USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1937-1941 > Part 21
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ARTHUR A, ALLARD, Chairman EDWARD L. CHAPIN, Secretary JAMES C. MURPHY C. McGREGORY WELLS Jr. OSWALD MEUNIER
53
Report of TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of Southbridge :
Last year our Elm Trees experienced for the first time, as far as I know, an attack from the very insidious insect known as the Elm Leaf Beetle. As soon as it be- comes warm enough for the leaf buds to begin to open, these beetles appear from their winter quarters and start feeding upon the expanding leaves. This process devital- izes the leaves and brings about a skeletonizing of the leaves which so seriously damages the trees. Two or three severe attacks in consecutive seasons generally suf- fice to kill or very seriously weaken the infested tree. Control lies chiefly in spraying. The yearly appropria .. tion of $600.00 is not sufficient even for the usual care of trimming, cabling, and bracing that is required for a thorough job on all our trees. And now with the added diseased condition produced by the Elm Leaf Beetle I find the yearly appropriation sadly in need of an in- crease in order to cope with our trees' health require- ments.
Respectfully yours, WILBUR G. WILSON, Tree Warden
54
REPORT OF GYPSY MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of Southbridge :
Last year we found and exterminated 7600 Gypsy Moth egg masses. This includes the spring and the fall extermination. This inspection was restricted only to the trees under the town's jurisdiction because of the limited amount of funds.
Respectfully yours, WILBUR G. WILSON, Moth Superintendent
55
Report of TOWN TREASURER
For year ending December 31, 1940 ih on Hand, January 1, 1940 $ 136,393.23 eipts for 1940 $1,280,840.56
90 Disbursements
1,187,556.47
ance, Cash on Hand, Dec. 31, 1940
$ 229,677.32
FUNDED DEBT
Que
Date of Amount Outstanding
941 Denominated
Issue of Loan Dec. 31, 1940
00.00 Vocational School
Bonds
1922
$150,000.00
$ 15,000.00
00.00 Eastford Rd. & West St.
Schools
1936
152,490.00
116,000.00
00.00 Northern Dist. School
1938
80,000.00
72,000.00
00.00 Storm Damage Loan
1939
40,000,00
30,000.00
TEMPORARY LOANS
7000.00-Anticipation of Revenue Loan-Due May 1, 1941
000.00-Anticipation of Revenue Loan-Due November 15, 1941 Respectfully submitted,
NORBERT C. BENOIT
Town Treasurer
$1,417,233.79
56
CEMETERY FUND
Book No.
Depository
Dec. 31, 1940
Interest 1940
24902
Dedham Inst. for Savings
$ 2,000.00
$ 40.00
91607
Fitchburg Savings Bank
2,000.00
45.00
22841
Leominster Savings Bank
2,475.00
61.88
4541 Millbury Savings Bank
*
1,530.00
35.84
32073
Natick Savings Bank
2,500.00
68.75
8465
Southbridge Savings Bank
3,044.25
64.10
378
People's National Bank
1,000.00
20.00
150348
Springfield Inst. for Savings
2,000.00
40.00
1498
Salem 5-Cent Savings Bank
2,000.00
60.00
3791
Ware Savings Bank
2,000.00
60 00
11619
Webster 5-Cent Savings Bank
4,714.68
117.86
54964
Worcester 5-Cent Savings Bank
2,000.00
50.00
91964
Cambridge Savings Bank
3,000.00
75.00
170011
Charlestown 5-Cent Savings
2,000.00
40.00
49264
Gardner Savings Bank
3,000.00
75.00
82904
Lynn Inst. for Savings
2,000.00
50.00
30302
Newburyport 5-Cent Savings
3,000.00
75.00
183325
New Bedford 5-Cent Savings
2,000.00
50.00
29044
Winchendon Savings Bank
2,000.00
60.00
93327
Worcester North Savings Bank
2,175.00
48.94
239 & 1057
Worcester Co-operative Bank
4,000.00
120.00
A-15753 &
12571
Workingmen's Co-operative Bank
4,000.00
105.00
6917 &
17538
Merchant's Co-operative Bank
4,000.00
100.00
819
Mattapan Co-operative Bank
2,000.00
72.50
845 & 3934 Mt. Washington Co-operative Bank
4,000.00
120.00
200 & 237
Congress Co-operative Bank
4,000.00
120.00
457
Southbridge Co-operative Bank
2,000.00
75.00
Totals
$70,438.93
$1,849.87
Cemetery Fund as of January 1, 1940
$69,983.93
Added to Fund, 1940
455.00
Cemetery Fund as of December 31, 1940
$70,438.93
* This amount includes a contingent claim of $325.11. Respectfully submitted, NORBERT C. BENOIT
Treasurer
Balance
57
TRUST FUNDS
Balance
Int. Balance
Book No. Depository
Jan. 1, 1940
1940 Dec. 31, 1940
MARY MYNOTT FUND
46690 Southbridge Savings Bank
$1,000.00 $ 25.00
$1,000.00
BOYER FUND
31984
Southbridge Savings Bank $ 347.35 $ 8.73 $ 356.08
JESSE J. ANGELL FUND
47690 Southbridge Savings Bank
$1,155.83 $ 29.07
$1,184.90
ELLA M. COLE FUND
45612
Attleborough Savings Bank
$1,000.00
$ 20.00
$1,000.00
94985
Cambridge Savings Bank
1.000.00
25.00
1,000.00
176397
Charlestown 5-Cent Savings
Bank
1,000.00
20.00
1,000.00
HANNAH M. EDWARDS CEMETERY FUND
The First National Bank of Boston,
Trustee
$5,000.00 $145.00
$5,000.00
Respectfully submitted.
NORBERT C. BENOIT
Town Treasurer
59
Report of INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
I wish to submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
Wiring Dept.
Permits issued for new work 185
Permits issued for addition to old work 412
Inspection while work is in progress 1600
Recommendations to alter wiring 110
New signs (window and street) 80
Temporary permits 180
This department has enjoyed a very busy and suc- cessful year.
Working with so many out of town contractors due o the busy building year that this town has enjoyed has increased the work considerably but with the aid of Mr. Carroll Dean whose advise at all times is appre- ciated by all of us in Southbridge who have the pleasure of working with him, we were able to accommodate and give electric light service at practically no delay.
Mr. Joslin has also, always been ready to help and end his men out at all hours of the night.
Much has been done in our Town Hall this year to nake it safe from defective wiring, the lower floor has een rewired and load balanced.
60
Mr. LeClair, the clerk of the board, has been very helpful and co-operative in this work.
It is the hope of this department that new fixtures will be installed this coming year in our Town Hall to re- place the present fixtures.
Respectfully yours,
EMERY A. LAVALLEE
61
Report of HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of Southbridge:
Your Street Commissioners wish to submit the fol- lowing report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
Salary of Superintendent
$1,695.00
Telephone
149.09
Postage
5.50
Forms and Record sheets
96.54
Document File and Cupboard
104.12
Royal Typewriter
103.95
Pencils
.50
Miscellaneous expense
.83
$2,155.53
TOWN DUMP ACCOUNT
Labor
778.84
Rental of Dumping Grounds
125.00
Machinery Rental
92.00
Signs (No Dumping)
3.75
999.59
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Labor
16,607.13
Road Oil
3,151.07
Cold Patch Oil
1,194.84
Lights and Fuel
187.03
Gasoline and Motor Oil
2,168.56
Tools Repaired and Sharpened
195.65
62
Sand and Gravel
350.40
Miscellaneous Supplies
523.06
New Tools
387.59
Crushed Stone
440.24
Cement
118.55
Water
8.00
Transferred to other accounts
2,400.00
Machinery Rental
2,267.88
30,000.0
ROAD MACHINERY MAINTENANCE
Parts and accessories
3,334.44 3,334.4
SNOW AND ICE
Labor
12,332.64
Truck and Tractor Rental
5,389.12
Calcium Chloride
83.41
Salt
163.06
Plow Repairs
25.21
$17,993.4
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE North Woodstock Road
Labor
655.50
Machinery Rental
108.00
Road Oil
266.22
Bricks
25.00
Catch Basin Frames and Covers
63.11
1,117.8
Old North Woodstock Road
Labor
461.15
Machinery Rental
10.50
R. C. Pipe
220.80
ยท
692.
63
Sandersdale Road
Labor
707.40
Machinery Rental
12.00
Road Signs and Posts
13.57
Perforated CCMS Pipe
89.02
821.99
River Road
Labor
43.60
Machinery Rental
5.25
48.85
Hamilton Street
Labor
44.00
Machinery Rental
6.00
50.00
RUBBISH COLLECTION
Contract
1,375.00
1,375.00
WEST STREET
Labor
2,026.25
Curb Stone
498.00
Sand and Gravel
71.25
Road Oil
769.48
Machinery Rental
59.20
Stakes
2.30
I
$3,426.48
Respectfully submitted, Board of Street Commissioners RAYMOND BENOIT GEORGE LAFLECHE ALFRED BEAULIEU
65
Report of ASSESSORS
The Board of Assessors submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
All appropriations voted since 1939 Tax Rate was fixed.
Total appropriations as certified by town clerk to be raised by taxation $636,988.14.
Total appropriations voted to be taken from avail- able funds.
1n 1940
$6,997.01
In 1939 since 1939 tax rate
was fixed
$12,296.79
19,293.80
$656,281.94
Any other amount to be raised :
Deficits: 1939
Estimated Re- ceipts
$1,921.03
Overdrafts
13,355.01
$15,276.04
STATE: Tax and
Assessments
1940 Estimates $35,360.00
1939 Under- estimates
State Tax
State Parks and Res- ervations
587.82
State Audit of Mun- icipal Accounts 651.18
Veterans' Exemptions
32.41
$36,631.41
36,631.41
66
COUNTY. Tax and
Assessments :
County Tax
$19,902.49
Tuberculosis Hos-
pital Assessment
15,440.17
$35,342.66 35.342.66
OVERLAY of current year
6,030.04
GROSS AMOUNT TO BE RAISED $749.562.09
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS: Estimated Receipts for the year
1940 $210,008.76
Overestimates of previous year to be used as available funds :
State Parks and Reservations 83.13
Veterans' Exemptions 10.21
Amounts voted to be taken from available funds, and date of approval by Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation
$12,296.79 December 7, 1939 6,997.01 June 19, 1940
19,293.80
$19,387.14
TOTAL ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS $229,395.90
NET AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION ON POLLS
AND PROPERTY $520,166.19
67
Tax
Number of Polls 5697 at $2.00
each
$11,394.00
Total Valuation : ( .)
Personal Property, (Tax Rate)
$2,047,245.00 ( ) )
81,685.08
Total Valuation :
Real Estate,
$39.90
$10,703,865.00
) 427,084.21
Gain on account of fractional
divisions of tax rate 2.90
TOTAL TAXES LEVIED ON
POLLS AND PROPERTY $520,166.19
Betterment and special assessments :
Sidewalk Assessments and In-
terest (Apportioned) $185.88
Sidewalk Assessments and In- terest (Unapportioned)
476.49
Sewer Assessments and Interest (Apportioned) 960.21
Sewer Assessments and Interest
(Unapportioned) 1,000.69
TOTAL OF ALL OTHER
COMMITMENTS 2,623.27
TOTAL AMOUNT OF ALL TAXES ON POLLS AND PROPERTY AND ASSESS- MENTS COMMITTED TO THE COLLECTOR TO DATE OF FIXING TAX RATE $522,789.46
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS : December 20, 1940
Real Estate, Valuation-$4,500
Tax on Real Estate $179.55
68
Warrant to Collector, December 20, 1940 $179.55
July 31, 1940
Polls, 24 at $2.00 $48.00
Warrant to Collector, July 31, 1940 $48.00
December 18, 1940
Polls, 22 at $2.00 $44.00
Warrant to Collector, December 18, 1940 $44.00
TOTAL ASSESSED VALUA- TION ON PERSONAL AND REAL ESTATE FOR 1940 $12,755,610.00
TOTAL WARRANTS TO COL- LECTOR ON POLLS, PER-
SONAL, REAL ESTATE AND
SEWER AND SIDEWALK ASSESSMENTS FOR 1940 - $523,061.01
VALUATION OF MOTOR VE- HICLES FOR 1940
$1,218,780.00
Tax on Motor Vehicles for 1940 $35,590.58
Warrant to Collector for 1940 - $35,590.58
TOTAL ASSESSED VALU- ATION FOR 1940 $13,974,390.00
TOTAL WARRANTS TO COL- LECTOR FOR 1940 $558,651.59
Rate of Local Tax per thousand $39.90
Rate of Motor Vehicle Excise Tax per thousand
$36.40
VALUE OF EXEMPTED PROPERTY
Churches, Parsonages, Schools and Hos- pital $1,698,000.00
69
U. S. P. O. Property
98,000.00
Town Property
1,701,990.00
$3,497,990.00
Number of Motor Vehicles Assessed
4605
JOSEPH T. GERVAIS
PHILIAS F. X. CASAVANT JOSEPH METRAS
Board of Assessors
71
Report of TOWN CLERK
January 31, 1941
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge :
I hereby submit my report for the year ending De- cember 31, 1940.
VITAL STATISTICS
Number of Births 337
Number of Deaths 176
Number of Marriages recorded 283
Number of Intentions filed 265
DOG LICENSES
Licenses issued 1940 :
Males, 514 at $2.00
$1,028.00
Females, 83 at $5.00 415.00
7
Spayed Females, 144 at $2.00 288.00
Kennel, 2 at $25.00
50.00
$1,781.00
Payments to Treasurer
$1,632.40
Fees retained 743 at.20
148.60
$1,781.00
72
MISCELLANEOUS LICENSES
Licenses issued 1940 :
Auctioneer, 4 at $2.00 8.00
Junk Licenses, 6 at $15.00
90.00
Pool and bowling
117.00
Gasoline and oil certificates
of registration
18.75
$233.75
SPORTING LICENSES
Series No. 1 667 at $2.00
$1,334.00
2 378 at $2.00
756.00
3 233 at $3.25
757.25
4 164 at $1.25
205.00
5 6 at $2.25
13.50
6
12 at $5.25
63.00
8 3 at $1.50
4.50
10
2 at $5.25
10.50
14
21 at .50
10.50
$3,154.25
Payments to Division of Fisheries
& Game
$2,782.75
Fees retained at .25
371.50
$3,154.25
Respectfully submitted, CLARE P. BOYER
Town Clerk
73
Report of CEMETERY COMMISSION
The Cemetery Commission organized with Ward- well M. Edwards as Chairman and George W. Dumas Clerk. The spring work was started the first week in April. A small number of men were employed at this time. The number was gradually increased until Memo- rial Day. During this period the greater part of our paid help was secured from the Welfare Department. This board also supplied labor at no expense to the Cemetery, the men employed working for their welfare orders. We wish to extend our thanks to the Board of Public Wel- fare for the fine cooperation they have extended during the year. The new lot section near the Cohasse Street entrance was completed in June. We started selling lots here in September, a number having been selected to date. The number of people interested in acquiring lots in this development has justified the investment made. We hope to start a registration of graves W. P. A. project during the coming year. Prior to 1922 there was no list- ing of individual burials. There are over five thousand headstones marking internments that are not listed on any Cemetery record. This is a condition that should be corrected. A listing of all internments that can be found will be recorded on a modern cemetery index sys- tem if this projeact is granted. A grant was secured from the W. P. A. to remove brush and cord-wood from the Cole forest and to make this area into an attractive park. This work was started in the spring but was aban- doned during the summer. We have been assured work will be resumed in this area during the winter. There
74
were five lots sold during the year and six accepted for perpetual care. The total amount collected by this de- partment was $1486.50.
Respectfully submitted,
WARDWELL M. EDWARDS GEORGE W. DUMAS DANIEL T. MORRILL Cemetery Commission
75
Report of OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge:
Regular meetings were held on the first and third Mondays of each month. The case load under Old Age Assistance rose during August to a total of 191 cases and decreased to 180 cases in December. The following sta- tistics were taken from our records.
Cases
Cases
Added
Closed
Month
Cases Aided
January 1, 1940
183
2
2
January
183
1
1
February
183
6
1
March
188
2
0
April
190
4
4
May
190
2
5
June
187
5
2
July
190
3
2
August
191
1
3
September
189
3
3 October
189
3
9
November
183
2
5
December
180
34
37
December 31, 1940
180
Causes for Closing Cases
Deceased
18
Ineligible after grant
5
Self-supporting after grant
4
To other City or Town
10
Total
37 cases
76
Causes for Rejections
Cash in Excess 7
Insurance in Excess
3
Insufficient Information 2
Children able to provide 3
Real Estate Equity in excess
2
Receiving Compensation
1
Application withdrawn
1
Total
19 cases
Respectfully submitted, OVIDE DESROSIERS, Chairman HERMAS LIPPE, Clerk MARIE LARIVIERE, Other Member
H. H. MICHON, Supervisor Bureau of Old Age Assistance
77
Report of Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge:
The Board of Public Welfare herewith submits its annual report for the year 1940. It will be noted from the statistics presented in the following table that the year has brought a steady decrease in the number of cases receiving public relief. The outlook for 1941, bar- ring any unexpected business disturbance, is very encour- aging.
W. P. A.
Employable
Unemployable
Total
-
-
Cases
Persons
Cases
Persons
Cases
Persons
Cases
Persons
January
17
75
81
351
58
119
156
545
February
18
81
73
320
60
114
151
515
March
21
83
93
417
61
118
175
618
April
16
71
98
526
61
122
175
627
May
16
74
104
451
62
124
182
649
June
11
51
93
404
61
117
165
572
July
11
47
85
374
58
114
154
535
August
8
35
70
300
58
119
136
454
September
10
45
71
289
57
123
138
457
October
10
46
54
248
57
119
121
413
November
11
52
50
242
61
124
123
418
December
14
54
51
260
55
110
120
426
Relief labor, to the extent of 11,276 hours, has been furnished to any municipal department requesting it.
As in the past, the Federal Surplus Commodities Distribution Center has functioned regularly and has been very helpful to this Department.
78
The Works Projects Administration has continued to be closely associated with the Welfare Department and has been of great service to us. We also derived great benefits from local projects, under the supervision of the Town Engineer, which provided employment for welfare applicants. This department appreciates the fine cooperation on these projects.
Federal and State reimbursement and payments from other Cities and Towns has been prompt and satis- factory and has greatly reduced our net expenditures.
A total of 23 families representing 84 persons were aided under the Aid to Dependent Children Laws during 1940. This category has increased during the year and there is a possibility of further increase during 1941.
There was a total of 24 inmates cared for at the In- firmary during 1940. While the total of persons housed fluctuated from 18 to 24, there was an average of 22 in- mates throughout the year. The oldest permanent resi- dent is a woman now 88 years of age, still in compar- atively good health. Another male permanent inmate has reached the age of 85 and is also well and contented. The Institution is operated efficiently, with a view to the com- fort and well-being of the inmates.
May we repeat our grateful appreciation for the fine cooperation shown us by the manufacturers, contrac- tors and all others who assisted this department in mak- ing the year a better one for this department.
Respectfully submitted, OVIDE DESROSIERS, Chairman HERMAS LIPPE, Clerk MARIE LARIVIERE Other Member
H. H. MICHON, Supervisor Board of Public Welfare
79
Report of the PLANNING BOARD
The major activity of the board during the year 1940 has been devoted to the preparation and development of the proposed zoning and accompanying by-laws for its adop- tion at the annual Town Meeting in March, 1941.
We were accorded an appropriation of $700.00 to pre- pare this work. After consultations with various town planning experts, we decided to engage the services of Mr. Frederick Johnstone Adams, city planning consultant and professor at M. I. T.
Accordingly, Mr. Adams started this work assisted by Mr. John Kellem, and this work of mapping the town and making up the zoning plan and regulations entailed a very considerable amount of work which lasted through the summer.
After the work was brought up to a point as near to completion as possible, we approached various organiza- tions and the principal industries with a view of obtaining their comments and reactions to our plan.
The work has now reached a point where we believe it will be proposed at a public hearing before the Town Meet- ing, and we hope it will be possible to have a zoning plan adopted at the annual Town Meeting.
We are asking for a further appropriation which we hope will be accorded so that we may complete this part of the program.
Very truly yours, TOWN PLANNING BOARD
O. J. LALIBERTE, Chairman
81
Report of W. P. A. CO-ORDINATOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report of W.P.A. activities in Southbridge for 1940.
FORESTRY
This Project, started in 1939, to clear fallen timber in surrounding wood lots was closed April 15, 1940. The clearing was so successful that your Fire Department was called only for minor forest fires with a definite sav- ing to the Tax Payers and the residents in these districts.
Cost to Town $194.87
COLE PARK
Work was started April 8th, clearing fallen timber, grubbing and cutting cord wood. Good results were effected until work was discontinued to go on construc- tion. About 100 cords of Hard & Pine wood was cut and delivered to Relief and Welfare Departments. 110 loads of slabs were also delivered.
Cost to Town $497.91
SEWERS
This construction work, cancelled after the 1938 hurricane, was resumed in December, 1939. 225 feet was completed on Clarke Street. 620 feet was built on Charlton St., completing this project as far as Vinton St.,
82
1400 feet was started on Paige Hill with the expected completion date about Feb. 1st.
Cost to Town $2,527.52
STORM DRAINS
Due to building the new Albanian Church on Morris St., the surface drain had to be relocated and 325 feet of re-inforced drain was laid. 400 feet of drain is now be- ing built on Kingsley St. and North Woodstock Road which will be completed about Feb. 15th.
Cost to Town $1,102.71
SIDEWALKS
Construction was begun on Charlton St. and a stretch of 615 feet was completed. 570 feet was built on Fairlawn Ave. completing a much needed project. 140 feet on Dupaul St., completed this street started in 1938. 830 feet was then constructed on Wall St. and 446 feet was built on Belleview Ave. in the new Westwood Hill Section.
Cost to Town $2,923.21
TOY PROJECT
About 3,500 new and rebuilt toys were made avail- able for the American Legion Toy distribution to needy children at Xmas. Many pieces of furniture were re- paired and given to families on relief.
Cost to Town $374.86
SEWING PROJECT
This project had from 13 to 25 women on its Payroll and during the year made 11,167 garments. After being sent to the distributing center in Worcester, our Surplus Commodities Store received and distributed to needy families in Southbridge $7,029.95 worth of clothing, sheets and blankets.
Cost to Town $3,123.12
83
SURPLUS COMMODITIES STORE
Surplus commodities received throughout the year were distributed to Welfare and Soldiers Relief recip- ients as well as to W.P.A. workers with a total value of $22,548.94.
Cost to Town $240.04
GRAVES REGISTRATION
A graves Registration project has been started to list graves of Veterans in various cemeteries in South- bridge. Cost to Town $46.80
RECORDS
This project, started in 1939, has now been closed. Collecting, Sorting, and Indexing Town Records will be of value in years to come.
I wish to thank Mr. James W. Meehan and the staff of the Worcester W.P.A. office; the various Town De- partments and W.P.A. workers for their co-operation and courteous assistance during the year 1940.
Respectfully submitted, E. E. LeCLAIR
Co-ordinator
85
Report of BOARD of HEALTH
To the Citizens of Southbridge :
On March sixth, the Board of Health met and organ- ized as follows-Dr. Armand O. DeGrenier, chairman; Dr. William E. Langevin, clerk, and Dr. Hervey Desmarais as the third member.
Seventeen meetings were held during the year includ- ing five special meetings.
Two cases of undulant fever reported from our com- munity were investigated by the district health officer. Since both patients had used raw milk, he felt reasonably certain that the infection was due to this source, and re- commended the pasteurization of all milk sold in this town. The Board of Health in its endeavor to safeguard the health of the community discussed this matter privately with State Health Officials, and later held a public meeting in the Town Hall. Dr. Roy Feemster, director of the division of communicable diseases, and Dr. Valdo Getting, assistant district health officer were the principal speakers, giving the public the necessary information, as to the value of pasteurized milk, in the prevention of disease. Consider- able opposition was expressed at that time, and the matter was postponed for the time being. However, we feel the meeting was educational and stimulated milk dealers to im- prove their plants, and some have expressed their intention of installing pasteurization equipment as soon as con- venient.
In co-operation with State Health recommendations, arrangements have been made for the milk inspector to take a short course at the Massachusetts State College at Amherst, in order to conform with the requirements for
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testing milk. We are also acquiring equipment for a milk laboratory, to be located in the Town Hall.
Early in February the Board of Health recommended a ninety day quarantine on all dogs, due to a focus of ani- mal rabies in the neighboring communities. This precau- tion protected not only individuals, but dogs from being bitten by other animals. Four clinics sponsored by the Board of Health, were held in the Fire Station. Dr. G. Edgar Harder, veterinarian had charge of the clinics, assisted by the local animal inspector.
The extensive building program during the past two years, has added a number of new streets and houses to our community, which means extra work for the garbage col- lector. As these dwellings are not recorded on the original contract, the Board feels that it will be necessary to make a supplement to the present contract, including all new developments, and providing adequate compensation.
In anticipation of over-night and trailer camp sites within our boundaries, the Board of Health adopted the "Trailer Camp Regulations," as recommended by the State Department of Public Health. This measure will entitle the Board of Health to request the assistance of the State De- partment of Public Health to test the water supply and make sanitary inspections thereby safeguarding those oc- cupying the camps.
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