USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Waltham > Town annual reports of Wayland Massachusetts 1960-1962 > Part 23
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 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
Milk Inspections
A total of one hundred and thirty (130) samples of milk and cream were collected during the year from the dairies and other licensed outlets selling milk and cream in Wayland . .. and examined in the laboratory. Tests were made for total bacterial count, coliform bacteria, and phosphatase . .. with results reported to the dairies concerned as required by law. It is expected that the program of milk inspections will be amplified during 1962 to provide for better control along these lines.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS J. RINALDO.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE
Staff
Director Louise M. McManus, R.N.
Public Health Staff Nurses
Louise H. Drew, R.N.
Barbara A. Dunphy, R.N.
June E. Harcourt, R.N.
Anne B. Irwin, R.N.
Public Health Nurses' Aides Pearl McEwan - Junior High School Helen Osborn - Senior High School
In an attempt to provide better public health nursing service for Wayland, the public health nursing staff has been involved in an on-going evaluation of the present program. It is hoped, that with each year, progress will be consistent with the sound growth of the com- munity, and with the objectives of all those who are concerned with providing Wayland residents with an effective health program.
To implement such a program, it is necessary to have well qualified public health nurses. All of the nurses presently employed by the Board of Health and the Parmenter Health Center, Inc. have a baccalaureate degree from an approved university program. Two nurses have a master's degree, one in public health nursing and one in nursing education. All of the nurses have had at least two years of experience in public health nursing, as well as experience in other aspects of nursing. Hopefully, we shall continue to attract well qualified personnel, by virtue of the varied and challenging nursing program within the town, and by realistic and progressive personnel policies.
Besides participating in the usual activities of the agency such as school health, care of the sick, well child conferences, communicable
118
disease control, and maternal and child health - the nurses participated in many other activities this past year.
All of the nurses participated in the diabetes detection program, preschool vision testing program, chest x-ray program and the tuberculin testing program.
Some of the nurses also served on the various professional commit- tees, such as, the nursing committee of the Massachusetts Heart Asso- ciation, committees of the Massachusetts Public Health Association, and the nursing committee of the Greater Framingham Mental Health Association.
The nurses were also able to attend various professional and educa- tional activities. One nurse attended a one week institute on Disaster Nursing for Instructors, and it is hoped that we will be able to offer such a course for the nurses living in the community as part of the over all Civil Defense Program for next year.
The nurses continue to participate in conferences with other allied professional groups concerned with the well being of each individual in the community.
This past year a student from the Boston University School of Nursing obtained her two month field experience in public health nursing with the Wayland Public Health Nursing Service. We are looking for- ward to future students and we will strive to provide an enriching and worthwhile educational experience for them.
The nursing staff firmly believes that the generalized program, where one nursing service provides all the public health nursing service to the community, is the most effective and certainly the most rewarding kind of public health nursing program. However, we are aware that in such a program we must be constantly involved in establishing priorities according to the total nursing needs of the community. Inherent in this is the necessity for continuing appraisal and interpretation of the nursing needs.
Family Health Service
Number of Individuals Visited
Number of Visits Made
Care of the sick
87
1,283
Prenatal care
16
42
Postnatal care
15
29
Health Guidance
Infant
59
139
Preschool
156
35€
School
194
478
Adult
23
106
Communicable disease (follow-up)
67
67
Tuberculosis (follow-up)
36
48
Total
653
2,548
Conferences in behalf of patients
191
119
44 386
Well Child Conference Number of sessions Number of visits
School Health Services School Physician For the School Year 1960 - 1961 ERNEST H. DAMON, JR., M.D. For the School Year 1961 - 1962 CHARLOTTE A. STEWART, M.D.
Conferences in behalf of students continue to increase. During the last school year the nurses had 373 conferences with teachers, 160 with principals, 70 with students at school, 44 with parents at school and 73 with guidance personnel. Besides the primary goal of such conferences, that of helping to understand and solve the individual students health problems, the conferences have served to bring about a greater under- standing and appreciation of each other's roles as they relate to the welfare of the student and his family.
Vision and Hearing Screening Programs
Of the 2,573 children who received the vision screening test, 170 failed and of these 118 were seen by an eye specialist. Of the 52 who were not seen by eye specialist last year only 12 had never been seen for vision difficulty. This past fall we were fortunate to obtain a new vision testing machine (provided by the school department) which will greatly facilitate the program.
Last spring a preschool screening program was conducted by Dr. Roswell Gallagher, Chief, The Adolescent Unit, Children's Hospital Medical Center in collaboration with Dr. Henry Allen and Dr. Albert Sloane of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. The purpose of this project was to determine the reliability of various screening tests employed for preschool children to reveal visual defects.
Of the 2,583 students who were screened for hearing acuity, 74 were referred on for further follow up. 43 students were seen by a physician and of the 31 who did not see a physician last year only 10 had never been seen for hearing difficulty during their entire school career. This fall the Board of Health purchased another audiometer. This too will help to expedite the screening in the future.
Physical Examination Program
One thousand and ninety-one children had a routine required physical examination last school year. Of this number 756 or 69 per cent were examined by their family physicians and only 31 per cent were examined by the school physician. It is hoped that we will continue to increase the per cent of private physical examinations as it is the family physician who is best able to appraise the total health of his patients. Thus, by having less demands for school physicals, the school physician will be able to give more comprehensive examinations and
120
health guidance to those students who are unable to have an examination by a private physician.
Immunization Program
Ninety-five children in grades one through five received diphtheria- tetanus boosters by the school physician. Plans are underway to provide this program for the junior and senior high school students.
Health Room Activities
The public health nurses aides have continued to render essential services to the school health program. The public health nurse was therefore able to spend more of her time in family health service, and health education projects within the schools.
Of the 2,265 visits to the Junior High School health room, 669 were for first aid and 807 were for illness. Other visits were made to the health room for the purpose of arranging for appointments with the public health nurse, or for consultation and assistance with minor health problems.
There was a total of 1,364 visits to the Senior High School health room. 121 were for first aid and 558 for illness.
The difference in the number of visits between the junior high and the senior high school is felt to be due to the added maturity of the senior high school age group in dealing with minor health problems, and a greater awareness on their part of accident prevention.
Future Nurses Club
A Future Nurses Club was started in the Senior High School in the fall of 1961. The purpose of the club is to provide students with the opportunity to investigate the areas of preparation for, and practice in the nursing profession. This will be done by the use of films, speakers and field trips. Since nursing is one of the service professions, each club member is expected to perform some service to others in order to be eligible to wear the Future Nurse Club pin. Membership in the club requires only an interest in nursing, not a pledge to enter the nursing profession. To date nineteen students are members of this club.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUISE M. McMANUS, R.N.
DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
A total of 169 children were seen at the dental clinic during the last school year. These children made 439 visits and received a total of 861 treatments which included fillings, extractions, and cleanings.
Three hundred and eight first grade students received a dental examination by the school dentist. Of this number 130 were referred to their dentist for follow-up.
Because of the increasing demand for dental clinic appointments, the Board of Health ruled last summer that in the future the dental
121
clinic will only be available to those families who are unable to assume the additional burden of private dental care. A request form must be completed by either parent and approved by the Agent of the Board of Health before appointments are scheduled. The dental clinic is avail- able to preschool children as well as school age children.
A part time dental hygienist has been employed by the Board of Health this fall. She will be responsible for the dental examinations, cleanings and scheduling of appointments for the dentist. She will also conduct the dental screening program in the school and will serve as a dental health education resource person to the school.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH FOURNIER, D.M.D., Board of Health Dentist.
NEW REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH
For details regarding the following regulations contact the Agent of the Board of Health.
1. Plans for the construction of any swimming pool must be approved by the Board of Health prior to such construction, and a permit will be issued. Cost of permit $5.00.
2. All sewage disposal contractors must be licensed by the Board of Health Annually. Cost of license $5.00.
3. All food handlers in the town must present to the Board of Health annually a certificate of either a negative tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray.
4. All applications for dental treatment must be approved by the Agent of the Board of Health. Dental treatment will be limited to those children whose parents are unable to afford private dental care. The dental program will be available to the pre- school as well as the school age child.
Joint Activities
Joint Activities of the Board of Health and the Parmenter Health Center, Inc.
In addition to the already established joint programs the Board of Health and the Parmenter Health Center sponsored a diabetes detec- tion program and a chest x-ray program last year. A comprehensive analysis of these programs will be presented to the town in a joint report of the Parmenter Health Center and the Board of Health.
Program
Individuals Attending
Chest x-ray program
482
Diabetes Detection Program
606
Polio Clinic
1,148
122
Tuberculin Testing Program: First grade students School Personnel
255 90
The Board of Health recognizes the tremendous loss to the Par- menter Health Center and the town in the untimely death of Carlisle D. Scotland, President of the Board of Trustees. His untiring efforts to bring better health to Wayland will be well remembered by all those who had the privilege to work with him towards the attainment of this goal.
Office Hours
The Board of Health holds office hours at the Parmenter Health Center on Monday through Thursday, 2-5 P. M. Licenses and permits are issued at this time.
RONALD H. WOOD, Agent.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID R. COREY, M.D., Chairman JOHN G. FREYMANN, M.D. FREDERICK PERRY
REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
In the year 1961 the trees in the town were sprayed for the control of the Elm Leaf and Bark Beetle.
The extra dormant spray applied early in the spring is proving to be a valuable preventative measure in the control of Dutch Elm Disease and will be applied again in 1962.
There were forty-two trees condemned from the samples taken this year and will have to be removed before April 1, 1962.
The roadsides of the town were sprayed for Poison Ivy control and we plan to spray again in 1962.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. NELSON.
123
CONDEMNATION COMMITTEE
The Condemnation Committee was active throughout the year in enforcing the various local and state codes related to health and safety. This Committee, which is actually a coordinating body of town officials, is composed of one member from the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Health, and the Board of Public Welfare, and the Finance Com- mittee, the Fire Chief, the Building Inspector, and the Town Counsel. This year, the Committee was greatly assisted by the Health Agent, and Mr. Bowers attended one meeting to coordinate activities with the Highway Commissioners.
Basically, the task of the Committee is to remedy hazardous or unhealthy conditions throughout the Town by bringing such specific conditions to the attention of the property owner, and requiring them to be corrected within a stated period of time. If such conditions have not been taken care of at this point, certain other legal requirements must be met and the Town then moves to demolish the structure in question, or to take such other action as may be required - for example to fill in a dangerous abandoned well.
We are very pleased to report that in several cases where sub- standard dwellings were condemned, the owners were able to carry out the necessary repairs or replacements, and the dwellings brought up to standard. In at least one case, this was done with the aid of a bank loan. In general, property owners have been cooperative with Town Officials and agreements have been reached to everyone's satisfaction.
In those cases where dwellings or other structures have been demolished, this work has been carried out by members of the Fire Department under the supervision of the Fire Chief. This saves the Town a very considerable expense in hiring a professional demolition company and also affords the firemen excellent training opportunity. One problem that the Committee continually faces, is that of filling in cellar holes that remain after demolition, which is the responsibility of the property owner. One system, worked out with the cooperation of the Highway Commissioners, is to have the holes filled by the Highway Department when they have disposable fill. The costs of demolition and of such filling (if any) are placed as a lien against the property in question.
The Fire Chief and the Building Inspector, have made a special drive this year on abandoned poultry houses and barns, which are increasingly common in a town turning from an agriculture base to a residential one. These old structures are extremely hazardous.
The Board of Health has been very active in enforcing health regulations and in some cases has alerted other Town Officials to sub- standard conditions. It has really been this sort of close team work that has made the Committee's work effective. During 1961. 12 dwelling units were torn down, several of which belonged to the Town by virtue of earlier condemnation proceedings. In addition, a large number of barns, poultry houses, and other structures were demolished.
The Selectmen would like to quote from a report of the Building Inspector to them on December 26, 1961, as follows: "I have been Building Inspector for over twenty years, and although substandard and dangerous property has been condemned from year to year, the results were not as outstanding as in this past year."
124
REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
In accordance with the vote of the Town at its March 1961 Meeting, the Selectmen on June 7, 1961 appointed to the Wayland Conservation Commission Mrs. S. A. Cutler and Messrs. C. A. Eckerline, L. C. Gladu, W. M. Young, as members at large; the Finance Committee, Planning Board and Water Board appointed Messrs. R. E. Ela, A. H. Morgan and F. A. Taylor to represent their respective agencies of Town Government, as directed by the Town.
The commission has met monthly since October and has been occupied in a preliminary study of its responsibilities and objectives. Its initial concern is to define Wayland's present and potention future conservation problems. Its future plans include close cooperation with the Selectmen and all Town Boards and Committees, and preparation of a long-range plan designed to guard and enhance the Town's natural resources. These resources can be listed under several major headings:
Water:
Sources of supply and prevention of flooding.
Brooks, ponds and the river.
Woodlands (including shade trees) and Wildlife.
Recreation and "Open Space" values :
Many recreational needs require natural outdoor space:
an area suitable for camping by scout, campfire or other groups, for example. Similarly, major aesthetic and recreation values are inherent in the semi-rural nature of the Town - on which also depend important economic values which directly and indirectly affect real estate values and your tax rate.
It is the Commission's hope to enlist the aid of everyone interested and willing to help in drawing up plans for the wise use of Wayland's natural resources, so that they will represent the overall feeling of the Town and protect the interest which every citizen has in maintaining his community as a pleasant place in which to live. Your Conservation Commission solicits your suggestions and help in achieving this result.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
During the year 1961 the roadside trees in the entire town were surveyed and the dangerous trees and limbs were removed.
The tree planting program continued and forty maple trees were set out.
I wish to thank the citizens that called me concerning the condition of a tree or a dangerous branch which they had noted so that it could receive attention as soon as possible.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. NELSON.
125
REPORT OF MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE
A complete program of exercises were held on May 30, 1961 in both Wayland Village and Cochituate. Joint services were conducted at the North Cemetery and Lakeview Cemetery by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in the forenoon.
In the afternoon a parade formed at 1 P. M. and proceeded to the South Cemetery to decorate Veterans' Graves and hold memorial services at the Charles H. Alward Lot.
At 2:30 P. M. the parade reformed and proceeded to St. Zepherin's Cemetery to decorate and hold services at the Soldiers' Lot.
The following organizations were participants in the program:
Charles H. Alward Post 133, American Legion
Wayland Post, Veterans Foreign Wars
Police Department Escort
Fire Department Detail
American Legion Firing Squad
V. F. W. Drill Team
Wayland High School Band
Maynard Community Band
Explorer Scouts
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Camp Fire Girls
It is our considered opinion that every effort be made by future Committees to hold the parades and exercises in the morning. We believe in so doing that more townspeople will participate in and attend the annual observance of Memorial Day.
The Maynard Community Band will be unable to participate if the services are held in the afternoon. However, we have been advised that the High School Band will render music for the parades and at the cemeteries.
We recommend that the local Veteran Organizations continue to hold appropriate exercises at the cemeteries which are not visited by the parades.
John W. Leavitt, Chairman
Edward J. Connolly (V.F.W.)
Richard S. Loynd (V.F.W.) James Garvey (V.F.W.)
Roy Van Wart (A.L.) Francis X. Kilduff (A.L.) Joseph L. Strafuss (A.L.)
126
REPORT OF THE ROAD COMMISSIONERS
1961 has been a year of study, experimentation and catching up for the Highway Department. At the end of 1960, there remained 14 incomplete construction projects for which funds had been appropriated, with an aggregate value of slightly over $40,000.00.
It was felt that a concerted effort should be made during 1961 to clean up these incomplete projects which had slowly built up over past years. Accordingly, a careful study was made of construction and maintenance schedules the result of which was a decision to have major drainage projects and sidewalk construction done by outside contractors. Contracts were advertised for bids in August and early November. This policy is expected to be continued for the next few years until the Department is in a position to handle all construction without expanding the equipment and forces to an extent that would be out of proportion to the other operations.
This change in policy has enabled the Department to complete or virtually complete a majority of the projects in the Department budget as follows:
1. BETTERMENTS: All betterments started prior to 1961 were completed, including Wallace Road, Winter Street, Maiden Lane #1, Maiden Lane #2, and South and Center Streets. In addition the drainage and the first course of pavement was completed on the five (5) streets in the Maguire development for which betterments were voted in 1961. The second and final pavement course and side road seeding will be completed on these roads during the spring of 1962.
2. DRAINAGE: 8 of the 11 drainage projects authorized during 1961 or carried over to 1961 were, for the most part, completed. Of these 4 were completed and 4 were 90% completed. Two of these, Train- ing Field and Moore Road, and Goodman Lane were advertised for bids; however, bids received exceeded the available funds. New bids will be sought during the end of January to enable the necessary additional funds to be sought in the 1962 budget. The remaining drainage project, School and Loker Streets, will proceed during 1962 in conjunction with the School Street reconstruction.
3. CHAPTER 90 WORK:
A. Construction - The relocation of Commonwealth Road from the Natick Town Line to Oak Street and Rice Road was completed, although minor repair work on the seeded slopes probably will be necessary in the spring.
B. Maintenance - Old Connecticut Path was resurfaced from the Framingham Town Line to Wallace Road. This project will be continued during 1962.
4. SHERMAN BRIDGE REPAIRS: The wood deck was replaced on Sherman Bridge as a joint 50-50 project with the Town of Sudbury. When the old deck was removed some of the main bridge timbers were discovered to be unsound and had to be replaced, with the result that the cost of the work was about double that of the initial estimate.
127
5. SIDEWALKS: The sidewalk along Old Connecticut Path from Maiden Lane to Davelin Road was completed with the exception of seeding the slopes and grass plots and the correction of an unsatis- factory slope condition, which will be done in the spring of 1962.
6. HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE: Working in conjunction with the School Building Committee the entrance to the High School was widened, curbed and channelized to eliminate a hazardous condition.
7. RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING TOWN ROADS:
A. Moore Road - This road has now been completed with a penetrated gravel surface with the exception of setting of bounds.
B. School Street - The first section started in 1960 has been 100% completed, by placing the final pavement course, paving driveway approaches and loaming and seeding the side slopes. No other new work was started on this project during 1961. The Road Commissioners felt that during 1961 the back-log of old projects should be given first priority.
During 1962 the department should be able to start fresh and carry to completion the following projects by Department forces :
Chapter 90 - the first section of Old Connecticut Path starting at Route 20 by the Red Coach Grill to approximately Rice Road.
The remaining portion of School Street together with the Loker Street drainage outlet.
The remainder of the 1961 betterments and the 1962 better- ment program if it is not too large.
In addition, it is intended to have the only major drainage projects not related to the above and the 1962 sidewalk construction performed by outside contractors on a bid basis.
Throughout all this the Department has performed and will con- tinue to perform its principle operation of a maintenance organization. Included in this is clearing all catch basins and sweeping all paved streets at least twice a year, oiling town roads on a rotational basis using approximately 80,000 gallons of road oils annually, patching pot holes, grading gravel roads and the innumerable other small items necessary to maintain our roads in a safe and passable condition.
As a part of this an unusually heavy snow removal and ice control program was carried out on all town roads, and the school drives and parking lots. Last but not least the dump was operated.
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.