USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1917-1921 > Part 7
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The interest charges should be more carefully cal- culated, for while the amount involved in a single case, where only a few days have elapsed, may be small, still the Town should derive a considerable revenue from this source since there is a large number of accounts; furthermore, the penalty prescribed by the statute, if rigidly enforced, would have a tendency to speed up col- lections.
Summary tables showing the Tax and Assessment Accounts are appended to this report.
The records of the Cemetery Department were ex- amined. Receipts were checked with the payments to the Treasurer and with the reports to the Accountant. The table appended shows a relatively large balance on hand at the end of the year; this amount was paid over on February 1, 1918. It is important that all sums collected by a department be paid promptly into the treasury, especially at the end of the year, in order that the Accountant's report may show all cash receipts in the year in which they are received.
The savings bank books and securities representing the investments of the Sinking and Trust Funds were examined and compared with the records in the Treas- urer's and Accountant's office, and were found to be as recorded.
In addition to the departments and accounts men- tioned, the records of the receipts of the Selectmen, Town Clerk, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Board of Health, Town Farm and Almshouse were checked and compared with the Treasurer's and Accountant's books,
66
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
The several appropriation accounts showed bal- ances sufficient to meet the bills for which warrants were drawn. The old practice of carrying bills over, which has been so generally practiced by our cities and towns, has not been entirely eliminated, notwithstand- ing the provision of the sta. ute which prohibits the in- curring of liabilities by the head of a department in excess of the appropriations granted for its use.
Under the present system of accounting in South- bridge, the heads of the several departments are kept constantly advised of the appropriation balances. They should be required to plan their work so as to live within their appropriation; if they neglect or refuse to do so, and hold up bills to be paid from a succeeding year's appropriation, these bills should not be approved for payment, or at least not until they have been placed before the town for validation, and a specific appropria- tion made to meet them. This should not entail any hardship, for the statutes clearly provide a way for meeting emergency expenses involving the health and safety of persons and property .. There is also a pro- vision whereby a reserve fund may be provided for meet- ing extraordinary or unforeseen expenses.
A balance sheet showing the financial condition of the Town December 31, 1917, is appended to this report.
While engaged in making the audit, I received the usual co-operation from every department official, and all books and papers requested were placed at my dis- posal. For the valuable assistance rendered, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and myself, to express my ap-
67
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
preciation.
Respectfully submitted, EDW. H. FENTON, Chief Accountant.
RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER'S CASH
Balance Dec. 31, 1917-per
Cash Book,
$28,233 98
Receipts Jan. 1 to 24, 1918, 5,624 62
$33,858 60
Payments Jan. 1 to 24, 1918, 16,063 88
Cash in Drawer Jan. 24, 1918, 25 00
Bank Balance Jan. 24, 1918, 17,769 72
33,858 60
BANK RECONCILIATION
Balance Jan. 24, 1918-per Statement, 19,385 88
Outstanding Checks per De- tailed List, 1,616 16
Balance Jan. 24, 1918 -- per
Cash Book, 17,769 72
19,385 88
TAXES 1914
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1917-per Accountant's Ledger, 77 34
Paid Treasurer, 1917, 6 20
Cash on Hand, 5 05
Outstanding Dec. 31. 1917, 86 47
68
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
Less Overpayments, 1915
and 1916, 20 38 66 09
77 34
RECONCILIATION
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1918, 71 14
Paid Treasurer Jan. 1 to Feb. 1, 1918, 51 14
Abatements Jan. 1 to Feb. 1, 1918, 20 00
71 14
TAXES 1915
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1917-per Account- ant's Ledger, 4,748 22
Paid Treasurer, 1917, 3,336 58
Abatements, 1917, 1,212 00
Cash on Hand Dec. 31, 1917, 6 11
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1917, 193 53
4,748 22
RECONCILIATION
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1918-
per Accountant's Ledger, 199 64
Interest Credited as Taxes, 10 00
209 64
Abated Feb. 1, 1918, 140 82
Paid Treasurer Jan. 1 to
Feb. 1, 1918, 18 02
Outstanding Feb. 1,1918-
69
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
per List, 50 80
209 64
TAXES 1916
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1917-
per Accountant's Ledger, 23,535 71
Interest Collected, 1917, 474 00
Collections after Abatement, 4 36
24,014 07
Paid Treasurer, 1917, Ac- count of Taxes, 18,989 47
Paid Treasurer, 1917, Inter-
est Credited to Taxes, 101 53
Paid Treasurer, 1917 Inter- est, 372 47
Abatements, 1917,
13 08
Outstanding Dec. 31,1917- per List,
4,537 52
24,014 07
RECONCILIATION
Outstanding Dec. 31,1917- 1
per Accountant's Ledger, 4,431 63
Interest Credited as Taxes, 101 53
Collections after Abatement, 4 36
4,537 52
Collections Jan. 1 to 16,1918, 68 34
Outstanding Jan. 16, 1918- per List, 4,469 18
4,537 52
70
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
TAXES 1917
Commitment,
231,462 05
Additional Commitment,
312 96
Excise Tax,
1,668 93
233,443 94
Paid Treasurer, 1917,
194,937 55
. Abatements, 1917,
304 07
Outstanding Dec. 31,1917-
per Accountant's Ledger,
38,202 32
233,443 94
RECONCILIATION
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1918, 38,202 32
Undetected Difference, 4 27
38,206 59
Collections Jan. 1 to 23,1918, 4,853 12
Outstanding Jan. 23, 1918-
per List, 33,353 47
38,206 59
SIDEWALK ASSESSMENTS
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1917, 1,441 52
Commitments, 899 36
2,340 88
Paid Treasurer,-1917, 1,177 53
Abatements, 213 00
Outstanding Dec. 31,1917-
71
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
per List, 950 35
2,340 88
STREET OILING ASSESSMENTS 1916
-
Outstanding, Jan. 1, 1917, 2,500 00
Overpayments per Cash Book, 16 77
2,516 77
Collections, per Cash Book, 1,514 66
Collections, not on Cash Book, 87 88
Outstanding Dec. 31,1017- per List, 914 23
2,516 77
RECONCILIATION
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1917,
per Accountant's Ledger, 2,500 00
Overpayments, 13 73
2,513 73
Paid Treasurer, 1917-per Accountant's Ledger, 1,599 50
Outstanding Dec. 31,1917 -- per Accountant's Ledger, 900 50
Outstanding, Dec. 31, 1917,
per List in Excess of Ac- countant's Ledger, 13 73
2,513 73
APPORTIONED SEWER ASSESSMENTS 1916
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1917, 190 06
72
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
Paid Treasurer, 1917, 190 06
APPORTIONED SEWER ASSESSMENTS 1917
Commitment, 274 71
Paid Treasurer, 1917,
92 53
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1917, 182 18
274 71
COMMITTED INTEREST --- SEWER ASSESSMENTS 1916
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1916,
27 44
Paid Treasurer, 1917, 27 44
COMMITTED INTEREST --- SEWER ASSESSMENTS 1917
Committed, 22 16
Paid Treasurer, 1917,
13 06
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1917, 9 10
22 16
SEWER ASSESSMENTS --- UNAPPORTIONED
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1917, 3,380 83
Commitments, 7,145 28
10,526 11
Collections by Treasurer, 3,110 07
Abatements,
80 38.
Outstanding Dec. 31,1917-
per List, 7,335 66
10,526 11
73
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
CEMETERY ACCOUNTS
Accounts Prior to March, 1917:
Perpetual Care, 450 00 Sale of Lots and Graves, 555 00
1,005 00
Accounts March to December, 1917: Perpetual Care, 3,100 00 Sale of Lots and
Graves, 575 00
Opening Graves, 94 00
Annual Care, 18 00
3,787 00
4,792 00
Payments to Treasurer: Accounts Prior to Mar., 1917, 1,005 00 Accounts March to Dec., 1917, 2,206 00
3,211 00
Outstanding December 31, 1917:
Perpetual Care, 640 00 Sale of Lots and
Graves, 175 00
Opening Graves, 26 00 Annual Care, 6 00
847 00
74
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
Cash on Hand Dec. 31, 1917, 734 00
4,792 00
SINKING FUND
Savings Deposits Securities
Total
On Hand at Be-
ginning of year, 14,469 36
16,000 00
80,469 36
On Hand at End
of Year, 15,703 98
16,000 00
31,703 98
Receipts
Income - Savings
Deposits, 594 62
Payments Deposits in Sav- ings Banks, 1,234 62
Income - Securi -
ties, 640 00
Total, 1,234 62
Total,
1,234 62
MYNOT LIBRARY FUND
Savings
Deposits
Total
On Hand at Beginning of Year,
1,038 19
1,038 19
On Hand at End of Year,
1,003 28
1,003 28
Receipts
Payments
Withdrawn from
Expended, 76 83
Bank,
34 91
Income, 41 92
Total, 76 83
Total, 76 83
-
75
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
CEMETERY PERPETUAL, CARE FUNDS
Cash on
Hand
Savings Deposits
Total
On Hand at Be-
ginning of year,
350 00
21,075 58
21,425 58
On Hand at End ot Year,
*24,885 93
*24,885 93
Receipts
Receipts,
3,145 00
Balance of Lot
Fund in Treas-
ury Jan.1,1917, 180 00
Income Earned, 944 12
Cash in Town
Treasury, Jan.
1, 1917, 350 00
Total, 4,619 12 Total,
4,619 12
Payments Deposited in Saving Banks, 3,810 35 Expended for Care of Lots. 808 77
*Includes Liberty Bond of $5000 subscribed for, not delivered until after Dec. 31, 1917.
Balance Sheet December 31, 1917 REVENUE ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
$26,525 80
Cash, Accounts Receivable: Taxes- ·
Levy of 1914, $71 14
Levy of 1915, 199 64
Levy of 1916,
4,431 63
Levy of 1917, 38,202 32
Temporary Loans:
Anticipation of Revenue,
$34.000 00
Appropriation Balances: Fire Pumping Engine, 9,041 15
Dudley River Road, 2,243 00
Primary School Plans, 361 02
11,645 17
Special Assessments: Sidewalk. 950 35
Street Oiling.
900 50
Apportioned Sewer, 1917
182 18
Apportioned Sewer, due 1918 to 1920,
168 77
", Unapportioned Sewer,
7,335 66
Reserve Fund,
75 02
Overlay Reserved for Abatements: Levy of 1916, 2.472 39
Devy of 1917, 4.353 27
Departmental Bills, From State:
14 00
State Aid,
1,193 00
Apportioned Sewers:
Due in 1918,
56 26
Due in 1919, 56 26
Due in 1920, 56 25
Overdrafts: Sewer Construction,
257 60
Excess and Deficiency.
168 77 19,751 25
$80.759 69
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
42,904 73
Revenue Accounts:
Sidewalk,
950 35
Sewer, 7,335 66
8,286 01
Tailing's,
7 81
9,537 46
Committed Interest: Sewer Assessments,
9 10
Military Aid,
180 00
Soldiers' Burials,
138 00
1,511 00
$80,759 69
LIABILITIES
76
6.825 66
NON-REVENUE ACCOUNTS
Cash,
$1,708 18
Appropriation Balances: Mechanic Street Paving, $1,216 11
Elm Street Paving, 99 16
Loans Authorized,
2,000 00
Pleasant Street, 2,000 00
Lebanon Brook Bridge, 12 66
Mechanic Street Sidewalk, 75 06
Chapin Street Sidewalk, 32 73
New High School,
200 00
River Street School Lot, 72 46
3,708 18
3,708 18
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Sinking Funds, Net Funded and Fixed Debt,
31,703 98
198,846 02
Funded Debt, Serial Debt,
50,000 00 180,550 00
-230,550 00
-- -- 230,550 00 -
REPORT OF STATE AUDIT
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Savings Deposits and Securities, 25,889 21
Mynot Library Fund, Cemetery Funds,
1,003 28 24,885 93
25,889 21
77
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
FOR YEAR ENDING JAN. 1, 1918
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS:
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit my report for the year end- ing Dec. 31, 1918. The appropriations were mostly all expended, and we have not been able to accomplish as much labor as in the previous year. On that account it may prove interesting to note a few statistics regard- ing the situation of labor for the past year.
According to reports given by prominent highway officials, the cost of road work, that is. construction, re- construction and maintenance, in New England in 1918 was 50 to 100 per cent: higher than in the previous year. The two main causes of the increased cost were ascribed to: First, increased wages, and second, to the inef- ficiency and instability of labor. The men were con- stantly leaving to secure a higher wage offered by war
80
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
contractors. It costs nearly $4.00 to do the same amount of work which would have been done a year before for $1.00. In 1916 laborers were paid $1.75 to $2.00 for an 8-hour day. Teams cost from $4.50 to 5.50. Today the cost for men is from $3.00 to 5.00, and teams from $7.00, even to 8.00 per day. Materials and freight have increased 50 to 100 per cent. So that under such figures and with about the same amounts as the previous year I have endeavored to make the money go as far as possible, as you may judge from the itemized accounts.
Now the war is over and we must face the prob- lems of high prices with light hearts, because we stand at what we dare hope-an era of material and spiritual progress. It is a general belief that the outlook for prices on materials for 1919 will not be a decrease. But the executive should not hesitate at that, and sim- ply start right in with work. Whatever additional ex- penditures for labor or material is entailed must be re- garded as one more contribution in winning the war.
Highways
HIGHWAYS-ITEMIZED ACCOUNTS
Snow storms, 508 26
Icy gutters, salt, sand on walks, 717 79
Flooding at Cady Brook, 339 51
Worcester Street Brook, 12 81
81
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
Watering troughs,
90 29
Summer washouts, 407 25
Care of culverts, repairs and re- newing,
163 50
Scraping, leveling, filling coun- try roads, 1,485 00
Special repairs with crushed
stone and ashes on the fol-
lowing roads: Sandersdale, Lensdale, West Main, East-
ford, McKinstry, Blackmer, Charlton, Geer, Westville, Elm, Donais, 2,693 97
Special repairs on the different
streets, namely: Hartwell,
Spring, Everett, Sayles, Glover, Lovely, Charlton, High, Proulx, Ash, Collier,
School, Marcy, Pleasant, Park, Canal, Mill, Cliff,
Snow, Moon, Cross, Pine, Hillside, Dresser, Curtis, 1,197 62
Ashes walk on Goddard Court, West Street, Marcy Street, 215 75
Repairs at the Town Barn, 182 08
One road grading machine, 300 00
Tools and supplies,
549 18
Total Expenses, Salaries,
8,773 01
1,800 00
Total Highways, Balance on hand,
$10,573 01 $21 53
82
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
89 permits to open streets were issued, as follows:
S. Water Supply, 59
W. & S. Gas & Electric, 16
Hamilton Woolen Co., 4
American Optical Co., 2 Miscellaneous, 8
Bridges
Amount on Hand, 738 25
Expended, 727 46
Balance, 10 74
Mechanic Street Bridge was given special atten- tion. The work amounted to $595.75. A few other repairs were made on other bridges as needed.
Railings
Amount, $200 00 Bálance, 1 15
Railings were repaired, painted on Cliff Street, Central Street, River Street, Hamilton Street, South Street and Westville.
Sidewalk Repairs
Amount, $2,000 00, Balance, .11
Practically the amount on sidewalks was expended.
83
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
The most important repairs were made on Worcester, Hamilton, Mechanic, Main, North Main and Charlton Streets.
The remaining appropriations under my charge were the following:
Appropriation. Balance.
Main and Hamilton Sts. Clean- ing,
1,400 00
5 32
Sanitary Cleaning,
800 00
78
Permanent Roads,
2,000 00
31 74
Oiling Streets,
2,500 00
38 40
From all appropriations I have a total balance of $262.11.
I wish to thank the Selectmen and officials of the other departments for their kind assistance.
Respectfully yours, AIMEE LANGEVIN, Highway Surveyor.
Forest Fires
There were seventeen Forest Fires during the year. They were all small fires, the total amount spent being $381.02, out of the appropriation of $500. Twenty-three permits to burn brush were issued, and the laws of forest preservation were duly observed.
Fire Wardens For 1918
Dennie Langevin, Louis Pontbriand, Geo. H.
84
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
Clemence, W. H. Wadleigh, John Keenan, Adelard Bouchard, Jos. Payant, Eusebe Laliberte, Jules Liver- nois, Wilfrid Charron.
AIMEE LANGEVIN, Chief Fire Warden.
Brown Tail Moths
The work was done under the advice of the State Forester. Whatever work is done lessens the infestation and betters conditions. The cost has been reduced from $200 to $100. AIMEE LANGEVIN, Local Moth Supt.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
LIBRARIAN
TRUSTEES OF JACOB EDWARDS MEMORIAL LIBRARY
George Grant
John M. Cochran
Fred E. Corbin
Francis L. Chapin
Louis O. Rieutord John E. Paige
Henry Tetrault
For the Fund
For the Town
LIBRARIAN
Ella E. Miersch
ASSISTANTS
Mabel W. Plimpton Ruth Beecher Katherine Wheeler
86
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
JANITOR
Romnaldo di Bonaventura
LIBRARY HOURS
Week Days, except Jan. 1, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christ- mas: - 10 to 12 a. m., 2 to 5.30; 6.30 to 9 p. m.
Librarian's Report
Conditions at the Library, like everywhere else, were difficult during 1918. The Library was closed on the six Mondays when the " Fuel Committee " request- ed everyone to conserve fuel, and on all other evenings during these same weeks the Library was closed at 8 o'clock. Then again, on account of the influenza epi- demic, the Library was closed from Oct. 7 to Nov. 4. Considering all of these facts, together with the addi- tional fact that most people were busy with some form of war work, it is surprising to see how well the Library was used: 45,165 volumes were taken out for home use, 3;000 less than in 1917, but 4000 more than were taken out during the whole year in 1913.
Outside of fiction, the greatest demand has natur- ally continued to be for books on the war, or on sub- jects connected with the war. The Library has bought large numbers of books to meet this demand, not only narratives of war experiences but also books on mili- tary training, books on food conservation, books of
87
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
poetry, showing the minds and hearts of the fighting men.
Great numbers of pamphlets, leaflets and book- marks on gardening, poultry, food conservation and recipes, liberty loans and thrift stamps were distributed ; books were collected from our townspeople for soldiers' and sailors' libraries.
Five hundred and fifty-eight volumes have been added to the Library, which now contains 23,194 vol- umes. Harper's " Encyclopedia of United States His- tory," in ten volumes, has been added to the Reference Room; "Everyman's Music Library," containing a different kind of music in each of its ten volumes, should be popular with music lovers; there are new books on learning French and Spanish, on the United States Marine Corps and the Pennsylvania State Police. on plumbing and electricity, on gardening and raising poultry, on optics and printing, on Mexico and the Balkans, and a goodly number on our own country. A bulletin containing a list of the books purchased can be obtained free at the Library.
The Literary Committee of the Woman's Club con- ducted a story hour for the first grades during March and April in the " Historical Room," and the children appeared very appreciative.
There were the usual exhibitions of pictures, many of them on the war.
ELLA E. MIERSCH,
Librarian.
88
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
ACCESSIONS
Bound Volumes in Library Jan. 1, 1918,
22,636
Added by Purchase, 382
Added by Gifts, Added by Binding Periodicals,
79
83
544
23,180
Wornout Books,
128
Replaced,
142
14
Bound Volumes in Library Jan. 1, 1919,
23,194
REGISTRATION
Names Registered to Jan. 1, 1918,
4,162
Names Registered in 1918,
598
Names Now Registered at the Library,
4,760
CIRCULATION
Days Library Was Open,
277
Volumes Circulated,
45,165
Average Daily Use,
163
Smallest Daily Use, Feb. 5,
21
Largest Daily Use, Nov. 4,
353
Smallest Monthly Use, September,
3,544
Largest Monthly Use, March,
4,744
Amount Received from Fines,
$191 54
Circulation by Months for the Past Ten Years
1909-10
1910-11
1911-12
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
January
3594
3775
3641
3711
4055
4182
4289
4404
4375
February .....
3431
3447
3726
3663
3747
3890
4137
4456
4159
4108
March.
3980
3460
3959
4009
4074
4502
1345
4980
5151
4744
April
3172
3119
3330
3209
3496
3847
3614
4293
4135
4329
May.
2908
2801
2854
2975
3284
3492
3481
3851
4144
3669
June .
2654
2774
2756
2828
3101
3698
4167
3628
3930
3870
July ..
3163
3016
2770
3423
3296
3646
4146
3682
3874
3654
August
2925
3244
2972
3558
3190
3834
4005
3653
3748
3605
September ...
2863
2722
2653
2674
2873
3247
3607
3603
3249
3544
October .......
3223
3018
2814
2628
3363
3957
3931
3590
3640
1000
November ....
3179
3154
3198
3278
3673
3918
4137
3991
3984
4042
December .....
3128
3268
3335
3085
3679
3754
4036
3848
3966
4225
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
Total.
38,220
37,798
34,367
38,971
41,487
15,840
47,788
47,864
48,384
45,165
89
Accessions and Circulation
Volumes added Volumes now in Volumes circu- in 1918 lated 1917
Library
Per Cent. Circu- Volumes circu- lated in 1918 lated in 1918
Fiction.
131
3689
21,984
45.28
20,451
Children, Fiction.
70
1390
11,567
25.25
11,401
Children, Non-fiction
37
949
3,876
7.22
3,261
Philosophy
3
334
143
.44
192
Religion.
1
649
61
.12
55
Sociology.
19
803
529
.84
378
Language.
5
110
148
.27
123
Science.
10
702
332
.74
332
Useful Arts.
31
837
1,092
1.96
882
Fine Arts ...
3
544
616
.82
366
Literature
19
2011
662
1.27
573
Travel.
24
1503
774
1.35
620
History
65
1706
1.155
4.34
1.958
Biography
22
1883
368
.72
324
Bound Periodicals
2795
266
41
182
Law Reports of Massachusetts
2
344
Mass. Public Documents
6
201
1
U. S. Public Documents.
359
Foreign Languages
3.139
5.27
2.377
Current Periodicals
1.658
3.66
1,653
Reference Books ...
670
13
0.4
17
Ammidown Collection
Museum ..
76
·
.
.
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
90
.
22
755
91
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Receipts:
Town Appropriation,
$5,007 00
Expenditures :
Salaries,
$2,614 61
Light,
158 61
Coal,
643 75
Books,
690 36
Binding,
185 95
Equipment,
9 45
Repairs,
26 63
Supplies,,
83 78
Printing,
55 75
Expenses,
134 28
Periodicals,
225 80
4,828 97
178 03
MYNOTT FUND
Jan. 1, 1918, interest to Jan. 1, 1919,
1,003 28
40 52
Amount of Fund Jan. 1, 1919,
1,043 80
GIFTS
Vols.
H. H. Bancroft,
2
Mrs. A. Blackburn,
4
Mrs. H. C. Cady,
1
Eddy Town Fund,
12
92
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
Reuben H. Donnelley Corporation,
1
Guaranty Trust Co.,
1
Harvard University,
1
Massachusetts Constitutional Convention,
1
Massachusetts,
7
Mrs. C. D. Paige,
44
Prudential Insurance Co.,
1
United States Government, 4
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen-
The Board of Health, J. E. Donais, M. D., W. S. Conway, M. D., and Philias S. Caron, organized with Dr. J. E. Donais, Chairman, and Dr. W. S. Conway, Secretary; monthly meetings were held, with many special meetings during the influenza epidemic.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
There were reported the following diseases danger- ous to the public health during the year:
Chicken Pox,
2
Opthalmia
Neonato-
Diphtheria, 12
rum, 1
Measles, 63
Pulmonary
Tuberculo-
Mumps, 4
Whooping Cough, 2
Influenza and Pneu-
monia, 1288
sis, 24
(Other Forms) 66
2
Typhoid Fever,
11
Scarlet
1
Gonorrhea,
1
94
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
This shows an increase over last year in all of the diseases reportable by law, but not much increase in the diseases which are what might be called the regular diseases listed as dangerous to the public health.
INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC
During the months of October, November and De- cember there occurred one of the largest epidemics that has ever visited this town and the country at large dur- ing the last thirty years, that of the "Influenza-Pneu- monia Epidemic."
On the advice of State authorities before the epi- demic reached this town, but had been raging over the whole eastern part of the State, the Board met and considered the matter, so that when it did come, which was the first part of October, we were prepared to com- bat it.
Fortunately the Southbridge Visiting Nurse Asso- ciation offered their nurse, Miss Julia Barry, to the Board, and she with other helpers did district nursing for influenza alone from the Board of Health's office.
Although many things and, at times, help could not be obtained, yet we believe that almost all the patients had proper care.
There was reported 1,288 cases of influenza and pneumonia, and 83 deaths; we know of all the deaths, but there must have been many cases not reported to the Board.
The Board wish to publicly thank the Southbridge Visiting Nurse Association, the Public Safety Commit-
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
tee, the school teachers, the several church societies, the Red Cross and the public for their help and generous gifts of clothing and food in this, one of the most try. ing situations that has visited this town in many years.
Although at the time of writing this report the epidemic has not ceased, yet the situation has improved to a point where each family can care for its sick.
No hospital was erected, although the Board had all plans made, with locations in view for an open air hospital, as recommended by the State Department of Health, if the situation demanded a hospital.
TUBERCULOSIS
Twenty-four cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and two of other forms of tuberculosis were reported dur- in the year, and there were sixteen deaths. The ex- penses for this department increase each year, as we are called upon to pay the board and care of patients in city hospitals for many weeks before they can be ad- mitted to State sanatoriums, the cost at city hospitals being $12 per week, while in the State hospitals it is $4. At the present time the Town is paying for the board and care of seven at the Westfield State Sanatorium, and during the year has had five in the Worcester Hos- pital and one in a hospital at New Bedford, besides giv- ing aid to three patients living at home. The Board finds, after careful study, that it must ask for a larger appropriation the coming year.
The Tuberculosis Dispensary has been open each Monday from 5 to 7 o'clock P. M., except during a few
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
weeks at the time of the epidemic. There has been seven examined during the year, a very small number, of which two were positive cases, two suspicious cases, one patient returned from a State sanatorium, and two negative cases.
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