USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1927-1931 > Part 8
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Commitment
$745.38
Payments to Treasurer $385.74
Outstanding December 31, 1928
359.64
$745.38
UNAPPORTIONED SEWER ASSESSMENT 1928
Commitment
$794.11
Payments to Treasurer
$269.84
Outstanding December 31, 1928
524.27
$794.11
APPORTIONED SEWER ASSESSMENT INTEREST 1928
Commitment
$197.30
Payments to Treasurer
$59.98
Outstanding December 31, 1928
137.32
$197.30
80
UNAPPORTIONED SEWER ASSESSMENT INTEREST 1928
Commitment
$102.07
Payments to Treasurer $19.49
Outstanding December 31, 1928
82.58
$102.07
APPORTIONED SIDEWALK ASSESSMENT 1928
Commitment
$566.21
Payments to Treasurer $333.21
Outstanding December 31, 1928
233.00
$566.21
APPORTIONED SIDEWALK ASSESSMENT INTEREST 1928
Commitment
$87.06
Payments to Treasurer $43.18
Outstanding December 31, 1928
43.88
$87.06
Apportioned Sewer Assessment paid in
advance
$228.72
Apportioned Sidewalk Assessment paid in advance $123.90
Interest on Apportioned Sidewalk paid
81
in advance
1.34
$125.24
INTEREST TAXES
Levy of 1925
$134.95
Levy of 1926
2,335.52
Levy of 1927
1,345.02
Levy of 1928
117.91
$3,933.40
I desire at this time to thank the citizens and Town Offi- cials for their co-operation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LEON J. DELAGE, Collector of Taxes.
83
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
We respectfully submit to you the following report of the activities of our Board for the year 1928. Southbridge has been very fortunate in 1928, because the general health of the com- munity has been exceptionally good, and comparatively few cases of endemic contagious diseases have been reported.
Of course diptheria has claimed a few victims, and tuber- culosis has necessitated some removals to the State Sanatoria, that item of care of tuberculosis patients is one of the largest in our budget, because all bills from those institutions come now made out direct to cities and towns sending patients to them, or even without the knowledge of the authori- ties of cities and towns, so that it is hard for our board to fairly estimate before hand how much it will cost the Town for tuberculosis.
About diphtheria, we recommend a thorough as possible immunization by Toxen Anti-toxen, there is not a doubt that we could eradicate that dreadful disease, if we were supplied with the necessary appropriation, and if the parents were will- ing to co-operate, and understood that Toxen Anti-toxen has passed the experimental stage and has proved beyond a doubt its efficiency as a prevention of one of the most serious diseases, which each year, takes a more or less large toll of life among our young children, or leaves baneful effects on the future life of those children.
84
Through lack of funds, the yearly inspection of children in private schools was not done in 1928, but ought to be done in 1929.
We beg the co-operation of the supervisors of these dif- ferent schools, so that all the children might get the benefit of those examinations, and that the Board might control more easily the spread of the different contagious diseases which are liable to be carried into those schools, and from them be disseminated to the community at large.
During part of the year, the Board was obliged to protect the public health by putting a permanent man at the dumping grounds on Harrington Street, that dump was getting to be a great menace, we think the results have been amply justified by our decision in the matter, and we recommend the continu- ance of that policy.
The Dental Clinic, with the devoted service of the Health Nurse and the co-operation of the School Authorities has been a great success.
Everything considered it is with a feeling of satisfaction in the work done by the various departments under our control that we submit this report to you.
DR. JOSEPH G. E. PAGE, OMER BELANGER, ISIDORE LeBLANC,
Board of Health.
85
REPORT OF THE AGENT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Board of Health.
Gentlemen :
The work of the Agent has been of a pleasant nature dur- ing the year and of about the same as in previous years.
Education has and is doing many things to improve health and living conditions, this is noticed by your Agent in his daily work about town.
Yards, houses and streets are kept cleaner and more sani- tary each year and this tends to make the duties of the Health Department more pleasant.
In this report I wish to thank the citizens and the mem- bers of the Board of Health, in their fine co-operation in mak- ing these conditions possible.
Following are the contagious diseases reported during the year and deaths in town for which I have issued permits for burial, and many died out of town that are not reported in this office and the total number of deaths mentioned will differ from that reported by the Town Clerk in his report.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES REPORTED
Anterior Polio myletis ... 1 Mumps 8
Ophthalmia Neonatorum 1 Measles 11
Dog Bite (Rabid Dog) ...
3 Whooping Cough 7
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Pulmonary Tuberculosis
11 Diphtheria 13
Chickenpox
12 Scarlet Fever 23
Influenza
3 Typhoid Fever 1
Lobar Pneumonia
8
DEATHS REPORTED TO THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Accidental 1 Anemia 2
Angina Pectoris
1 Arterio Scerlosis 13
Angina Ludwigii
1 Artheritis 1
Asthema
1 Bronchites. 1
Cancer of Liver
4 Edema of Lung
1
Cancer of Stomach
4 Hypertrophy Heart 2
Cancer of Breast
2 Valvular Heart
5
Cancer of Uteries
3 Congenital Malformation
Cancer of Face
1 of Heart 3
Cancer of Lung
1 Endocarditis 1
Cancer of Pelvis
2 Myocarditis
9
Cancer of Intestine
5 Cerebral Hemorrhages .
14
Cancer of Genital
1 Gastritis
3
Diabetes
3 Nephritis
8
Diphtheria
3 Potent Foramen Ovale ..
1
Lobar Pneumonia
5 Senelity
1
Broncho Pneumonia
4 Suicide.
1
Pneumonia
1 Premature Birth 8 Still-born 4
Spasmodic Stricture of
Esophagus
1 Ureamia 1
Whooping Cough
4 Unknown (Medical Exam.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis. 2 iner's cases) 10
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT R. BROWN,
Agent of Board of Health.
87
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH NURSE
To the Honorable Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as Board of Health Nurse for the year 1928.
A dental campaign for a hundred per cent mouth, is the project this year, on the school program to stimulate new in- terest in health habits. All children who have visited the dental clinic, or their own dentist and have had all dental work done that is necessary, will receive a certificate signed by the dentist. These certificates, issued by the State Department of Health entitles the bearer to a tag which will be presented at the May Day round-up : ,
In order to build sound teeth and healthy gums all the rules of right living must be followed. Carious teeth cause an unclean mouth. Toothache and disease of the gums may result.
The dental clinic was opened every monday and Tuesday forenoon from October 1, to June 1. Each dentist on duty for a month.
Number of children who reported to clinic. 566
Number of children who had teeth cleaned. 330
Number of extractions 280
Number of fillings 169
Number of treatments 4
Number of oral examinations 30
88
The children classified as cases of Hilum tuberculosis, or suspects were examined, in March by Dr. Martin, State Clinic- ian. The follow-up work on this group will continue for ten years. These children are weighed every month, measured every six months, and homes visited as often as possible to in- sure co-operation of parents. Each child was given a written notice with necessary recommendations for correction of diet and defects.
Number of children recommended for re-examina- tion 43
Number of children absent, moved away. left school
6
Number of children refused 1
Number of children re-examined
36
Number of children found to be improved. 20
Number of children found to be unimproved ... 16
Number of children who had tonsil and adenoid operation
12
Number of children having Sanitorium treatment 1
Number of children who have had Sanitorium treatment
1
Number of children recommended for x-ray 2
Number of children who went to summer camp in 1927 4
Number of children re-examined (new cases) ... 5
Malnutrition. which means that a child may not be getting enough, or the proper kind of food, is a trouble commonly found by physicians. Sometimes it is due to illness. To correct this condition it is advisable to have the family physician find the cause of malnutrition. The child usually needs more milk in his diet and more rest.
89
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL
Number of children weighed and measured ..... 172 Number of children seven per-cent underweight 23 Number of children ten per-cent underweight ... 25 Number of children fifteen per-cent underweight 14
STE. JEANNE D'ARC SCHOOL
Number of children weighed and measured .. 433
Number of children seven per-cent underweight .. 34
Number of children ten per-cent underweight .... 45
Number of children fifteen per-cent underweight 35
These children were encouraged to follow the "Health Rules." to help them attain normal weight.
During the summer underweight children were selected to spend a month at the Children's Vacation Camp at Sterling Junction, under the auspices of the Southern Worcester Health Association. Four boys were scheduled for July and three girls for August. This year the officers in charge felt that a month was necessary to show results. Several children, how- ever, returned before the allotted time.
The camp is maintained from funds raised, throughout the county, by the sale of Christmas seals.
Pasteurized milk was served to the children for the small sum of fifteen cents per week. The mid-morning lunch is bene- ficial, especially for children who come to school without break- fast. In many instances, it is difficult to have children drink milk every day, without the co-operation of parent or teacher.
STE. JEANNE D'ARC SCHOOL
Number of bottles served during the school year 6024
90
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL
Number of bottles served during the school year 6246
The pupils of St. Mary's gathered in the school hall and each group contributed a special number to the May Day pro- gram, which follows:
- 1. "Health Creed" School
2. "Instructions for Home Care of the Mouth" Grade 2
3. "Health Habits" Grade 1
4. "Nine Little School Boys" Grade 4
5. "Little Johnny Had a Toothbrush" Grade 3
6. "Health Alphabet" . Grade 5
7. "My Breakfast" Grade 6
8. "Food Song" Grade 7
9. "The Five Fingers" Grade 1
10. "Following the Milk Can" Grade 6
"HEALTH PLEDGE"
"I pledge attention to my health. To keep my body sound is wealth, I promise cleanliness to-day Shall start me smiling on my way."'
At a later date in the month Mrs. Hackett, the State Health supervisor, entertained the moving pictures.
The pre-school clinic was organized for the purpose of guarding the health of young children. The knowledge con- cerning the early correction of physical defects, is important, for it is well known that a large percentage of defects later observed in the school children, have their beginning in the pre- school age period.
Number of chlidren examnied at pre-school clinic. 21
91
General inspection of pupils by nurse revealed many cases of enlarged tonsils and unclean mouths.
Follow-up work by the nurse in the home is considered more valuable than the routine class-room inspections. The objectives sought are improvement in the child's environment and correction of physical defects.
Number of inspections 615 Number of home visits made for correction of defects. . 83
The terms contagious and infectious were formerly care- fully used and carefully distinguished. However. modern doc- ors tell us that they fail to find any useful or basic signifi- cance in "contagious" as contrasted with "infectious." In- fectious is used to mean transmissable or communicable. Pre- caution to keep quarantine rules and isolation of infected persons. will safeguard the public.
Number of visits to Diphtheria cases 28
Number of visits to Scarlet Fever cases 60
Number of visits to Typhoid cases 3
Number of visits to Infantile Paralysis 7
Children can and should be protected against diptheria by means of three small injections of toxin-antitoxin. given one week apart. In six months they should be given the "Schick" test to find out if they are fully protected.
The cure of tuberculosis depends on early diagnosis. The individual who suffers from a prolonged cough or cold. or loss of weight, night sweats, tired feeling or who fora ny reason, feels below par physically should consult his family physician.
Treatment at a sanatorium is always recommended. when
92
possible, because patients are taught to take care of themselves and instructed to recognize new symptoms.
Rest, fresh air and food are three factors in the home treatment of the disease that stands out as being of para- mount importance.
The tuberculosis dispensary in the Town Hall was opened every Monday evening from five to seven P. M.
Number of patients examined at the dispensary 32
Number of visits to active tubercular cases 68
Number of visits to quiescent cases 70
Number of visits to suspicious cases 7
Number of visits to contacts 75
Respectfully submitted.
MARGUERITE C. HOULE, R. N.
93
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report for the year ending Dec. 31. 1928.
The following fixtures were installed during the year on which I have made inspections.
Water Closets 52
Sinks 24
Washtrays
Dentist spittoon 1
Bath tubs
20
Bowls
25
Urinals
1
Floor drains 2
These were installed in the following buildings :
Single houses 13
School houses 1
Church 1
Garages 1
2-tenement houses
3
Factories
Business blocks
Additional fixtures were installed in five other buildings.
94
I have made 24 water tests during the year, I think the smallest number since I have been your Inspector. This was caused by the letting up of construction work on account of business conditions.
Respectfully submitted.
ALBERT R. BROWN, Inspector of Plumbing.
95
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
To the Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
Herewith is my report as your Inspector of Milk for the year ending December 31. 1928.
During the year I have issued the following licenses to peddle. sell milk and oleomargarine.
Peddlers' licenses 40
Store licenses 27
Oleomargarine licenses S
I have turned over to the Town Treasurer the sum of $37.00 received for these licenses.
No epidemics have appeared in the town that could be traced to the milk supply. therefor I believe the citizens are receiving a pure product of a very necessary food.
Rspectfully yours.
ALBERT R. BROWN,
Inspector of Milk
96
REPORT OF SLAUGHTER INSPECTOR
To the Board of Health : Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as your Inspector of Slaughter- ing for the year ending December 31. 1928.
Number of carcasses of beef inspected .. 25
Number of carcases of lamb inspected .. 17 Number of carcasses of veal inspected .. 108 Number of carcasses of swine inspected .. 501
Total inspected 651
Of these two beeves were condemned for tuberculosis and one swine for tumor.
Respectfully yours. JOHN HALPIN. Inspector of Slaughtering.
97
REPORT OF SUBSTITUTE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
As substitute Inspector of Slaughtering I submit the fol- lowing report.
Number of carcasses of swine inspected,. . 14 Number of carcasses of veal inspected .. 3
Total inspected 17
:
None of the above were condemned.
Respectfully yours,
ALBERT R. BROWN, Inspector.
98
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge :
I hereby submit my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1928.
VITAL STATISTICS
Number of births 297
Number of marriages 144
Number of deaths 182
NUMBER OF DOGS LICENSED
Males
541
Females
1.09
Breeders
2
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND H. FAVREAU, Town Clerk.
99
REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS
The Board of Assessors submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1928.
Appropriations voted for town purposes
$475,854.40
State Tax
19,720.00
ยท State Highway Tax
237.58
Auditing Municipal Accounts
633.01
County Tax
22,496.00,
County Hospital Tax
1,884.20
Overlay
4,577.12
Total appropriations $525,402.31
Estimated revenue for year 1928 121,500.00
Total amount to be raised by taxes for
year 1928 $403,902.31
Valuation Real Estate April 1, 1928. . $8,502,155.00
Tax on Real Estate $289,073.27
Valuation Personal April 1, 1928. . $3,128,560.00
Tax on Personal 106,371.04
Polls, 4229 at $2.00 each 8,458.00
Total taxes assessed April 1, 1928. . $11,630,715.00
Sewer Assessments, Apportionments and Interest added to Taxes of 1928 1,838.86
Sidewalk Apportionments and Inter- est added to Taxes of 1928. 653.27
Total warrants to Collector, August 27, 1928 $406,394.44
100
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT December 20, 1928
Valuation of Real Estate $4,300.00
Tax on Real Estate
$146.20
Valuation on Personal
$200.00
Tax on personal 6.80
Polls, 81 at $2.00 each
162.00
Added to valuation Dec. 20, 1928 $4,500.00
Warrants to Tax Collector Dec. 20, 1928 $315.00
Total Warrants to Tax Collector for 1928
$406,709.44
Total valuation Dec. 31, 1928
$11,635,215.00
Rate of Tax per thousand $34.00
VALUATION OF EXEMPTED PROPERTY-BY LAW
Churches and Schools $798,600.00
U. S. P. O. Land 18,000.00
Town Property 1,299,435.00
Total of exempted property
$2,116,035.00
Number of persons assessed 2982
JOSEPH T. GERVAIS, PHILIAS F. X. CASAVANT, E. C. GOFUE,
Board of Assessors.
101
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Herman L. Lamothe, Chairman; Ovila Trahan, Clerk; George H. Hartwell; Herbert H. Michon, Almoner ; Joseph N. Payant, Warden of Infirmary.
To the Citizens of Southbridge :
We herewith submit our report for the year 1928 and also recommendations for the coming year.
The year 1928 has been, in our estimation, as hard as the previous years. While there has been a revival in busi- ness in some of our local industries, local prosperity has not been up to a levele that could be called normal. However, the Board, through hard work and the co-operation of its Almoner, has been able to effect substantial savings.
We would call to your attention that during the year 1928 the total expenditures were $10,066.71 less than in 1927. The balances on hand December 31, 1928, were :
Outsire Poor Account $2,167.03
Mothers' Aid Account 608.96
Southbridge Infirmary Account .. .10
These results are very gratifying, especially when it is known that for years the Board of Public Welfare had been obliged to overdraw their accounts to meet its expenditures.
102
Mr. Joseph N. Payant was retained as Warden and Mrs. Yvonne Mandeville, Matron.
The Board has about 267 cords of word which are paid for and most of which are stored in the Southbridge Infirm- ary yards on Chestnut Street.
Some repairs have been made to the buildings during the year including a second coat of paint, the first coat hav- ing been applied last year.
While the present quarters have been adequate to this date and we have still enough room for male inmates we are getting very short of space for females. There is only enough room to lodge the female inmates who are at the Infirmary at the present time. If a few more female applicants should be admitted they could not be taken care of without great in- convenience. In order to remedy this condition we would recommend some alterations to the building which would give more space and overcome this condition. The Board is of the opinion that if an additional sunporch were built over the present one that this could be 'used as a living room and the space now occupied as a living room could be divided into bed rooms. These alterations would give adequate room for some time and should not cost over $1000. The South- bridge Infirmary has more inmates at the present time than it has had for some time. This is due to the fact that the Board has been very reluctant in paying outside board and has in many cases refused to do so with the result that those seeking aid were admitted to the Infirmary, thereby increas- ing the number of inmates.
The Almoner's report to the Board is included as part of our own.
103
We wish to thank the Town Officials, the Manufactur- ers and all other citizens who have lent their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN J. LAMOTHE, Chairman. OVILA TRAHAN, Clerk.
105
REPORT OF THE ALMONER
To the Honorable Board of Public Welfare:
Gentlemen :
The following report I respectfully submit for the year 1928.
I am well pleased to be able to report (with all worthy cases well provided for) that the Board of Public Welfare has closed an active year with a balance of $2,752.99 to our credit, a gain of $10,086.71 over last year.
Cases aided were all investigated and settlements placed where they lawfully belong.
When application was made because of unemployment, I have done my utmost to find work in all cases.
New cases investigated in town 65
New cases investigated out of town 13
Mothers' Aid visits (quarterly) 52
Families aided in town 146
Families aided out of town having a settlement in town
16
Adults aided outside of own home
13
Adults aided at Infirmary
Children boarded in Institutions and Homes 18 37 Hospital cases 23
Arrests for non-support 30
Although unemployement being the heaviest expense on
106
the Department, I can sincerely say that the co-operation of the manufacturers, contractors and all who helped in placing men and women from our Department has been a large factor in reducing expenditures this year. It is greatly appreciated personally and for the Board of Public Welfare I thank you.
I also want to thank the Board of Public Welfare and other Town Officials for their assistance.
Respectfully,
HERBERT H. MICHON, Almoner.
107
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE
-
The Cemetery Committee organized for the year of 1928 with George H. Hartwell as Chairman and S. W. Williams, Clerk.
The Cemetery work has been carried along in the same manner as in previous years. Particular attention having been given Perpetual Care lots. checking them over four times during the year. grading graves where they were found sunken. straightening stones and doing other necessary work. As much time as could be spared was put in on non-care lots in an effort to keep the whole Cemetery in as neat an appear- ance as possible.
Our work was made difficult during the summer due to the excessive rains causing an unusual growth of grass. This condition compelled us to keep the Cemetery help mow- ing, trimming and raking nearly all the time, whereas we are usually able to do other work during the normal dry season that occurs during July and August.
The section specified by Miss Hannah M. Edwards in a fund created by her for special care has been mowed regu- larly, stones straightened and graves graded where needed. The better part of a month was spent in the Cole lot cutting out what underbrush had accumulated during the year.
The brook running along the eastern border of the Cem- etery has been dammed at its lower end, causing the water
108
to flow back over a considerable portion of the lowland lo- cated here. This was done to provide a place for the young people of the town to skate throughout the winter. We felt a place similar to this was badly needed in Southbridge. It is situated ideally for this purpose, not being near any lots and is land that cannot be used for Cemetery purposes due to its - swampy nature. The large number of young people who have utilized this privilege when the weather has been such that skating could be enjoyed we feel have vindicated our judgment in the matter.
Ten lots were sold during the year and thirteen accepted for Perpetual Care. The amount collected from all sources by this department was $1817.75.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. HARTWELL, WARDWELL M. EDWARDS, DANIEL T. MORRILL, SEAVER M. RICE,
CLARENCE F. MORSE, ALVA L. HYDE,
Cemetery Committee.
109
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE LIBRARY
TRUSTEES OF JACOB EDWARDS LIBRARY
George Grant
John E. Paige
Fred E. Corbin
For the Fund
Louis O. Rieutord
Henry Tetreault
For the Town
LIBRARIAN Ella Miersch
ASSISTANTS
Dorothy S. Bamford Catherine Clarke
SUNDAYS
Alpha Fontaine
JANITOR
Romnaldo di Bonaventura
LIBRARY HOURS
Week days, except January 1, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas, 10 to 12; 2 to 9 p. m. Sundays, October-May 1, 2-5:30.
110
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Jacob Edwards Library :
Figures can never tell the story of the work done in a library, but they are to some extent an index. In 1918, 45,165 volumes were taken out of the Library ; ten years later, almost double that number were circulated. In 1928, the circulation for home use was 88,436 volumes, this was an in- crease of more than eight per cent over 1927. The increased use of the reference material, of which no record can be kept, was in proportion.
The Library now contains 27,915 volumes. There are few subjects on which something cannot be found in the Li- brary. If you cannot find what you want, the Librarian and Assistants are always glad to help you find it. In the "Chil- dren's room" are more than three thousand carefully selected books for boys and girls. It seems a pity that there should be a child in the Town, who has not "found out something of what it means to read for joy and to love a book." Two shelves contain clean books reserved for parents to take home and read to children.
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