8. November 11
4. May 30 9. Thanksgiving
5. July 1
10. Christmas
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225th ANNUAL REPORT OF
Only essential work, as determined by the Department head, will be scheduled on a recognized Holiday. Except for work so scheduled, all permanent Full-Time employees will receive the Holiday off, with Holi- day pay, provided the Holiday falls on a regularly scheduled work day for the employee. A Holiday falling on Sunday will be observed on the Monday next following.
Holiday pay is computed at the individual's normal hours per day times his basic hourly rate, but not to exceed eight (8) hours at straight time.
When a Holiday falls on the employee's regularly scheduled work day and the employee is required to work he will be paid Holiday Pay, plus regular pay for the hours actually worked. In no case will the num- ber of vacation days plus the paid holidays exceed twenty (20) days.
In order to be eligible to receive Holiday pay the employee must have been in pay status on his last scheduled work day prior to the Holiday, and his first scheduled work day following the Holiday, unless absent with the prior permission of his supervisor.
Sick Leave
On June 1 of each year each Permanent Full-Time employee shall be credited with six (6) days of sick leave which shall be available for his use during the twelve (12) month period ending the next May 31.
A permanent full time employee shall be credited with one-half (1/2) day of sick leave at the completion of each month of service, (or major fraction of a month) until the June 1 following his date of employment.
Sick leave not used in the year credited may be carried over and allowed to accumulate up to a maximum of 12 days. The maximum sick leave available for the employee at any time, therefore, is 18 days: 12 days accumulation of sick leave credits from past periods, plus the current year's allowance of 6 days. Unused sick leave is not paid for upon termination of the employee for any reason.
Sick leave is paid at full pay and may be used only for illness or injury of the employee himself.
In order to be eligible to be granted sick leave, the employee must notify his supervisor of his incapacity as soon as possible, certainly before the end of the first day of absence. The employee is expected to make every effort to notify the supervisor prior to the start of the day's work if this is at all possible.
The supervisor has the right to require a doctor's certificate before granting sick leave whenever in his judgment the situation demands such certification.
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THE TOWN OF ACTON
Vacation
Each Permanent employee who, during the twelve (12) month period preceding June 1 of each year, shall have actually worked for the Town for thirty weeks or more in the aggregate, shall receive two weeks vacation with pay.
The head of each Department shall establish the vacation schedule for employees in his Department, giving due consideration to the opera- tional needs of the Department, the desires of the individual employee, and the relative length of Town service of the employees in the Depart- ment. Each employee entitled to a vacation must be permitted to take his vacation, and it must be completed prior to the next June 1. No employee may be required or permitted to forego his vacation and receive extra pay in lieu thereof.
Vacation pay is computed as follows:
The number of hours that the employee is regularly scheduled to work, times the employee's basic hourly rate of pay (or the hourly equivalent for employees paid on a salary basis ) .
Hospitalization and Surgical Insurance
For Permanent Full-time employees who are or become members of the existing Blue Cross -Blue Shield Group the Town will pay 50% of the cost of such membership, whether on an individual or a family basis, effective June 1, 1961.
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