USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1913-1916 > Part 38
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5
1
4
4 years,
2
2
0
ยท 85-89 years,
7
1
6
5-9 years,
2
1
1
90-94 years,
4
2
2
Total,
159
77
82
DEATHS BY MONTHS. (Still births Excluded.)
Deaths in January,
22
Deaths in July,
7
Deaths in February,
11
Deaths in August,
9
Deaths in March,
16
Deaths in September,
9
Deaths in April,
20
Deaths in October,
13
Deaths in May,
16
Deaths in November,
L-
Deaths in June,
3
Deaths in December,
23
CAUSES OF DEATH. (Still births Excluded)
Diphtheria,
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis,
()
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
11
Whooping Cough,
0
Erysipelas,
1
Diabetes,
2
Diseases of the Nervous System and of the Organs of Special Sense,
8
Organic Diseases of the Heart,
14
Pneumonia, 23
6
Malaria,
124
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Broncho Pneumonia,
7
Bronchitis,
3
Diarrhoea and Enteritis, under 2 years,
Cholera Nostras,
2
Acute Nephritis and Bright's Disease,
10
Cancer,
5
Motor Vehicles,
0
Steam Railroads,
All other External Causes,
6
From unknown or ill-defined causes,
19
Number of deaths from all other causes not specified above. not including still births,
10
Total, 159
The garbage was collected this year by Mr. Gedeon Pinsonneault, Jr. at the same figures as last year, the Board contemplates the collecting of all rubbish except ashes each week the coming year, which if done by the same man that collects the garbage will require the personal attention and whole time of him who does the work.
This will require a larger output of money but we think the public will appreciate it, as many tenants find it hard to dispose of tin cans, etc., that gather each week, these cans are often placed in the garbage pail and this makes trouble for the collector, as he is not obliged to take garbage with rubbish mixed with it, in tact most of the trouble this last year with the collector of garbage has been from this source.
If each tenant will have a garbage pail and a box to put his rubbish, which will be cared for by the Town, we believe better sanitary conditions will exist in our Town.
We trust that our appropriation, at present the smallest in the State for a town of our size, will be
125
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
increased sufficiently to enable us to properly carry on the good work for the ensuing year.
Very Respectfully, J. ANATOLE CARON, W. S. CONWAY, M. D., J. E. DONAIS, M. D.,
Board of Health.
Plumbing Inspector's Report
TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as your Plumbing Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1915.
During the year I have issued one hundred thirty (130) permits to do plumbing work from applications received and placed on file in this office, they are classified as follows:
Old.
New.
Residences or one tenement houses,
45
2
Two tenement houses,
15
6
Three tenement houses,
1
18
Four tenement houses,
2
0
Five tenement houses,
2
0
Six tenement houses,
1
2
Stores,
1
2
Cellar work only,
1
0
Factories,
2
0
Churches,
2
0
Milk Store,
1
0
126
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Laundry,
0
1
Theatre,
0
2
Garage,
0
1
Refrigerator Plant,
0
1
Alterations or additions to old work, 22
0
96
34
Total, 130
These buildings contain the following fixtures:
Water closets,
244 Refrigerators, 1
Sinks,
196
Dentist spittoons,
3
Wash trays,
18
Urinals,
2
Bath tubs,
117
Shower baths,
2
Wash bowls,
113
On this work I have made the following in-
spections:
Water tests,
117
Other tests,
6
Final inspections,
117
Following is the number of houses connected with the public sewer and cesspools during the year:
With sewers, Old houses, 50, New houses, 27
With cesspools,
Old houses, 6, New houses, 4
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT R. BROWN,
Inspector of Plumbing.
Agent's Report
TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as your agent for the
127
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
year ending December 31, 1915.
Houses placarded for contagious diseases, 71
Houses disinfected after same diseases,
71
Houses disinfected after other diseases, 7
School houses disinfected,
10
Poultry nuisances investigated,
3
Garbage nuisances investigated,
27
Contagious diseases investigated,
1
Yards ordered cleaned,
24
Cellars ordered cleaned,
1
Dumps ordered cleaned,
10
Cesspools ordered cleaned,
7 9
Privy vaults ordered cleaned,
Stores ordered cleaned,
2
Wells'investigated,
2
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT R. BROWN, Agent for Board of Health.
128
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Report of Milk Inspector
TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my fourth annual report as Milk Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1915.
I have issued 32 milk peddlers licenses and 1 store license for which I have turned over to the Town Treas- urer the sum of $16.50.
I visited and scored 43 barns where milk is pro- duced and issued all but one, "Producers Permits" ac- cording to the Acts of 1914.
I have had only a few complaints as to the quality of milk and no prosecutions have followed or licenses revoked and it is the hope of your inspector that none will have to be in the future, this can be assured by all dairymen co-operating with this department in every way possible and always be looking for some way to improve the output of his dairy, not to think his is the best, or that it is as good as he can make it, for he will soon find he is mistaken. 1
I have tried this year as I did last year to have some of the farmers in this district enter the clean milk contest carried on by the State but failed, but this last month, I, as Inspector entered samples from six different milk peddlers, I did this so as to get some comparison of our milk with other cities and towns in the state, I have not as yet got all of the facts together from this exhibit, yet those that I have are not as good as I hoped for or expected, we came far from being a winner, so it behooves the dairymen to get to
129
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
work and improve the methods of handling and caring for their milk so that next year our score will be of more credit to our town.
I believe it is the care of the cow while milking and care of the milk just after it is drawn from the cow that insures clean milk, and the cooling and storage that reduces or keeps the bacteria to small numbers.
I hope we will be able to show an improvement in bacteria and visible dirt next year, which is the aim of this department and which can be done by being careful and clean.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT R. BROWN,
Inspector of Milk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
We respectfully submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1915.
Amount to be raised less the estimated revenue:
Town appropriation,
$208,307 68
State tax,
17,940 00
County tax,
8,133 00
Auditing municipal accounts,
2,620 63
State highway tax, 37 51
$237,038 82
Estimated revenue as returned by Town Accountant, 30,000 00
$207,038 82
Amounts assessed and committed to Eugene E. Gabree for collection as follows:
On 4,146 polls,
$8,292 00
Tax on personal estate,
61,877 63
132
REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Tax on real estate, 138,662 20
$208,831 83
Overlayings,
$1,793 01
Valuation of personal estate less exemption,
$2,535,970 00
Valuation of land less exemption,
1,783,297 00
Valuation of buildings less ex- emption,
3,899,579 00
Total, Increase in valuation over 1915,
8,218,846 00
484,378 00
Supplementary Assessment
Tax for town of Southbridge as assessed between the tenth and twentieth of December, 1915, pursuant to Sec. 85, Part 1, Chapter 490, Acts of 1909.
61 polls, $122 00
On personal estate,
496 17
On real estate,
911 78
Total, $1,539 95
JOSEPH GAGNON, ANTOINE FARLAND, WILLIAM H. McGILPIN, Assessors of Southbridge.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
Last summer closed the fifth season of supervised playground work.
This town is ranked by the state agent of play- ground work as one of the best in the state. Ranking with Brookline in the amount of work accomplished.
This past summer six acres of land on Dresser street extension were purchased for the use of the play- grounds.
This land is level but needs draining to make it fit for use. An appropriation for this purpose will be called for at the March meeting.
This field is large enough for base ball diamonds for both large and small boys and will furnish ample room for apparatus and all kinds of sports.
At the upper end of the field a small swimming pool can be constructed in course of time.
It is not expected that all these improvements can be carried out at once but in a few years time this lot
134
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
should be so improved so that all parts of it are in use. Mr. Henry Hill, agent for the Hamilton Woolen Co., has, in behalf of the company, generously offered the use of a plot of ground on the west side of the "Big Pond" for a bathing beach.
In order to make this suitable for use, a bath house or some suitable form of protection must be erected.
It is a pleasure to record the generous offer of this company. This is a growing town and it is a good sign that a flourishing manufacturing company is willing to give the use of its means to benefit its fellow citizens. Attention is called to the report of the supervisor.
Respectfully submitted,
F. A. WALD, Secy.
Supervisor's Report
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE. Gentlemen: -
In accordance with your request the playground supervisor presents this, the fifth annual report of su- pervised play.
The season's activities opened Monday, July 6, with five playgrounds in operation. Two new kinder- garten centers were opened, one at River street, one at Elm street. The equipment for these centers, consist- ing of swings, teeters, sand boxes and the bases used in basket construction were made by pupils of the Indus-
135
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
trial Course at Marcy Street School, under the direc- tion of Mr. Ralph Hill.
The average daily attendance was 770 children, an increase of 81 children over last year. This increase was due to the play opportunities offered the children under 9 years of age at the new kindergarten centers, some of the children had not attended playground pre- viously, the distance to the larger centers being too great.
The general outline of play and industrial work was revised and adapted to the growing needs of the play- ground. Special emphasis was laid on athletics and a special athletic director appointed. The fact that 13 boys 12 years of age qualified for and passed the first test of the Playground of America Athletic Badge Test and 7 boys 13 and 14 years of age received badges for the second test proves increased interest in athletics. Other boys tried but failed to pass. Last year 6 boys received the First Test badges.
The playground base ball season was lively and the players enthusiastic, School and Central streets each had a senior and junior team.
The senior teams played on the Worcester street ball ground Tuesdays and Thursdays, the juniors on their respective grounds Mondays and Wednesdays.
A series of games was arranged with the Webster playground, two of which were played in Webster, one in Southbridge.
The kite tournament was interesting, much skill being shown by the boys in the construction of kites.
136
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
The instructors are encouraged by the spirit shown by the boys in team and athletic work the past season.
The Friday morning meetings conducted by the Supervisor, were in High School rooms from 8.30 to 11.30 and were attended by the regular instructors and assistants who are preparing to become instructors. These meetings were divided into three departments: General Instruction, Games and Folk Dances and In- dustrial Instruction.
An intetesting feature was the special days, as Indian Day, Doll Day, Mother's Day, Kite Day, Bubble Day, etc. Wonderful ingenuity was displayed in the matter of costumes and these days were a source of en- joyment to the mothers and friends of the children.
In the industrial department particular attention was given to sewing, blouses and other articles of cloth- ing being made, and instruction given to older girls in the use of the sewing machine.
The play festival was Thursday, August 19, an ex- cellent program was given by the children under direc- tion of the play leaders, assisted by the Brass Band, at the close of which the badges won by the boys in the badge test were presented to the boys by J. G. E. Paige, M. D., Chairman of the Playground Committee, and the prizes won by the contestants in the track events were awarded by Mr. F. A. Wald, Secretary of the Play- ground Committee. The number of children present - festival afternoon was 1,500, which seems to prove that the play movement is popular, popular with the child- ren, the attendance increasing yearly.
137
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
Mention must be made of the amount of time devoted to this work by the Playground Committee, who were ever ready to assist and advise. The super- visor wishes to thank the Committee and friends of the children who contributed in any way to the success of the work, and to acknowledge the splendid co-operation of the instructors and their devotion to the cause.
The following extracts are taken from a collection of important opinions, kernels of wisdom and foresight from prominent educators and public-spirited citizens on one of the most vital civic questions of the time.
What the People of Massachusetts Think
of Playgrounds.
One of the most interesting referendum votes ever presented to the people of Massachusetts was that on Playgrounds, resulting from an enactment of the Legislature of 1908. The act provided that at the next city and town elections all places of 10,000 or more population should vote on the question of pro- viding playgrounds, conveniently located and of suit- able size and equipment, for the recreation and physical education of the minors of such city or town; one for the first 20,000 and one for each additional 20,000. Twenty-three cities have voted, and in twenty- two of them the vote has been overwhelmingly favorable. The total vote cast has been 122,896 for, to 25,405 against.
Why have playgrounds? Why? Why does a flower need the light .? The child needs a playground
138
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
because his growth is through activity, which his nature has prescribed; and because he will never grow up, or will grow up stunted and perverted if he is denied those opportunities and objects to which his vital instinctive and formative activities relate.
-JOSEPH LEE.
I regard well-equipped and efficiently supervised playgrounds as one of the most efficient means to save city children from violations of the law, to which they are peculiarly exposed and predisposed by the pressure and complications of modern urban life.
-JUDGE WILLIAM H. DE LACY.
In these playgrounds and in their work lie the beginning of social redemption of the people in large cities. They furnish the spectacle of a city saving itself; of the people of a great city finding nature and God by finding their neighbors and themselves.
-BERNARD A. ECKHART.
The children begin their education when they begin to play; for play not only affords an outlet for their energy, and so supplies one great means of growth and training, but places them in social relation with their mates and in conscious contact with the world about them. The old games that have been played by generations of children not only precede the training of the school and supplement it but accomplish some results in the nature of the child which are beyond the reach of the school. -HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE.
We apparently think that we can develop the power of self-control without giving people freedom;
139
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
that we can develop ethical power by merely telling about it, sermonizing about it. We still think that we can cultivate obedience to such an extent that it shall balance over and welcome self-control; and yet we know that twenty years in prison, where the most perfectly enforced routine of living is secured, does not develop in the individual that high degree of self- control which such perfect obedience would suggest.
-DR. LUTHER HALSEY GULICK.
It is not merely play that our cities and children need. They need the kind of play that makes for wholesome moral and ethical life, the play that makes for those relationships between individuals that will be true to the adult ideals which belong, and should belong, to the community .- DR. LUTHER HALSEY GULICK.
In dealing with the problem of crime in youth, we shall make progress just in proportion as we appreciate the absurdity of limiting our remedies to the court, the jailer and the hangman. Our plea for public play- grounds is a plea for justice to the boy. We are literally crowding him off the earth. We have no right to deny him his heritage, but that is just what we are doing in nearly every large city in this country, and he is hitting back, and hitting hard, when he does not mean to, while we vaguely understand and stupidly punish him for crime. Why shouldn't he rebel? The amazing thing is that he is not worse than he is.
-JUDGE BENJAMIN B. LINDSAY.
The playground proves to be an economy to the city in that it lessens crime among children.
-JUDGE BENJAMIN LINDSAY.
140
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
Suppose the more fortunate members of the com- munity also were denied the opportunities which they now enjoy for recreation and amusement; suppose, if you will, that laws were passed prohibiting them from running automobiles, from playing golf or tennis, and imagine the effect upon them of the enforcement of such requirements. And yet for all practical purposes, these are the conditions that exist among the poorer members of the community. They are as virtually denied opportunities of recreation as it they were living under such a statute. LAWRENCE VEILLER.
There is another point of view which maintains that no matter how great the cost, the value of the boy saved is inestimably beyond it. This point of view is suggested by that Master of practical life Who knew full well the value of money, even the widow's mite. For what shall it profit a city if it gain the whole world and lose the souls of its children? -ALLEN T. BURNS.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGARET G. BUTLER,
Supervisor.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN CLERK
Vital Statistics for the year ending December 31, 1915.
Number of marriages,
122
Number of deaths,
204
Number of births, 470
Number of Dog Licenses issued in 1915.
Males,
303
Females,
38
Breeder's,
None
Respectfully submitted,
W. W. BUCKLEY,
Town Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TAX COLLECTOR
1915 TAXES
Assessors' warrant, $209,866 33
Interest collected,
24 51
Excise tax,.
1,383 17
December assessment,
1,529 95
$212,803 96
Collected to Jan. 1, 1916, .... $183,018 95
Abatements,. 276 02 - $183,294 97
Balance uncollected Jan. 1, 1916,
$29,508 99
Collected Jan. 1 to Feb. 4, 1916, 8,414 40
Balance uncollected Feb. 4, 1916, $21,094 59
Interest collected Jan. 1 to Feb. 4. 1916, ... 72 27
1914 TAXES
Balance uncollected Jan. 1, 1915,. . . ..... $24,336 78 Collected
$20,270 78
144
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
Abated, 34 76
20,305 54
$4,031 24
Collected Jan. 1, 1916 to Feb. 4, 1916,.
218 50
Balance outstanding Feb. 4, 1916, 3,812 74
1913 TAXES
Balance outstanding Jan. 1, 1915,. $3,114 63
Collected to Jan. 1, 1916,. $1,708 28
Amount abated,
1,350 65
3,058 93
Amount outstanding Jan. 1, 1916, $55 70
1912 TAXES
Amount outstanding Jan. 1, 1915,. 454 31
Collected to Jan. 1, 1916, $109 65
Abated, 344 66
$454 31
1912 Taxes Closed.
1911 TAXES
Amount outstanding Jan. 1, 1915 $44 27
Abated, 44 27
1911 Taxes Closed.
Respectfully submitted, EUGENE E. GABREE, Collector of Taxes.
.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
ROAD COMMITTEE
The Road Committee appointed at the Annual Town Meeting held March 8, 1915, have in accordance with the vote of the town constructed the roads as listed below.
Mr. Thomas McGovern was employed to do all en- gineering and to have immediate supervision of the work.
NORTH WOODSTOCK ROAD.
Beginning at the southerly end of the 1914 con- struction a section of bituminous macadam was built to fill in the gap between the sections built in 1913 and 1914. Also a new piece was built beginning at the northerly end of the 1914 section and extending nearly to the old Sandersdale Road. We were obliged to re- move a large quantity of ledge in order to obtain a proper layout, but 3,041 sq. yards of road was built and finished to a width of 21 feet.
146
REPORT OF ROAD COMMITTEE
Two thousand dollars of the cost of this construc- tion was paid by the State and the road built under their specifications and to meet their approval.
EAST MAIN STREET.
Beginning at the corner of Chestnut and Main streets a bituminous macadam road was built 1,238 ft. long by 26 ft. wide, containing 3,572 sq. yds. extending nearly to the American Optical Co. coal trestle. Traf- fic conditions on this street are such that the committee thought it advisable to use a six inch surfacing of trap rock in place of native stone.
MECHANIC STREET.
A section of bituminous macadam 825 ft, long by 30 ft. wide containing 2,750 sq. yds. was built begin- ning at the railroad bridge and extending to the bridge over the Quinebaug River with the exception of a sec- tion in front of the buildings of the American Optical Co., which was omitted at their request. The com- mittee was given to understand that the American Optical Co. desired a more expensive type of road to be built in front of their plant and that they were willing to pay the additional cost. However, as the company was undecided as to the type of road they desired this matter was laid over until spring.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE.
660 sq. yds. of granite block pavement on a con- crete base was laid at this point, as it was considered that a macadam road would not be sufficiently durable,
147
REPORT OF ROAD COMMITTEE
CHARLTON STREET.
A bituminous macadam road 818 ft. long by 22 ft. wide containing 2,000 sq. yds. was built on the part of this road lying between Worcester and Mechanic streets.
WEST STREET.
A trap rock bituminous macadam road 30 ft. wide, containing 1,090 sq. yds. and extending 327 ft. from the junction of Hamilton Street was built on this street.
SOUTH STREET.
760 ft. of bituminous macadam road 18 ft. wide containing 1,520 sq. yds. was built running westerly from the 1914 construction.
CRANE STREET.
427 ft. of bituminous macadam with trap rock sur- facing, 21 ft. wide and containing 998 sq. yds. was built extending southerly from the 1914 construction.
Also 825 sq. yds. of concrete pavement was built in front of the Freight Station. This is a new type of construction in Southbridge and one that should be watched with much interest. It is somewhat more ex- pensive than bituminous macadam and this piece cost $1,500.00, but it cost the Town nothing, as the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., very generously made a contri- bution covering the entire expense. We take this oc- cassion to extend to the Railroad company our sincere thanks for their very liberal action in this matter.
148
REPORT OF ROAD COMMITTEE
EASTFORD ROAD.
The construction of this road was not started until all other building had been completed and cold weather prevented it being finished last Fall. This road is open for traffic and will be completed in about 10 days in the Spring.
Of course in a matter of such general interest at the present time as road building, and one on which so many have ideas of their own as to just how a road should be built, it is impossible to satisfy everyone, but your Committee feel that the quality and cost of the roads built will compare very favorably with those of the same type built elsewhere.
The Committee wish to call attention to the fact that it is not a regular town department, and does not have jurisdiction over the roads after they have been built, as their duties are confined simply to building certain roads which the town specifies. Therefore it is not the duty, nor are the Committee supposed to make recommendations as to future construction, and there seems to be no one whose business it is to attempt to lay out a comprehensive programme of road develop- ment which might be followed out over a period of years and which would result in a system of roads which would be far better than a series of short stretches put in at random.
During the last years the Town has spent a large amount of money for permanent roads, and now that they have been built, one of the most wasteful things
149
REPORT OF ROAD COMMITTEE
that the Town could do would be to neglect to make provision to repair them at the time that they should be repaired. If they are allowed to go into poor con- dition it will cost the Town much more than it would to make slight repairs at the right time. It would seem therefore that each year a certain part of the reg- ular highway appropriation should be set aside by the Town for specific repairs to permanent roads.
The Committee show a balance on six out of the eight roads which they have built, and for detailed fig- ures of the cost of construction, reference should be made to the report of the Town Accountant.
JOHN E. PAIGE, Chairman HERBERT E. WELLS, Secretary ALEXIS BOYER, JR., JOHN G. CLARKE, AIMEE LANGEVIN,
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